Fentanyl Patch Withdrawal Symptoms And Duration
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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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Klonopin (clonazepam) works well for restless legs syndrome. I was prescribed it for RLS but also have been wearing off fentanyl patch. I do not have issues with restless arms and legs, which may be due to the clonazepam. I do have anxiety and stomach problems.

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Re: Debra (# 67)

Gabapentin (Neurontin) doesn't work for restless legs withdrawal, not for everyone anyway. I'm 21 days off 100mg every 2 days for 13yrs and my legs haven't stopped hurting but 2 days ago they got better. I still can only sleep 3 hours or less in 36 hour period, I have no appetite and I've lost almost 40lbs. My chest still pounds and I have high bp anyway (clonidine helps). I sneeze about 100x a day still, I'm not so anxious now because dr put me on (risperdal), my body still shakes and I feel like I'm in hell a lot of the time.

I've gotten off of lots of other narcotics but this one is the worst I've ever experienced! I started taking them for nerve damage in my lower back and the last 5 yrs I've been trying to get off them, the last 4 times only lasting 5 to 7 days so I've made it much farther this time but I'm so dang tired I'm thinking about going to a clinic. I wished to God I had never started taking them and wouldn't have had I know It was going to affect me so badly! My teeth started getting loose a couple of years and it's so embarrassing. I lost my mom the same day I threw my patches away this time so the sadness and grief just amplified my wd's.

I have a good support system in my family but I'm beginning to wonder if I need more help with this because I'm not giving up! The risperdal and clonidine really help just still not enough, I'm starting to wonder how long these withdrawals will last. I can go a day or 2 without much withdrawals but then the next day it's as if I just quit taking them..I don't mentally want one anymore but my body wont understand that. It's crazy, please don't start taking these unless you just absolutely cant take anything else!! It just takes a cpl of patches to get your body addicted even if you don't think you, your body is. And the longer and the more you take them it will be even longer to get over withdrawals.

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I had 4 low back surgeries. I have major restless leg symptoms. Mine is nerve damage. I have lost a lot of the feeling gas in my Right leg down to my toes. The one thing I do is drink a lot of water. It does help with cramping.

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Re: RSD Angel (# 307)

Another supplement that helps is potassium. Also the bodies electrolytes should be balanced.

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Re: Sharon (# 290)

I also take Mirapex for my Restless Leg Syndrome. It comes in a generic and several strengths. It has been the best help for my creepy crawly legs after coming off Fentanyl. Don’t know how I would have been able to make it as easily without it.

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Restless legs are definitely a symptom of opiate withdrawal. For me, as I lowered my Fentanyl patch dose, I realised that Endep was exacerbating the restless leg symptoms! My pain doctor told me to increase my Endep (Amitryptaline), but my GP (family doctor) told me that any tricyclic antidepressants can, on their own, cause restless leg syndrome. He was absolutely correct! Instead, my GP had me half my Endep (it could be Doxepin, Dothiapin, or any other tricyclic), and put me on 5 mg Valium, one twice a day. Then reduce both that and the Endep gradually. It worked, but I relapsed a bit by trying to fall asleep (withdrawal keeps you awake) using more Endep! That's when the light really came on in my head. The Valium comes with its own problems. It shouldn't be used in high doses or prolonged periods. Being on one 5mg tablet, twice per day was easy to stop. I simply reduced the number by breaking off half. First day 1/2 (2.5mg) a Valium morning and one at night (to help sleep and reduce restless legs). Each week, over around 6 weeks, I kept reducing every medication until I was at zero. Even then, you may need an "emergency" supply of Valium because Fentanyl withdrawal can be relentless over the first 4 to 6 months. In Australia, Valium (diazepam) comes in 2mg or 5mg doses. If you get the 5mg, they have a scored line on them. Just use half. Wait for a couple of hours. Still restless legs? Take the other half. Be careful that you don't trap yourself by doing this too often. The last thing you need now is a benzodiazepine addiction.

