Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms (Page 3)
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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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I have been on 150 mgs of fentanyl and now I have cut myself down to 15 mgs but I have the same problem as one of the other ladies who is suffering from uncontrollable sweating and server irratatableness unable to sleep, I am bedbowned and suffer uncontrollable pain and the patches stopped working the only thing they did was make me a different person. Is there any help.

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I am terrible pain all of the time, but refuse to take anything addictive. I cannot work, etc. Nerve damage from bad surgical practices and gapentin was tried. Brought the pain way down, but could not function at all from side effects. Glad that it is working for you...but it too, is addictive. Please check the manner in which the drug affects the brain.

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Hydroxyzine works great for the first few months for restless legs and creepy crawlys. Like a very potent Benadryl, it is a prescription drug. Good luck, You will get thru this, keep telling yourself. It's so hard I know, so hard, but worth it!!!!!

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Doctors hate to prescribe oxycontin and Oxycodone but will prescribe Dilaudid and Fentanyl like it's going on sale. I weld for a living, and we all know what happens when you are put 1,000 degree heat directly over a 100mcg patch and a Tshirt and mechanics shirt and full leathers and leather sleeves and gloves on a 95 degree day..

Ya I used to absorb a patch in a 8-10 hour shift.. Get home, eat and throw up from being sick. That finally went away then when I wasn't at work I was having WD. I was prescribed 4 roxicodone 15s for breakthrough but that does nothing when you are taking in 10mg of fentanyl in such a small period in one of the most bioavailable ways. IV, rectal, skin, then ingestion is the most med per mg to the least.

Anywho, so the doctor tried me on 12mg instant release Dilaudid 60 last a week, then went back on patches.. Work was fine. At home I had nothing but withdrawals. I told him this and he gave150 30mg Roxie's to last the month. Well with the 15s I was already on that 150 30s converted to wearing a 50mg patch and 4 15s.. So 150 30s lasted 7 days. I had a few patches left over, made an appointment. I completely absorbed a full 75mch patch on my way to my sub appointment. I thank god they were busy. I already made the drive so I sat in a massage chair for 2 hours snoring & drooling, the doc comes in and asks what's up and said when we converted to 30s he never took into account I was taking a patch daily and that I'm taking in more in a day than a gram of herion.. I told him I wanted straight buprenorphine. No suboxone.

Dr said 12 hours take all 3 at once, woke up this morning took two after finishing off my last 100mcg. 15 min later it was like I was shot with high dose of naloxone.. 4 hours I was in shock, the whole nine ... shaking, throwing up.. I took ADHD meds to keep me awake while I took enough benzos to tranquilize 5 people. Then drank water, Gatorade, and here I am 12 hours later feeling normal, feeling 85 percent minus the restless legs a bit and runny nose and slight headache and ringing in ears and constant dehydration..

But I researched all day.... Ever heard that white China heroin is actually 90 percent fentynal? Every type of heroin has fentanyl in it.. Prince lived 45 miles from me and he died on a patch. I don't hear about people dying on OxyContin or Codeine very often because it's way harder to abuse than fentanyl. Except it's so strong it binds to your receptors so damn tight you will chase that effect.. Any strong opiate binds way tight .. Buprenorphine is almost as strong as fentanyl but nobody ever dies from that.. Cuz it's taken sublingually. Why would they make a gel or lollipop make a damn time release pill or stay with the matrix packages?

Agree or disagree with me, but if you have used fentanyl prescribed or not prescribed you are in fact a herion addict.. It's 60 percent stronger than pharmaceutical 100 percent pure heroin.. But ya can't get an OxyContin. And who's to blame? Me? You? People who abuse? What's the diff if a bartender serves you to death? They went to bartending school. Doctors think it's the new break through Med and now are like "Whoa all these people are dying! Make it non abusive! Supply a damn naloxone kit with it!"

I dunno but I'm sure the world could do without patches minus cancer people in hospitals. These docs know it's so strong they pump somebody on their death bed full of it.. Ya think when somebody is laying on the hospital table and they have a breathing tube as soon as the tube comes out they die.. My grandpa kept getting fentanyl after fentanyl from the nurse and they kept saying he don't have long so they removed the breathing tube. He laid for 20 min woke up and said "if you push that button me more time I'll break your fingers" That week he went home and lived 2 months and died in his bed like he wanted.. They expected him to die when removing the tube because they thought the tube was the only thing keeping him breathing. He was an alcoholic for 40 years, had been shot multiple times in war, and finally they tried murdering him with legal heroin. Not that he wasn't already dead but still he got to die at home..

So all my legal heroin addicts, what doctor will numb you mentally and physically when they them selfs have never touched it? Streets vs school ... some things can't be taught in school you gotta learn them the hard way.. And the hard way is what I'm doing right now.. I could call my doc in morn, flip him 200 bucks get another 150 30s - but we give up our dreams and our hope to escape through what somebody else makes us. Where pain is mental it has and can be overridden by the brain.. Good luck

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Richmond, Ky is where I am at. Need a pain Dr. So much pain from head to toe. 2 failed back surgeries screws and plates fusion the last time. Lung cancer in right lung and breast cancer and radiation therapy blisters from it.

