Withdrawals - Why? (Top voted first)

My husband has used fentanyl patches for years for chronic pain. He's been on the lowest dosage for at least 2 years and suddenly he's having terrible withdrawals for no reason. He has been on higher dosages before and the lowest dosage is good enough for his pain. These withdrawals are a nightmare for him and me. He had withdrawals then 2 days later withdrawals again even though both times he had a fresh patch on. Does anyone know why this would happen? Does a body just decide to reject it after a length of time? The patches are fresh, he used some from this box already, so it's not the batch of patches.

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Hi I used the patch n went down did not have withdrawals he shouldn't be Id quite taking them and get to the Pharmacy
good Luck

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He has been using the same strength patch for years. No he has not changed anything! We are working with his doctor but no one has any explanations for the sudden withdrawals.

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He used to be on higher dosages of fentanyl but after having several trips to the ER having withdrawals the m.d. lowered the patch to 12.0. He doesn't want to use it any longer, wants to get off it. Hates the withdrawals. Needs detox now. He doesn't want to increase it. Maybe you guys are correct - maybe his body has built up a tolerance. Seeing a pain mgmt specialist soon. Thanks!

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This may be obvious but not allways.
If some one stops or reduces some drugs it is never a good time after a night drinking.
Also it is claimed that reducing dose quickly rather than gradially can cause a bscklash of the original pain but worse and it stays that way long term.
Cut down slowly and hopefully the body will adapt and the pain will be no worse than it was originally.
At least have heard that a few times from different sources.
Personally found with some milder opiates such as codiene it was not so much a case of addiction after years as the maximum dose simply had little effect and little difference if taken or not.
Was a bit better of only took when very severe pain.
No doubt though if a person was to take the same thing from a none medical source and keep increasing the dose then addiction and withdrawal may occur.
My sincere sympathies to any one having to take certain drugs and then getting problems later

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I want was on Fentanyl patch for 7 years. They kept raising the mcg because my body would get used to it and it wouldn't help pain. It's a vicious cycle and a super dangerous drug. I was dropped by my doctor when new pain prescription laws went into effect about 2 years ago..forced into withdrawing from Fentanyl in less than 3 months!! It was and is hell. I'm so glad I don't have to buy or put those patches on my body anymore but I still have chronic 24/7 debilitating pain. I'm thrilled the Dea is happy with their backwards prescription drug rules...not! but really what the hell are we supposed to do!!!???

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Hi AGrandma! Did your husband just switch 2 a lower dose? Because, if he did, that may b why he's withdrawing. He may need a small increase in the dose. Or, something else could b going on. I would definitely have him call his doctor and tell him what's going on.

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Hi AGrandma! Maybe his body has built up a tolerance 2 the same dose, after all these years. Maybe, he needs a small increase in dosage. The Doctor has 2 do something, 2 help him. Keep us posted.

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I was actually thinking the same thing.. That perhaps his tolerance has reached it's maximum limit under that dosage, and his body is starting to require more than he was originally taking in order to reach that point of homeostasis, if you will.

You mentioned that he had been on the same strength patch for years. Do you know if he also stuck with the same manufacturer all this time?

There are articles online stating that some inactive ingredients can actually hinder a medication's bioavailability… so that may be something to take into consideration as well; especially if it's generic.

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Who is suppose to be drinking with all this anyway????? THAT WOULD BE AN ABUSER & THEY DO NOT NEED to drink on any pain meds or any other ,that clearly states that on the label! Alcohol is the worse drug, (yet its legal) along with cigarettes & those 2 are what they need to make illegal. More people die from car accidents & alcohol related than any other. Cigarettes ate just plain nasty, stink, they will take 10 years off your life & make you have all kinds of detrimental health issues. So, if you do either, PLEASE STOP! Those are the 2 they need to make illegal instead of meds!

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