Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms (Page 11)

I'm trying to wean myself off the Fentanyl patch. I went from 75 micro-gms to 50 now I'm on 25. Having a problem and not sure it is related to the decrease in the med. It's been 20 days on the 25 micro-gm and I'm going crazy. I need to keep rocking, moving in any way b/c my body is very restless. Is this a symptom of withdrawal and what do I do? I cannot take it any more.

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Erin, you have been through a huge trauma with your accident. I'm wondering if your pain is subsiding by now. Your dosage was very high, but your doc must have thought you needed it. Didn't you get drowsy and slow?
If your pain is tolerable, ask your doc to wean you down. I did each reduction of 25mcg for 3-4 weeks each. I did have wd symptoms, but they were somewhat tolerable. The sooner you can start it the better (let your back pain dictate when to start lowering dosage).
I'm praying for you, Erin. Keep us posted how it goes for you.
Happygirl and Drug free over 4 months!

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Happygirl, Thank you for replying so soon. I am so very sad about this whole thing. The patch did make me somewhat drowsy, and at time slow. But, it was the only thing that made the pain go away where I wasn't lying in bed all day long. I could actually get up and do things. However, when it wears off, there was lots of pain, especially if I overdid it. Sort of like, I am not sure what my tolerable pain level is right now. Before I changed my patch last night, my pain was at a tolerable level, and it was the first time in about 3 months that I had worn it for almost 72 hours. BUT, I did feel the w/d symptoms come on. It scared me very much, because I haven't ever been addicted to something like this. I know that the medicine was needed for the pain. I was on massive amounts of pain killers while I was hospitalized. I had 6 surgeries in less than 30 days. 2 blood transfusions, and 51 days in the hospital. I have been home since Sept. 11th, recovering. I feel that the patch helps my daily life so much, but I do not want to risk going through severe withdrawls. So I feel that I should just get rid of it. I am so incredibly scared, and I am so very sad. I just want to be a good Mommy to my babies, and get back to our life before this accident. How long did it take you to get off the patch? I am not against taking a different medication for pain, maybe something not as strong as this. I am sure that I would need something for sleep too. How should I present this to my doctor when I see him? Thank you for your prayers. I sure need them right now. Hugs~

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Erin, I don't have the extensive experience of HappyGirl & Tessie, but the recommendation from all I hear would be to ask your doctor to wean you off slowly, and use other shorter acting pain killers to compensate. I quit cold turkey from 100 mg to zero, but I was only on it for 6 weeks....and I didn't know any better! By the time I spoke to someone I was already off for a little over a day and going crazy...but I did not want to backtrack. Cold Turkey is NOT easy!!! From what others have said weaning SEEMS to be better....but it takes a LONG time, its a SLOW process, and from what I can tell you STILL end up in withdrawal at the end of it all anyway. I can't tell you which way to go....but I THINK if you have enough other meds to help you through, then the withdrawal may not be quite so bad. When I couldn't stand it, I took a small Hydromorphone which put enough drugs into my system to get over the current hump. Some Valium also helped considerably.

I am 8 days without, and today I am feeling wonderful...couple more days and I expect to be totally 100% free. Whichever way you decide, we are all with you, & will pray for you because we've all been there.
Hang tough, take of your little ones, and may God Bless you and yours.

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Thank you Tygerliliy. I think I am going to have a little talk with my doctor about this. I want to have all of the right tools at home with me so that I will be able to deal with the w/d when they happen. I just cannot see myself going through them. I can't handle or risk putting my family through some sort of nightmare. They have been through enough as it is. I am off to have blood work drawn today, and I am going to see if it is possible for me to speak with the Dr. If not then I will make an appointment. I think that tapering will be the way to go. There was a post on this thread, I think number 107 or 108 that gives a way to taper from 100 mcg. It does seem like a long road however. I just am very sad that I will have to deal with the w/d's. I will let you know how it goes today. Big Hugs~!