Slow reduction is the way to success. I was on 100mcg Fentanyl (Durogesic - NOT the reservoir type) every 3 days for 8 years! It took me nearly a year to fully quit. Having said that, I am still prescribed Valium as needed ONLY for spasms (my spine was fractured and required 5 surgical procedures over 3 years) and, maybe - MAYBE (I'm serious) one Panadeine Forte (Tylenol 3 for USA) if pain becomes a problem. I actually find Aspro - clear (fully soluble aspirin) does a much better job than ANY combination pill (Panadol or Tylenol + codeine) does. That's me. It's personal. Everyone is unique. Remember that, when things become difficult, the reason you are doing this overweighs the negative. Be positive. It really helps. Get support. Be 100% honest with your doctor. If he/she treats you badly, find another doctor who cares. It took me 3 doctors to finally hit that home run. He took before and after photos of me. I looked absolutely ghastly 5 years ago. Now I have a healthy weight, full face and my short term memory is back to normal. I wish you all the best. You CAN DO IT. Keep reminding yourself of that. Get a cheap electronic scale. I was 55kg 5 years ago. Now I'm 75kg. I'm 6 foot tall. Lastly, you might believe that you need opiates because you're really hurting without them. I was scared of that. It's not true. Your pain levels will return to normal WITHOUT Fentanyl or any other opioids. Read up on "Hyperalgesia". It's quickly become a hot topic. The more opioid intake, the more it's likely to be a CAUSE of pain. You have to trust my word here. The 1st thing that I noticed was pain reduction (especially nerve pain) with dose reduction!

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Re: Cynthia (# 302)

Have a look at The Brains Way of Healing Itself by Norman Doig. He mentions a Pain Doctor who uses visualisation along with Doig's method or brain training. I looked up the Doctors name online and praticed his method visualising the body's and brain's natural processes of dealing with pain and it worked wonderfully. You will need some kowledge if the brains chemistry and function to be able to apply this method.

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Re: Robin (# 13)

Not true. Transform is anti depressant with sleep enhancer. Have been using it for years. Much better than sleeping pills. Also very cheap which is a bonus.

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I too used the patch. My problem with it was it wouldn’t stay on. I tried the cover patches but nothing worked. I was in a constant state of withdrawal. I had restless legs too. I’ve been off the patch for a few years now and still have it. It’s nerve damage from surgeries and scar tissue. The one thing that helps some it to drink a lot of water. I’m now taking 40 mg Kadian (brand name). The generic wasn’t strong enough and didn’t last 24 hrs. Then they tried the 12 hr generic and it didn’t last the 12 hrs. The Kadian (brand name) 40 mg - 24 hour slow release capsule is the only one that works. It’s a purple capsule with the word Kadian printed on it. If it doesn’t say Kadian in the pill, it’s generic.

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Re: Verwon (# 1)

Hey, my name is Cynthia Rhoades and I am going through withdrawal symptoms from the fentanyl patches and oxycodone. The first few days after coming off of the patch was very hard cause I had chills very bad. The oxycodone isn't that bad on me but it does seem like it is trying to control my life right now. I try to rest in the chair but the thing is, I have an ostomy bag that prevents me from doing that. I have pain medicine to take if I need to but my husband has control of them and will not allow me to have access to them. I would like some advice on what and how to retrain my mind and body and know how much longer do I have to suffer through all of this. Thank you.

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Yvonne, my doctor wasn't honest with me when I was trying to get off the patch. The restless legs and arms drove me crazy. You have come a long way. Try to stick it out. Perhaps there is a natural remedy that could help or another medication that could be used short term for relief. Stay strong.

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Re: Beverley W. (# 8)

I know the feeling your having. My Dr never warned me of the effects of fentanyl, I have been on 150mg for last 7 years started out with 50 mg 10 years before that. Over last 2 years I tried to get my pain management Dr to put me somewhere to get off them because I was having problems with them, the worst was not having bowel movements for a month at a time no matter what I took, even the stuff they give you before a surgery didn't work. I was passing out on toilet because I was so backed up ut was pressing on my diaphragm making me pass out. Er visit did no good they just sent me home saying I would go eventually, never even checked me. After 2 attempts asking Dr to take me off and was told he thought I needed them. Well then the new laws came in. He closed his practice left me with 5 50s and 5 25s and 5 12.5s.. No monitoring Its been 3 months I still can't get any energy couldn't sleep until a Dr did give me Seraquil it does make you sleep even a 10mg. The restless legs and feeling like something is crawling under my skin took a month to die down although I still have some. No Dr will help I'm alone in this and been pure hell. I can't do anything Dr's think I'm a junkie I guess even though I stood by my contract never ask for early refill count was always right was also on 6 10/325 hydrocodone per day. That went to. It's been 3 months still can't sleep without Seraquil no energy sore muscles. I think the feeling under my skin is nerves waking up again because fentanyl attaches to nerve endings. Called maker of patch and was told they should have monitored me because what they did was dangerous. I just want a quality of life to enjoy my wife and grandchildren, was also told by company that after being on them so long its been known to cause an adrenal insufficiency.

