Fentanyl Patch Withdrawal Symptoms And Duration (Page 5)

i have post surgical lower back pain. was in 50 mcg patch and had side effects and so decided to wean off. i finished with the 12 mcg patch a week ago and am still suffering from periodic nausea, irritability, daily joint and muscle pain, but the worst is the consistent restless legs. it is driving me crazy. my doctor says that is not withdrawal. is he right? i don't think so. if it is withdrawal, what can i do about it and how long will it last? i am going crazy.

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To Brown Eyed Girl--Good luck to you--I know it's going to be a rough journey, but you CAN DO IT. I wish you the best of luck and if you're unable to completely get off everything, at least you'll be lessening your doseages. HANG IN THERE :)

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Gail3052,
Thanks for the encouragement. I took my last oxy on the 20th. and I am doing o.k.
Pretty much hot flashes are the most troublesome. Tuesday was really rough on me almost took one but made it through. - so glad I did. - I am tired too. I didn't sleep tue. night but slept last night o.k. I hope that once I get this done and start the fentynal wean that I can do as well. Does it take as long as six months to wean off of fentynal? I go to pain dr. on the 30th Thanks again for the encouragement.

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..im starting to eat a little too.

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brown eyed girl-I got off 50mg fentanyl patches (3-4yrs ont them) by pain mgmt. I also took 10mg valium 2xday. First, dr gave me 5 25mg patches-then a month of 100mg tramadol, now 2 50mg time released tramadol for a month--so I've been completely off the patches since May 8th, 2014!!! I have abotched tknee replmt. You sound like you'll probably need some type of pain meds, but I thought I'd share what my dr did to me. Good luck to you--I'm rooting for u :)

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Last week, I read something about a doctor saying to get off the patch cold turkey please don't do it . I try that please don't. Trust me I know I went through it.

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How long I have. Been on fentaynl 50 to 75 and soma. Alprolozam as well as hydro codone and soma I stopped cold turkey 9 days ago still having horrible metallic taste

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. I am in N Carolina, and my mother got help from foundation called CHRONIC DISEASES, who payed for her expensive eye injections. Another suggestion is to look up ur disorder and she if they can help. I to been trying to come down/off of a 15 year use of fentanyl patches. I was doing a 150 mgs every 48 hrs, and being I am only able to use name brand. (Duragesic) at 6 boxes a month for a rare disease called Ehlers Danlos, I know how lucky I am to have Medicare & Medicaid. I hate to see people suffer or go with-out bc of financial reasons. I hope this helps and wish you the best with everything...

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I was prescribed the Fentanyl patch five years ago for a rare autoimmune disease that literally destroys your shoulder and hip and thigh muscles. The highest I've ever gone is 100mcg. For the first two years I was in heaven. No pain. But something else started happening. Yes, it numbed the pain but it also numbed every other emotion. No libido. No desire to be with friends or family. No desire to do anything but lay in bed and watch television. I would dose off in the middle of a conversation. I was also on very serious DMARDS which caused me to throw up, lose hair, etc. And like most of you, there were several times I lost a patch, or put one on too soon, etc. and ended up in withdrawals until I could get the new script from my PM doc. The worst withdrawals EVER. Three months ago I went into remission and immediately made the decision to come off the patch. I weaned down from 50, to 25, to 12.5, to Norco 5 in about six weeks total. I am now at the three week mark and down to 1/2 Norco 5 twice a day. I still feel terrible. The worst has passed, the creepy crawlies, can.t be still, the sweats and chills, the urge to jump, stretch, jerk, the sneezing, yawning, watery eyes, and the smell of it coming through my pores are for the most part over. But the pain in my legs and back are killing me, Nothing helps and I have tried everything recommended on this site. I still have no energy and I'm soooo depressed. My legs feel like they're encased in cement. The one thing that helped the restless creepy crawlies was Lyrica. I had to take a very high dose and it literally turned me into a drunken zombie for three days but at least I could sleep. Clonidine for the sweats. Trazadone to help with sleep, too. But some nights nothing worked, I was wide awake, twitching and jerking still but exhausted and just zoinked out of my head while doing it. If you can get a muscle relaxer and something like Klonopin, those help too. But the sad truth is, you just have to get through the worst of it. And it is hell. I've started walking and lifting very light weights. My doctor said it might take three to six months before all of the withdrawals go away. If you have any other option, do not start the Fentanyl patch. It is a hellish roller coaster ride I NEVER want to get on again.

