Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms (Page 26) (Top voted first)

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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Scared in FL: The best thing to do is seek medical advice, however, you are not able to do that, so this is what I did. First off--
You stated that you have been on this for a short period. My question is how long can you estimate that you have been doing this and how much? Also, were you chewing the patch or wearing it? Another question is this: BEFORE YOU CUT your patches, are they the kind that are NOT filled with the gel?
Now, if they are the kind that are not filled with the gel, then yes, you can cut them. If you have not been doing this for very long, say about 6 months, then yes, you can cut one in half like you stated. You can wear one half for 3 days. SAVE the other half.
Then you can take the OTHER patch and cut it into 3 pieces. (Cut it into thirds.) You can wear the first 1/3 for 2-3 days. If you can make it 3 days, do so. Put your second "third" on and wear it for 3 days as well. Take the LAST "third" and wear it for 3-4 days. If you can wear it for 4 days then that is GREAT! If not, wear it as long as you can. At the least 3 days. By the time you are done with the "1/3's" GO BACK to the FIRST PATCH THAT YOU CUT IN HALF AND CUT THAT IN HALF AGAIN--making it 1/4 and 1/4. (2 pieces). Wear 1/4 for 3 days. And then wear the last fourth for as long as it will stick to your skin. By that time you will be weened off. IF you have access to Colonapin, Ativan, or Xanax you should maybe take .5 or 1mg to help you through the night, or if you feel any signs of withdraw in the first few days. The first 3 days will be the most difficult.
By the time you get to taking the last of the 1/3 part of the patch you should be doing quite well, but everyone is different. Also if you feel that you need someone to watch your 7 year old, by all means do it. AND have a friend by your side. Someone who can encourage you. I will be online a lot if you need me. If you have questions you can just post here and any of us who see your post will help you as much as we can. I am sorry I didn't answer you sooner. I hope that you will have success with what I have instructed. I am FREE of the patch by doing as I have told you. The addiction is what is hard to kick. God be with you. And if you can...someone did say that a little bit of Mary Jane can help. I have not tried that, but if you feel like trying, I am sure it can't hurt. Just only take the Mary Jane if you CAN NOT get the Colonapin, Ativan or Xanax. And if you do get those benzodiazopines, be sure you look them up and see what they are and how to take them. Like I said, only half to 1 mg every 6 hours, okay? NO MORE. Please keep me posted.

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Scared in FL:
I also wanted to tell you something. Don't you dare beat yourself up over this. :-) You have enough to worry about when it comes to quitting. You have made a step in the right direction, and that is the important part. How you got here doesn't even matter anymore. It's where you are going that is important. And seems to me, that you want to go where it is good for you and your child. And that means you are capable of making sound decisions. Right choices. Kudos for making this step. Things will work out in the end. There is help out there. If worse comes to worse, you can call the a hotline that can give you information on free detox. You are doing the right thing! Now be proud of yourself for it, and move forward. With every step you take in this to succeed, remember that you are doing RIGHT. :-)

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Hi. I posted a few weeks back. I gave a long spew about getting off the Fentynol. I am finally starting to feel normal again. The Suboxone worked well! But like I said use it for a very short time. Congrats to anyone who is trying to get off this stuff. Just checking in and letting everyone know that you can do this!

Robert

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Rob, I read your post on the Suboxone. I am glad you are free and you went the short term. Praise God for that! I know many people (too many) who have been on it, and yes, they became addicted to it and xanax or other benzo's, because the Sub's make people speed too much.
A close friend of the family used to be on morphine and percocets and methodones for cronic back pain, and she found herself addicted to all of it. It also caused her such great mental anguish that she tried to take her own life twice in one year. She wanted to get off of the narcotics all together and she got a doctor that prescibes Suboxone. She has been on it about 21 months now. Due to her "speeding" she also drinks alcohol or takes benzo's such as Xanax.
Another person tried the Suboxone and became so addicted that they STILL have to used heroine when they run out.
EVERYONE that I have ever known to take it, has become addicted to it and XANAX because they say it speeds them up too much. I have to admit that I tried Suboxone once. I took 4mg. It made me speed very badly and I had a panic attack. I also have tried Subutex and I felt GREAT at first, but then by the second day I was speeding and had to take my Xanax. I freaked out each time I took it.
I know it may have it's good qualities, but you are the FIRST positive case I have ever heard of out of at least 10. You are truly blessed to have a success story with this drug. I feel that it is nothing but a nightmare. And you are so right when you say to use it for only a short time. SHORT TIME PEOPLE. He is so right.

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Wow, I just found this. One week ago, I went from 75 to 50. We okay until two days in and yesterday, I got so restless at work that I couldn't sit still. My skin also felt strange, like it was crawling. I wondered if it could be withdrawal because it had been almost a week before I had the restlessness and skin crawling. Sounds like it is. It's a horrible feeling. I hope everything has worked out for the original poster. I know it's been awhile since this was started.

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I hope everyone is doing well on this journey.