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I was on the Fentanyl lozenges or “lollipops” for 15+ years for CRPS, a very severe chronic neurological pain syndrome. I just changed insurance, to Medicare, and they refused to pay for the medicine because it is for cancer patients and I don’t have cancer. So what? My syndrome rates higher on the McGill Pain Scale than almost every other thing and there are a lot of drugs used for different things than their original label use. Anyway, between that, a limited formulary for several reasons, and my doctor's office making a mistake, after 15+ years with the most recent dose being 400 mcg 3 x a day, I was left completely without, going cold turkey. It’s been about a month now and my pain is out of control. My doc gave me oxycodone and I already took Morphine but the Fentanyl was my short acting med that helped when I couldn’t take the pain anymore. My emotions are out of control- highs and lows and anger and happy, crazy dreams when I do sleep, I don’t have energy (I haven’t showered in like a month), I go back and forth between diarrhea and constipation, but for me the worst part is the sugar cravings. I want something sweet at all times. Before I was never like this, didn’t like chocolate, ate an avocado a day, rather salty than sweet but now I can’t eat regular food, just junk and I’m gaining weight fast. Does anyone know what to do to help this? Oh and now I’m on what my doctor calls a withdrawal cocktail- Bentyl 10 mg every 8 hours, Atarax 25 mg every 8 hours and a Clonidine patch. I was already on Xanax and Lunesta and Mirapex. I just want my life back. May not have been able to do much before but now I just lay in bed when I’m not shopping for sweets.

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Yes it is I have been on 150 mg for about 15 years trying last 8 to find someone to get me off them was told they think I need it. Now with new laws I was forced from 150 5 days later 75 5 days 50 5 more 12.5 now I know what the restless leg thing you speak of is indeed fentanyl withdraw I haven't slept in 5 days Dr's don't help in fear of being charged this is pure hell and the Dr's don't care.

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Ur doctor is wrong! Have him lput on a patch, the d/c and c how he or she feels. My opinion, talk to a drug rehab person, they truly know!!

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The pain management doctors need to understand that those of us with chronic pain are not abusers of opiates. But now the CDC has made us the enemy. A government agency' guidelines are not the Ten Commandments nor should any Doctor be afraid of the CDC, they ain't Congress and have no power to enact laws. I live in a neighborhood infested with drug dealers. They have stolen my medication on more than one occasion. People say move, but I am on only peanuts of Social Security Disability. Law enforcement here lets these people continue to do what they do, and now I am being punished for where I live. I have chronic pain every single day and was put on a Suboxone patch. It does not help my pain! The immediate release opiates helped my pain, but I was cold turkeyed off my oxycodone and was given this Bustrans 10mcg Transdermal Patch. It isn't helping my pain. I'm having withdrawal symptoms too. These doctors are not judges! They may be seeing something that may scare them more than the CDC! It is called a legal case claiming deliberate negligence in regards to my medical needs, and violation of due process of law in having penalized my health treatment based upon my victimization. I am so tired of hurting and scared doctors.

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The restless legs is definitely a sign of withdrawal from fentanyl. I am still using the dreaded drug and if I am overdue to change a patch by a few hours the restless legs kick in. Restless isn't the best word because they literally jump all over as if no longer connected to the rest of my body. Good luck on weaning yourself off of the fentanyl. It is the best thing for you to do. I tried but my doctor just switched out other meds. I had an awful time. The symptoms got worse with each passing day. I have one year left until retirement. When I retire I will wean myself off with close supervision. I need to finish the last year t ocollect my pension. I could not function at all when I tried to stop the fentanyl.

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Yes, it's withdrawal! I am on 75mcg patches and when I'm running low the restless leg is how it starts for me, then my chest and if full strength withdrawal, diarrhea will be horrible. I s*** all over myself and in my sister's house, it was horrible.

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If those who are in red states would pay attention to what members of Congress continue to give insurance companies and their CPA's the power to act as doctors, they might not have these problems. Quit putting health care in the hands of Republicans. Vote for the other choices. All the worst parts of Obamacare came about through demands from Republicans as the legislation was negotiated and written. This includes denying Medicare the ability to negotiate prices with drug companies. The Democrats yielded to Republicans on many restrictions that hurt consumers/patients in an effort to make it a bipartisan bill. Then, no Republicans voted for the bill. Not one.

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You can also take potassium for the restless legs.

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