Fentanyl Patch Withdrawal Symptoms
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I have been on the 100 mg patch and Percocet for my Crohns and Colitis for years. Last week I went cold turkey on my own recognizance. I had my 2nd colostomy surgery which elevated my pain mostly, hence quitting. I am having insomnia and terrible joint pain but never had I been more clairvoyant in years. I take Advil for my back and work out 4 days a week which helps sweat the toxins out. Exercise releases natural endorphins which are like a synthetic morphine so my specialist says. Its up to each individual to face their own truth. When you're ready to quit, you know. I wouldn't advise you to do what I did but that's always been my personality. I quit smoking this way as well. Its not for everyone. Good luck all. After the storm comes the sunshine, TRUST ME!

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Re: Blint792 (# 35)

Sorry, im trying to do this on my phone also while having issues with multiple medical and medication issues. I just wanted to add that the information i believe could be of help is all from personal experience so it is not 2nd hand stories that i am not 100% sure to be accurate. Thank you.

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Re: A budside for Add (# 29)

Hi, i would like to discuss with you pain patches, pills, and other medications. I have some stories i believe may help you, but also you may be able to help me.

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Re: tasc5678 (# 4)

That’s a tough story. Sad but true, you sign a Agreement when taking opioids. If I were you, I would have I contacted the Police and got a report. Second, I would have went in to see my doctor and told them what happened. You should always tell your doctor in advance what happened and that you have old meds that you will take until your next appointment. You violated your agreement in so
Many ways. And if this wasn’t your first time , I can’t imagine any physician treating you with
Opioids. Good luck.

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I couldn't get the information without a password. The page that popped up didn't offer a way to sign up.

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I have to start off and saying I agree a thousand percent you should never stop any kind of medication especially the ones you're talking about it can cause death plus you saying your success story my influence someone else to try it and that is not a safe way only safe way as you slowly go off of it slow enough that you don't have withdrawals and I know what I'm talking about I was on 100 milligram of fentanyl for four years for a break it back and also one two forms of morphine my doctor gradually took me off all the last one being a patch that patch going to be the worst withdrawals he had to give me more stuff and it didn't help I know what you're saying though when you figure out these medications are controlling us and said they were controlling them exercise and all the other stuff it helps if you have the personality like you do very strong and disciplined it helps the pain I've been there too I lived in a pain clinic for two weeks and I was on a good schedule and then I still went back to pain doctor but I'm 58 years old and I'm always 15 milligrams of an opiate and I choose to stay there but be so very very very careful not everybody knows they could be younger people older people anybody that was on even one of those medications honey and they could to stop and think they could do it you did they could turn a dead that's not just a myth it's a fact it says it on the bottle the only I've worked myself off and it had to be slow and I have very strong will and I had to put it my head these medications are controlling me and I need to start controlling them. Little breakthrough other time and I am a walking Miracle with what little I'm on one pill for all of my injuries one if I've said already I broke my back and I wish I could kick myself in the butt and get out there to exercise. I approve this to myself from laying around for half of that 16 years taken all those medications it doesn't take all the pain away at all when I start getting up and making myself to stuff a little at a time the more I do the better I got it took years but I can't lay around one day and my pain increases if I have to get out and go walk around my yard any kind of activity helps keep your joints moving and my muscles moving thanks a lot guys Tammy

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The link to oils about pain management does not include or show information about it.

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I had a pretty invasive surgery two years ago to remove a tumor from the roof of my mouth Basically, they removed my pallet on the right side along with all my upper jaw, teeth and sinus tissue on that side as well. I am grateful to say, that after all that and 7 weeks of radiation treatments, I am still cancer free today (two years later last week)!

Since then I have been on very high dosage of pain meds. 150mcg Fentanyl patch along with 10mg oxycodone for break through pain. After a year and a half, I knew it was time to get off the pain meds as it was severely affecting my cognitive function. I struggled at my job as a manufacturing supply chain/production manager, as my role is for a large part, solving problems "on the fly" and relying on my previously sharp memory to recall a lot of detailed information about our complicated processes used to manufacture aircraft engine parts.

Following my doctors recommendation, I tapered off 25mcg at a time, with a month in between step downs to give my body time to adjust. Each time, the first 2-3 days were rough (headache, body ache, nausea), but then things returned to somewhat "normal".