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I'm now off the fentanyl for almost a month and I had the most minimal of WD. First, I tapered down rapidly and rockily from a 50mcg/hr patch to 12.5mcg/hr (cut it) in the span of a month or so. Then I used mega doses of gabapentin which kept the WD at bay. I also used tramadol. And loperamide (or immodium, yes, it's a powerful opiate available OTC!) at high doses (30-40mg at one time for 24 hrs). The loperamide isn't supposed to cross the BBB but I definitely feel the body effect and it definitely kept the WDs at bay. Do NOT get addicted to loperamide. It's possible. But even then, if you take 30-40mg at a time, then coming off it (or from tramadol or gabapentin) will be a lot easier than fentanyl. Gabapentin is the most miraculous of all the drugs but it loses tolerance really fast.

I get my refill again in a few days and I still will have pain but I no longer plan to use fentanyl chronically; I'll just slap on a patch before I need to do something strenuous (not often) and then take it off when I no longer need it.

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Hi,

When you say a short time, what kind of time frame do you mean? I have an appointment with a doctor who deals with this, and his primary method of detoxing folks is via suboxone. I'm so nervous about it since I hear the horror stories from people about getting off of one thing, only to become addicted to suboxone.

I'm not coping well on my own though. I've been cutting my patches, and am down to really low dose, but when the medicine stops going through my system, I become so depressed - as well as anxious, twitchy, leg pain and spasms...

But seriously, the depression is the worse symptom. I can appreciate another poster who mentioned a family friend who attempted suicide while trying to detox. I've gotten so low that I would say I have given suicide a thought.

I'm so scared. I just want this nightmare to end. Any of your suboxone advice you can offer would be tremendously appreciated.

-Scared in FL

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Fear not these thoughts will pass, I went off 13 years of heavy fentanyl use. But those who say it will go away quickly are wrong. Give yourself at least six months to start feeling sort of normal. This drug really messes with all your body, physical, mental,and emotional. I read all posts that said maybe a week, I won't lie to you, it can take forever for your body to reset itself, I am still waiting to sleep a whole night, I have been off the fentanyl for almost eight months and life is not always great but it is better without fentanyl. Please keep in touch I hope I can help you get through the toughest time of your life. Remember what we survive only makes us stronger.

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Dear u a came off 200 mcgh of that s*** and due 2 ignorance of s***ty people had 2 cum off comp unaided. THE S*** NEEDS BANNING! HORRIBLE STUFF X

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I've been on the fentanyl patch for 3 years. I had a door fall on me in surgery, where I work. I'm an RN. I knew that this was a potent drug but had no idea how hard it wAs to get off of. I was on 75 mics every 72 hours and was down to 25.....until I had a spontaneous reherniation a year ago. Now after 3 back surgeries in 18 months...I'm so tired of drugs, and want my life back. I went from 50 for 6 days, to 37 for 6 days, then dropped to 25 2 days ago and I feel horrible!! ClAssic withdrawals. Horrible Sweating, uneasiness, irritability, guess I'll call my Dr in the morning. I did take an Ativan. Hoping that will help!

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i have been on a 100 micro gm. fentanyal patch for 7 years i trie d to ween dow to a 50 then a 25 in a week I could not take it I was also taking 6 30mg. morphine sulfate IR for break tru pain i ween off of them in 2 weeks it was not that bad I think ther doctor has to swith me to the morphine pills and colonadine and zanax to ween me off these patches 7 years is a long time he gave me 10 25mg patche's and saids good luck what is the best way to ween off?

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I called my pain Dr this morning and she said I should have called her this weekend! She really is a great Dr. I told her how horrible my weekend was and she told me to take 2 Norco 4x a day until I start feeling better, then start dropping 1 Norco a day. I have felt better today but I want off of this patch so bad. Guess I'll try to wait & hopefully in a week I can go down to 12.5 mics!

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I am truly sorry to say yes this is a withdrawl symptom that I also had, accompanied with some other hardcore symptoms unfortunately (which I will not mention until they are brought up). However, I took some relief in very hot baths alot and it helped I am also on valium because I have developed a seizure issue during my withdrawls. That helped as well. Maybe you should speek to your physician and ask if this or something comparable may help you to get feeling more normal. Even normal enough to go down to the 12 mcg patch and make your move quick but less painfull for you!!! Don't ever forget I am no medical physician but I have been through more wringers then I believe you can if that makes any sense to anyone. Well I should end it here if you need any more help feel free to reach out when I can get online I do and will try to ease and explain some things about withdrawls people may not know about and some ways to ease them. Yours
truely, The Withdrawl Queen

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Unfortunately there is no 12.5 mcg only 12 mcg but you can do it!!! Stay strong I came off the patch on my own no facility all the way from 125mcgs every 48 hours. Yes I said ever 48 hours or else I went into the worst withdrawls in history. Have faith I dont know about norco or the cost or if you have insurance thats great but I do not and valium helped me to live and that is not being drastic nor sarcastic. I hope all goes well for you I am sure it will. Hope to here of your great success soon!!! I have been off the patch completely now for 2 3/4 months and I am gaining a little more strength every day. Just dont ever expect miracles, go at your own pace and if your doctor is good this is exactly how they will let you.
Congrats!!!! The Withdrawl Queen

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DEFINITELY a withdrawal symptom. OH! My heart goes out to you. I have had that too when I tried to go off. It was awful.

