Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms (Page 17)
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I'm trying to wean myself off the Fentanyl patch. I went from 75 micro-gms to 50 now I'm on 25. Having a problem and not sure it is related to the decrease in the med. It's been 20 days on the 25 micro-gm and I'm going crazy. I need to keep rocking, moving in any way b/c my body is very restless. Is this a symptom of withdrawal and what do I do? I cannot take it any more.

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FEEL BAD FOR YOU CKG, ITS NO FUN GOING THROUGH WHAT YOU ARE EXPERIENCEING. WHY NOT GO TO A DIFFERENT DOCTOR ONE THAT WILL LISTEN TO YOU . THATS BETTER THAN SITTING ON A DOCTOR THAT IS NOT GOING TO HELP YOU GOOD LUCK

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My pain specialist made a mistake on my Fentanyl 50mg patch &wrote 25mg instead. After several calls &emails he finally replied saying over the past 2 years he had suggested other options &I should try those as he wasn't going 2 write another script. Here in Australia I can only get 1 months worth at a time as I'm on a disability pension &can't afford the full prescription amount required with a 3 month script.
I'd just seem him recently when he had suggested I stay on the 50s as I had endured more recent injuries. I hav also tried every alternative given and had either allergic reactions or severe side affects. I also had severe stomach ulceration from celebrex after an accident 10 years prior. This is why he put me on these patches in the first place! Now I am left on my own 2 lower the dose without any help! I can't get in 2c my gp for another 10 days! I've lowered to a 25+12 patches 2 days ago. I hav inner ear aches, sore throat, anxiety, panic, numbness to tingling down my arms&hands, I can't sit still&am feeling the need 2 shake my head (not good with neck injuries) &can't sit still!
How can a professional pain specialist do this over an email? &then not even respond when you remind them of their own words&your allergies etc!

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Thanks to every one who posted, one of the big things in coming down on your fentanyl patch is support, and people that have gone through it offer some good advice. some of the best advice is to take your time and we are not in a race here. I am doing better, got some sleep two nights ago, was good all day yesterday until I went to bed, got so restless couldn't sit still got into the rocking mode was up every hour on the hour, thinking when will this be over, than about 6am went to sleep for three hours, I was so happy. I dropped from a 50 to 37 no problem than. stayed on that for two weeks than went to a 25 that's when I started to have major problems. Went to my pain doctor yesterday and she gave me a prescription for 25 going to stay on that for three to four more weeks until I have no withdraw symptoms then going down to a 12 and stay on that for about a month or until no more withdraw from it. She was going to give me a transdermal patch to take care of the restlessness but I left with out it will call her Monday and pick it up don't remember what it is but will post it if anyone is interested. she did give me a prescription for Norco and that took care of my pain for now Take care everyone

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My thought is those are symptoms... When I went 25 to 12 I had those symptoms and others... When I took the patch off last Fri... I have been sickly since last Wed. Day 4, Mon., without anything... the abdominal pain started and I have barely been functional all week. I wrote already my doc had me on Clonidine, Inderal, and Dextramathorphine. The lack of eating (abdominal pain) and insomnia are my two biggest issues. After more research I tried Amrix (Flexiril was what I read but I only had Amrix) and Melatonin with heating bad on my abdomen... I slept a little better last night. I touched base with my doctor and he was okay with my addition.

Thank you to those offering tips and support. I never realized so many people have/had this issue. My husband is a police officer and has gained insight into drug dependence and withdrawal behaviors. He said I have completely reinforced his desire to never use drugs.

I saw the other tips for me that instead of Amrix Valium was recommended. I debated and questioned if the muscle relaxer would offer a little more relieve on the abdomen. It did until mid-day.

Best of luck all!

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U are in mild withdraw. Bring your dose back to 50 mcg. Change the patch every three days. When u can use the patch for three and a half days, continue doing so for two weeks. Next have your doctor write a prescription for one 25mcg. Patch and one 12 mcg. Patch. Wear the two patches together for an entire month. After following this procedure for at least two weeks switch to 25mcg. Now, after a month wearing 25 mcg u can try to switch to just 12 mcg patch. Once u start feeling normal on just the 12 mcg. Patch. Give it another week then attempt to take the patch off. If u start feeling bad again put the 12 mcg patch on and ask u physician to prescribe 5mg oxycodone without U can then remove the fentanyl patch and should take these up to 4 times a day as needed for the withdraw. Don't take them unless u need to. Last step, wean the OxyContin down by breaking the pills in half then eliminating a pill as tolerated. Remember this is not a race, take your time, u are on the strongest opiate on the market.

