Help Getting Off Fentanyl Patches (Top voted first)

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My mom has been on fentanyl patches for about 5 years now , 50 MCG/HR FENTANYL PATCH.... the pain clinic that is responsible for giving her the patches now says she needs to be off them, they have not lowered the dosage but now no longer are prescribing her any more, I agree that she needs to go off them, but she has experienced withdrawal symptoms so severe that she ended up in the ER, they gave her a one week supply until she could make other arrangements My question is...how can a pain clinic just cut her off after all of these years, I called them and told them that she needs help getting off and they gave me a number of a detox center, I called them, they haven't been a detox center for over 3 years, .so I called the pain clinic back, they said they were sorry and said they couldn't offer any further assistance. Are they obligated to help her get off these since they were the caregiver on them? I have contacted another detox center myself, we go in three days, I hope I can get help from them....

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1

Unfortunately no, they are not obligated to help her get off of whatever medication they were prescribing for her, they are not obligated to prescribe anything, or provide any treatment of any type, unless someone is in life threatening danger.

That's why the ER helped her and provided her with several days worth, to prevent the dangerous withdrawals, until she can get help, since she was in danger, they had to do so.

https:/­/­rxchat.com/­wiki/­Fentanyl/­

I'm afraid that your only option is to go with a detox center, or a different doctor that can help her taper off of them.

Are there any other questions or comments?

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3

Highly unfair daughter dawn - They could at least put her on a lower concentrate plan of ir pain pills and slowly worked herself down from her 5 year situation her cleanup wouldn't be nearly as agonizing as there wanting to put her through CRAZY and not even offer to pay for her professional detox that they want her to do. They can start early by slowly weening her down so complete detox wont be near as severe or cruel if you ask me. After that many years and that strong of a medication it's an easier way to work it without as much pain to deal with at the end with detox then at the end of the tunnel. Wonder if its got something to do with dea strengthening bulls*** rules these days?

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8

Wow! I’m shocked! They are responsible to lower the dose of her fentanyl. It’s done monthly she should be decreased from 50 mcg to 25 mcg then from 25mcg to 12 mcg to lesson the likely of her going into withdrawals. It should never be cut off cold Turkey as it can kill her. She needs to contact her insurance and inform them of what that office isn’t doing. I’d also look for a good attorney after you get her off as they have a responsibility if she needs to get off to help her get off these meds. I’d contact another pain mgt office to see if she can get in fast to help her with getting off. I couldn’t beleive I was reading that her dr office wasn’t helping her.

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9

Fentanyl requires that patient be weaned down. It would be from 50 mcg to 37 ( which is a 25 mcg + 12 mcg patch). Then to 25. Then to 12. After 12 you would have to get off as there’s no lower dosage but much easier than “cold Turkey” from 50 mcg.

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2

I know that MMT (Methadone Maintenance Treatment) was EXTREMELY helpful for me, when I wanted to stop my opiate pain medications. The Clinics Specialize in Opioid Withdraw Treatment, not just with medication management, but with Counseling and referrals to Self Help Groups. IF you do need to be treated with opioid medication while in the program, they will work with you. They also work with a number of health ins. providers, medicaid, and cash payments too. 10 years ago, I was in the program for 1 year, though, 2 years min im um is the 'recommended' treatment protocol. Every patient has a different way they metabolize medicines, and tolerate then, and withdrawl, which is why each patient has an individualized treatment plan,..and you see your counselor a MINIMUM of 1x monthly. I do hope that you have been able to locate some help for your mom, and that she is doing OK. I have a severe form of Arthritis (AS/ Ankylosing Spondylitis , and Fibromyalgia. I Also have co occurring health issues that have chronic/extreme pain: Re Occurring Shingles, Nodular Prurigo, and Hyper Sensitivity Vasculitis. I went back to MMT 2 years ago for help to get off 1 pain medication (Pill), yet, as I have been working towards getting off the detox MMT program (I have not been on a Theraputic Level for pain in many months!), and my AS and Fibromyalgia..(mostly the AS) have debilitated me 5-7 days out of a week again, ...so, I will continue to work towards leaving MMT, though, I have entered a Pain Mgmt/Treatment Program, and I am now on a combonation of therapies that are relieving my pain enough that I can participate daily in life...though..I am unable to return to work (yet)..I have been unable to work for 10 years...which is NOT my choice, but, I cannot be consistant (yet) in a job.. My goal is to be managed (my pain ) well enough that I can work 40 hours a week again, if not, at least 32, as I have $0 income OR Health Ins. at this time. CHECK locally for a MT program near you...and go in to get a consultation to see if it is an option that could work for your mother..

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4

Please Google the Thomas recipe it could help her a lot read it thoroughly I hope it helps good luck and God bless

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5

I'm in the same situation and am currently under a deadline for a very important study and am a Ph.D canidate. I can't be in the throws of withdrawal, I have legitimate pain, RA, spinal stenosis and am a cancer survivor. I need stability--I would reluctantly do it if forced, if I had a month off from school and work, with a doctor overseeing home care, and a home nurse, as I also have grand Mal seizure, have been in a coma 6 days due to status epilepticus. That was last time they yanked my meds away--such severe seizures I fell comatose. I'm also pregnant and I could lose my child. Someone please help me!!!! The Methadone clinic (45 miles away and I'm not allowed to drive) says maintenance is best for pregnant women and my "doctor" who isn't even an MD says 'oh, your pregnant? Well you have to stop today then. No referrals, not to even ob/gyn (and I have a history if fibroids and miscarriage. Can I go to a doctor that specializes in substance abuse to get methadone??? I'm too severely disabled to go to one each morning and can't drive. Suboxone (and subutex) are out of the question bc I'm allergic--no, not bc I took them too early, not a bad reaction or side effect, actually severely allergic. Same thing with trazadone. Anyway, please help me! I am poor, and they had the gall to tell me to move to a state away from the coastal regions! My religion was laughed at! These people are downright cruel, negligent, and have blatant disregard for human life. Do no harm???? I've never even done cannabis! I'm no abuser! Do no harm my a**, do no harm as long as you have zero liability or responsibility. Move to a cold n cough clinic and see people with 99 degree temps, f******!!! My email address is {edited for privacy}. PLEASE HELP.

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6

I'm surprised the dr didn't wean her off! Google Kratom. You can buy it on the internet. All it is a leaf with opioid-like alkaloids. People all around the world are using it instead of RX pain pills AND FOR OPIATE WITHDRAWALS! My own daughter who has special needs takes it for pain from numerous craniofacial reconstructive surgeries and lupus arthritis pain. Kratom tastes bitter so I got a capsule maker & keep making them for her. I'm getting ready to head down that Kratom road myself. Here's a vendor's website (ChristophersOrganicBotanicals). Please email him & tell him Kim & Alexis referred you! His name is Christopher. Good luck :)

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7

This is the state of our health care system. She *should* be weaning off very gradually over weeks, even dividing patches into halves, thirds or quarters (properly). Withdrawal can be as deadly as use. The US has no oversight responsible for making docs "help people" over "helping themselves" so - this is what we voted for.

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10

Report the doctor to the state medical board! It is malpractice and can kill someone without weaning off pain meds.

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