Taper Down From 50mcg Fentanyl Patch To 25mcg Withdrawal Help

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So, I'm in a big big dilemma. For my own security and well being, I MUST come off my Fentanyl transdermal patch. I've Been using 50mcg/72 hours for about 6 mths straight. I have 3 of the 50mcg patches left and 4 of the 25mcg to help me taper off. I will no longer be using them anymore, just Norcos or oxymorphone IR. I'm absolutely terrified of withdrawals. My doc who put me on them has No idea what it's like to come off like this. Can someone please tell me if and how bad the withdrawals from going down that much will affect me? I can not take any benzos (Ativan, xanax, etc). I have come off the oxymorph about 75% in the last 2 mths. I'm literally freaking out. Again, I'm terrified but HAVE to do this for at least another 7 months. Any help would be appreciated. Or experience/reassurance. Thanks again. BTW- I'll add, all of my RX are legal and prescribed by the same doc and NOT misused.

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1

That is a very fast taper and isn't the normal way that it's done, usually it is tapered much slower, to minimize the withdrawals.

If you are on other narcotics, such as the Norco and Oxymorphone that you mentioned, that may help minimize some of the withdrawal effects.

However, Fentanyl is over 80 times stronger than Morphine, so you will probably still experience some withdrawals. Have you considered a longer taper period?

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

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2

I don't have any other option as my doc won't give me more patches.
I put on a 25mcg patch Monday night and was fine yesterday. This AM I started to WD a little
I guess this is the end results..

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3

I was on fentanyl patches for 3 years. Went from 50mcg. to 25. Almost 3 months ago I stopped the patches. The anxiety and confusion are incomprehensible! My body wants to move and never stop. My brain can't process info. I become paralyzed with fear and panic. How long does this detox take?

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4

Actually 3 months should be the mark where you wake up one day an find that you did not think of an opiate all day.. Hang in there the day will be here soon. I would give it another week, two at the most.

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5

I am currently on day 2 of going from 25mcg to 12 mcg fentanyl patch. It is not only hard to come off fentanyl but can be very dangerous. If you vomit and have a lot of diarrhea you will lose your electrolytes which can cause cardiac distress. It is hard enough and incredibly distressing to go from 50mcg to 25mcg for a month to 12 mcg for 3 to 4 weeks but going from 25mcg to zero without another opiod in your system, well it will be extremely hard on you medically, physically and emotionally. Make sure you have anti diahreah medicine, pain relinu uef like tylenol or alleve, a fan for hot flashes, a blanket for chills, pepto for nausea/diahreah, pediolyte to replace your electrolytes and someone on call to be with you or take you to ER as you will not be able to drive. Benzo's help a lot. Do you have any ambien or sleeping meds to help you sleep thru it day and night? Drink sprite, water, gatorade. Dont eat much as that will make you vomit more. Anti gas pills and antacids can help your stomach but zolfran, a prescription antinausea is best. Call your doctor for medical support if you are going from 25 mcg to zero, but it would be better to go to 12 mcg first. Be prepared fo call 911 if things get too hard for you to manage on your own. Good Luck!

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6

I am in the same boat as you...terrified of withdrawal. My physician informed me that fentanyl patches aren't made in increments that are comfortable to taper down from. He said that, in order to be tolerable, the taper needs to be by 5% each step. It is unfortunately a major downfall in the fentanyl patch system. Tapering down 25mcg isn't feasible. The 12.5mcg step down is extremely uncomfortable, as well. I have discussed tapering off of the patch with my pain management doctor several times, and his only suggestions for eliminating withdrawal symptoms is to add an additional drug to a sist in the taper, and then taper off of the added drug. The added drug will always be easier to taper from.