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You mean clonidine, i'm sure it's called other names.. It's a blood pressure Med to help with restless leg syndrome.. Benzos are gonna help the best - I just took 32 mg buprenorphine and it put me in instant WD cause I didn't wait long enough. One word of advice (this may not work for everyone) is {edited for safety}. Remember to hydrate, and keep telling yourself do the crime pay the time..

Ya gotta pay for all the times you took the drug, there is no easy way out.. 8 hours ago I was in shock, now the subs kicked in finally and I feel normal almost with little restless leg.. But lots of benzos and adderall when you feel sad or feel like you can't do it mentally.. Because we all been taking it to the point we thought we were gonna die and we didn't so now it's our turn to be sick to the point we think we are gonna die.. Nothing is free, you gotta buy the drug in money and then pay it back with withdrawals. Clonidine does help also.. Benadryl helps.

I took 100mcg Fentanyl patches daily for 4 years and took many 30mg Roxie's in 6 days, and finally said this is enough! I called my doctor (which is a money hungry private doc) and said you want my business I need my tolerance down or I'm gonna be 6 feet down and he said "ok we can do subs for a few months then start back on Dilaudid"... He cared about getting me dependent again cause of the money. I cared about my family and getting clean! Little he knows he will never see me again and another 5 people will take my place. If you take herion nowadays it's all made from Fentanyl, I guarantee that.. So no matter how hard it gets. You will get better. I promise you that.

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Need Dr. in Lexington,Ky area. Had two failed back surgeries lung cancer and breast cancer. Need a pain Dr so bad in so much pain. Thanks in advance.

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I was on Fentanyl 75mcg for 15 years, for JRA chronic pain and many joint replacement surgeries.
Fentanyl started to make me very ill. I went off over 2 months under a pain Drs mgmt, the following for were extremely difficult . It was a very long and hard 6 months. The withdrawal side effects were so brutal at times.
Today I'm so much better, I know over the next year or two I will just keep improving. The first 4-6 months there was no way I could have worked.
I'm now on 2-3,4 mg dilaudid for the pain. I will never go back on Fentanyl unless I have a terminal disease. Hardest thing I have ever gone thru in my life was the past 6 months, but also worth every struggle to be where I am today. Thanks everyone for all your advice and encouragement. To know what I was experiencing was normal and would get better was priceless!
Very Grateful

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JJ congratulations! I was inspired by your post. I want to get off fentanyl patches. I have been on 75mcg/hr for several years. I have chronic pain as well. All of the research was discouraging. I was hoping that in 2 years when I am able to retire that I can get off all meds and live a healthy lifestyle.

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Linda Gail it would help if you would put in wear you live ( city and state ) so people close to where you live might be able to help

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I was cut off fentanyl patches and Percocet10s all at once and have had two back surgeries, breast surgery and lung surgery can't find any doctors to help.

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I am a retired RN that detoxed off of Fentanyl patch 100mcg in October 2015 w/o medical intervention. I was prescribed the patch after years of suffering unbearable gut wrenching pain in my body, which I still suffer everyday, but is more manageable. I had to take charge of my own pain journey and life by changing my mindset, thought processes! The brain is the control center of all of one's bodily functions. I told mine to "SHUT UP", God put me in control of you not you controlling me. I changed my lifestyle, diet, exercise, prayer, increased activities, etc. you can do it too!!! I used YouTube and other resources for self-help info to assist me in my journey for wellness. I pray for all chronic pain sufferers that each will find their God given gift of healing, it's a free gift, receive it NOW!!! I visualized my healing, weight loss, being healthier, happier, etc and owned it!!! Pain was in & on my mind 24/7, it was my LIFE!!! I live with pain but it doesn't control me any longer!!! {edited for privacy}

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Ladies, thanks for the responses. For some reason I have not been getting my messages. They go right to junk. I am so sorry! How are all if you feeling? You will feel so much better without the Fentanyl. However I am not able to go without any narcotics. I was all oh all narcotics for about 2 months and finally felt good but then the pain started as I got more active and needed something. I am in 2 mg hydromorphone (dilaudid) every 4 hrs. And 3 mg of long acting 2 a day. I wish I could go without any. Hang in there and stay strong. We can live a healthier life without the patch! It's so much more potent than other opioids! I can't believe we are all still alive! I bet Prince didn't even wear as much as we did! Get lots of rest! Hopefully I can get these from now on.