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Yeah some people copy n paste trying yo hawk stuff sometimes.

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Teacup, after reading your post on the Thomas receipt I can only say good luck and hope it works for you. It's not for me, but trying to get off the fentanyl myself I understand you need support and your asking for help just like everyone else. You need to start some place, but it does not matter what way you chose for yourself you will go through with drawl. How long does it take I do not know everybody is different. So my thought is are you trying to get fentanyl? Or are you just giving out ideas ? Iam not trying to be rude to you, just what to understand why are you stuck on this Thomas thing but your not posting what you are doing. Wish you good luck it's not easy that part I do know.

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We'll Enonomus,This fentanyl,is a butt kicker, that being said we are going to win this war going in my body. Fentanyl won the first battle I did add a 12 to my 25 for a day, but took it off in about 20 hrs feeling little better, haven't slep much in three days. I may stay on 25 for another couple weeks than drop to a 12 by itself and go from there. Meet with pain doc on Thursday sticking with her I feel she deals with this stuff all the time. If you can drop from 200to a100 I should be able to drop 50 and still live lol. Thanks for the support hope I can help you. It's one day at a time until we win the war. Time for bed guess I will go there ya never know I may fall asleep.

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I have cut and pasted some info I found on another forum (a couple of different people's posts). I have not yet tried this Thomas Recipe. I think it would be worth a try...anything to help ease the withdrawals (except more fentanyl).

THOMAS RECIPE
Klonopin - prescribed for anxiety free or what insurance requires you to pay.

Xanax – prescribed for anxiety free or what insurance requires you to pay.

Water- To keep hydrated. Lots of it and any kind, free is what I used.

Sleep- as much as you can or need to.

Food- As much as you need or can consume. Cost varies but soups are encouraged. I already had Top Ramen soup so it was no cost to me. Ramen soups are 5 for a dollar at most places.

Sweets for snacks - due to one craves sweets during detox (Reese's PB cups minis $2.78, Reese's pieces $2.78, Hershey chocolate minis $2.78) total cost $8.34

Hot baths/ showers or Jacuzzi- for aches and pains, most of times free.

Imodium- generic or name brand over the counter at the supermarket for the runs. I used the fluid but you can also purchase pill form and I also used a generic brand (Equate) that has same ingredient. 4 fluid ounce bottle at Wal-Mart cost me $2.78

L-Tyrosine – 500 mg / 100 capsules at Vitamin World for Energy and mental well-being, $13.07 out the door.

Super B- Complex – I used Nature Made 140 count Tablets (contains B- 12, B-6, vitamin C and a few more ingredients) for energy. Cost me at Wal-Mart $6.94.

Multi- Vitamin- Brand is Nature Made Multi -Complete with Iron and calcium 60 count liquid soft Gels. For nutrients the body needs to be healthy. Cost at Wal-Mart is $6.94

Potassium Gluconate- (most times not found in the Multi- Vitamin) Spring Valley brand 100 caplets at Wall- Mart cost me $2.78

Valerian Root- To help aid in the promotion of sleep. The brand I used is Spring Valley Natural 100 capsules. At Wal-Mart cost me $3.94

Sleepytime Extra Tea- Made by Celestial to promote sleep and relaxation. Contains Valerian 25mg, Chamomile 600mg, and Tilia Estrella 160mg. Cost at Wal-Mart is $3.18 for a box of 20 count tea bag.

Total cost I paid for all ingredients for Thomas recipe to detox is $ 47.97 this does not include some tax so probably closer to a total of $50.00 all together and a lot of patients and time.
If you can't take time off to detox, I recommend you follow a taper regimen using your drug of choice or suitable alternate -- the slower the taper, the better.

For the Recipe, You'll need:

1. Valium (or another benzodiazepine such as Klonopin, Librium, Ativan or Xanax). Of these, Valium and Klonopin are best suited for tapering since they come in tablet form. Librium is also an excellent detox benzo, but comes in capsules, making it hard to taper the dose. Ativan or Xanax should only be used if you can't get one of the others.

2. Imodium (over the counter, any drug or grocery store).

3. L-Tyrosine (500 mg caps) from the health food store.

4. Strong wide-spectrum mineral supplement with at least 100% RDA of Zinc, Phosphorus, Copper, Magnesium and Potassium (you may not find the potassium in the same supplement).

