Fentanyl Withdrawal Restless Leg
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i have post sirgical lower back pain. was in 50 mcg pat. ch and had side effects ans so decided to wean off. i finished with the 12 mcg patch a week ago and am still suffering from peroidic nausea, irritability, daily joint and muscle pain, but the worst is the consistant restless leggs. 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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Hi. I just noticed this post, and I think it is old. However, I feel compelled to comment so if others are experiencing the same issue, they can (hopefully) find some comfort in knowing they are not alone. Your doctor is a *****. I'm sure he's very intelligent in other areas. Unfortunately, the majority of doctors, in my experience (and I have A LOT of experience with this topic), do not know anything about how an addicted brain works including withdrawals. I'm not by any means saying that you are an addict. As a matter of fact, you're probably not, because if you were you wouldn't have followed instructions and tapered off the fentanyl. The reason I know that is because I am a drug addict, an alcoholic, basically anything that changes my brain. Fortunately, I went to a year long program six years ago and have been sober since, but it is a daily struggle..but worth every second. I have been very addicted to all different forms of opiates, including fentanyl at different points in my addiction and the MAIN, #1 REASON, that I could not stay off of them was because of the, not only RESTLESS LEGS SYNDROME, but I'd also have it HORRIBLY all throughout my arms and hands. It has got to be the most uncomfortable, frustrating, irritating, WORST physical symptom there is. Then that eventually, creates mental symptoms of anxiety, depression, mood swings, etc, especially due to lack of sleep. My RLS has lasted months at times from opiate withdrawals, and the substance that gave it to me the worst was SUBOXONE that another ***** doctor gave me because, I feel, he only cares about money or is not educated enough in addiction. Don't get me wrong, there are wonderful doctors out there. However, while I take responsibility for my part, it was doctors who were my "drug dealers" throughout the hell of my active addiction. So bottom line...YOU ARE RIGHT, HE IS WRONG! Good luck! I hope you're feeling better!

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Update on fentanyl withdrawal symptoms: Dr. prescribed additional Requip plus added Seroquel. Increased some other meds as well with Dr's input. Still have restless legs (and arms), major insomnia. Things are very slowly improving, especially if I take Requip several hours before bed. My Dr. says give it another month!

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Months long taper off fentanyl patches as per doctor. Finished last dose of 12 mcg/hr a week ago. Primary withdrawal symptom has been Restless Legs, causing insomnia, in spite of Requip, Klonopin, and other supportive non opioid meds, all taken under doctor's supervision. This part of withdrawal has been the most difficult, after taper from max 75 mcg/hr patch. It seems to be worse over the last 3 days. Any options I can suggest to doctor to consider? Clonodine Ineffective. Thanks. I am determined to stop as no longer necessary.

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I have severe restless leg syndrome and it all started when I started taking seroquel. It ruined my life. Anyway I have had rls for the past 9 years and have tried everything to control the pain that's so unbearable I want to pull my hair out. I tried everything under the sun trying to make the pain go away. First perks that started getting too excessive, then oxy's, then fentanyl but let's be real, s*** ain't cheap. I just don't know what to do anymore...Now when I don't have money I'm sick as a dog and I don't know what to do anymore... I don't want to keep taking all them opioids but if I don't my legs start to go crazy. Either way you look at it I'm screwed. Will this restless leg syndrome ever go away? If it wasn't for my daughter I would give up on life cuz this pain is unbearable it's a lose lose situation.

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Doctors know nothing! MAJOR HORRIFIC LEG CRAMPS last day of three day patch!

