Fentanyl Patch Withdrawal Symptoms And Duration (Page 7) (Top voted first)

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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REPORT

. 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 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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I did use the Marijuana remedy last night because nothing had worked and this was advised by a physician early in his treatment (for several uses nausea, appetite, anxiety, & pain) only not permissible in our state"yet". He only used a very tiny amount and it did help. We finally fell asleep around 6:20am and slept in until 10:30. We were both late for our busy days. It took about an hour to get out of bed and motivated but we (he) did it. Let me add that these symptoms only seem (so far) to occur in the night. I never thought of pictures or videos and I have put a call in to the doctor.

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Yes, nights are the worst because we are tired and need sleep. I notice that the diarrhea is only in mornings. I am happy you got sleep finally. Take more early tonight.

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I am trying so hard to focus on 'Health' rather than "pain"!!!! Maybe we will find some answers to both by focusing on learning what we can do, what we cannot do??.....and having the wisdom to know the difference. (No, I am not alcoholic nor drug addict...I do love AAA's Prayer though)

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BEST WAY TO WITHDRAW!!!
I think the best way to withdraw easily from Fentanyl patches is to get the Mylan brand as they are like scotch tape and can be cut down little by little over time. I was on 100 MCG patches and just cut a hair line off each week or so and it took me a year to get off. I think it is just in my head, but I took Gabapentin and then took off the last thread of strip with no problem. But I really think it was just the psychological affect of having something to replace it with. After a week of no relief from the pain with the Gabapentin, I got off it too.
I want to note that I rarely have felt much relief from any prescription pain medicine and I feel it is not worth the withdrawals, the potential damage of long term affects, etc.

I am so much better off without all these things.

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I hope by now you gotten help. I was on Mylan for over 12 years. I have heard that others feel the Mylan are not as potent. But I would much rather have the Mylan that I can cut down slowly. Just so you know, the withdrawals from Fentanyl cold turkey last between 5 and 7 days. It is like the worst flu ever. Body aches, pain, sweats, etc. I wish you well and I wish you happiness.

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I just ran into the same problem here over the Christmas and New Years holiday only I have pin pointed the problem which is one of my Dr's staff members. Regardless this kind of thing scares me and I would be interested in a program of sorts or perhaps laws that would protect patients like us. In my state I feel like some treat me like a drug addict when clearly that is NOT the issue. Something needs to change. Im in if you need help to spread the word.

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Thank you and we are doing much better. However he is still taking hydrocodone.

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