Hydrocodone to Fentanyl ?

I have 2 herniated disks in my spine which contributes to 24/7 pain and I am hesitant about having surgery on my spine at the moment. I am a bariatric patient so when I take a medicine it does not stay in my system as long as a non-bariatric patient, it cuts off about 2 hours sooner. At first I was put on Vicodin 5/500 (1-2 tabs every 4-6 hours) for the first month and I had to take more of the 5/500 tabs for it alleviate the pain and have a theraputic effect on me. I was then moved up to Vicodin 7.5/750 (1-2 tablets every 4-6 hours) and it didn't do much for me so my doctor put me on Norco 10/325 tabs (1-2 tabs every 4 hours) it helped but then eventually it stopped working and now I am taking 8+ Norcos in a 24 hour period. My doctor has prescribed Fentanyl 25 MCG/HR and I hear that it is about as strong as morphine and it leaves you feeling drowsy, etc. My question is will I be able to do things like go to school, etc. once I start taking Fentanyl? Since I take 80+mgs of hydrocodone a day should I wait until the vicodin is out of my system before I start using the patch or will I be okay to start it immeadiately? I am really nervous about taking it but it's been almost a month since I have been able to sleep in my own bed. Thanks for the help ahead of time.