Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms (Page 75) (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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P450,

yes I do... I dont know about writing for 2 states but do know if the script is wrote here it has to b filled here with a La state ID card or DL

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I think all drugs, in this forum meaning prescribed medication, can be abused if they get in the hands of the wrong person. Many of us cannot function without fentanyl and other pain medications prescribed by pain management doctors. If I was not referred to a good PM doc, I honestly don't know if I could have put up with the constant pain. I am able to work full-time, have a limited social life, and care for my family. I would have been forced to try for disability years ago and would have no quality of life. I follow my doctors instructions for using the medications as prescribed. I am not an addict. I am dealing with my pain using legally prescribed medications. I would be happy to be able to live without these medications but I am not sure if I could. I remember the "dark times" before my pain was managed and I was depressed and angry because I felt that my life had been taken from me by the chronic pain. I am proud that I have been able to continue working in a profession and raise my children. I doubt I could have done these things without the fentanyl. The drug is not evil but the user can be.

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Hop
Good deal .. myself I wish I could still work but doctors forced me onto disability 4 yrs ago .. I was a long haul trucker owner operator for over 30 yrs loved my job and way of life then one day started having a nagging pain in my mid back . Went to my doctor and thats when I was informed of my medical condition and was told I'll never work again and that if I'm still walking in a yr I'll b d×××d lucky that was almost 4 yrs ago .. so yes I do understand

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Hop,

I am a professional nurse (again) and the drug is evil and dangerous.

You are in a happy phase. When you are off on a week end don't change your patch when it's due. Give it 12 hours if you can. Tell us how wonderful you feel then.

You like anyone is physically tolerant and this drug coupled with methadone are the most dangerous drugs out there. I cannot walk without Duragesic but thanks to insurance, physicians who die before we do you will one day perhaps see what we all know.

I've been on the poison since 2000 I too was Miss Happy the first year or so.

Peace out.

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Stephen,

No I do understand. I am with you bro. I definitely got it.

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Thanks Stephendvd, feel like I am under attack here. I was at the point of losing everything because of the pain. This has been long term, at least 7 years or more with the fentanyl. Diagnosis was 20 years ago. It's been a long journey and I resent people judging us. I am sorry you had to stop working. If I can hold on 3 more years, I will qualify for early retirement. I have raised my 3 kids and can play with my grandson. I am not a " ball of energy", some days are worse than others, but I never imagined I could have any life. Good luck to you!

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Texas pain pump, we get it you are a nurse. I am a licensed professional with several degrees that suffers from chronic pain. I am far beyond the happy phase. I try to stretch the time between patch changes as long as possible especially on week-ends and vacations. Sometimes I can make 60+ hours, it depends on the level of the pain. I make a decision each time I apply the fentanyl patch. I also have to continue working full time and take care of my family. I was on the verge of becoming a bed ridden person because of chronic pain. I can have some kind of life with the pain meds. Someday I hope to reduce the dosage or get off them completely. I think you should stop judging others. I have been using the meds for about 8 years. I can go out to the mall and restaurants on the week-end and keep up with my grandson. I know none of this would be possible if I was in the intense pain I experienced in the past. I am doing better than I ever thought possible.

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Lynne, it is a rant. Not so much about American Health Care but about those who believe they are stronger or better because they are living without fentanyl and other opioid pain relievers. I don't want to take these meds but I know I function better with them than without them. I am tired of the back and forth accusations. This is not the purpose of this forum.

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P450-thank you. I have trouble getting the fentanyl patches to stick. Your suggestions are helpful.

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LynneB,

Well find a European or Canadian discussion thread.

Legally an addict is not a pain patient who is tolerant.

This drug is extremely dangerous as is methadone which Texas mentioned.

In America our physicians and DEA as well as the FDA control what we take. We don't just skip down to some chemist and sign out some morphine (England) or hop around in Canada just asking for this and that. Sorry our system is intertwined.

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Hop
Good deal brother .. hope u make it .take care stay frosty

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Stephen....

Some people take longer to get it yes?

hehehe

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P450,

Yep that we do LOL but really to be able to even get in the door to see my pain management doc u have to be a member of Ochner health care or you can go through Ochner hospital (emergency). That is the only 2 way's u can see him

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Hop
Amen brother
I know im glad that im off fentanyl . But I know if I was in ur shoes and still able to work I wouldn't have any choice but to still b on it
Kind a d@#n if u do d@#@ed if u don't . All u can do is hang in there and hope for the best

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Thanks Stephendvd, I am tired of explaining my choices. When I retire in a few years my first goal is to get off these meds. I made it this far - I have to cross the finish line. If I stop now, what was it all for? I am working and will retire with my pension and benefits. Wish you could have done the same. I consider myself lucky and I am not stupid so I don't plan on letting it kill me in the remaining few years.
Good luck to you.

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Noone has answered my question. ....If Fentynal is Black Boxed by the FDA then why are they still prescribing this poison?

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Hop
Thx u sir . Wishing u well and Gods speed . Wish I could b there for ur retirement party . But then again might b for the best I cant LOL take care my friend

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Little coconut
They still giving it out because some ppl need a medication that strong just to try and have a normal life
I know I was on it and could do a lot of things I cant do now because I took my self off of it . But that was my choice ..

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My insurance was cutting out on me just like yours. I started calling the my insurance company. At first I didn't get any help, but then I was lucky enough to get ahold of a young lady who cared about my problem and when she dug into the reason they were ditching my patches, she told me that they had tried several times to contact my doctor to get information they needed but there was never anyone to take their call and no one ever returned their call. This happened on two medications. I had called my insurance company so many times that they confirmed by mail the problem with the doctors office. Don't misunderstand, I have the best pain management doctor there is. The glitch was just down the chain of command. But if i were you, i would call your insurance company and make sure you talk to someone who cares. Then if there is a problem similar to mine, maybe you can light a match like I did. That's my dimes worth of information. When you needed it you need it.

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Littlecoconut, a "black box" warning just means that there is a warning on the box and detailed instructions and information regarding side effects and proper usage included when you pick it up from the pharmacy. It is not considered "more dangerous" than before, it just guarantees that the proper instructions and warnings are included. It is dispensed as prescribed by your physician. A "black box" warning does not mean the medication is in danger of being taken off the shelves of your pharmacy. People tend to "freak out" but many meds carry the same kind of warnings as fentanyl. If your physician prescribes fentanyl duragesic it is because other medications have failed to be effective. As the patient you need to weigh the benefits vs the possible side effects and long term effects of using the medication. The warning sounds more serious than it really is when you consider how many medications have these warnings. I would assume that all controlled substances for pain management carry similar warnings. Nothing has changed.

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