5. Vitamin B6 caps.

6. Access to hot baths or a Jacuzzi (or hot showers if that's all that's available).

How to use the recipe:

Start the vitamin/mineral supplement right away (or the first day you can keep it down), preferably with food. Potassium early in the detox is important to help relieve RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome). Bananas are a good source of potassium if you can't find a supplement for it.

Begin your detox with regular doses of Valium (or alternate benzo). Start with a dose high enough to produce sleep. Before you use any benzo, make sure you're aware of how often it can be safely taken. Different benzos have different dosing schedules. Taper your Valium dosage down after each day. The goal is to get through day 4, after which the worst WD symptoms will subside. You shouldn't need the Valium after day 4 or 5.

During detox, hit the hot bath or Jacuzzi as often as you need to for muscle aches. Don't underestimate the effectiveness of hot soaks. Spend the entire time, if necessary, in a hot bath. This simple method will alleviate what is for many the worst opiate WD symptom.

Use the Imodium aggressively to stop the runs. Take as much as you need, as often as you need it. Don't take it, however, if you don't need it.

At the end of the fourth day, you should be waking up from the Valium and experiencing the beginnings of the opiate WD malaise. Upon rising (empty stomach), take the L-Tyrosine. Try 2000 mgs, and scale up or down, depending on how you feel. You can take up to 4,000 mgs. Take the L-Tyrosine with B6 to help absorption. Wait about one hour before eating breakfast. The L-Tyrosine will give you a surge of physical and mental energy that will help counteract the malaise. You may continue to take it each morning for as long as it helps. If you find it gives you the "coffee jitters," consider lowering the dosage or discontinuing it altogether. Occasionally, L-Tyrosine can cause the runs. Unlike the runs from opiate WD, however, this effect of L-Tyrosine is mild and normally does not return after the first hour. Lowering the dosage may help.

Continue to take the vitamin/mineral supplement with breakfast.

As soon as you can force yourself to, get some mild exercise such as walking, cycling, swimming, etc. This will be hard at first, but will make you feel considerably better.

Thomas"

Thomas Detox Recipe

5 to 7 days away from your job or household responsibilities during which you can sleep, veg and act as miserable as you feel. Opiate WD mimics the symptoms of the common flu, so, if you need a cover up, hide behind a bad case of the flu.

If you can't take time off to detox, I recommend you follow a taper regimen using your drug of choice or suitable alternate -- the slower the taper, the better.

For the Recipe, You'll nee

1.Imodium (over the counter, any drug or grocery store). [generic brand anti-diarrheal is fine. Don't take it unless really uncomfortable]

2.L-Tyrosine* (500 mg caps) from the health food store.* [See Warning]

3.Strong wide-spectrum mineral supplement with at least 100% RDA of Zinc, Phosphorus, Copper and Magnesium.

4.Vitamin B6 caps. [or stress B-complex?]

5.Access to hot baths or a Jacuzzi (or hot showers if that's all that's available). [many gyms offer free trials]

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5.Access to hot baths or a Jacuzzi (or hot showers if that's all that's available). [many gyms offer free trials]

How to use the recipe

During detox, hit the hot bath or Jacuzzi as often as you need to for muscle aches. Don't underestimate the effectiveness of hot soaks. Spend the entire time, if necessary, in a hot bath. This simple method will alleviate what is for many the worst opiate W/D symptom. [I like Epsom salts in the tub. Forces Magnesium into the muscles]

Use the Imodium aggressively to stop the runs. Take as much as you need, as often as you need it. DON'T TAKE IT, however, if you don't need it.[Diarrhea is the bodies way to aid in the detox so take Immodium or generic for the comfort factor, if needed]

Upon rising (empty stomach), take the L-Tyrosine*. Try 2000 mg, and scale up or down, depending on how you feel. You can take up to 4,000 mg. Take the L-Tyrosine* with B6 to help absorption. Wait about one hour before eating breakfast. The L-Tyrosine* will give you a surge of physical and mental energy that will help counteract the malaise. You may continue to take it each morning for as long as it helps. If you find it gives you the "coffee jitters," consider lowering the dosage or discontinuing it altogether. Occasionally, L-Tyrosine* can cause the runs. Unlike the runs from opiate W/D, however, this effect of L-Tyrosine* is mild and normally does not return after the first hour. Lowering the dosage may help. [*Read the Warning first! *L-Tyrosine* is great. *SamE 400* mg works for mood too]

With breakfast, take the mineral supplement.

As soon as you can force yourself to, get some mild exercise such as walking, cycling, swimming, etc. This will be hard at first, but will make you feel considerably better. [Walking gets the blood and lymph systems working, helping you detox better.]