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7

I am in the same boat as you...terrified of withdrawal. My physician informed me that fentanyl patches aren't made in increments that are comfortable to taper down from. He said that, in order to be tolerable, the taper needs to be by 5% each step. It is unfortunately a major downfall in the fentanyl patch system. Tapering down 25mcg isn't feasible. The 12.5mcg step down is extremely uncomfortable, as well. I have discussed tapering off of the patch with my pain management doctor several times, and his only suggestions for eliminating withdrawal symptoms is to add an additional drug to asist in the taper, and then taper off of the added drug. The added drug will always be easier to taper from.

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8

I am in the same boat as you...terrified of withdrawal. My physician informed me that fentanyl patches aren't made in increments that are comfortable to taper down from. He said that, in order to be tolerable, the taper needs to be by 5% each step. It is unfortunately a major downfall in the fentanyl patch system. Tapering down 25mcg isn't feasible. The 12.5mcg step down is extremely uncomfortable, as well. I have discussed tapering off of the patch with my pain management doctor several times, and his only suggestions for eliminating withdrawal symptoms is to add an additional drug to assist in the taper, and then taper off of the added drug. The added drug will always be easier to taper from.

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9

Hiya jocelyn,
Your doc is right, add some OxyIR to help ONLY when the w/ds or pain are unbearable.

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10

I have just written about my patches being stolen in my sons car, I have a police report and forgot to mention my age which 55 years old and at 30 I had the spine of an 80 year old, I had spondolosis surgery, not sure of the spelling, where they take out c5-6 and replaced with cadaver bone, however my surgon advised me after the surgery I still need two more surgerys and now have a degenerative disc in my jaw and I know when I the pain kicks in the first place I ache is my jaw the largest muscle in your face and pain omg, please help I am also on Medicare and medi-cal, which probably does nothelp my case, there are only a few docs in town that take that insurance help help help, I am going to write to medi-care and do an appeal and see where that gets me, any advise and I have been on the meds for up to 3 years

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11

Did you mean TMJ, Temporomandibula Joint Disease? Disks are in your spine and the largest muscle in your face is the Mandibula. You might want to start a new topic on this as this thread is about Fentanyl withdrawal. You'll get more answers that way, all my best . . . Q

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12

I've been on fentanyl patch 25mcg every 48hrs for almost a year. I have a 4mo old and a 2 year old and next Thurs my doc is lowering me to 12mcg. I will have family here helping me til sunday...just curious how bad this is going to be? Will I most likely still need help after a couple days? (After a month being on the 12 I will be completely taken off)

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13

i am 36yrs old i have been on fentanyl patch 100mcg for the last 13yrs, i am in the process of decreasing dosage to come off this medication and try something else, i am very fortunate that i have good doctor as my doctor made clear to me that i will have to decrease all the way down to 5mcg patch to fully get this out of my system, i went from 100 to 50 which wasnt to bad at the moment i am now on 25mcg and i am suffering but after 5days am starting to feel better, i suggest speaking to your doctor as he should not just stop these patchesx goog luckxx

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14

Does any1 else have problems getting patch to stick and stay on, i am having nightmare lately getting them to stick and stay put, any ideas or where best place to stick them is??

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15

I agree with Vernon, this is a fast taper off Fentnyl. One bit of advice is leave your patch on for an extra day, try going 96 hrs till you are out of them. Also, use the Norcos for WD relief when you get the restless legs. That dr. has some nerve,taking away. your Rx and not supervising yout taper, shame on him. My wife's ex-dr. is doing the same to her but we've made it through.
I have tapered off off 125 mcg but twice as slow, it wasn't as bad as some people make it out to be. Bestof luck and to blazes with the DEA . . . Q

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16

Methadond, 5 tabs a day for five days has worked for me, but about 8 mg a day for 5 to 6 days of ativan also helps. But if you take the methadone and sretch it out throughout the day for 5 days ygou wont feel any withdrawl at all. I too could not believe you had withdrawl just when I would go down a level. Good luck to you

