Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms (Page 9) (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,

I never said I wouldn't tell you his name. I said not over an open forum like this. Oh and as far as federal rules LOL is like we tell ppl all the time this is Louisiana, feds can kiss our ass. We're still under french colonial law. It's still the only state where an 18 yr old can drink. I didn't say buy but can drink if there parents or guardian buys it for them we believe if your old enough to die for this dumb assed country you should b able to drink a beer. (yes im a vet)...

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I came down at 12 mcg at a time was completely off with no problems in 2
3 month easy done

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Thanks for ur honesty, yes a lot of dr.'s do not understand. I'm on fentanyl 50mcg. I have been out for 6 days now due to a mistake my dr office made while over riding my approval for the brand fentanyl for my insurance company. so while they take there sweet good ol time fixing there mistake, I sit here with a prescription in hand and no way to pay for it I can only use the brand name Duragesic expensive as hell. so no way I can pay that is what my insurance is for "RIGHT?" ANYWAYS because the brand is not covered by my insurance my dr. office has to send in over ride once a year to my insurance company and for some reason the nurse did not put brand name only, medically necessary like always they rejected it uggg. MY DR OFFICE FAULT!!! but I suffer for it and they know darn well I AM OUT OF MY MEDS HELLO !!! U CANT STOP MEDS LIKE THAT !!! AGAIN HELLO!!! THEN WHEN I SAID SOMETHING ABOUT IT IN HOPES I MIGHT GET A REPLACEMENT TILL THEY FIX THE PROBLEM SOMETHING EVEN LIKE A FREAKING VICODON FOR GOODNESS SAKE TILL THEY FIGURE OUT WHAT THEY DID WRONG!!! what do you think they said wait until I blow ur mind with this "ur on a pretty low dose of fentanyl you really should be okay well get this all worked out for u as soon as we can.. we have just been really busy".

WOW I'm on 50 mcg of fentanyl I am no dr. but I am an expert when it comes to ME AND WHAT THE F*** I PUT IN MY BODY!!! WOW go freaking figure, SO IM GOING THREW WD W A FREAKING PRESCRIPTION IN MY HAND THATS CRAZY WITHDRAWAL BAD STARTED WITH WATERY EYES YAWING SNEEZING FOLLOWED EXTREME RESTLESSNESS COULD NOT STOP MOVING SIT DOWN STAND UP REPEAT CONSTANT WASNT COMFORTABLE ANYWHERE. SHAKING HANDS, FLU LIKE SYMPTOM, BODY ACHES, MUCLE PAIN, PAIN IN LEGS, FREEZING COLD GOOSE BUMPS, HEAD ACHE, RESTLESS LEGS AND ARMS AND ANXIETY. I DONT KNOW WHAT THIS IS BUT I FEEL LIKE I JUST WANT TO GET OUT OF MYSELF LIKE I JUST WANT TO GET OUT OF MY OWN BODY!! CANT EAT ANYTHING, CANT SLEEP.. AND THAT WITH ME USING A STRIP OF SUBOXONE I HAD LEFT OVER FROM WHEN I WAS ON IT.. BUT I ONLY HAVE ONE AND I HAVE TO NIBBLE ON IT WHEN IT GETS SO BAD I FEEL LIKE I JUST CANT DO IT.. AND IT TRULY HELPS EVEN THAT TINY BIT GIVES ME A MOMENT OF PEACE.. AND BELIEVE ME I NEED IT THIS IS THE WORST THING AND FOR MY DR. OFFICE TO JUST SIT BACK LIKE OH UR ON A LOW DOES ULL BE JUST FINE MAKES ME CRAZY, but they know I need them.