10 days ago, I finally went completely off the patches. The first few days were about the same as before, but since then I have been suffering from severe joint pain, mostly in my shoulders, back & hips. It is not too severe during the day as long as I keep moving, but as soon as I lay down to sleep, it quickly becomes impossible for me to get comfortable. I toss/turn all night. I have not slept more than 2 hours straight in 10 days now, and it doesn't seem to be getting any better. I have tried taking Advil and Tylenol, but the have no affect. I have tried hot showers and heating pads, also with little/no improvement. I have started "sleeping" on the couch to prevent keeping my wife up all night as well. I am desperate here, and haven't gotten any help for my doctor, other than"hang in there, it will get better with time".

How long will this last? Is there anything I can do to help with the aching?

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Hi Ang, I know this is post 6 months old.. however, I wanted to ask how are you feeling? I am not trying to "market" the newest detox places nor am I saying suboxone is what we should even put in our bodies. I am writing a "documentary", of sorts that I'm not only going to publish, but I am still trying to work alongside a producer (as well) for assistance in making this come to life in a documentary film. I am not asking for your time or personal info, I'm low budget so I'm trying to ultimately have this produced and filmed ASAP. If you ever have anything that you would like to have considered as a personal mini-bio for this project, please email me at {edited for privacy}. I, myself, am an addict (I stay away from 'recovering' as I know I'll never be a recovered addict. This isn't a broken leg or injury from trauma. It's often accidental however that doesn't mean I accidentally went to my specialists office and "accidentally" filling the rx for norco he wrote at maximum qty (monthly 2009-2014). I AM an addict SHOPPING & I'll never be CURED, yet I hope to be ok W/ OUT chemical ALTERING PRODUCTS TO face life's tougher moments as well as happy celebrations.

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I have went cold Turkey ON 100 McG of Fentanyl Cold Turkey this past March after it became a PA Drug that needed Authorization from my Doctor which he ignored. Had 1 box left (15 days). I ripped it off & Went through the withdrawal which was a Nightmare for about 7 days & lost 42 lbs. Then went in for Ankle Surgery April 15 2016 & got home & took nothing and Finally Learned to live with the pain after being on the Patch, Vicodin 10/660 & now it's 10/325. Same about Percocet and other drugs since my back went out about 30 years ago which I finally had back surgery February 4 2012 & 4 months later it went out again. So I like you live on Advil but you better eat something as it can & will cause Ulcers.

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Hi Jon, I feel your pain. I am 100% disabled and have been on every pain pill known to man, now I have been on 75mg fentanyl every 48 hrs for 2.5 yrs. Yea they do help a little but I don't get anything for breakthrough pain and now I am having to start over with a new Dr.. I had a heart attack in 2010, I have degenerative disc disease, otheoarthritis etc. So I consume a little cannabis to help with the pain (works great) but new Dr won't write Anything until the lab shows No THC!!! I'm freaking out because I know I'm going to be in severe W/D, no sleep, eat, walk etc... This Sucks! Drs don't like to write the stuff that really helps me, like 40mg opana, 30mg oxycodone, and valium. I am a 55yr old married man who Needs help but can't find a dr that will help me because of the drug abusers ruining it for us that Really NEED the stuff. I'm in Ms.. My wife and I drive 3 hrs, 1 way, mthly, to be treated like a junkie and I only get the 75 mg patches.. Thank You for listening, any and all advice appreciated.

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To person with stolen car,

I know this is an old post but if you have a police report, and it states your hand bag or whatever you carried medications was in the vehicle (my question for I carry mine wherever I go and NEVER would leave a hand bag or book bag in car with medications) then your physician would believe you if it were a one time deal.

In our industry you hear a lie a minute. What person for example drops their pills in a toilet? Who really stands over the bowl with 180 Percocet or Morphine ER. Exactly but it's the most common load of crap heard.

I hope you did regain your physician but do not blame him or her for a very odd story seeming not truthful. You just do not leave that type of medication anywhere you take it with you.

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Do kot take NSAIDSWith crohns /colitis!! They can make you bleed and can cause a flare up. Wow. Scary stuff. Pls do not take it it ever again. Your GI should know this!
Also....others should know that quitting any opioid cold turkey and without a docs supervision is very dangerous. Pls look into Nsaids (ie: advil, ibuprofen, Aleve, Motrin, c elebrex. And especially naproxen!!) A d your Inflammatory bowel disease. Very risky and dangerous. Can cause severe and damaging Gi bleed!

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Mark there is no Duragesic 7.5 and Ultram is a mixed agonist antagonist which can precipitate withdrawal in those on regular opioids.