PLEASE NOTE: If you have any medical complications, first check with your doctor before detoxing to verify that this regimen is safe for you. [Very important note]

[WARNING If you are on anti-Depressants, use medical supervision on L-Tyrosine, SamE and all mood enhancers. There can be a risk if taking L-Tyrosine, 5 HTP if you are on a tricyclic or a MAIO antidepressant's ...It can cause a spike in blood pressure.]

I was on 100mcg Fentanyl patch every 2 days. After having another procedure I went without the patch and thought I was dying. A nurse friend figured out it was Fentanyl withdrawal and we texted my doctor who replied right away with put on a patch on or go to ER. Then I wanted off this Fentanyl, or as I called it poison. After that my doctor and I talked about weaning me off Fentanyl because I was obviously dependent. When I started on the 75's he had me on a Clonidine 0.1 mg/day patch/week for withdrawal symptoms. If I still had issues he gave me Inderal/Propranolol 10mg 3x/day for withdrawal.Then if there were still issues he said pick up OTC DMX Dextromethorphan 15-30mg every 6 hours. I just started on the 50's and I have only taken one Propranolol. My orthopedist also takes my texts and texts back very quickly. My doctor has had pain management issues with his back and I think he is empathetic which probably has made all the difference.

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Ouch, you sound pretty miserable Rayman, I feel for you. Do what you have to do to mitigate and tolerate the withdrawals and the tapering. You know what your goal is and what your body is feeling like, and only you know how much you want to get off of the patches entirely. If you have to temporarily increase your level back to a previous point, so be it, but don't let it fool your mind into thinking it's impossible to taper off of them completely, as countless people have done it. Keep posting and updating if it helps. Btw, I'm very sorry to hear about your wife's diagnosis. I hope she gets good medical treatment and they're able to remove the cancer.

As for me, I'm still at 100mcg, down from 200 initially, and I guess it's been about a month at this reduced dosage. I feel about 80-90% as healthy as I did when I was at 200mcg, and it gets slightly better with each passing day. I'm at a point where I could try another stepdown, but I've felt pretty yucky and haven't had hardly any appetite the last month on the reduced dosage, so I need a little time for my body to recover. Probably will wait 1 or 2 more weeks at this dosage then step down. Not sure if I'm going to drop down by half to 50mcg, or if I'll go down to about 75. I'll keep checking in here ever 3 or 4 days to see how others are doing.

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We'll looks like this tapering off fentanyl finally fought up to. Me feeling sick shaking bad head ach lots of pain in my back it has been bad now for two tays now very restless, staying on the twenty five until I feel better, I have an appoint with pain on Thursday hope things are better soon

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Enonumus, thanks for the post, I cannot imagine being on a two hundred mcg patch, let alone trying to get off from it. Talk about psychological, makes me shake just thinking about it, so you have done extremely well to be where you are.

Yes I know they only last 72 term hours, but my body doesn't, so yes in my mind I think I am getting more than I really am. Last night I could have gone back to the fifty I was extremely restless and hurt all over, I fought it off by going on my treadmill for a half hour than kept busy until I went to bed today is better. Not sure what I am going to do about pain after I am free of Fentanyl, but I go see my pain doctor on the 13th of Feb and we will discuss what is next. Thanks for listening, just take it one day at a time, and don't fall of the wagon.

Just found out the wife has melanoma cancer, what could be next in my golden years. I have always said you never know what you will wake up with!!! Take care

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That's good news Rayman, glad to hear you're successfully tapering down. Sure wish I was at your stage right now, but at least I'm doing pretty well after cutting down from 200mcg to 100mcg for nearly a month. No headaches here, just loss of appetite and dull stomach pain. You can leave the patch on for 3 days, but really it won't provide any medication beyond that, and any relief or help you're getting from it would pretty much be purely psychological (though that psychological relief can sometimes be almost as helpful as the real thing).

Btw, from my understanding, when you first get off of a Fentanyl dependency, the pain you feel will quite possibly be higher than your normal pain level would be once you've completely and totally gotten all of the Fentanyl out of your system (something that can take many days to even a 2 or 3 weeks). So while it sounds like you're able to deal with the pain, don't freak out if the pain level increases as you completely get off the patches. Give it 2-4 weeks, and then re-evaluate your baseline pain level to figure out what and how much pain relief you might need in some other form. I'm sure you'd prefer not to give up Fentanyl only to be dependent on some other narcotic or opiate, so you might want to research various ways to treat your specific pain. I'm certainly not a PM doctor, but I've dealt with a lot of neck and back pain my entire adult life, before and after my accident, and there are a lot of things and ways to treat pain that don't involve narcotics. From Accupuncture/pressure, to herbal remedies, and of course targeted exercises, which may just be the most helpful in the long run, combined with a decent diet. I'm definitely not the holistic type, don't get me wrong, but narcotics definitely don't offer all the answers, and the side effects often end up being worse than the original pain.

