Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms (Page 76)

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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Stephen,

Ultram is a mixed antagonist and agonist yes it precipitates withdrawal in those who are also prescribed straight opioids.

Most physicians do not know that much about medications. It is up to those of us in the health care industry who do to teach and follow up on patients.

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Stephen,

Fat is because the blood vessels pick up the medication as it releases on bone or muscle there is no entry.

Further for the ladies breast tissue is not fatty tissue; the shoulder is no good.

I've been on this poison for over 15 years without interruption until now 30 out of state patients were booted from the Dr. Famous in California due to new regulations. Does not matter that most of us will die without proper referrals and due to the fact that we are rare disorders and high maintenance the end is in sight.

Kidney area is best. You will lose the patches on the shoulder because you move. The arm is further from the main blood supply. Use the waist to renal or flank area.

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Stephen really you are close to me...

I'm just across the border in East Texas. If you have a good pain physician over there just tell me; had a guy I lived with (I'd go and come. I'm a female male chauvinist pig so to speak) anyhow, I'm sure I could use his address again (my fiance in Australia might not like it but tough right now my life comes first); Destin gave me a great doctor over in Slidell but unless I have a picture ID which over there you can go to motor vehicles and get a picture ID without getting a DL if it helps.

I was unaware that the Louisiana doctors were being held to just writing for two states or perhaps it's just that one doctor.

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This post is turning into a political rant and full of useless information about the American health system. I found it helpful when I was here these last 18 months, it was doing the job of sharing Fentanyl withdrawal related issues and giving personal health and advice. I am not from America and the problem with SOME people from the USA is they believe they are the whole world.

By the way I NEVER said Fentanyl was evil, I said how can a drug be evil. It's not a living entity with a brain. We were all happy to go on it at the time and it helped us for a time, anyone WITH a brain would do some research themselves to decide if they were willing to go on and remain on such an addictive opiate. I chose to risk it, the coming off was very hard but the drug WORKED. There's nothing worse than constant pain, death seemed like the only other best option.

I have got some useful and clever advice from here on my journey to become drug free, but I am done. I am dumbfounded at recent political rants and as your health system means nothing to me I choose to retire and I thank those who helped me when I was at my low points. Bless you all in your journey.

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P450,

Please try to understand I'm not trying to down play the use of fentanyl or any other drug. Like said before when first put on fentanyl I thought I found the miracle I've been looking for. Didn't know that miracle came with a monster attached to it 3 yrs later almost costing me my family.

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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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P450,

Yea we do LOL.. u got to remember im just an old cajun boy from south Louisiana LOL

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