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Hello
I was on 75mch or higher of fentanyl for over 15 years. I have severe Rheumatoid arthritis. The fentanyl started making me ill. My last patch of 12.5 came off end of February 2016. It was not easy. I'm not at 4 months and I'm feeling much better.
The withdrawal symptoms seem gone. I still take 2-3 4mg dilaudid a day for my pain.
I do think I came off of the fentanyl too fast, even though I was guided by my pain dr. Looking back I would have went to a rapid detox clinic, or at the very least it should take 6 months to taper down. I did it in 2 months.
I'm not going to sugar coat it. It was the toughest thing I have ever gone through in my life!!
Make sure you have a good support team and the right withdraws drugs once you take your last patch off. Up to that point if was fairly easy. Once my body had zero fentanyl it was not happy. You can get through this. This forum really helped me know what to expect, even if it was tough, at least I knew what I was experiencing was normal. I wish you all the best as you go through this. It will end even though it doesn't feel like it. I was told by others 4-6 months. My Drs said 2 months. I also had the help of a dear friend who is a natural specialist who uses supplements, really helped through it was well. Let people know who can help you what is going on, you'll need there support. Let us know how your doing. It's worth every hard day to get off this horrible drug!!
Good luck!!! You can do this!!
Karen.

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Sorry SLICK,but methadone SUCKS FOR PAIN! Maybe it helps in other ways for some, but I tried this year's ago for pain and it did a.b.s.o.l.u.T.l.y. nothing...

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I, too, am weaning off of 100 mcg/every 3 days of the Fentanyl patch. I was scared to death as I'm 61 yrs old and have been on them for over 10 years. I heard how dangerous to go cold turkey. My doctor cut me off because my insurance decided it needed prior authorization and he SAID he doesn't do those. I think he was just trying to get rid of his patients who were only getting the scrips and not having any more procedures and because of the sudden media attention on this drug. I wish he'd been honest. Anyway, I was sick of the monkey on my back so while I still had a few patches, I started calling doctors. I hadn't had a PCP in years. I found that if I didn't tell them why I wanted an appointment, I had better luck. I found one who I found, didn't usually do this but I told her I wanted OFF the drug and wanted my health back. She spent a lot of time with me and agreed to help. She reduced me to 75 mcg every 3 days. I've had minor withdrawal symptoms but nothing I couldn't handle. I was so lucky to have found her. I was on my last day of my last patch! Now I'm on my way to finding my old self. I've had blood work (found out my cholesterol is elevated). I've had my first mammogram in years, and will go down to the 50 mcg patch next month. O feel so much better about myself already. Just knowing I reached out for help. The doctor even gave me a hug and said she'd help me. Find a doctor that'll help! My insurance gave me a list of names to call. It may be tough as I go down but it'll be worth it! Good luck!

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That is how you will feel. Valium if u have, that will help. I took marijuana to calm me down after I detox from 100 methadone minus 5 mg per week til 0. That is when i went home to my family, (which the kids stayed with my mother, just in case). A few days later and that was that. Where u stay when u are clean will make a difference. I assume it's from pain. Mine was not then but is now.

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YES IT IS CALLED POST ACUTE WITHDRAWAL SYNDROME. What you mentioned are the W/D SE. Try getting some BENZODIAZOPINES Like Xanax, Ativan, Klonipin, or just Valium. Maybe Ambien to help you sleep. You can do it. I did it. I've beat a lot more than All Opiates. 6 mnths clean with no P.A.W.S.

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Sandra, I just want to encourage you...and empathize! I was on here alot while I was weaning myself off all of my meds. Come September I will have been Fentanyl free two years. I wore the patches for 8 years. I didnt do it like most people and drop 25 mcgs at a time. Thats too much. What I did was leave ( at first), a little of the backing to the patch on, where part of it never adhered to my skin. Every few patch changes I left more and more backing on, and less patch stuck to me. I used my oral opiates as normally. The doctors told me it would never work. ( I suggest theres no need for them to know). Its very gradual. Eventually I had such a small piece of actual patch stuck to my skin I had to tape the part with the backing still on to me to keep it on. At that point, I just left that part on until it was so dried up and crinkled it fell off. I never put another on. I did have weeks of horrible leg pain. I had to rub muscle rub on my legs and put tights on my legs to sleep. You wont escape the pain...some of it. The oral pain meds help, but I ran out eventually. You will escape the withdrawals that make so many give up the attempt. The doctors didnt believe it would work. It did. That was in September of '14. When I got my next script of hydrocodone filled, I started breaking them in half and taking less and less, and less often. By November I was off of those as well. Opiate rebound pain is the pain you feel when they wear off. We think its our pain from our condition but it isn't. Its the opiate receptors in our brain screaming for more opiates. Hence the need to wrap your arms around your knees and rock! Its much worse than the pain of our condition. Again, slow increasing drops. Wean. Im so glad to be free. I still have all my health problems and pain. Some days I wish I had something to take. Because Im actually working again. And cleaning all the time again. And grocery shopping. And mowing my yard with a push mower. Living again. Pain, yes. But not like the pain those meds cause. It can be done if you do it wisely. Slowly. Its so worth it.

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I have been slowly going down from 75mcg to know on 25mcg and oh my it's like everything on my body hurts even more. I am barley able to walk know as the pain has gotten so bad in my knee's (where I had none before coming down on fentanyl). Has anyone else had similar issues with trying to get off this narcotic pain relief!

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