I cant change dr they don't make a bunch of money off of me its not a pm dr he is my regular dr and maybe that explains the whole darn thing...but omg I feel so bad for everyone who is going threw this its is bad... I have had fibro for 10 years and a curvature of my spine these two don't go together AT all, I did no choose to come off fentanyl so this is a lil different, I think.. if it was my choice id be looking at this a whole lot differently but mad I'm angry I'm hurt and I'm upset.. that the pharmacies look me like I'm a drug addict !! god for bid wonder whats going on so I have changed pharmacies so cvs you have lost buss not just my very expensive fentanyl but all the other medication in total 8 so say bye to them all ..and to the dr that really don't understand or hear n listen to the patient when they say I'm not going to be okay if don't get that over ride in bye Friday and then when you go in Monday and its still not done and our out of your medicine and say I'm really not doing good ..and nothing is done and last but not least the INSURANCE COMPANYS WHO SHOULD OVER RIDE ANYTHING A DR. SAYS IS MEDICALLY RIGHT THEN AND THERE OVONE OVER THE PHONE OR COMPUTER IT SHOULDNT TAKE UP TO 73 HRS FOR THEM TO MAKE A F***ING DECISION THEY ARE NOT DR. WTF DO THEY KNOW.. you know I'm 47 and I remember when things just worked u went to the dr for something and he gave u what ever u needed the insurance paid for it and any pharmacy gave it to u w a smile on there face no matter what it was they didn't give a s*** the government didn't give a s*** now its all f***ed up for people who really need it... I understand addition I just cant afford to over take my medication. it works for me.. and that's what I need it for I guess when u really need something for pain ur idea of using it for fun completely changes.. it did for me

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Posters,

No pharmacy can require you to return used patches. That is INSANITY and illegal!

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I, too, am weaning off of 100 mcg/every 3 days of the Fentanyl patch. I was scared to death as I'm 61 yrs old and have been on them for over 10 years. I heard how dangerous to go cold turkey. My doctor cut me off because my insurance decided it needed prior authorization and he SAID he doesn't do those. I think he was just trying to get rid of his patients who were only getting the scrips and not having any more procedures and because of the sudden media attention on this drug. I wish he'd been honest. Anyway, I was sick of the monkey on my back so while I still had a few patches, I started calling doctors. I hadn't had a PCP in years. I found that if I didn't tell them why I wanted an appointment, I had better luck. I found one who I found, didn't usually do this but I told her I wanted OFF the drug and wanted my health back. She spent a lot of time with me and agreed to help. She reduced me to 75 mcg every 3 days. I've had minor withdrawal symptoms but nothing I couldn't handle. I was so lucky to have found her. I was on my last day of my last patch! Now I'm on my way to finding my old self. I've had blood work (found out my cholesterol is elevated). I've had my first mammogram in years, and will go down to the 50 mcg patch next month. O feel so much better about myself already. Just knowing I reached out for help. The doctor even gave me a hug and said she'd help me. Find a doctor that'll help! My insurance gave me a list of names to call. It may be tough as I go down but it'll be worth it! Good luck!

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Hello
I was on 75mch or higher of fentanyl for over 15 years. I have severe Rheumatoid arthritis. The fentanyl started making me ill. My last patch of 12.5 came off end of February 2016. It was not easy. I'm not at 4 months and I'm feeling much better.
The withdrawal symptoms seem gone. I still take 2-3 4mg dilaudid a day for my pain.
I do think I came off of the fentanyl too fast, even though I was guided by my pain dr. Looking back I would have went to a rapid detox clinic, or at the very least it should take 6 months to taper down. I did it in 2 months.
I'm not going to sugar coat it. It was the toughest thing I have ever gone through in my life!!
Make sure you have a good support team and the right withdraws drugs once you take your last patch off. Up to that point if was fairly easy. Once my body had zero fentanyl it was not happy. You can get through this. This forum really helped me know what to expect, even if it was tough, at least I knew what I was experiencing was normal. I wish you all the best as you go through this. It will end even though it doesn't feel like it. I was told by others 4-6 months. My Drs said 2 months. I also had the help of a dear friend who is a natural specialist who uses supplements, really helped through it was well. Let people know who can help you what is going on, you'll need there support. Let us know how your doing. It's worth every hard day to get off this horrible drug!!
Good luck!!! You can do this!!
Karen.

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Ladies, thanks for the responses. For some reason I have not been getting my messages. They go right to junk. I am so sorry! How are all if you feeling? You will feel so much better without the Fentanyl. However I am not able to go without any narcotics. I was all oh all narcotics for about 2 months and finally felt good but then the pain started as I got more active and needed something. I am in 2 mg hydromorphone (dilaudid) every 4 hrs. And 3 mg of long acting 2 a day. I wish I could go without any. Hang in there and stay strong. We can live a healthier life without the patch! It's so much more potent than other opioids! I can't believe we are all still alive! I bet Prince didn't even wear as much as we did! Get lots of rest! Hopefully I can get these from now on.

