Withdrawals - Help From Fentanyl

I was on liquid Methadone for chronic pain for years and while on waiting list to switch to a new Pain center, I was weaning off methadone rapidly at 2mgs a day from 120 to 38mg. I was also on 20 to 40 mgs a day oxycodone for breakthrough pain. Now, last month, my new doc put me on 25mcg/h patch. Yesterday, he informed me that I am now ONLY getting pain management from him (understandable) and cut me off and did not prescribe any more oxycodone and I was to stop at 38mgs methadone. Bottom line, will a 50mcg/h patch I started today be enough for my pain and withdrawals? I am scared.

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Did you discuss your concerns with him?

The Fentanyl is a very strong narcotic, over 80 times stronger than Morphine actually, but while it can handle pain very well, you may still experience some breakthrough pain and the withdrawal effect of the other medications may cause some rebound pain.

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

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I did give him the information - right thing to do and he was not very happy. Lucky I was not kicked out Monday for not discussing it with him the first time. He increased my Fentanyl patch to 50mcg/h and told me I was to not go back to the methadone clinic - I WAS DONE Period. And he said he was not going to prescribe me anything at this time for breakthrough pain. He made it clear that if I take anything else, I am kicked out. NO prob. I haven't felt any withdrawals to speak of. Minor muscle aches, but the pain.... my legs are burning , and they feel like lightning strikes are attacking them, the nerve pain in my legs are acting up, but I can bear it if I HAVE to. The problem is if I suffer too long, it gets worse and triggers other injured areas in my body. My nerves are shot (no pun intended - not mentally! LOL!!!). I called the clinic and talked to his assistant (my doc was out today) to see if I could get his OK to maybe take one or two of my oxycodones I still had left from last months prescription. He will discuss it with my doc. I will find out tomorrow. You know, I could be selfish and maybe act like some doctors assume is like an addict and take a few. Like who would know and it would get out of my system before next month when ua'd. I refuse to do that. That's why I called. Now, if I have poor or no care, you bet I will - that's how I ended up using a methadone clinic to at least get some medication for my pain. Anyway, I was turned on to a great website that has a calculation meter of Fentanyl strengths that will be equal to or replace other opiates and I am more that OK about the withdrawals . The 50mcg almost is double to my cut off from 38mgs of methadone. I am safe there. Here is the link: globalrph.com/fent.cgi
Now that I am in the right place to get my pain managed, and it took me through hell and back to get to this point in my life, I have no need to do anything out of desperation. If this goes bad, I know exactly what steps to take and quickly. Question, I have heard that some clinics will call you in at any time before your appointment dates to give a UA or count pills, patches, etc. I can see that if they are working with someone in drug treatment and I guess if they don't know you and suspect drug seeking till they know what is what. Or do they just do that? I have read it on other forums, and asked why and got no responses. Your thoughts? Thanks Verwon for your input and support. Have a good one.

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I wish id been told that fentanyl patches were over 80 times stronger than morphine when i started to use them when normal painkillers just didnt work for the chronic pain in my joints , id never have used them...ive been on them for 2 years and i started to come off them on the 3rd of may this year, after continuous swetting and shivering at the 48/50 hr level, and the nodding off every time i sat down ,ive taken my way down the scale, from 75-62-50-37-25-then a 12 , after i stopped swetting each time, since saturday 26may ive swet buckets shivered and shook, but today monday 28 apart from diarhrea and my dr has prescribed for this, i feel fine and im told i will be back to normal in about 4-7 days and i see no reason why i wont. Always seek proffesional help, [your GP] and then sieve out the meat from the bones. I think i would sooner reel in agony than ever go down this route again, from what ive learnt in the last while i think fentanyl should be kept for the cancer patients that need the high pain releif not people like me with joint pain, ive had a good 2 years of pain releif ,but now perhaps i will get my life back on track...good luck to all that choose the path i have. I have much to look forward to,a new grandchild in the next few days and i feel that i will be responsible enough to have it under my care, because i wont be swetting shivering or falling asleep. I dont wont replys , just a life !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Yes you can use a 50mg patch to help with pain, but for 48 hours instead of 72 hours. I have been on it for years.

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I worked for a pain clinic and the reason for them calling patients for random test and counts is to make sure the patient is not over using or getting rid of...reason for it can be anything ( new patient, to many calls about there medications, early request to fill or sometimes they will just choose random names).

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He cannot just stop you! It is against the law. Trust me been threw it. He must when you
Off first. If he just takes you off. He can and will get in severe trouble! Even leading to him loosing his license. Make sure you let him know, you will contact the board, if he just stops you!

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