Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms (Page 66)

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 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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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I can help im in school to be a pharmacist

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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'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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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 understand why a doctor should? be involved ideally, but if it's working for him/her why does he HAVE to do it like you did , or advise ? Over half of the battle of addiction is mental, if he feels in control, and finds a method that works for him...hallelujah I understand the forum is for throwing around ideas, and our personal experiences, but I find it rather condescending instead of caring
Maybe that's just me though. We are all different biologically, and experiencially
I can see it as a warning, but the general theme is " Listen to me I know better than you". Maybe I am just crotchety thus morning jmo

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Enonumus: I re-read my last post and it reads kind of on the negative side.. I don't know if you read my story or not it's down a few posts. I too broke a lot of bones, not nearly as many as you and I never went higher then 75mcg. I ripped off the patch when I was on 50mcgs after a month on them. I couldn't imagine doing it with out the clonidine as the withdrawals exaggerates your pain. Before if I went through withdrawals due to pharmacy screw ups or my screw up I would feel every broken bone I had as if it were just reset. I can't imagine how it must feel for you!
Unfortunately people like us who went through a traumatic accident with horrific injuries there is going to be residual pain. Something we have to accept and live with the best we can. My hats off to you sir for trying to lower your MCG's, but I really think you need to go more slowly. A patch should last you 72 hours. I'm finding after about 2 months after lowering to 50mcg I am able to go the 3 days without taking clonidine on the third day...
I can't stress enough about cutting your patch regardless of the type is not recommended!

I was wondering have you thought about what you are going to do for pain once your off the patch? I know for me that inflammation was a big contributor to my pain and I found a very strong anti-inflammatory works very well.

I wish you a lot of luck in your rehab and please keep us posted as we literally feel your pain!

P.S. Am I the only one who can never get the "word verification" right the first time on this board?

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Fentagurl: Yes your right, I didn't mean to come across as condescending. True I don't know what his Doctor is like I know I was planning on going it alone and I am so great full that I didn't. Coming off 200 mcgs for 10 years is no small feat and I would think you would want all the help you can get. I wish Enonumus all the success in the world as I feel his frustration and really want him to succeed but sometimes we want things to happen over night and when it doesn't happen that way it adds to the frustration.. If his method works for him awesome! I just don't want him to feel despair if it doesn't.

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First, let me say that II very much appreciate the feedback, responses, and suggestions, even those that I don't agree with. I'm 43 and I'm certainly not a physician, but I know my body better than anybody else, and I probably have more first hand experience with the Fentanyl patches than just about any other living soul in the country if not the world, since they had only been approved for use in the U.S. by the FDA not too long before my accident in 2003. That's not a record/achievement I'm happy to have or to hold, but it is what it is.

Shelby, while the patches may claim to last 72 hours, that's only initially, before your body builds up an inevitable resistance to them over the months and years. Most people don't use them long enough to build up that resistance, either because they die of their terminal disease within the first year or two, or their medical issues get resolved and they manage to get off of them. Mine was an extreme case, as I had countless broken bones and massive internal injuries, and although I was absolutely not expected to survive, with some luck and a whole lot of hard work by countless dedicated doctors and nurses, I pulled through.

Having been on the patches so long, initially on the name brand Duragesic patches which have the mucus filled pouch, and for the last 4-5 years the Mylan brand generics, I'm acutely aware of what my body feels like when I start to suffer withdrawal symptoms. After 10 years, if I were to change 2 patches per my prescription, those withdrawal symptoms would start around the 36 hours mark (hot flashes and dull stomach pain), and I'd feel pretty darn crappy at 48 hours. At least 1/4 of my life would be spent completely miserable. If I were still changing them every 72 hours as per my initial prescription 10 years ago, by day 3 I would have pretty serious withdrawals in the form of stomach pain/cramps, pretty much incapacitating me. The best thing I ever did to reclaim my quality of life, was to switch from changing 2 patches every 48 hours (my current prescription for the last several years), to one patch every day, providing a much more even dose instead of the hills and valleys I would experience, even though I was still giving my body a total of 200Mcg every 48 hours. So while it is printed on the packaging and the thick instruction booklet in each box that the patches are supposed to last 72 hours, that is NOT the case once your body has built up a resistance to the drug over an extended period of time. Ironically and unfortunately, as with most of us who have been on these for a long time, it's not even so much the pain relief that we care about, it's the withdrawal symptoms which CREATE pain that we're trying to avoid.

Now, as to cutting the patches, the reason that was initially warned against, was because for years there was only one type of patch, the name brand Duragesic patches which had the mucus filled reservoir. You absolutely could not cut those patches. The generic Mylan brand is nothing more than a strip of clear tape which has the Fentanyl embedded in it. There is absolutely no reason why anyone can't or should not cut this style of patch if there's a really good reason for them to need to do so. There are no sterility issues, as the patches are going to get affixed on to your skin anyway. Obviously for legal reasons, doctors wouldn't want you to do that and would never advise you to do so, simply because of the absurdly litigious society we live in nowadays. If they advised a patient for whatever reason, to cut their patches in half, and the patient cut it to the wrong size which led to some sort of issue, they'd be afraid of getting sued. I'm more than capable of cutting something in half and getting it within a couple percent. Much more than a few percent ends up peeling up around the edge and not sticking to my skin sometimes, so a few percent of 50mcg isn't going to make a huge difference one way or another.

