Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms (Page 19)
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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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Enonumus: I can sympathize with you but cutting your patch is not recommended. Being on such a high dose and coming down as fast as you is asking for trouble.. 200 mcg for 10 years is a long time, take your time coming down and please get your Dr. to help you. I'm talking from experience slow is the way to go. You should easily get 3 days out of a patch before going down to a lower dosage. Plus there are meds like Clonidine that really help with the withdrawal symptoms.

I know it can be very frustrating getting the patches every month on time but that's no reason to put yourself through such agony! If you put up with it for 10 years whats 1 year weaning yourself off?
If you need some one to talk to please keep posting, There are a lot of great ppl on this board who are going through the same thing. I'll will keep an eye out for you posts so please keep us informed..

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I've been on 200mcg Fentanyl patches every 48 hours for a whopping 10 years, following a skydiving accident that very nearly took my life (well technically it did take it, but the docs kept getting me back :) ). The doctors put me on it not just before I was transferred to a second hospital, after spending about 2.5 months at the first trauma center, much of that in an induced coma and on an extremely high dosage of Dilaudid and other drugs. The doctors didn't really tell me anything about the patches, I think they just did it to ensure I had pain relief as I was transferred, and expected that the pain management issue would be dealt with at the next hospital. Unfortunately, the continuity of care between the first and second hospital, and another month later a third hospital, was horrible on all levels. Nobody reviewed, discussed, and modified any of my woundcare treatment or drugs. My case was pretty overwhelming, so they just stuck with the regimen that I came to them with. Hard to blame them on some levels, I still had well over 20 open wounds that had to be treated multiple times a day and external fixators on both legs, 3 months after the accident. If I'd known then what I know now, I absolutely wouldn't have let them put me on these, or I would've gotten off of them within the first year for sure, when my pain level had dropped to a manageable level.

I've been chained to these things now for a decade, on a dosage that I've never seen anybody else on, not even close. I've experienced withdrawal symptoms many times over the years when I've missed my window for changing my patches for one reason or another, and it's not pleasant at all. The stress of having to go to the doctor every month to get the prescription, and hope they have it in stock at the pharmacy, and that there isn't some glitch with my insurance, has been pretty heavy. Many times the pharmacy has been out of stock, or they needed a new prior authorization from the insurance company, which commonly takes 3-5 business days to get, and of course you're always down to your last few patches when you go to get the prescription in the first place because of the doctor and insurance.

All in all, it's just been a nightmare, so I've finally decided that I'm going to get myself off of these things, or at the VERY least get myself down to a much lower dosage in the short term, so that getting off of them eventually will be easier. As I expected, when I asked my doctor about what would be involved in getting off of them, he just said he'd have to wean me off of them slowly over time, with no mention of giving me anything to help with the process. About 10 days ago I finally decided to start the process on my own, and I cut my dosage in half, from 200mcg. every 48 hours to 100mcg. I know that's still more than most people out there are taking, but my body has been dependent on that 200mcg dosage for many years now, so dropping down to 100mcg was a RADICAL change.

It's been a little bit rough, but not too severe yet. The biggest problems have been stomach pain and loss of appetite, with some restlessness. A couple times I had to change my patch earlier than was shooting for because my stomach was just hurting too much from the withdrawals, but I've kept the 50% reduced dosage for at least 10 full days now. It feels like my body is starting to get used to the 100mcg/48 hours and I'm not suffering as much between changes as I did the first week. Technically, I currently change one 50mcg patch every 24 hours, instead of one 100mcg patch every 48 hours, although it's the same overall dosage. My prescription is 200mcg/48 hours, but years ago I found that changing one patch each day, instead of 2 patches every 2 days, provided much more even pain management, and alleviated the withdrawals that I would feel after about 36-40 hours when I was supposed to change them every 48 hours. The dosage was high enough, but the patches just weren't lasting 48 hours once I'd been on them for a few years.