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Erin, I used vicodin and oxycontin for over 3 years. The last oxycontin dosage was 40mg slow release every 12 hrs. That worked well for at least a year, I could even swim, bike ride, hike, garden. Then it was not enough (I had built a tolerance to that dosage). My doc tried me on hydromorphine, which I could not deal with. So the patch was given: 50mcg hr for 72 hrs. I hated the sluggish feeling I had. I stayed on it for 1 month: may 09. Went to 25 mgc hr for 72 hrs. and did that for a month and a half, using motrin too. Finally my doc gave me the 12mcg and I used them for a month. Finally I folded them for 2 more weeks. each patch was kept on for 72 hrs. At the very end of the folded 12mcg. patch I left it on for 4 days for the last 2 weeks in July then quit.During this time I did almost NOTHING! I showed up at work, did min. house work, and sat on my deck reading great novels the rest of the time. I also used my hot tub every evening.
I dealt with twitchiness, restless legs, sleeplessness for the entire time. I knew I would be better soon..... It seemed like a nightmare, but looking back it was ok knowing that I was in God's hands and that His plan for me was good. I could put my trust in God's care. You can too. Take your time and be patient.You are a courageous woman. Thanks for sharing with us, Erin. God bless you!

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Tygerlily, If I'dve know, and Erin: FIRST OFF ALL apologies for the absence I got the freakin FLU, IT SUCKS TOO although I was counting my blessings that it wasn't WD and at least you can kinda sleep through the flu, second I'M so EXCITED to hear that Tyger you are doing well, It does feel better huh AND THANKS FOR THE KIND WORDS, Happy Girl and Maui Girl were my inspirations as well and although some may visit or quit the sight I feel if I CAN HELP ONE OTHER PERSON FEEL BETTER ITS SO WORTH IT AND I NEVER FORGET TO PRAY FOR ALL. IF ID HAVE KNOWN, I have the lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, had a bad GI bleed that they had to do surgery on me for in June, that being said I HAVE MAJORLY struggled with depression most of my life (was diagnosed with the arthritis at 6th grade, the juvenile form) anyhow, AN ANTIDPRESSANT medication, especially some of the new ones out HELP THE DEPRESSION AND ALSO THE PHYSICAL PAIN, depression itself inhibits your ability to fight pain, thats why so many physicians prescribe antidepressants for pain (not for everyone) but in my case there I have needed it off and on and it does MAJORLY help the depression as well some of the chronic pain. The newest one I have tried is Cymbalta, working good for me at present.....also IF you tend to be stressed out easy or have panic attacks, etc, tyger is right the valium and/or xanax can help (PERSONALLY, I take the xanax because it is for anxiety but also contains antidepressant benefits...just my opinion) HANG IN THERE AND IM SO PROUD OF YOU, once that patch is out of your system YOU NEVER WANT ANOTHER ONE ON YOUR BODY!!! Last, but CERTAINLY NOT LEAST ERIN, GLAD to talk to you and I agree with other posts, sometimes I think it would be cool to meet in person, thats why I won't give up on this sight as long as people keep posting and ILL NEVER QUIT PRAYING for everyone out there that wants to QUIT THIS FREAKING PATCH!! Back to you Erin, I worked at a medical clinic for 10 years and am a certified MA, not that it makes my opinion anymore valuable than anyone elses, I've just been blessed to see more people, learn more things luckily through experiences of OTHERS sometimes. IF YOU HAVE A GOOD DOC YOU LIKE AND TRUST, they will work you, HOWEVER, LEGALLY they can't give you stuff for WITHDRAWALS, THEY CAN HOWEVER TAPER YOU. IF I WERE YOU (because I tapered off 50 mg with this method about 2 1/2 years ago, then ended up back on 25mg patches cuz of an accident and my stomach problems) however I tapered ONTO a slow release PILL, MS CONTIN which has same medication but isn't as powerful because as I've stated in previous posts patch has to be so dang potent to stay in your system so long PLUS it is in a alcohol base, WHICH ALTHOUGH THE MAKERS SAY IS A MINUTE AMOUNT, EVERY DRUG LABEL IVE EVER READ SAYS DON'T MIX WITH ALCOHOL AND I BELIEVE that one of the reasons this patch is so wicked awful is because of that infinitesimal amount of alcohol base they have to put it in!! As a devout Christian myself AND IF YOU LOOK INTO ANY TWELVE STEP PROGRAM, REHAB PROGRAM, ETC., FIRST STEP, NUMBER 1 is admitting we are powerless without GOD or a higher power to help us. That being said, MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU, PRAY, IT SAVED ME, HOWEVER, I ALSO BELIEVE GOD GAVE US SCIENCE so that smart and caring scientiests and doctors could discover help for those in need. sorry I got ahead of myself, anyway the MS Contin is a slow release morphine, I EASILY went from the 50 mcg patch to what would be the equivalent of 25 mcg patch 2 1/2 years ago, it you can get patch out of your system IT IS MY OPINION its easier to get off PILL form (because they are easier to taper) than these patches, ALTHOUGH if you read past posts and where you haven't been on for years, I believe a couple people said with the MYLAN they cut and cut and cut and with little or no benzo's,thats xanax or valium they did great!!! alot better than the horror stories you are hearing, HOWEVER mine were the SANDOZ and you can't cut em and they only make 25 in SANDOZ so you couldn't really even taper, the reason I COLD TURKEY rather than pills was SINCE STOMACH SURGERY IN JUNE, the pills HURT my stomach, SO I WAS KINDA BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE and I too am a mother and have two tweens still at home. MY PERSONAL OPINION....FIRST make a decision (as to whether you WANT to cold turkey patch or taper) MY ADVICE is if you choose to taper, my experience with tapering was its easier to taper the pills because you can get to a much lower dose more easily. THAT BEING SAID, if you decide to COLD TURKEY and you still have pain, problems from your accident, etc, GO TO A PAIN CLINIC DOC THAT FREAKIN KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING BECAUSE your regular docs no matter HOW SMART< GOOD< ETC they are, UNLESS THEY HAVE HAD Withdrawals, THEY HAVE ONLY READ ABOUT EM and IT ISNT THE SAME (as you can see from all these posts) that being said, cold turkey can be done MUCH MORE PAINLESSLY than some of us have said if you use the benzo's, benedryl, antidepressants, etc if needed. Like I said, check with A GOOD TRUSTED KNOWLEDGEABLE doc and read through the posts good cuz people have BEEN THERE DONE THAT and doing it is DIFFERENT THAT READING OR KNOWING ABOUT IT!! YOU're IN MY PRAYERS AS WE SPEAK!!! any more problems or questions I can help with, let me know and Ill keep checking the sight for YOU!!! HANG IN, YOU KNOW THERE's nothing YOU & the LORD can't do together!!!!!! TO ALL MERRY CHRISTMAS AND KEEP IN TOUCH!! TRY NOT TO GET THIS FLU CRAP lol....like you can help it!! LOVE AND PRAYERS, Tessie