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17

I've been on fentanyl 100mcg patch every 72 hours now for about 1 year over the last 3 months I have been going though hell, my body has got used to this and the patch isn't lasting 72 hours I need it changed every 48 hours but my doctor wont agree to this, the mood swings are unbearable shouting and screaming at anybody usually my poor wife I really need to get off these, I also take neurontin 2700mg per day I was thinking of cutting down the fentanyl with out telling my doctor but after reading some of the replys I have changed my mind I really don't know what to do, I have just been told the I am going for neromodulation for pain management has any one had this if so does it work and do you come of the fenanyl

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18

I am going from 100 to 50 mcg fent patch and I've been waiting for horrific w/d, on day 4 and still waiting. When does it start if it's going to? Thanks!

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19

It is the worst pain imaginable and at the same time you are physically and psychologically affected. I have been on 200mg for over six years and started cutting back by 25mg a month. I couldn't take the side effects and that is with Xanax. I am currently looking into checking into a facility to do a rapid detox or bring in more information medication wise to give to my doctor. They like to play god but have no idea the hell they have prescribed for you. There is an easier way to detox at home with the help of the right rx meds but like I said I am assuming my doctor is not educated enough.

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20

You need to make an appt with another doctor who is caring and will prescribe meds to help you come down. I had teerrible withdrawl symptoms just going down a level ( ie 75 to 50 mcg etc) I used ativan the first time and it really helped but what my new dr. agreed to put me on, which I used the 2nd time is methadone. I took 5 to 6 tablets a day for 5 days and no withdrawl at all. Then on day 14 I would go down another level and again take 5 to 6 tabs methadone a day for 5 days etc. I did not feel a thing. Once I went into the hospital and they said they were going to help me get off from 50 to 0. It was a living hell. Sweats vomiting diareah chills legs going crazy seeing things. They gave me nothing. Said I would be better in 5 days. I asked them to release me went home put on 50 mcg patch and saw my pain management doctor who put me on methadone. Worked wonders. But ativan 8 to 10 tabs a da will work too. But you said you cant use benzos. Can I ask why. Good Luck. I start going off 150 mcg/72houurs in about 2 weeks.

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119

Kellymillz

I post them only on my chest. Everywhere’s else falls off. I also clean real good with alcohol before I apply the patch. I also rub my hands real well, make them warm. And put my hands on the patch when I apply. Makes it stick better. There is also tape you can put around this to help stay on

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118

Re: zippywales77 (# 14) Expand Referenced Message

Hi. I'm sure hoping you've solved the problem of getting your patches to stop becoming loose or falling off. If not or even if you've found a solution, try to see if your pharmacy will order the Mylan Pharmaceutical brand for you. If you can get them, call the company's consumer hotline and by giving them the lot number of your current patches, they will send you another patch type overlay. Once you learn how to put both on correctly, your problem will be solved.

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117

If you're getting the Mylan brand of patches and you want to taper yourself, you can cut them in half or thirds so you have control over the taper. The Mylan ones do not have the gel, they're just adhesive and plastic. I have done this several times but only with the Mylan. Hope this helps.

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116

Hello Q, I am not too sure if you remember me much as it was a few years ago we used to chat on another forum. How are you and you're wife doing? If you don't remember me, I was the 1 that had multiple surgeries on my back, 8 fusions now and 10 total back surgeries, and from the Pittsburgh, Pa area. If I am talking to the right Quincy, you are from New Mexico I am pretty sure. I wanted to see how you have been. It's a small world. I just happened to look and saw your name and this has to be you, at least I hope so. I've been dealing with a lot myself right now so I have not had the chance. If and when you have time please write back. Great to see your name on a new website I pretty much joined!!!

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115

I have been on the 25mcg of Fentanyl patches. I went to my doctor to come off them and he said to leave the last patch on that I had for the three days and take it off. I took the patch off the same day and started feeling a lot better the next day. I had a few minor withdrawal symptoms. I had googled it and they do give withdrawal symptoms and length of time. Before the week was up e withdrawal symptoms were gone.