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I have had the 'creepy crawlies' that you mention. I've had them because of withdrawal and now I have them just because I have restless legs syndrome. The is a medicine that for me, gives complete relief. It's called Pramipexole. It is a drug for Parkinsons disease (which I don't have) and is prescribed off label for restless legs syndrome. Without this I would not sleep. I urge you to talk to your doctor about this med.

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it is most definitely withdrawal symptoms. These doctors read things in a book and have no idea what people are going through.all they know is what they read in a book. my advice go to an addiction specialist. They can give you a low dose of methadone decreasing it daily and you'll suffer no Effects at all. Don't pay any attention to people he tell you that withdrawals will not kill you they will

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I also have sever n I mean sever Fibro n RA plus on top of that I have CPS n Addison's along with illness with my stomach n colon n all that's connected to my colon . I've been on Fentanyl 75 for over 10 years. My great n loving RA doctor retired. He had even started a Fibro clinic in Chapel Hill NC but of course all his hard work was forgetten n they closed it. I've bounced from doctor to doctor trying to find a compassiate one but yet to do so . The 1 I'm seeing will not give me my patches she says she doesn't use them for my pain n referred me to a PAIN CLINIC but gave me enough to last till I could get in. They were rude n uncaring. I live in so bad pain even with the patch that if it wasn't for my faith in God I wouldn't be here. At this Pain Clinic I was told they don't prescribe my patches for my pain. She told me to just GET OFF OF THEM. How can I just get off them, I take no other pain meds n I have only 5 patches left n I'm scared of what going cold turkey on them will do to me. PLEASE ADVISE ME IF YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS. As it is I'm n bed 24/7 due to my back it's has very bad pain I think from where I had to have a mass removed n he had to dig it out from under my shoulder blade. It wasn't long after that I have had sever pain between my shoulder blades so bad I would lay down n scream in a pillow. This pain has been going on for over 2 years. Now THE PAIN CLINIC won't give me my patches. I'm in such a depression now that I go weeks n don't even bath. I have just about given up. I read how bad the withdrawals are n I have a pain attack. I've lost all faith in the medical field. If anyone has an advice please let me know. I'm desperately begging. I hate taking even an aspirin must less a bunch of pills . Please let me know If u have any advice. Also please keep me in your prayers. I know God is still in control.

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Well I am certainly glad that I have read all of your posts cause my doctor has taken me from the 12mcg to the 25mcg/hr patch and they screwed up on when my script was supposed to be filled and I ran out about four days ago and I am not on the high mcg/hr like most of you, and I feel bad for complaining but I have never felt so sick in my life, the constant vomiting and nausea and pounding headache and I am shaking like crazy, as well as my heart is pounding and feel like my mind is going nuts!!! Plz help me figure out what to do??

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What is exactly happening in your body when you get the symptoms of Restless Leg Syndrome. Could you please explain it to me.

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Re Restless Legs
When you feel like your legs want to run a mile, when you feel there are mice running up and down in your legs. My dr prescribed Pramiplexole and it helps as does warm baths.

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I went thru withdrawal from 50 mg also. And I also have really bad restless legs the time particularly the left one. And even leg cramps so, in my opinion I think is part of the withdrawals. I also had anxiety, restlessness, body and joint pain, nausea and diarrhea. Definitely not fun…

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Mylan Fentynal vs. Gel Type.
Hi everyone. I am a Cancer Survivor and have been on fentynal for thepast 3 yrs. I have been weening down for a yr. I went from 100mcg to 75mcg and presently on the 50 mcg. I was doing fairly well till the Pharmacy gave me Mylan (non gel) type as they were out of the gel brand. After 2 days, it seems the patch wasn't working as well. I decided since I am weening down to the 25mcg, I'd try to stick with these cuz Dr. said I can cut with scissors when i get to the 12.5. I want Off these so bad! My Dr. is great, btw. So my question is: has anyone had to go from gel kind to these Mylan no gel, if so, did u notice a difference? ******also, if u look on the box, the Mylan brand actually has MORE fentynal in it!!!******* Anyone out here help me?