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I have had restless leg syndrome for over 6 yrs or more..due to sciatica, bad left hip etc. I started on pain meds..methadone, morphine..both in pill form and now Fentanyl patch 75 mcg's..my experience with the above, I have never had a day without some pain..some days more than others. In re: to restless legs, my pain mgt. dr.till to this day..doesn't necessarily believe that the above took care of my RLS..I think I would rather have my RLS. Take my 1mg of requip for it and have a pain med. that gave me more relief. Guess one is never satisfied...and I also get from fentanyl ..and I am sure it is from it..@ least 5 times a day..a profuse sweating on my head..dripping down my face..I can be sitting etc..andi will still jappen

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I was on 50mg fencino patches but was making me feel like crappie . sleeping loads . I went to the doctors and she said I can cut them in half . which I've done.
I did this for 3 days I then cut the 25mg in half again for 3 day . I have not put another one on but I am restless . not sleeping . feel sick don't want to go outside . my back feels like it has been kicked f out of . are these withdraw Al symptoms

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I'm sorry whenever I read someone posts about the withdrawals. Yes!!! RLS is a extremely common reaction to the withdrawals. There are a few things you can do. Ask a doctor for Requip if you have insurance. If not try Benadryl or any over the counter night time pm med adult has diphenhydramine in it. Try a leg massage, a hot shower or bath, a sauna or a foot bath. Any relief is better than none. Night time is the worst when we don't move as much. Withdrawals are like hell. They just hurt, confuse, scare and drive us almost crazy. I love forums so that you can turn to others who have gone through or are going through the same thing. It will get a tiny bit better every day. This I promise. I was only on the 25 mg for one month. Then I did the 50 mg for two months. Then the Good Doctor upped me to 75 mg for one more month. I was ill with the flu and having a hard time taking any of my meds. As they would increase my GI issues. The last thing I did was to remove my fentanyl patch. I became even more nauseous after a few hours. Then all hell broke loose. Severe RLS, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramping, fever, chicken skin (goosebumps), shivers, profuse sweating, lethargic, no energy, hot and cold flashes, hallucinations, vivid dreams like a real movie, and not able to sleep. When I say that I mean not just up and down, but maybe getting about 4 hours of sleep total in 3 days. Even taking Benadryl, Clonidine, Tylenol pm and finally a morphine tablet. All at once. Incredible!!! The RLS is the worst complaint then comes not being able to sleep. I wish I could warn everyone of the dangers and fall out of the fentanyl patch. There are no long term studies to report on fentanyl usage. There's a reason why. It's original purpose and usage was for post op surgery patients and the terminally ill. In the first case it was meant to be used in the short term only. In the second case there can't be long term studies if the people using it have passed on.

If anyone takes the patch, they are playing with fire. No one know or is not sharing with us if we have done permanent damage to our bodies by using it. Please everyone try to educate yourself before taking or starting any new med, but most importantly the fentanyl patch. Last I want to warn people that heat and yes your hot shower or bath will indeed speed up the absorption rate. This has proved to be fatal for one 32 year old woman who just wanted to relax in a nice hot bubble bath. All very scary stuff. I'll quit rambling in a minute here. I'm on day 11 of withdrawals from my patches. All my original withdrawal symptoms are still here, but they are slowly decreasing every day. That is why I am up at 2:30 in the am writing. Keeping my mind busy helps with the withdrawals. I also want to mention that aroma therapy is helping me to. For people who think that's crazy then keep reading this. When you are nauseous smell is everything. I never appreciated my clean toilet until my head was over continuously through out the day and night. It stunk my nausea would have never stopped. I lit incense around the house and lit candles. I changed the bed linens daily so they smelled good every time I went to bed. It made the bed feel more welcoming rather than sweaty and just unpleasant. Because we all know the night sweats can get bad. Remember that the psychological is just as important as the physical healing. When you are sick try to get up at some point to shower, walk and rest, exercise (in tiny amounts) with leg movement, try to watch funny movies, laugh if you have to force it, do not stay in bed, alternate your environment frequently, talk a lot to everyone, get support and remember that it's probably depression, loneliness, needing an escape that may have got us here. I hope my post makes sense to at least one person. You are all beautiful angels stuck in a cruel world. Keep your head up and you will see light at the end of your tunnel. Please post back if anyone needs someone to help them through your challenging withdrawal.