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So I went and spoke to my doctor today. He is so awesome by the way. I broke down in his office. I told him about the episode I had, and he just shook his head, and said he was afraid that would happen. He says that everyone on the Fentanyl patch for any length of time will have the w/d's if they take it away too quickly. He also explained to me that taking the Oxycontin was a smart idea because the w/d's would have gotten much worse. SO we built up a plan to wean me off of the Fentanyl. I am so thankful too. I can't wait to be free of drugs. The only problem is going to be dealing with any pain, but I think by weaning me off of the Fentanyl slowly, we can figure out just how much pain I am going to have and how much medicine I will need to counteract it. So the plan is, starting Monday. 75mcg + 12.5 mcg for 1 month. Then 75 mcg for 1 month. 50 mcg +12.5 mcg for 1 month ect..reducing the 12.5 patch. I can do it faster if I want to, depending on how bad the w/d's are. He said that if I don't really feel too much of the bad w/d then just skip the 12.5 patch all together and go to the next 25 mcg dosage. But, he said that most will feel something by decreasing 25 mcg at a time. I thought that was a great plan. I just am so thankful that it won't be as bad as I thought it would be. It gave me hope that there is life after all of this. My accident happened on July 23rd, and I feel like ever since the accident there hasn't been any normalcy in my house. My babies have been through enough with almost losing their Mommy, and being without me for so long. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful husband who is so supportive. Happygirl and Tygerlily, thank you so much for talking to me about this. I felt very alone, and very scared. I had no clue how powerful this drug was, and seriously thought I could just take it off and it wouldn't be an issue. I am so glad that you both are off the strong stuff. It gives me so much hope that I can do it too. Thank you so much for listening, I hope that we can keep chatting this out. It is so helpful to talk to others who have been there. God Bless you both! :)

