Fentanyl Patch And Safe To Self Wean?

Hi, I'm on the 50mcg patch and my Dr. also has me on Norco 10. I want to get off the patch so bad, but I'm fighting a staph infection for the second time in three months. Back in May I had injections in my lumbar, and four days later I was in the hospital with 104 degree fever. I ended up having emergency back surgery to clean out the infection. By the time I went to surgery two days later (because my Dr.'s at the time are idiots) I was septic w/ 105 degree fever. Needless to say, I nearly died. When I finally got out of the hospital the second time, ( with NEW Dr.'s, my Pain Management doc put me on Fentanyl 50, and Dilaudid 2mg 3x a day, I couldn't function. So I asked my Dr to change my meds, she only changed the Dilaudid to Norco 10, one every 4 to six hours. Now after reading about Fentanyl, I think I should have had the Fentanyl decreased too. I don't know if I can trust a doctors decision anymore, and I'm afraid of when the time comes to get off the patch. I've only been on the patch for a month. Should I try not wean off or have I been on it too long, and will I have major withdrawls? Please help, I don't know if the patch is such a good idea anymore.

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I have been using the Fentanyl Patch for quite a while. I find it amazingly effective, without making me stupid or "high". I much prefer the non-liquid version for a couple of reasons, 1st the plain patch is much smaller than the liquid one, secondly, you can cut the non liquid patches into smaller pieces. My suggestion to you if you want to get away from their use, is to regulate yourself. First cut 1/3 off, stick the 1/3 onto one of the plastic pieces and back in the envelope, stick it away. Then, wear the patch longer, until you can tell that it is no longer working. Continue to cut the patch size down over time. Don't go to the 25 mcg, unless cost is not a factor. The idea being, you will have these smaller ones stuck away, which if you need them later, you'll have them. You can wean yourself off at whatever speed you decide. If your weaning too quickly, you will feel withdrawal symptoms, then add a small piece from your inventory, and next time cut your piece a little bigger than the last. Also, try taking it off at night, and sticking it on the plastic. Put the same piece back on in the morning (when you put it on your skin, leave your finger over it for about 30 - 60 seconds. The heat from your finger will help it re-attach, your bra will do the rest.) If you really want to get away from them, that would be the cost effective way. I wouldn't trade them myself. I'm not looking for the "high" from pain killers and need relief pretty much all of the time. I do take it off sometimes at night and sometimes I cut my 50's in pieces to regulate myself. Hope this helps, good luck! My biggest problem is the cost of the darn things. My insurance company isn't paying and they are expensive. I am looking for a legit online pharmacy, USA, where they don't have all the overhead costs and can sell them for less than the best price I've found at a drug store, which is $64 for a box of 5 50 mcg's. If anyone knows of a legit pharmacy that will take my prescription and not rip me off .. I'd love to know about it! Patty

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Hello Patty, I am very impressed with your knowledge of the fentanyl patch. I have been on them for years and am looking to get off of them for several reasons. My number one concern has been addiction and over a 5 year time frame I have been placed on 150mcg. I just recently went back down to 125 and I'm having some serious side effects. Please let me know if you have endured any side effects with your patches.
Thank you.

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Hi, I know this post is a few months late but I'm just getting off all my pain meds, Fentanyl and Vicodin, which I have been on since 2006. I was on the 75mcg Fentanyl patch every 48 hrs. and taking 12-15 Vicodin/day for C5&C6 spinal stenosis and knee pain. I quite the Vicodin cold turkey (not sure how) and was weened off the Fentanyl by doing a box of the 50mgc, then three of the 25mcg and finally to two of the 12mgc. I took the last patch off yesterday and I can feel all the pain again so I take a couple of Tylenol in the morning, an Aleve at noon, a couple more Tylenol at dinner and then another Aleve before bed. This seems to give me some relief and it's better than being addicted like I was. Drink lots of fluids and make sure you eat. Things will get better.

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I know this post is old, so not sure if you will get this? I am going to lose my COBRA insurance and have to pay out of pocket for Fentanyl patches. What pharmacy have you found them to be the cheapest? Thank you and I hope you are doing well, as well as possible for those of us on this useful but awful medicine!

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Hello, just replied to the wrong post, wanted to ask you a few questions. I am losing my COBRA insurance and am going to have to pay for the Fentanyl patches out of pockets. Where have you found them to be the cheapest and did you find any other good places to order them? Thank you

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