Anyway, I plan to stay at this 100mcg/48hr (or technically 50mcg/24hr) level for at least 2-3 weeks, then I'll try dropping down to either 66mcg or 50mcg/48 hours, by simply cutting my patches to the desired size. Obviously I don't have the liquid filled pouches in these patches or that wouldn't be an option. I used to have those a long time ago, but thankfully I changed to the Mylan brand which is MUCH smaller and doesn't have those huge, noisy, liquid filled pouches.

I'll drop back in and update people about my journey to get off my 200mcg/48 hour prescribed dependency. For anybody that may have found their way here because you've just recently been prescribed Fentanyl patches by your doctor, I can't urge you strongly enough to try to get off of them ASAP, before your body is heavily dependent, which only takes about 2 weeks. Personally, I would only recommend these to someone that's facing an end of life situation and has chronic pain, such as a terminal cancer patient etc.. The patches DO help greatly with the pain, and in some ways are better than popping pills every 4-6 hours, but they're extremely addictive and almost impossible to get off of once you have a dependency. For everybody else here that was on them for an extended period of time and managed to get off of them, congratulations!

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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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I can help im in school to be a pharmacist

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I sign that Agreement every year. If you need the meds, you will follow the rules. It is just that simple. There are too nany people abusing pain management in a variety of ways. If you follow all the rules, you won't have a problem. Remember, they have heard it all. So, buck the system in any way and you are right...you are out of the program. There is no reason not to follow the rules. The drs are there to help you. Don't fight them!

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Please help!I'm at my wits end!!Was just on Fentanal 50 every 3 days, with two noroco for break through pain.At first it was a blessing I could do all the things I wasn't able to!But got use to the dose, back where I started.With even more pain and problems!I have been on benzos and opiats since 16, I'm now 37.Suside attemts from the pain, inability to function properly and stones thrown sayings I'm an addict.Not concidering my life long battle w pain!!!I desided to drop down from the Fentanal. They put me on Oxycotin 15, twice a day.Still w noroco for break through pain . I'm in agony, can't function. Going thru withdrawals, and family members freaking out about my pain specialist, putting me on anything.idk what to do, I want to live pain med free, but when I have the doctors always put me back on...

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Slow down on the tapering off. It takes time. If you are having those symptoms it sounds like withdrawal. Either hang in there a couple more days because it does pass or add a patch and try again. Sometimes leaving it on a extra day or half day will slow the withdrawal. Good luck!

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I'm on Medicare and have chronic thoracic spine agony. Both knees shot and nowadays you have to sign the medicare Narcotics Agreement which basically means that your Dr. can stain your reputation so badly that it becomes impossible to get medication anywhere. The prevailing sentiment being that if you violate the contract(whether you really did, or not), you don't DESERVE medication. Why do they not do this to heart patients? Ever hear of anyone being denied blood pressure meds? How about AIDS patients? No matter what they do they still all seem to deserve relief from what makes their lives unbearable. If you have chronic agonizing pain, you're probably just another lying dope fiend out for a high. Which Fentanyl does NOT provide. I just want it to hurt less.

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I've been on Fentanyl for about 7 years, and never. Not Once have I ever gotten high, or felt a buzz as you have explained fentanyl vs. Morphines' properties are more legitimate because it does not provide a " high"
I know we all want to defend, or perhaps promote our individual pain believing source, but giving some medicine more credibility by giving false information is quite silly. I personally never advocate fentanyl because I'm no doctor, and of course I hope that no one has the sort of pain that requires this strong of a medicine.

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Patches NEVER last a week, maximum 3 days, so using it for a week is just bull####. People can and do say anything on these sights, it doesn't make it true. Peace out.

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Shelby I wouldn't worry about the impression that you would make because you sound like a person that is strong, courageous and truthful..impeccable qualities as an employee AND as a person. You have approached your recovery head on, you will do the same on your new job. Any company would be proud!