You would not be physically TOLERANT from Ultram to go to Duragesic, you'd likely OD and die.

So what were you really on?

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Posters, do NOT ever go off Duragesic or Methadone cold turkey.

You run high risk for MI or CVA (myocardial infarction or heart attack and stroke), not to mention you will suffer mentally and physically in ways you will (if you live through without damage) you will never forgive or forget...

Day 3 you wish you were dead and day 10 is 100 x worse.

I've been on this medication for over 15 years and I cut back in 2002 by 25 mcg/hour (7 to 10 days I planned per cut back) and I crawled and wanted to die. Back then I was on lower dosages and more of a time spread. Due to my DNA (P450 ultra rapid metabolizer) I have been prescribed for years now daily change out and was on more than 8 patches per 24 hours (100's, 75's).

Also please note the FDA allows drug manufacturers of generics to veer as much as 47% LESS opioid (or more but more costs more) so you will find that is why generic patches put most into withdrawal.

Example:

100 mcg/hour Duragesic is 16.7 mg. Fentanyl
Watson is only 10 mg. Fentanyl
Mallinkroft is 11 mg. Fentanyl
75 mcg/hour Duragesic is 12.8 mg. Fentanyl

SO a 75 mcg/hour brand is HIGHER than 100 mcg/hour generic.

Aside from cutting back on a slow schedule and depending on your dosage it should be gentle the 7 to 10 day was brutal for me the first two weeks I went to 12 days because at the end I finally slept and lost RL and gagging nonstop not to mention skin crawling like bugs were attacking me...One of the tricks that became apparent is for example holding yourself to the full day or two days. If you are suffering to really manage this it's ok say one to two days during 10 (of cut back) to switch out early.

Since pills do not work for a P450 like me that is the only medication for LA other then the pump and trust me it might be worth the risk and LIQUID for short acting (oxycodone for me 500 mg/ 5 ml).

Please do not risk your life and remember many physicians are not really good about medications; that is not the focus in their training trust me. Professional nurses (I am one) and so forth end up knowing, doing, teaching and making sure the patients stay "ok."

Editor's note: We do not verify the credentials of our users and nothing stated in our forums is intended to be taken as medical advice.

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I need some relief from coming off of 100mg fentanyl patches. The withdrawals are terrible and I can't stand it

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I'm glad you're still with us. Cold turkey w such meds can be deadly.

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The doctor ought to be sharply condemned for doing that to you. You filed a report when the vehicle was stolen? That ought to be enough.
Some doctors go on huge power trips, and you need a new doctor. One that judgmental and rigid ought not to be allowed to practice medicine. Going without those medication could have done real damage to you..............I am too disgusted for words. I have doctors in my own family, and if one acted like yours...........I don't know what I would say.... You need a new doctor. If worse comes to worse, contact one who will listen to you........You don't need such a judgmental jerk in your life.....I have too many related to me, and if they acted like that, I would have a lot to say to them.................Good luck to you. Take care and let us all know how it works out for you.

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Report the doctor fist to your insurance as they always follow up. This is occurring too often and patients are just taking it, as if doctors words are gods. No one should ever go cold turkey or seizures can happen let alone the sickness that follows. All should taper slowly. I'm down to 4 mcg and will be off soon and still have withdrawal symptoms. Opiates fray our nervous system, so the nerves take time to heal also. Dr's should give calming agents to those who are weaning. If no Dr's to help, essential oils, homeopathic and herbal calmer is best. Accupuncture helps also as they can be specific to your needs.

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I am taking fentanyl for chronic back pain. now my doctor has passed on and I'm having a hard time being able to make it two appointments due to the withdrawal. I cannot find another doctor soon enough in order to refill my script. what should I do?

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Hi, my name is Mark I have had 6 surgeries on left shoulder, I'm currently seeing a Dr. Under W/C he's to the point of not helping with pain,tried NSAIDS, did not work, so I started treating myself when he took away pain meds. I started using internet but has been 5.5 years since injury & 1.75 years of my own treating, I'm so tired of the meds.but I hurt so bad. Tramadol was the med that worked the best, I was just so tired of depending on it for pain, so I stopped, started using fentanyl 7.5 for last 2 months but tired of meds controlling my life, I'm on day 7 now and still W/D symptoms sneezing,tightness in chest runny nose restless legs no energy plus dealing with the shoulder pain can't sleep but maybe 4 hrs nightly so how much longer on to feeling better want my life back & Family

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