Trying To Kick The Fentanyl Patch

This is my 1st post ever, anywhere. I am trying to get off Fentanyl. 7 years ago I was Rx'ed 25 mcg patches every 72 hrs. Went to every 48 hrs within a month. Went to a 50 every 48 to a 75 every 48 to the 100 mcg every 48 hrs.. Been on 100 mcg's (48 hrs) for several years now and I'm sick and tired of taking the patch. I have DDD, two failed rotator cuff surgeries as well as an elbow surgery (pain). The shoulder and back pain is the worst. I'm 52 years old, worked a steady job with Ma Bell as a lineman 25 years and wore my body out. Three weeks ago I started cutting my Mylan brand 100 mcgh patches in half. So far so good. I did notice that I started taking more of the Dilauid I'm rx'ed for breakthrough pain. My plan is to keep cutting the patches in half till I'm at 12.5 and jump off this crazy train. Is it ok to cut the Mylan brand patches in half. I want my life back. My wife and kids need there husband and father back. I have been reading what others have wrote and I see MANY similar stories like mine. I desperately want to lift this fog I am in, I want to be happy once again. Does this sound like a workable solution? I figure two weeks between cutting the dose to the next lower level ought to work (I think?). I just am worried that I will start taking the Dilauid to replace the fent? Any advice will be most welcome. Thanks for listening. Tom in Idaho.

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Hello, Tom! How are you?

No, you cannot cut any of these patches. That is what controls the release of the medication, so cutting them smaller could result in a dangerous overdose by causing you to absorb too much of the narcotic, at once.

This is a narcotic analgesic, so it has the potential to be habit forming and may cause side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth and constipation.

Is there anything else I can help with?

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I do not mean to be disagreeable but I am having wonderful success cutting the Mylan brand 100 mcg patches into quarters. I have been weaning off the 100 and am down to one quarter or about 25 mcg so I will have to disagree with you on that point. The Mylan brand patches do not contain gel they are more like a bandaid so cutting them releases no gel. The only trouble I have had in reducing my dosage is I have noticed that I am taking more of the Dilauid that I am rx'ed for breakthrough pain, also I'm getting headaches. I need to get off the fentanyl as it's causing me to have no energy and I feel like I'm starting to get depressed as well as terrible hot flashes. Btw, my overall pain level has increased considerably. So far so good!

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Yes you can cut the Mylan brand patches into smaller pieces. I know as I have just successfully weaned myself off of Fentanyl by doing just that. 100 to 75 to 50 to 25 then finally to 12.5.....then I just left the very last 12.5 on and never put another on after it petered out! I am already feeling so much better! I feel as though a huge chunk of the fog and gloom has lifted! My fifth day since the patch died and things already look and feel better. I'm in pain once again but at least I FEEL again. I still take Dilaudid 4mg 4 or 5 times a day but that's an improvement over the Fentanyl. I feel like I got my life back...never again shall a patch be attached to this 52 year old guys back. Hope this help just even one person to quit. Reading all the many related anti-Fentanyl post right here in this Fent-Forum is what got me thinking....then reading...and then weaning and now clean of Fentanyl. I do not even crave it at all. I thank the people of this forum and give credit to the many who beared all so as to help others. Thank you people so much for your honesty. Reading your stories got my brain in gear knowing others have had success. Tom in Idaho.

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Don't know if you'll be back to read this, but hopefully by now you have made significant progress. Anybody who says you cannot cut the Fentanyl patches either has never used them, or has only had direct personal experience with the gel filled pouches which have largely been discontinued for a number of reasons (or they're just ignorant). The Mylan brand which is the most common now, certainly can be cut and absolutely will NOT release any more or less medication, since it is embedded evenly across the entire strip, which is very similar to a large strip of scotch tape. Cutting any of the gel filled pouches of COURSE is not possible, as it would release the gel which is impregnated with the Fentanyl.

As you no doubt have read by now, cutting the patches and gradually reducing your dosage is one of the best ways of getting off of this evil drug, and is exactly what your pain care specialist would do, although they would do it by changing your prescription. The problem with that is that is that they may prescribe an amount that isn't ideal to taper down to, and during this process you may actually need to bump back up slightly for a period of time if you find that the amount you stepped down is too much. If they write you a new lower scrip, you won't have any ability to go back up at all if you were suffering undue withdrawals, and I guarantee you they aren't going to increase your prescription back up, and your insurance won't cover it until your next month. Using extra patches or partial patches would result in running out before your new scrip.

Ideally you'd never have to step back up at all, but nobody can know how your body is going to react when you try to taper, it's different for each person and depends on their current dosage and how long they've been on it. Of course, I'm not suggesting people avoid talking to their PM doctor to start this process, but realistically they're not going to do anything other than cut your prescription. If you're lucky and they're really knowledgeable about the effects of these patches, they may prescribe something for the restless leg and potential nausea, but most won't.

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Please ask your pharmacy... Even Mylan can't be cut, I've been wearing the patch 12 years. I recently took my 25 and 12 mg patch six days ago. I was at 75 but have been weening for a few months. And am experiencing a lot of pain and depression. The doctor I had who helped me get off of alcohol 10 yrs ago, said that clonidine and Valium or Ativan will help w/ the symptoms you're experiencing. I need them too.

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My husband has been on these for 8 years. He lays on a heating pad so his back is black from the blood coming to the surface. I know that mentaly things are wrong, but I don't know where to go.

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Hi Tom in Idaho lol. I'm in Ontario Canada. I'm 51 and totally hear and feel your agony and pain. I've been researching the Milan brand for 3 day's and apparently YES THOSE ones are safe to cut. my Dr is taking s*** fits about me cutting mine (teva-fent brand) so tmrw asking pharmacist to order Milan brand for me. I'm in a desperate situation myself he's been over Rx me for 5 yrs. Altho he writes every 36 hrs. He gives me 24 every 28 day's. And now he's saying"Idc ur supposed to use every 36 hrs.obviously he's been writing them early and his best friend the pharmacist fills it every 28 day's. Each month he TELLA NE..HE INSISTS that I only go to that pharmacy and only when the owner/his best friend is actually working. I am not 100% sure how I'm gonna go about this. But last wk he cut me back 6 patches. 100mgs. Anyway next appt. 2.5 wks away he said he's only giving me 8 or 9. WHICH IS 100% GUARANTEED TO KILL ME. 10 yrs ago I landed in ICU 6 times in little under 3 month's from withdrawal from a much much much less powerful drug. As far as the D's u have mentioned. pls be very careful. I have worked in a methadone clinic. And each and every opiate addict (THOUSANDS.. IT WAS AN ENORMOUS CLINIC) Anyway 100% of them all became that way bcuz of dilaudid. So plsss be very careful. Maybe cut back secretly bcuz what if u get way down or off all together and ur struggling too much. And ask for them again and he will prob say no. just make sure to cover ur ass. DONT trust that little DUCK that got u here in the first place! !! These Dr's are creating what we are today. And should all be made to pay for it.. Hmmmmm something to think about isn't it Tom???

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I did the same for 1.5 weeks for each decrease in dose. Cut by 1/4 and never had a withdrawal and haven't looked back in over a year. Don't crave them at all. But then again, my pain had resolved.

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