Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms (Page 82) (Newest replies first)

Mary Says:

Thu, August 17, 2006

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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Jemmy Says:
Mon, August 31, 2009

Happy Girl,
Keep up good work. It has been two weeks fentanyl free and like you I feel so much better-am doing more physically than I have in past 5 years--less fatique and brain fog.
I bought a heating pad as my reward--have missed having one so much while on the patch. It also helps with late night neuropathy. My overall pain even seems better. I do have problems sleeping, but that was always a problem as am a night owl. I am thinking of you and sending positive vibs in your direction.
Jemmy

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Happygirl Says:
Mon, August 24, 2009

I'm proud of you, Jemmy, for going through with quiting the patch. We really did do the weaning off at the same time and pace. You had to get off twice the dose I was on when we started.
I too have the leg thing at night. It keeps me awake and in semi-sleep. I still feel like the end is near.
My overall feeling of health and wellbeing has increased so much.
My back pain is tolorable, especially when I consider the alternative: A life of dependance on chemicals.
Thanks for all the encouraging posts.

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Jemmy Says:
Sun, August 23, 2009

Hi all,
Just had to put my two cents worth here. I have been on fentanyl for 8 yrs due to severe rheumatoid, post cancer neuropathy, fibro,...to name a few of my diagnoses. I have finished weaning off fentanyl. It has taken since June reducing two weeks at a time. I had been on patch as high as 100mcg and did the weaning in increments of 75, 50,37,25,12, and then 6 brfore stopping. I increased lyrica dosage, but that was it. Yes, I have some residual pain, but I am off fentanyl now for 7 days. The only major problem I am having is sleeping due to increased neuropathy. No not everyone can get off this drug due to legitimate pain control issues, but do not discourage people from trying. I never thought I'd ever be off it--and never would have considered trying if it hadn't been for a huge price increase. Even my doctor wasn't very positive. So for everyone trying, don't give up----if you need extra help talk to your doctor, but again know---it can be done.

Jemmy

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Pat Says:
Wed, August 19, 2009

Maui Girl..I don't want to start out on the wrong foot here, but I didn't name call just for the record. I just thought you may have some issues because you seem to be so anti opiate. I have done much research on opiates, benzos, barbituates, you name it, I have studied it. I am 54 years old and I have been in chronic pain since I was 14. If I told you the drugs I have been given in my life, you wouldn't have heard of most of them I did get addictied to opiates by the time I was 16 years old. Most addicts start out as chronic pain sufferers. My opiate use took me straight from dihydrocodeine to heroin because there was no oxys in the 1970's. I tried abstinance, and it doesn't work for me. I treat my chronic pain with methadone because it is the only opiate that I take that makes me feel like I havent taken anything...To answer your questions about methadone. I was drug free and in horrible pain for some years, almost to the point of commiting suicide, well one day I was given vicodin for a tooth extraction (I had never taken it b4) within a month i was back on heroin. I have been on methadone off and on since 1984, and constintly since 2001, and while it took me a year or so to get on the correct dose, I havent had to increase my dose since July 2002, in fact I went down on my dose 15 mg because I didn't feel I needed as much. Methadone doesn't build up a tolerance in most patients, and when I need something for breakthrough pain, I usually take motrin. I havent had to take any other opiate other than methadone in a very long time.It did constapate me at first, but I don't like to take laxitives so I drink a lot of water, eat fruit and very seldom have a problem, I usually have a bowel movement everyday/ Suboxone on the other hand (I was in a trial b4 it was approved in the US) and I was plugged up for a week, so I think it depends on the person. Your friend who felt like a zombie probably was on too high of a dose, or methadone maybe just wasnt for her..If your doctor kept upping your dose to the point where it made you toxic, I would have reported him/her because a responsible doctor wouldn't allow that to happen. Like I said opiates are here for a reason, and they have made many patients lives worth living again If used right. I do urge you to read up on opiate withdrawls however, people have died from them althought it isn't as common as with benzos. I have known people who have been denied their methadone in jail and died. Do a google and you can read about cases, in fact where I live, if a prisionor is not given their methadone, xanax, AIDS medication or any other medication they have, the jail is sued and inmates win 99.9% of the cases. If a 25 year old person is denied their vicodin probably nothing would happen except that person would be very sick, but take a woman like me who is 54 and not in that great of health, and I would get very ill, and I could die..I just wanted to say that I know we are all here for support, but I am very much for patients rights and when I see others tell people in horrible pain that they don't need opiates I do get upset because I know people who have committed suicude because of the pain, and I am one of those people that almost died. My life is in bed without opiates, and while some people can live with pain, others can't and shouldnt' be told to unless that person is a doctor. I always suggest to people in chronic pain who think they have a problem with drugs to see a chronic pain specialist who is an addiction specialist as well... As for benzos, I do have a panic disorder and I may need to take a xanax once or twice a month, but never use those two meds together without your doctors knowledge as they can be very dangerous together,,If you need anything else, please dont hesitate to ask
Pat

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Maui Girl Says:
Tue, August 18, 2009

A lot of pain on opiates can be from tolerance withdrawal. Some folks find their actual pain is less,or at least different off drugs.
Have you read anything on painmeds? Or benzos- like Valium? The withdrawal from benzos can be protracted,too, and it's hard to tell the difference, except, my understanding is the benzos can be fatal, opiates not.
Everyone has there own experience. Fentanyl and Oxy's were my medications. I was medically dependent, which some doctor called the accidental addiction, because, of course a med pro just wants to help. However, unless they have experienced the he'll of opiate withdrawal and tolerance , they can keep upping the dose until u r toxic.
Pat- let's agree that we all r here to add our opinions in effort to support one another. Please don't name call- yes, we all have issues!!!!

Question- a friend was put on methadone and felt like a zombie. Dull... Like brain fog.
Do u every have to increase yr dose? Does it constipate?
What opiates did u switch from?

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