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Hope every one is good, I am Down to a 25 patch yesterday and so far nothing. More than a head ach. I did leave the 12 on thought I would leave it on until it falls off, good idea or bad I don't know, as I am trying not to have much withdrawal from going down to fast , I do however have more pain in my lower back not unbearable, will work with pain doctor on that have an appointment later this month. I thank everyone for your support, I hope posting on here helps someone to understand the power of fentanyl, and they work with a doctor to get off from it, before it taks over there life. I will report back and let you know when I am free of it.

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Um, Teacup, I've only visited this forum once since you posted your question, with the intent of just leaving a quick update, and like most of the others I had no idea what you were talking about, as I'd never heard of the "Thomas Recipe". Might've been better if you'd started off with asking if anybody here had heard of it, and then followed up to any responses by asking if it helped with the Fentanyl patches. While I've tried to be supportive and helpful with other posts I've noticed since I myself posted here for the first time a couple weeks ago, I'm not going to reply and give advice about something I've never heard of and know nothing about. I could Google it, research it, and share the same info that you've probably already Googled yourself, or should have, but that seems rather silly and redundant. I wish you the best with your journey, and though I'm not remotely religious I appreciate the prayers I guess, but I just can't help you with your question.

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Since you are asking, I think the Thomas recipe is for s***, on the other hand if you have no problem burdening your endocrine, and kidneys by dumping amount of vitamins and proteins in levels you cannot absorb, hey might keep your mind busy, and hey the placebo effect rocks it if you tell yourself you feel better you will. Geez sounds like you might need to change your patch.

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Teacup, I have no first hand knowledge about that process. I only respond to a post where I feel I can be of some assistance or have something value to say. No offense meant. There are many posts on several different medical issues and on hundres of meds that don't get a response. Perhaps you could start your Topic and possibly get a wider audience. Or, look that process up on the Net.

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Sorry teacup you haven't received any replies, I personally have never hereof the Thomas system that's why I haven't responded. Yes you do need support it helps going down 12at a time so far is working for me very little side effects from withdrawal so far I am dropping down to 25 in a couple days will let you know how it works. You need to start someplace it gives me piece to know I will be free from fentanyl within a couple months take itone day at a time but try something don't let that devil patch get the best of you.. Good luck

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While I am proud of all of you, Enonumus, Patti, Raymon for your success, and I have been praying for you. I am very disappointed that I am unable to receive an answer from any one of you regarding questions I have in my own struggle to become fentanyl free.
I am happy you have each other. I am sorry if I invaded your private forum. I was under the impression it was meant for the public, as a means to help each other. God bless you.
Best of luck, and regards,
Dena, MSgt Retired, USAF
Disabled American Veteran

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THANKS ENONUMUS, ITS NICE TO RECIEVE A LITTLE ENCOURGMENT, I AM DOING VERY WELL SO FAR. GLAD THAT I NEVER WENT TO A STRONGER FENTANYL PATCH WHICH WAS OFFERED TO ME MANY TIMES. I AM TAKING MY TIME DOING THIS AS I DON'T WANT TO GO THROUGH MUCH WITHDRAWL IF I DON'T HAVE TO. RIGHT NOW I AM STILL ON 37 BUT GETTING READY TO DROP TO TWENTY FIVE. I FEEL I WILL BE ON THAT FOR THREE TO FOUR WEEKS THAN DROP TO 12. SINCE I HAVE BEEN ON THE FIFTY FOR 4 OR 5 YEARS I KNOW MY BODY WON'T LIKE ME IF I RUSH TO GET OFF FROM FENTANYL. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THE DAY WHEN THE LAST PATCH FALLS OFF AND I DON'T NEED ANY MORE. THAN I WILL GET SOME OF MY LIFE BACK. I AM SURE I WILL BE ON NORCO OR ANOTHER PAIN MED BUT NO MORE OF THE DEVIL PATCH. EACH PAT ON THE BACK FOR GETTING OFF FENTANYL MAKES IT EASIER THANKS ONCE AGAIN

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