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YES it is definately a withdrawl symptom. I was on 7mcg patch. My pain dr stopped me cold turkey. I ended up going to the ER for two nights due to restless leg withdrawl. They have me dilaudid and phenergan. It was a godsend. I was finally able to sleep and my legs stopped. My advice now to anyone is AVOID fentinyl. It's a BAD BAD med. Only use it as a last resort and if you are on it make sure that if you do need to come off of it that you have a competent dr to take you down easy off of it to avoid the restless legs, diarrhea, and vomiting. You will wish you were dead. VERY BAD!!!!

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Hi I am still taking the Fentanyl 100mcg patch. Unfortunately, I believe I have developed a tolerance and the symptoms are returning particularly when I am at work. I am school teacher and on my feet all day. I can't go back to the pain associated with RLS I am hoping that my doctor will increase my dosage. I know that many practioners are wary of doing this, however this medication has indeed returned me back to a normal life.

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Hi George,
After trying all sorts of things.....the last one was Rotigotine patches, which only worked for a while...My doctore has now put me on Fentanyl patches. First it was 25 mg now it's 37 mg. it certainly has stopped the restless legs...which was actually all my body and face.....but I think its snow causing nausea and depression. Have you had similar experiences ? What dose are you on? Is it still working? Sorry to bother you, Best Wishes, Paul

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YOU DOCTOR IS A MORON THEY DONT CALL IT KICKING FOR THE HELL OF IT. THATS WY HERION USERS GENERAL OPIATE USER'S CALL IT KICKING THE HABIT CAUSE YOUR LEGS WONT STOP KICKING. MY ADVISE WOULD GET BACK ON IT OR GET PRO TO HELP YOU OFF IT. IM A CAREER USER OF THIS STUFF I HAVE FOUND THAT LERYICA ITS A NERVE MED THATS NON OPIATE STOPS THE LEGS AND THE WITHDRAW. I FOUND THIS OUT BY JUST LUCK BUT IT WORKS I PROMISS YOU. I HAVE EVEN SUMITED IT TO DOCTORS FOR REVIEW ITS BEEN OVER LOOKED. I KNOW IM NOT SPELLING IT RIGHT BUT LYRICA IS A NERVE BLOCKER FOR FIBER MYALGAEA. IT WILL HELP. EMAIL ME AT xxxxx@xxx {edited for privacy} I WILL BETTER EXPLAIN THINGS I HAVE FOUND TO EASE WITHDRAWS.

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Opiate withdrawal DEFINITELY causes restless leg.....restless body is more like it, but yes, your Dr. is wrong.

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I have suffered with restless leg syndrome for over a decade. I found ropinorole/requip to be effective for some time until it caused me to fall asleep during work and even while driving!!!! I am now on fentanyl the patch and my life has pretty much returned to normal. This drug has been a god-send for me in that it has allowed me to engage in all the activities I once did and I can finally get a restful nights sleep without the agony of the unrest and pain caused by restless leg syndrome

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@yvonne,

Fentanyl is noted to cause "uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body" as well as a "heartbeat that is faster than normal", in regards to side effects.

Referenced from: nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a601202.html

I can only speculate that upon withdrawing from Fentanyl, these side effects are potentiated or magnified to a larger degree of discomfort. But in my honest opinion, I think your doctor was very wrong to tell you that the restless leg weren't due to withdrawaling, as they most-likely would've never occured in the first place, had you not taken Fentanyl at all.

To answer your other question, the duration and severity of withdrawal symptoms are largely dependent upon the length of time you've been taking Fentanyl. Some people may experience symptoms for up to a week, while for others it may last a few months. Unfortunately I don't think there is a definitive way to give an exact time frame, because everyone responds differently to these drugs.

I hope this helps!

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I have used the Actiq lozenges 400 microgram, 4 times a day for over a year. I too get restless leg syndrome as I begin to withdrawal after approx. 10-14 hrs after my last dose.

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