Taper Down From 50mcg Fentanyl Patch To 25mcg Withdrawal Help (Page 6)
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Hiya jocelyn,
Your doc is right, add some OxyIR to help ONLY when the w/ds or pain are unbearable.

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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