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I am a retired RN that detoxed off of Fentanyl patch 100mcg in October 2015 w/o medical intervention. I was prescribed the patch after years of suffering unbearable gut wrenching pain in my body, which I still suffer everyday, but is more manageable. I had to take charge of my own pain journey and life by changing my mindset, thought processes! The brain is the control center of all of one's bodily functions. I told mine to "SHUT UP", God put me in control of you not you controlling me. I changed my lifestyle, diet, exercise, prayer, increased activities, etc. you can do it too!!! I used YouTube and other resources for self-help info to assist me in my journey for wellness. I pray for all chronic pain sufferers that each will find their God given gift of healing, it's a free gift, receive it NOW!!! I visualized my healing, weight loss, being healthier, happier, etc and owned it!!! Pain was in & on my mind 24/7, it was my LIFE!!! I live with pain but it doesn't control me any longer!!! {edited for privacy}

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You mean clonidine, i'm sure it's called other names.. It's a blood pressure Med to help with restless leg syndrome.. Benzos are gonna help the best - I just took 32 mg buprenorphine and it put me in instant WD cause I didn't wait long enough. One word of advice (this may not work for everyone) is {edited for safety}. Remember to hydrate, and keep telling yourself do the crime pay the time..

Ya gotta pay for all the times you took the drug, there is no easy way out.. 8 hours ago I was in shock, now the subs kicked in finally and I feel normal almost with little restless leg.. But lots of benzos and adderall when you feel sad or feel like you can't do it mentally.. Because we all been taking it to the point we thought we were gonna die and we didn't so now it's our turn to be sick to the point we think we are gonna die.. Nothing is free, you gotta buy the drug in money and then pay it back with withdrawals. Clonidine does help also.. Benadryl helps.

I took 100mcg Fentanyl patches daily for 4 years and took many 30mg Roxie's in 6 days, and finally said this is enough! I called my doctor (which is a money hungry private doc) and said you want my business I need my tolerance down or I'm gonna be 6 feet down and he said "ok we can do subs for a few months then start back on Dilaudid"... He cared about getting me dependent again cause of the money. I cared about my family and getting clean! Little he knows he will never see me again and another 5 people will take my place. If you take herion nowadays it's all made from Fentanyl, I guarantee that.. So no matter how hard it gets. You will get better. I promise you that.

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Richmond, Ky is where I am at. Need a pain Dr. So much pain from head to toe. 2 failed back surgeries screws and plates fusion the last time. Lung cancer in right lung and breast cancer and radiation therapy blisters from it.

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Doctors hate to prescribe oxycontin and Oxycodone but will prescribe Dilaudid and Fentanyl like it's going on sale. I weld for a living, and we all know what happens when you are put 1,000 degree heat directly over a 100mcg patch and a Tshirt and mechanics shirt and full leathers and leather sleeves and gloves on a 95 degree day..

Ya I used to absorb a patch in a 8-10 hour shift.. Get home, eat and throw up from being sick. That finally went away then when I wasn't at work I was having WD. I was prescribed 4 roxicodone 15s for breakthrough but that does nothing when you are taking in 10mg of fentanyl in such a small period in one of the most bioavailable ways. IV, rectal, skin, then ingestion is the most med per mg to the least.

Anywho, so the doctor tried me on 12mg instant release Dilaudid 60 last a week, then went back on patches.. Work was fine. At home I had nothing but withdrawals. I told him this and he gave150 30mg Roxie's to last the month. Well with the 15s I was already on that 150 30s converted to wearing a 50mg patch and 4 15s.. So 150 30s lasted 7 days. I had a few patches left over, made an appointment. I completely absorbed a full 75mch patch on my way to my sub appointment. I thank god they were busy. I already made the drive so I sat in a massage chair for 2 hours snoring & drooling, the doc comes in and asks what's up and said when we converted to 30s he never took into account I was taking a patch daily and that I'm taking in more in a day than a gram of herion.. I told him I wanted straight buprenorphine. No suboxone.

Dr said 12 hours take all 3 at once, woke up this morning took two after finishing off my last 100mcg. 15 min later it was like I was shot with high dose of naloxone.. 4 hours I was in shock, the whole nine ... shaking, throwing up.. I took ADHD meds to keep me awake while I took enough benzos to tranquilize 5 people. Then drank water, Gatorade, and here I am 12 hours later feeling normal, feeling 85 percent minus the restless legs a bit and runny nose and slight headache and ringing in ears and constant dehydration..