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I have appt with my GP mid month so I'll go over my detoxification plan with him. I'm guessing I'll go down to 25 mcg. for February 1st. I'll go over my shopping list with him and see what he says. I'm just a little worried as I'm hoping to start a new job by end of February. Not sure what kind of an impression I'm going to make on the new boss while in weaning off. As we all know how it will effect your abilities to function normally for awhile. Anyways off on another long distance haul, just want to wish SuzieQ and nutty luck with your up coming surgeries. I wish I had read this board before my surgery. I would have done things a lot differently.

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Thank you for the input Shelby! Believe me, i'm no virgin to pain meds..off and on since '93 after my 1st shoulder surgery. Oddly two weeks following into recuperation, I was bitten by a brown recluse spider about six inches from surgical site. To this day and several surgeries later on shoulders, back, and now hip..my joints utterly kill me and have deteriorated. Curiously, i've had some of my drs believe the spider venom could be the culprit!
Good luck to you Nutty on your proceedure and Shelby, I hope your days are comfortable. I'll keep my new friends posted and visa versa!

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Well, I have to have surgery next wed on my neck and they think I have a blood clot in my lung. I pray it is not a clot. I have had them before. They hurt and are dangerous. Now I have to come off the suboxone the day before I have surgery and then I will have to take something stronger for a few days. The sub doctor said that I will be fine and the narcs will work better because I have been clean for over a year. Yay..finally I can do with a milder narc that the patch that was sooo strong and kept me down all the time. And for a shorter time. I like that. Wish me luck in my surgery. My port is occluded, or the blood has hardened in my port line. So it will take about two hours to replace it. And now I have to remember to go once a month to get it flushed. Glad to see everyone is making it ok and in good spirits. Take care and good luck on the surgery that you have to have done Suzie. God bless you all...

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I had morphine pump post-op and was given oxycodine to take home after my hip replacement surgery. When I ran out of the oxy's and I still had a lot of pain from my surgery my GP put me on percocets. Now this was the start of my pain meds journey. I was on tramacet and T3's pre-op for my aches and pains. So chances are that your already on the Fentanyl patch already I would think they may up your mcg and and give you Percocets or similar for break through pain. My guess anyways.. which is ok because you don't want to be in a lot of pain. You are way ahead of the game if you are already planning you detox from the meds. I never realized how much of a grip they had on my life till it was too late, as so many do.. Good luck and please keep me posted on your progress.

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Me too Shelby, I can't keep up with these damnable patches!! I forget when I put them on and even what day it is to take them off. I feel horrible after taking a shower.. I get dizzy and shaky.
I will have arthroscopic surgery on my hip this month and I am worried about what pain meds they will give me post op when I'm on this 50mcg fentanyl patch. My PM doctor will join forces with my orthopedic surgeon to regulate my pain comfort strategy. I wonder what meds it will be? Any idea?

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I'm doing ok thanks for asking. I'm back to the 50 mcg patch right now and the trip went well. I'm back on the road tomorrow and they are calling for some wicked weather in the north east. So it should be a fun trip. I would really love to get off this stuff and get my mind back. I'm having a tough time deciphering how much of the pain I was experiencing during my withdrawal is actual pain or withdrawal pain. It scares me in way as I don't want to go back to the way I was before the patch either. That recipe I posted sure seems like the way to go and I will just have to ween off more slowly in the hope that I will know the difference between the two.

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Wow! Thank you Shelby so much. This is great info and I will make my grocery list! Are you feeling okay Shelby after your trip? I sure worried for you.

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I recently came across this method of detoxing called the "Thomas Recipe" (which I have attached). After reading it and going over my recently failed attempt, I can see a lot of benefits following his recipe for dealing with withdrawals. Especially the lack of physical and mental energy which I found very hard to over come.

THOMAS RECIPE
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

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Shelby, you are right! I've seen quite a few too. I just really like the support system that comes with it whether you purchase it or not. I think I'm gonna check out some more sites to see if there are any pros and cons. How are you feeling? Don't get run down!

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