Taper Down From 50mcg Fentanyl Patch To 25mcg Withdrawal Help (Page 6) (Top voted first)

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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I am currently on 100 mcg of fentanyl, my doctor is bringing me down to 50mcg fentanyl for 72 hours... I am petrified of feeling any kind of with drawl symptoms can anyone help me and let me know if they have had any withdrawal symptoms and what they were ....

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Re: zippywales77 (# 14)

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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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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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 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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Put the patch on when you get out of the shower, after about 5 minutes when your skin is still clammy to the touch. Use the area below you deltoid muscles, essentially the outer facing part of your biceps. Hold the patch down w/ the other hand for 30 sec as hard as you can.

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I am giving your story a standing ovation! WOW.. you really have a way with words, my pain pal friend. Thank you thank you. I felt everything you put into words!! Have you ever thought of writing a book?

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Swooper,

Since I was on such high opioid dosages and am an ultra rapid opioid metabolizer I was in the test study and am in a 3% category. Only Western European females end up in the 3%, yes you could potentially need more; until I lost Dr. Famous I was on 8 patches every 24 to 36 hours.

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Posters,

Am on the brand for over 20 years, if I do not get a physician soon (my story is on several of the major trending posts) I will die; now 10 months without a replacement physician have progressed to Central Pain Syndrome and Dr. Famous in California released 30 out of state patients also due to new California regulations. We are good enough to be his lab rats for cures for intractable pain but now when the Odumma administration deems us addicts and unwanted citizens worthy only of death we are thrown out to die.

I refuse to die. I now have SSA issues due to a workers comp injury they did not pay my mileage to the treating physicians and after 16 years of flying to Houston, then my doc of 10 years died and I fly to California I tried to work as a DON would get fired I am disabled and the local SSA who usually does not do my claim hit me with a denial which will be overturned but in the meantime no checks for 3 months and had to win against WC in another state the attorney general and now (after I win) no panel of new physicians YET, trying to not pay for pain medication or kill me.

My medication bill was running $25,000 a month before this murder of pain patients in America.

I have referred around the world over 10,000 suicidal pain clients to save lives through opioid therapy and all it took was one Odumma to destroy our country.

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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 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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I advise people not to read these website.Me been feytnal 7 years went from 50mg to 12 mg within 3 days the only withdraw I had was rls.All these websites just make people more afraid and stress you out Everybody is different I'm on day 7 no patch no withdrawl

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