Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms (Page 9)
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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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REPORT

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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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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Stephen,

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

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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,

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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Folks,

I am a professional nurse and published researcher.

Without brand Duragesic I die. I am an ultra rapid opioid metabolizer. My DNA profile was legally done via swab by the top PM in the U.S. They cannot remove this drug. Some of us (P450) cannot metabolize pills. Even a LA pill passes through us in 15 minutes.

Whoever put out that information is wrong.

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Littlecoconut
We have a very wise old saying down here in south Louisiana a doctor has a license to practice medicine doesn't mean he knows what he's doing .. think about it do u have a lic to practice to drive a car ? .. I told my pain management doctor that he looked at me kind of funny and said u know u r kind of right ...... go figure

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I have a very important question. ..if Fentynal has been Black Boxed by the FDA then why is it that the Doctors and P.A.s are still prescribing this poison? ? I even asked a pain management doc,,,,no reply, just a blank stare. There you go! Let's see one of them try to get off of this!! Can't we all try and stop this?? That's my mission when I'm off this poison, ,,,one more step to go! Don't give up everyone, there is light at the end.

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All I can say is,,,,right on spot! Glad someone had the guts to say it! Bravo!! Keep the message going,,,,,stay pain free my friend. .

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Ok now I know im not the smartest doc in the world without a lic .. but if I remember correctly I remember reading somewhere that tramadol is a use full drug against withdrawl symptoms from things like morphine and fentanyl .. and tramadol .... I just remembered when I told my doc I went C/T he ask if I wanted tramadol. ..it is a non narcotic so should b easy to get from ur doc

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Kathleen - Glad to hear that hope u start doing better God bless

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P450,

I was told to put the patch where u have the most fat on ur body. Since I have very lil fat im 6 foot 1 inch tall 188 lbs.... me and my pain management doctor figured the back of my shoulders is best.. some put it on there stomach and even on their rear end but my understanding is to place where u have the most fat.... wishing u best of luck

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P450,

To answer ur question I placed mine on the back of my shoulders (well my wife did) but I told others maybe mine had something to with the way I look at things also. I am and ex Army Ranger 59 yrs old and still try to take care of myself. And I think fitness is the key I read here ppl talk about staying active and exercising. That's something a lot of us have never done I would bet. Just joking.. but really I think a lot of it is ur mind set and ur body fitness

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