But I researched all day.... Ever heard that white China heroin is actually 90 percent fentynal? Every type of heroin has fentanyl in it.. Prince lived 45 miles from me and he died on a patch. I don't hear about people dying on OxyContin or Codeine very often because it's way harder to abuse than fentanyl. Except it's so strong it binds to your receptors so damn tight you will chase that effect.. Any strong opiate binds way tight .. Buprenorphine is almost as strong as fentanyl but nobody ever dies from that.. Cuz it's taken sublingually. Why would they make a gel or lollipop make a damn time release pill or stay with the matrix packages?

Agree or disagree with me, but if you have used fentanyl prescribed or not prescribed you are in fact a herion addict.. It's 60 percent stronger than pharmaceutical 100 percent pure heroin.. But ya can't get an OxyContin. And who's to blame? Me? You? People who abuse? What's the diff if a bartender serves you to death? They went to bartending school. Doctors think it's the new break through Med and now are like "Whoa all these people are dying! Make it non abusive! Supply a damn naloxone kit with it!"

I dunno but I'm sure the world could do without patches minus cancer people in hospitals. These docs know it's so strong they pump somebody on their death bed full of it.. Ya think when somebody is laying on the hospital table and they have a breathing tube as soon as the tube comes out they die.. My grandpa kept getting fentanyl after fentanyl from the nurse and they kept saying he don't have long so they removed the breathing tube. He laid for 20 min woke up and said "if you push that button me more time I'll break your fingers" That week he went home and lived 2 months and died in his bed like he wanted.. They expected him to die when removing the tube because they thought the tube was the only thing keeping him breathing. He was an alcoholic for 40 years, had been shot multiple times in war, and finally they tried murdering him with legal heroin. Not that he wasn't already dead but still he got to die at home..

So all my legal heroin addicts, what doctor will numb you mentally and physically when they them selfs have never touched it? Streets vs school ... some things can't be taught in school you gotta learn them the hard way.. And the hard way is what I'm doing right now.. I could call my doc in morn, flip him 200 bucks get another 150 30s - but we give up our dreams and our hope to escape through what somebody else makes us. Where pain is mental it has and can be overridden by the brain.. Good luck

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Hydroxyzine works great for the first few months for restless legs and creepy crawlys. Like a very potent Benadryl, it is a prescription drug. Good luck, You will get thru this, keep telling yourself. It's so hard I know, so hard, but worth it!!!!!

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Has your doctor prescribed medication such as clonodine to block the withdrawal symptoms. You have come so far already. You should be very proud of yourself.

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Yes very much so although I went cold turkey it took weeks almostlike pneumonia symptoms

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Acupuncture can be an effective pain management treatment. Unfortunately most insurances will not cover the cost. If you have chronic pain, the acupuncture treatments will be necessary several times a week. I think insurance needs to cover alternative treatments. Acupuncture can also help patients reduce or get off other pain meds including opioids. Sadly I have a plan that is considered excellent by most. Accupuncture is not covered and can become costly if you need regular treatments. I had the same problem with chiropractic medicine. I was only allowed 16 weeks of treatment. I was doing well; the chiropractor was even able to stop a migraine if I went for an adjustment early in the development of the headache.

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Re: mary (# 8)

Look into LDN. My integrative dr prescribes it. Most reg drs won't. You can call a compounding pharmacy and ask if they can tell you what drs in area prescribe it.

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Hello first I'm so sorry you are experiencing this, I understand the experience you are describing, is there an increase in pain that goes along with this? Is it possible it may be hyperalgesia? Something maybe worth discussing with your doc.
Good luck and gentle hugs to you.

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OFF ALL OPIATES!!!! for one month, through detox center, Does anyone know how long I will be vibrating - cold,shaky hands, insomnia still worse symptoms

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I just read a few comments and I guess there is no way to not have the withdrawals, I was asking if maybe there is something natural to help? Today I went swimming and forgot about my patch, It was the last 50mg I have a perscription for 25mg patches but I'm going to try to tough it out. I have been on fentenyl for 4yrs started out on the 50mg went to 100mg I have slowly been trying to wheen myself off. I'm starting to feel very tired my abdomen is aching, this make it hard to function on a daily basis. I hope the symptons don't get much worse.

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I hadn't thought of the folding idea...wonder if it could puncture? My pain doc says I should just stop all together after the 12mcg every 3 days for a couple weeks. I have had no headaches. I am taking 600mg ibuprophin every 6-8 hours though. I have anxiety about what it will be like to be naked of drugs...It has been 4 years.
Hang in there, Jemmy. It's going to be worth it. What is your pain situation? Under control?

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