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Tessie, thank you so much for your prayers. I sure appreciate them. I myself am going to be saying some myself. I have been having the worst three days I think I can have. I have come to the realization that this Fentanyl patch can cause so much damage, BUT it also allowed me to do so many things when it came to recovery. I mean I could not even get out of bed without it. Just walking, sitting ect..But, now things are getting much better in my recovery, and I want to get off of this drug. I totally agree with you that pills are much easier to get rid of. The pills only last for a small amount of time while the Fentanyl is made to be in your system all the time. I am super blessed to have such and awesome doctor as well. I didn't even have an appointment today, but he listened and talked to me for an hour. We came up with a plan to wean me off the patch, and I hope I have very little w/d's. He also said that he could prescribe me a drug called clonidine which also would help with the w/d's. I am very happy that he is willing to make sure that this tapering process is as easy as possible. Thank you for your help and support! Hugs~

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Erin, so GLAD you got a GOOD doc and help. I THINK the clonidine is a cousin to the xanax, etc BUT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO TELL DIFFERENCE WITH IT, it helps with the wd SOOOOO much!!! I too have a supportive husband!! You'll find no matter how old your kids, they too will learn and grow with you from this trial. MY 4 kids, 19yr 18yr, 13 yr, 12 yr, and husband ALL PULLED together sooo well and we are all closer and stronger than before...yeah I had bad, hard days but you can FEEL and enjoy the GOOD ones when you don't have this patch and I'm totally with you, THERE ARE SHORT acting pain pills out there if you have pain, you can be drug free or use occassionally for chronic or acute pain and BE OK., ITS people like my brother who is an admitted addict, that if you can imagine, has quit before, wants to quit, does quit, but then relapses because of the NEED/WANT...I'm so blessed to NOT WANT....although sometimes I NEED some help with the pain, I can take or leave the pain pills whereas addicts need and are constantly looking for their next fix. Also, whether its an accident, health problem or whatever got you started there is still this stigma about being hooked I had a good doc tell me everyone's BODY can/will get hooked/addicted eventually, but you can get through it and get off it, ITS when the BODY and MIND is addicted that you really have the trial. Glad you have a good doc and found a solution and you sound to me like you'll do great, I really think you'll find that with the clonepine you can taper without the 12.5 IF YOU WANT and go a little faster if thats you're goal. My access to the two rehab docs my brother had was INVALUABLE....the benzo's really can and do help the WD symptoms and the faster you can get it out of your system the better. Best of luck. Prayers and hugs. Tessie.

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Hi Tessie. Thank you so much for letting me know about the clonidine. He did not prescribe it for me yet, he wants to see if I can handle the drop from 100 to 87.5 first. I think I can. I mean 100 mcg is a lot. I can certainly feel the medicine when it hits my body. Good thing I don't like the euphoric feeling like I see others do. I am more worried about losing sleep and becoming restless. I need my sleep. If that becomes a problem then I will ask him to prescribe me something for sleep. It is a tough road with narcotics though. I certainly thought that I could just give them up no problem whatsoever. Boy did I learn that the hard way or what. I will get there. Today is actually the first day that I have felt calm about the situation. I feel like everyone is now on the same page It is sort of like a weight was lifted up! Thank you for helping me and listening to me. I know this thread is sort of old, but maybe some others could chime in and give us their success stories? Hugs~