As far as the initial drop from 200Mcg down to 100Mcg, yes that is a rather large and abrupt change, but at any time if I experienced really unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, I could simply put one or both of the other halves on. If I were changing both of my patches every 48 hours I know I would not have been able to do this without experiencing pretty nasty withdrawals, but since I change one patch every 24 hours, it really hasn't been too bad. Basically the first 16-18 hours each day I'm fine, and the last 6-8 hours I have some mild stomach pain/discomfort, but that's been improving slightly with each day that I've been on this 50% reduced dosage. The first 5-7 days were the worst, but at no point were they really severe. Mostly just dull stomach pain the latter half of each 24 hour period, and pretty noticeable loss of appetite, which has been slowly improving.

As I said, I'll stay at this 100mcg/48 hours dosage for at least a few weeks (getting close to 2 weeks now I think), perhaps a month before I try stepping down again to either 75mcg/48 hours or 50mcg/48 hours (I'll probably try 50 first and see if I can handle it without any severe withdrawals). I will look into the Clonidine to help with some of the withdrawal symptoms. Again, I appreciate the responses and support from everyone, whether I agree with everything or not. This is a very personal battle each of us that's been on these patches has to go through, and we each have our own unique bodies and our own way of doing things, but certainly there are a few guidelines and suggestions that are helpful for almost everybody that has to go through this. That's why I found my way here, like many others. I can't stand Gatorade, but I'll take into consideration some of the suggestions that have been made about vitamins, Gatorade, etc., primarily when people are at the end stage of coming off the patches (a place I don't expect to be at for quite a while still).

My goal is to try and get off of these within 3-4 months, and personally I think that's doable and fairly reasonable. I've quit a VERY high dosage of Dilaudid cold turkey (the maximum dose the hospitals can give you every 4 hours), after being on it for over 30 days on at least two separate occasions. It was hell on earth but I survived, and without any support or medication to assist me. I also had a half a pack a day smoking habit and quit cold turkey on a whim. Never took another puff and that was 14 years ago. It's hardly the same as Fentanyl dependency, but the smokers out there know that mentally and to a lesser extent physically, they're in the same ballpark ;). In short I'm pretty strong willed and can overcome just about anything, but this will certainly be one of the bigger challenges I've faced in life, which seems pretty ridiculous after the horrific things I've been through in the wake of my accident.

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Awesome, I had thought of your willpower before responding also as my injury was very traumatic and also realize that you were on a lot of addictive meds. As I have, for me codeine was a nightmare, and IV dilaudid ( administered by home health nurse as my recovery was lengthy) I never abused my meds still I was very dependant and am under no illusions that my current fent. dose is 100 mcg. I have been on fentanyl for 7 yrs and wear my patch rotation the exact same way as Enon. Instead of going higher and as a means to help me control my pain. Shelly I did not mean to dress you down , but felt strongly albeit influenced by my own experience. The change from Duragesic to the matrix form was like a godsend, the crinkling popping and general problems we faced with the reservoir patch have disappeared. It gives me hope GREAT HOPE that should I decide to attempt to get off of them without a fully miserable experience. Please Enon, continue to chronicle your experience as it is interesting and helpful. godspeed my friend!

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I am also trying to come off of Fentanyl. I am taking Methedone, Lyrica, Oxycodone (90 mg/per day) and Fentanyl Patches 300 mcg every 48 hours. I was taking all of these at the same time after being diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer (I've never smoked and am relatively young) and had a "botched" surgery that left me with more nerve damage than I would ever want anyone else to even begin to be able to imagine. Horrible! I started seeing a doctor of Chinese Medicine who told me that none of his treatments would work unless I got off all the western pain meds -- so that's what I'm trying to do. I've managed thus far to get off the oxy and I've cut the Fentanyl down to 200 mcg/hr. My pain management doctor has told me he doesn't have experience bringing people off of these drugs --- really??? Since I've started seeing the doctor of Chinese Medicine I've experienced these changes: I was in a wheelchair and on oxygen 24/7 when I started with him and within 2 weeks that all stopped. I had a drain in my left side that I was told would be permanent that has since been removed and now I'm working on getting off these poisonous meds. I'd be happy to keep sharing my store here and would love to hear your progress as well. Thank you for sharing!

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Fentagirl, thank you for explaining your situation.. I was becoming a little upset how you kept coming across-mean!
Shelby has a very encouraging story and has helped many.
Good luck to you!

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When was I being mean? Do you mean here? I actually tempered my response with levity, I think I was calling Shelby , Shelly. I apologize if I came across as mean but appreciate you letting me know that is how I am coming across to others. Perhaps I am not well versed in forum etiquette. I tend to have a stream of consciousness verbiage , and I certainly do not want to hurt anyone's feelings. I will refrain from commenting until I can follow suit with everyone else. Again sincerely i appreciate the heads up.

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