Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms (Page 72)

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.

REPLY

REPORT

LynneB, I'm so excited and feel so free. Granted the original issues I wore the patch for are not gone. And my fatigue is relentless. But you know what? It was even with the patch on. By 1:00-200 I may go somewhere. Yesterday I went to the park with my friend of 26 years and fed the ducks and watched all the schools of fish come to the top of the water and churn it up like piranhas for the bread. We walked around a resale shop. Only out a few hours then back to my heating pad. Tonight I went to church for the first time in years. Plan was for morning service, but.....that's before noon lol. Today is day three with the patch completely off. I'm so excited. Only took 1/2 a Vicodin today and that was at 9:00 tonight after a 3 hr church service. Im pentecostal ( no snakes O:-) ). We do some jumping and shouting and it felt great to join in again. Do hurt now, but I'm so so thankful. I do believe the slow wean is what just lowered my tolerance and a GOOD God!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

LynneB, yes, yes ALL of the 140 lbs I lost was excess! I'm 5'10", so carry weight well, but I went from very active and on-the-go to dead stop when the fibro kicked in. I was also a very stressed out single mom of four sons and over a period of about ten years became very overweight. I could still even stand to lose another 20 lbs, but hopefully not through panic attacks and every morsel going straight thru me.
I'm thrilled to have lost the weight, and ppl that know me don't recognize me at first, but the HARD way I lost it shows in my face. I'm now going to lose the rest in a healthy way. Hopefully. I have a very serious Dr Pepper addiction. It was my only source of energy when everything else went straight thru me. At times when I got off all sugar my pain was much less. I need to do that, but, one addiction at a time. Working onthe vikes now. Almost there. 1/2- two halves a day. But II'm being merciful to myself! I just finished 4 months of weaning off Fent! LynneB, I feel like if it hadn't taken SO LONG to get back up to changing every 72 hours, it wouldn't have taken so long. I suffered greatly getting there. But the second patch that I made it to 72 hours on is the one I kept on 7 days then completely removed. Almost 4 days ago. I think you'll feel it. Just keep tapering. I'm praying for you all. Its horrible, horrible. Beyond horrible!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

@Sid

Good post. What you pointed out about post surgical pain management for people on Fentanyl patches is absolutely correct and definitely worth mentioning, though it needs to be broadened to include the other typical immediate post-op pain meds such as Morphine and Dilaudid. Although those are considerably stronger than Norco or Vicodin, anybody who's been on a high Fentanyl dosage for a long time will need a much higher amount of post-op pain medication than the average person. I've had many Ortho surgeries since my accident while I've been on the patches, and every single time without fail I'm in absolutely excruciating pain when I regain consciousness, like a 15 on a scale of 1 to 10. I also mention this to the surgeon every single time PRIOR to the surgery, and I BEG them to please handle this properly and keep on top of it after the surgery, but they always ignore me and set up the standard instructions with the nurse, and then usually leave for the day shortly after surgery, so you can't reach them to get the pain med orders changed. The result is that I literally have PTSD from my multiple ortho surgeries, to the point that I don't want to have them now because I know I'm going to suffer so bad. For anybody reading this, be sure you let your surgeon/doctor(s) know that you're on Fentanyl, what dosage, and for how long, so that there's at least a chance that they might manager your post-op pain appropriately. This information is also necessary for the anaesthesiologist, who may or may not want you to remove your patches prior to surgery (usually they'll have you keep them on if you've been using them for a long time). Fentanyl depresses the respiratory system, like H or Morphine, so it has to be factored in when they administer the aneasthetic. Lastly, for anybody having surgery, make sure you bring patches with you, even if you expect to be out of the hospital the same day or within a day or to. You could have complications and have to remain there longer, and we all know how severe the withdrawals can be if the doctor cannot be reached to prescribe the patches that you need, or if they refuse to do so for whatever crazy reason.

Btw, for anybody new here and reading through old posts. I recommended to use medication for restless leg syndrome for anybody suffering Fent. withdrawals, and as I said, I was unsure of the name but I thought it might be called Levitra. As someone pointed out, the correct name for the medication is Lyrica. For full disclosure, I haven't taken either of them ;). As I've also said repeatedly, always consult with your doctor and only use this forum as a guideline. Everybody here has good intentions, but most of us are just average people that have first hand experience with this dreadful medication.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Been through the experience of being in hospital and having no patch. I started sweating and getting the twitches and realized I had taken my patch off and didn't bring any with me. (It was an emergency). Luckily they immediately ordered one but that was scary. And your right, Morphine does NOT make Fent withdrawals go away.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Yvonne, It was lovely to read your last few days experiences and it's so good that you have good friends and of course, your church. Sounds like fun and glad there are no snakes lol. I did some gardening, very light, yest morning and suffered with the sweats and utter lethargy all afternoon. It's irritating, but I bear up with the thought that it won't be forever. As well as these two symptoms, my main others are the fog my brain is in and, like Sid, the lack of desire to do anything or engage with anyone. I guess it's a type of depression. The constipation is horrendous and causes stomach troubles, bloating, reflux, the whole works. I take MORE medicine for that as well as H2O all day long. Can't wait for day zero! My back pain must be tolerated some other way and it may even be a lot improved. We shall see. Keep on keeping on Yvonne!
Sid good luck with your battle. Thanks for all the info you post. It's appreciated. That thing with the nervous legs etc, it's ghastly, it drove me back to the F. I got it in my legs and wrists of all places! I had to flap my wrists all the time, I looked totally DEMENTED like I was doing chicken imitations. Even in bed and what with the no sleeping the only thing was to race around my small house and stamp and flap like a mad woman. Sounds funny now, but was def NOT of course.
The meds you all write of I don't know them, I guess you are in USA but I can kind of guess the equivalents here. Our Panadol is the over the counter all purpose analgesia and has nil effect on the lining of the stomach. Lorazepam is anti anxiety and I will be probably on them at the final stages of the tapering.
Be assured that someone in New Zealand is thinking of you over there most days as we take the steps towards being narcotic free. :-)