Can you get anything for it? Any tranquilizers? There are also over-the-counter "leg cramp" meds which I have used. I'm not sure if it is psychological, but I found that helped. There are other otc meds that I have used at night to help with a good night's sleep. I have used "Relax All" too. Like I said, it may be mostly psychological that these things have helped me, but anything is worth a try to get you OUT of that stage.

Good luck.

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I have now been off the fentanyl for nearly two months. I actually went off for about 3 weeks, and then used it for another week, and then I stopped again with no WD whatsoever the second time (so I'm now 50 days from my first jump off) . The first time I had the most WD on day 2 which was tolerable (just feeling clammy). Mentally I feel fantastic. Here's what I did to ease off of it:

1. First I tapered down extensively from 50mcg/hr to 12.5mcg/hr and then more. I cut my last patches down. but I probably was at 6.25mcg/hr when I jumped off. Whenever I felt even slightly off, I did the following:

2. Took loperamide at fairly high doses. I found that 30-40mg per 24 hour period would remove ALL wd and even make me feel good. Loperamide is an opiate that's not supposed to close the blood brain barrier. Stopping and starting loperamide was NOT a problem for me. My stomach was just the same as with fentanyl.

3. Gabapentin was the real life safer. I took high doses of gabapentin (3 grams or more) every 8-24 hours. I can also stop and start gabapentin without problems.

4. I also used something I can't say but you can guess but it relaxed me. I did this for two days. Mentally it cleared me a HUGE amount. It wasn't smoking anything but rather an oil. I got it from a medical prescription so statewise it was legal. Isti found this is effective for pain also which I still have. (3) is

I never do (2) and (3) more than 3-4 days in row. I switch back and forth. Gabapentin leads to tolerance so you can't use it anyway for more than 4-5 days.

So far, for about 50 days, I've been "free. Even when I reused, I didn't use long enough to become dependent (one week doesn't seem to be enough). Obviously a part of my come off revolves opiate use but considering that I have 0 mental issues and 1 day of physical WD (day 2), and 50 days where I knew I didn't have to use it, I feel pretty good. I right now am not on anything and although I have pain, I no longer am physically dependent on the opiates. I think true psychological independence can't start for 90 days at least and I'm not at a stage where my pain is controlled. I'm just making sure my dependency on fentanyl is not there anymore. I had been using for about 10 days straight before. I don't see myself going back to that. I probably need to use strong painkillers for another year due to my pain which is a dilemma but I really don't see myself going back to.

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Hi, I too am just tapering off the evil Fentanyl patches:(. If I had known it would be this difficult I would have never agreed to start using them. I started at the 12's, went up to 25's and ended up on the 75's for about 2 1/2 years. I was also using about 12 Vicodin /day to help with acute pain..... no good. As of today I have not had a Vicodin in a month (cold turkey) and I'm on my last patch of 12's after tapering down from the 75's. I get the chills, my energy is low and can't sleep very well but this will come to an end and I look forward to being drug free. The pain will still be there and it will be interesting to see what my doctor decides to do. I have been to pain clinics and all they do is pump more drugs into you until you become dependent/addicted!! Once you are done with the meds, try contacting your local NA group and start going to meetings, it will make you feel better knowing others have gone through the same thing. I wish you good luck and it will get better.

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This message is for Larry, in case he is still reading this. If you have patches with the drug in adhesive formulation, you can cut them. Plan out your taper with the 10 25 mcg/hr patches. You can do something like 8-12 days of 25mcg/hr (4 patches); 8-12 days of 12.5mcg/hr (2 patches, i.e., cut your patches in half); 8-12 days of 6.125mcg/hr (1 patch cut in quarters); 8-12 days of 3.0625mcg/hr (0.5 patch cut in eigths). And then jump off. So you can do a patch taper in 32-48 days (depends on whether you change a patch every 2 days or 3 days) with less than 8 patches. Basically I think you need to stabilise on a lower dose for 8-12 days every time.

If you don't have drug in adhesive patches then it is difficult to do the above. The drug in adhesive patches wil be completely flat, unlike the other ones which are like a pouch/bulge in the middle containing liquid with the fentanyl that is then distributed through a membrane---you cannot cut these.

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haven been on fentanyl patches for over 3 yrs i was gettin withdrawelasymtomy after 48hrs..where the patch should last 72..the syptomys were ants runnin over body restlessness,,hyper...and eratic breathing..i told to come stright off them after 4yrs of use..i went cold turkey..suvier shakes..intatable,,hyper and so on...i had this for bout 48hrs...i didnt sleep thru this period....it put a strain on my marrage to how i felt..no one should suffer like this..at the doctors u are a five min patient..when will they listens not them suffering

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