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There the same gel or non gel! I started off with gel 7 yrs ago went to mylan 5 yrs ago. I have only went to 50 but they only last me 2 days.

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The non gel type are much better. More even dosage and you can cut them even though it says not to. Withdrawing from Fentanyl is very difficult. The slower you go the better. If you experience the restless body syndrome, Lyrica in high doses will help tremendously. Doctors would probably not recommend this but it works. Unfortunately it also makes you completely loopy but since it is very short term, just to get through the worst of the withdrawals, I did it. Every doctor should be required to tell patients how difficult it is to withdraw from Fentanyl. I have a rare auto immune disease that degnerates my muscles and the pain is excruciating at times. But the patches numbed not only the pain but the whole world. I truly believe they should only be prescribed for end of life situations. Good luck!

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My husband, is recovering from the chemo and radiation treatments for stage4 neck cancer which had metastasized. Recently we were told the wonderful news of which is the cancer is in remission. Yay, but wait now what? After 9 months from the learning of the cancer until now, he has been from Primaryou doc to ENT Specialist, into surgery not once but twice on to the next ENT Specialist, then to the oncology team of experts in radiation, chemotherapy, & nutrition. All the while being heavily medicated on several pain killers, anxiety meds, nausea meds, etc. Yes and fentanyl patches. So he was taking liquid & pill form of hydrocodone, morphine, 100mcg of fentanyl. He asked to taper off, so... slowly he went to 75 then to 50 then to 25. I say slow however he wasn't prescribed the fentanyl until the end of August. Sorry for TMI but I'll continue. He also learned on the doctor's visit that he would no longer be prescribed morphine and the hydrocodone would be backed down also. The doctor didn't offer any other suggestions or referrals to pain management. He told us that the pain was in his head. We told him of the leg and stomach and body cramps as we were tapering off. He made my husband feel and look like an addict again (he's been addicted before but not prescription ) doctor was aware prior. As the two bickered back and forth, I was upset with my husband. For a moment I agreed with the doctor as to my husband was cancer free and had been given the chance to live and highly possible to live longer than the past cancer patient who had been diagnosed with this due to the treatment. Yet after the 3rd day at home without fentanyl,without morphine, a limited amount of ativan, and what I call a dangerous amount of hydrocodone because of the acetaminophen. This poor human being a Man, father,hard worker, my husband, is suffering. Shakes, shivers, flashes, leg, stomach, arms, feet, hands, all over body cramps, flu like symptoms. OMG this is a first hand and time experience for me and he says that coming off of his drug of choice (speed) was nothing. We've tried the baths which do work. Also hot wet towels over the parts not sub merged in bath. We've tried massage therapy but he is tender. I have upped the Ativan at night but he still jumps up twitches tosses turns even screams out every few minutes. Tonight I gave him his muscle relaxer that was prescribed to him for back pain prior to the cancer. He is sleeping now. Hopefully this is not the wrong way to get sleep. I am at a loss here. I can only pray and remain in faith that this too shall pass. He's a trooper for sure never gives up and worked the whole time of treatment. Now I know it was because he was obviously feeling no pain.

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I am so very sorry to learn of your husband's agony. Withdrawal from fentanyl is the most horrid thing and I, too, have argued with my doctor for help. Ativan itself can cause some agitation and withdrawal so I use Clonazepam. I withdrew from 100 to 12.5 but could no longer live with the sickness, continuous agitation, diarrhea daily... And pleaded with my doctor for help. His solution was to up my dosage to 25 fentanyl patch and by doing that, I suffered again with headaches and flu like symptoms. Finally I feel mostly settled except for day 3 of the patch. Again I pjeaded with my doctor for help as my quality of life was nil. He gave me 20 dilaudid pills to relieve day 3 agitation. In the new year I will try again to rid my body of this potent drug......but what to use for pain? My GP. General practitioner will not agree with the Pain Specialist's recommendations. I have perm nerve damage to sciatic nerve root so only tolerate so much time on my feet. I recommend that you go back to that doctor and argue, plead, take pictures of his agony.....I too was once treated like a self-induced drug addict at emergency when I was going out of my mind with pain from withdrawal. I also use marijuana--a special blend for pain. It helps me sleep most times but hereto I only use it for emergencies. Keep on keeping on.....I am pulling for you both. My husband suffers when I do just like you suffer when your husband suffers.

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