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Erin, If you are mostly worried about the sleep, I went days/nights without by cold turkey of course but I found the rehab doc my brother worked with prescribed me some ambien, as with the benzo's you need to be careful but I like you need my sleep, if I don't have it I get stressed, then in more pain, then angry with hubby and kids, the ambien has two forms one that is short acting, worked for me for about four hours but it puts you right into the REM for the four hours, it was so wonderful to finally sleep, then there is ambien cr that lasts for 7-8 hours, I only used a couple of those when I was really really wiped out because I still kinda felt groggy after the 8 hours but with the regular ambien I got a GOOD 4 hours, a couple times 5 and didn't feel a bit groggy, tired or anything upon awakening. Anyway I know how you feel about a big weight, worry and stress are a big part of the battle, I was really worried about what I was going to do about pain once I was through withdrawals, but I really read, studied, etc and for me personally I just made the decision to stay away from anything that is SLOW RELEASE or stays in your system for longer periods of time because for me after time they seemed to not work as well and/or I needed more to help pain and yet felt worse and far as just enjoying life/kids, etc. Good luck. Glad you have a good doc. I know these posts are getting older and older BUT anyone out there like yourself or even me when I first started was really inspired by some of the people who had been off the stuff for months as well as people in the SAME situation as me. Someone who is using the Mylan and wants to quit may read yours in a day or so too. It really helps to know you're not alone and WHAT TO EXPECT. hugs, prayers.

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Hi, I had been using a fentanyl patch for 4 yrs due to back surgery among other things. On Dec 16 I put on a new 50mcg patch, the newer ones without the liquid inside. I took that one off last night Dec 27!!! I have been absolutely symptom free for all of that time, but, I just went through a one hour period of MAJOR withdrawals!!! I don't understand this? Why now? Did the patch actually last 11 days?? I took a flexeril & 600mg Ibuprofrn and I am OK right now. Has anyone ever heard of it lasting this long?? I have always left the patch on for 4 days instead of 3 and knew if I had missed changing it because of the kibbying!!! I refuse to put another patch on, so what can I do if the symptoms of WD come back??

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Well,I have had a really rough day because of the withdrawal symptoms!! I guess I'll have to just tough it out!

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Iam so glad to say that I have been off this terrible drug for 1 month on thursday .Iam sooooo proud of myself .I think it was one of the most hardest thing I have ever done.For somereason Iam not sleeping at night ..legs are sore and sometimes get jittery and shaky ..is this still a withdrwal symptom?my prayers still go out to all the people that are trying to get off this crap.and thank you for all the support that you all gave me...god bless you all....

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Tygerlily.......THank you very much for your post .sorry it took so long to relpy...its been a hard couple of weeks....iam starting not to feel sooooo deppressed but i think im still have symptoms..im not sleeping ...cant cry but feeling sad ..sore legs and sometimes jitery ......but I DID NOT put one on ....i have some and cant throw them out but I promise I wont put it on ....Thank youonce again for your support ...i couldnt have done it without all you guys support and prayers....i will continye to pary for others...<3

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squwishy......hang in there ..you can do it ..you will be soooo proud of yourself....

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Thanx If I would of Known for the encouragement!! I am going nuts right now!! The legs are jumping like crazy, even woke me up!! I had taken a 50mg Tramadol, 10 Flexeril & 2 Benadryl 3 1/2 hrs ago too!! I am not supposed to take them again for another 34 1/2 hrs!! Does anyone have any tips on how you dealt with them?? I can't believe this is just now startin!! That patch that I put on MUST have still been putting the darn drug in my system even though it was on for 11 days!!! AARRGGHH, Please, any suggestions??

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Erin, Clonodine is not a benzo, it is a blood presure medication that sometimes helps with opiate withdrawls. He hasn't prescribed it yet because usually it isn't prescribed until you really feel the withdrawls. In fact most rehabs give it to patients that are going cold turkey. You shouldn't have a problem with PAWS or anything like that because even though your body is dependent on the opiate, you have only been on it for 5 months and I have never known a person to suffer long term effects with a short term dependence. I think you will be fine becase your doctor is working with you and you are tapering at a low rate, you will be uncomfortable towards the end when your dose is lower but it won't be horrible. Plus, if he plans to put you on a short acting opiate (If you need it for pain) you may feel very little discomfort..Good luck.Hope your Christmas was a good one

Pat

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Sorry Erin, I forgot to say that Klonopin is the benzo that is in the same family as xanax..People get them cunfused sometimes because the names are a lot alike
Pat

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squwishy....some people might not agree ...but i think you went off to fast ...do u have any left ...?i would go see your docter...i used colazapam ,,,and a 2 percocet a day .....and hot baths ...and keep busy .....i hope that helps ...im praying for you ....you can do it .....its almost done...the drug is out iof your system now your dealing with the effects ...keep goin ..we are all here for you ...

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