Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms (Page 84)
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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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Mary how did you become fentanyl free by the way

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Hi Again. Well today I spoke with my Dr. and told me that 25mcg. w/d symptoms were psychological and referred me to a pain mgmt. dr. I called them and they cant see me until 1/28. They said I have to remain on the patch until they see me, and if I try to ween or even stop I could get very ill or potentially have a heart attack. They were also shocked to hear that they prescribed fetanyl as a weening method from percocet??? What a mess this all has become
Thanks for listenening!!!!

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Kris,

I know how you feel. Please read the other posts that gave a lot of information. You should wean yourself off slowly. Is there another doctor in the practice or a nurse practioner that you can talk to? My doctor was the same way but the nurse practioner was sympathetic and helpful.

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Hi all! I am on fentanyl now 25mcg.The reason is -is because I had surgery in Oct. and was precribed way too much percocet! When I stopped I went through major withdrawal!!! I was told it was because I developed an opiate dependence and now needed Fetanyl to get me through withdrawl. Now I want off Fentanyl!!!I tried taking off the patch for a few days and felt like death! So...put another back on. Felt better in a few hours...but I want to stop this cycle of drugs,etc. and the doc. doesn't think I am important enough to warrant a return phone call?!? HELP!!!!!!

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I want to thank everyone for their advice and help. At the time of my original post, I was unable to find the symptoms anywhere on the internet that I was experiencing so I wasn't sure if they were related to the decrease in the med or another issue entirely. I'm happy and very grateful to say that I am Fentanyl Free and had I known up front how horrible this medicine was I never would have listened to the doctor and went on it. Once he told me that I could have died when I didn't have a patch for 3 days and that if a pet just licked a used patch it could die, I was like this is some bad stuff and wanted off ASAP. (I was on vacation and thought it was packed in suitcase, ended up going to Emergency Room for a patch. Doctor yelled at me and said I was irresponsible). Anyway, thanks all and I'm glad it's all behind me. Any suggestions for pain management medication????? - after I was off Fentanyl they put me on Kadian which I am no longer taking and just gave up on the doctor's office. I'm not taking anything for pain b/c listening to the doctor scares me....

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hell yes! your suffering from withdrawal! it always amazes me that doctors always overlook the horrible withdrawal effects that opiates cause to the body! its outrageous to think that you or anyone should have to suffer from the terrible effects of physical dope sickness, no different than a heroin addict off of the street! DOCTORS OVERLOOK THIS S*** BECAUSE THEY NEVER HAVE EMPATHY, OR TIME TO TRUELY UNDERSTAND THEIR PATIENTS ISSUES, BUT BOY IF YOU MISS YOUR COPAY OR YOU DONT HAVE YOUR INSURANCE CARD, THEN YOUVE GOT THEIR ATTENTION! the sad thing is, since your going through withdrawals you have to contact your doctor who will take his time returning your call, if he or she does at all! i went through this same thing and i had to get some valium from a friend as my doc wasnt even returning calls! you need to get a benzo in your system to help you sleep, and to minimize your irritability! valium, xanax, ativan all will help you withdrawal and titrate down. good luck!

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I too am weaning off of the fentanyl patch. I went from 50 to 25 every 2 days and then too every 3 days and in a few days I will go to every 4 days and if it is real bad the doctor will go to the 12.5 patch for 2 weeks. I too have had some withdrawl while going through this but I want off of the patch so bad that it will be worth it. I had horrible side effects and it has been a nightmare for me. Good luck too you and let us know how you are doing

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THIS SOUNDS ALOT LIKE WITHDRAWL. PLEASE LET YOUR DOCTOR HELP YOU HE CAN ALSO GIVE YOU OTHER MEDS TO HELP WITH THE AWFUL WITHDRAWAL.GETTING OFF THIS MED IS VERY HARD, SOUNDS LIKE YOUR CUTTING DOWN WAY TO QUICK. PLEASE BE CAREFUL DRIVING-ETC. GOD SPEED

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White #365 oblong shape

White#E282 smaller

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Hey, more power to you for decreasing your dosage of this powerful drug! It will be hard in the begining, but you sound like someone who has the willpower and desire to achieve your goal. Don't give up too soon. Good luck

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Yes. You are having withdrawal symptoms. I've used fentenal 75 mcg. for a long time. When I had hot flashes I would get more medicine released which led to misuse. I'm now on Suboxone to relieve my chronic pain and addiction problems.

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Yes, that can be caused by withdrawal, you probably jumped down in dosage a little too fast. This med is very, very strong, 80 times stronger than Morphine and it has a half-life of 17 hours, so that means once you take off the patch, it takes 17 hours until it has dwindled to 50% off the full dose in your body, then it slows and actually takes 3 or 4 days before it is all out of your system. So if you tried to go lower too fast, you are going to get withdrawal symptoms.

Ideally, you should step down to the next lower dosage at least a week apart, and most doctor's recommend at least 2 weeks apart, so your body can adequately expel the higher amount, get the new dosage in, and adjust to that one for a period of time before lowering again.

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