I had a far worse reaction to cold turkey withdrawal from Cymgen. It lasted over 7 weeks.

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114

Hi, I've had some issues with them sticking as well or slowly peeling off.....be sure to use a got wash cloth to wash the area well b4 u put the patch on. It's also very important to use the warmth from your hand /fingers for at least 30 seconds to help the patch adhere completely. .....I have read it is highly advisable to NOT tape them on because the extra warmth could cause the medicine to actually absorb too quickly......

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113

Anyone that is having an issue with their patches staying on I would highly recommend using tegaderm dressing covers. They are the clear plastic covers that are sometimes used to cover IV sites. They can be a little pricey but I've found if you call the manufacturer of your patches and inform them you have trouble with them sticking they will actually send you them free of charge. On another note, I saw a poster inquiring about kratom to help ease withdrawals. Kratom is a naturally occurring plant related to coffee that has been used for years in other countries for pain relief and to ease opiate withdrawals. I have found kratom to be immeasurably beneficial to help with withdrawal symptoms. It can be ordered online from several companies. I use kratom one and take a tablespoon of their tri force blend in a tea and it has reduced any of my withdrawal symptoms almost completely. Please if you are struggling with withdrawal do yourself a favor and research it. I wish any and all of you that are struggling the strength and peace to get well. Thank you all for your posts, it is so helpful to know that we are not going through this alone.

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112

Clean area with rubbing alcohol, let dry real well then apply patch. Hold patch in place for a bit so heat from ur hand helps it to stick better. Been on Fentanyl for years now, and this trick works awesome. Also avoid putting lotion near patch, cuz for some reason it screws with them. Good luck, hope this helps

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111

I like it way of going down on the patches but I have a question for u. I started, by my own decision, to go off the patches. One of the reasons was the opiad epidemic (woke me up enough to get my butt moving), but I mainly did it for myself and my son. I didn't want to wake up one morning to see my son had found a way to get into my lockbox, he's resourceful, and get a hold of my patches. 14yrs I have been on this medication. The one thing I didn't see was, other than yours, anyone dating they wanted to do it for themselves. I've found that the mental mindset u have when u go into this period is the most important thing in the world. No matter what u do ur body is going to detox. It sucks but that's life. Wo that feeling what is to stop u from running back to this medication the moment things get to rough or u hurt to bad. Family support is worth more than the support of ur doctor any day. My doctor told me I'd be running back to her to take me back up but still I'm going down. I've faced withdrawal before, but the one thing that caught me off guard was the anxiety attacks. I've never experienced such horrible anxiety. No where have I seen one person admit to this. I was prepared to feel like crap, but not the horrible feeling of panic and anxiety that came out of no where whenever it felt like it. I still have 2 more drops to go but by 9/23 I'll be off this poison for good. I can think clearer, function better, I'm losing weight, have energy. I can keep up with my toddler and wear him out now. All this keeps me going. If anyone wants to succeed in going off these meds all I can say is this. Do it for urself. Don't do it because of insurance or because someone is making u. Do it for u. You're family and wanting ur life back. Have a support system outside of your doctor in place. Believe in yourself. Use ur breakthrough meds. There's no harm in that. Keep busy, I can't stress that enough. Walk, use a fidget spinner, read a book, anything to keep busy. And take it a day at a time. Days 1-6 are hell but the rest of the month gets better. There's a light at the end of this. Ur life.

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110

Memo- that is a bring drop, fast! Is there anyway you could talk to them to do it slower?

I went from 50mcg (on it for 2 years) to 37mcg for two weeks, then 25 for two weeks, then 12mcg for three weeks. I had enough to do 3 more 12's but I decided to cut the 12's so today is my day 1 on a 6. My plan is to do the 6's for 6 days then 3's for 6 days.

I know the 3's don't sound like much but WD's SUCK and I'm trying my best to minimize them. It has been a rough 7 weeks though.

I am still on percocets for break thru pain

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