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Today marked day 9 of being Fentanyl patch free! Still so excited about it. Discouraged about the original pain for which it was required. Have I considered putting on a patch? NO WAY! I've had sleepless nights, bad leg pain/heaviness, but I'm so thankful to be FREE! I have to learn how to deal with this some other way! For the most part I've gotten out and done things every day except one, and my legs just hurt too much that entire night before and all that day. Today I got out early even though I woke up feeling the worst. I went to hunt down some old friends. They weweren't home so I came home and have been down ever since, by there was a drastic weather change, which usually does it. Honestly though, I mostly had this much trouble even with the patch on so I don't miss it at all! Do miss having a normal life.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I'm now a couple of months in but unfortunately, my disease has flared up and I have been in bed for over a week. I'm trying to use Advil and Tylenol but I may have to call in for something a bit stronger. But the patch, no way. Not unless they tell me I'm endstage. Good luck, and keep fighting through. It may take a few months to feel normal but it will be worth it.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Yes my little sweet Bichon Frise puppy almost died from biting one of my patches when it feel off my arm. If I hadn't have seen the tiny patch chewed up and rushed him to the vet for help he would have died. I am so thankful he didn't eat it or I would have never known what was wrong. My vet used a antidote that helped reverse the drug from his tiny system. He was admitted to the animal hospital for a day, released the next day feeling fine. Vet bill $800.00.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Hi everyone. Dropping in on day 15 patch free. Have had some good days and bad days, but not bad in comparison to what they should have been. Mostly related to my condition. Still too much pain but that's why the patch was started. Its wonderful not worry about that patch.
Sid, that's awesome you're a couple of months in! I'm so happy for you. I've battled my mind about not being as productive, but realistically I was no more productive. Still taking two half hydrocodone a day, but it isn't the four I'm prescribed. I've never taken that many.
That's all that's new. Everyone struggling is in my prayers.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

My Yorkie chewed an old, used one, but only for a second because I snatched it out of her mouth. I watched her like a hawk for an hour but apparently she didn't really get any in her system. After that, I inspected my room and bathroom constantly for fallen patches. I'm not on them anymore but if anyone is, and has pets or small children, lock the patches up and keep up with your count diligently.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

I'm so excited to say that after 7 years I am 19 days Fentanyl patch free! Hallelujah. I can't describe the joy and freedom I feel. I go next week to my pain Dr and he is going to flip! He was expecting dropping to the next dose, wearing that dose for a few months, then jumping off to Suboxone. I said no way! He didn't have any faith in my tapering method and he said so, but I believe he thought he'd humour me. I can't wait for my appt with him next week. Going to thank him for being so wonderful, tell him I won't be needing him anymore and get my last script of hydrocodone. I'm down to half a day and one .25 of xanax every couple of days. I'm done with this hamster wheel! I feel better every day and haven't been this happy in years!
I'm thrilled to see so many of you enduring the agony it takes to be free. Hang in there everyone. Its SO hard, by its SO worth it! Those patches IMO should only be prescribed for end-of-life situations!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

Hi Yvonne-- please tell me if you had horrible sweating. I am soaking wet all day and then chilled at night. My doctor thinks it might be my BP meds but I think it is fentanyl. He wants to leave me at 25 patch to help me cope with chronic pain which I still have. I don't want oxycodone or any other type of narcotic! I am allergic to morphine. My plan is water exercise and walking but some days hurt soooo much!
So happy for you! I would have been finished with fentanyl too if I could have occasional narcotic but he is so afraid of addiction to another opiate. I hate being likened to an addict. At emergency one crusty doctor thought I was just after narcotics when I was in such a state of withdrawal a few months ago. He was cruel.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Hi Mary--hopefully by now you have found help. This site keeps reporting old messages! I have tried to respond b4 but never see them. Withdrawal is cruel....and my dr as well as others do not know what he'll it is. I was told to 'stop dwelling on withdrawal symptoms!" Wow---how can we when our bodies are going nuts! I am back to 25 mcg patches and I still have withdrawal diarrhea, hot flushes and back pain if I try to work at housework or walking/pool exercises. I need a break and that is why I am staying at 25 patch for awhile but when withdrawing again to 12.5 plan to tape off small portions on the med side of the patch and very very gradually increase the amount taped off until I reach zero. My dr also says withdrawal symptoms shouldn't last so long but they DO....at less for some of us. Take clonazepam for anxiety--it is non habit forming like Valium is addictive!!!! We were mid age when doctors started handing out opiates for pain. Now they now the dangers of addiction and young people stealing drugs. Doctors have done a complete reversal and now tell us we can't take these pain drugs anymore. Exercise, acupuncture, warm water pool exercises are to help us cope---WHENEVER we can get rid of the torture of withdrawal. I wish you health and peace!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Eunie, I'm just seeing your message for some reason. I'm sorry. No, I didn't have sweating, I was freezing all the time. Still am. Withdrawals are very cruel. Addiction is misery! I'm addiction free at this time, praise God! I've now gotten past the need for hydrocodone to get me through and three weeks free of my patches! It feels so good!
Cutting doses by 50% is too much. I left the backings on except for 1/3 of each patch and cut down by thirds.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Are you sure that being on the patch and Hydro at the same time is safe? Fentanol represses your respiratory system and other powerful drug mixed with it can stop your breathing altogether, especially in your sleep. Even if your doctor says it's okay, please double check with your pharmacist. Many times they know more about the drug, symptoms, and interactions with other drugs. Doctors cannot keep up with all the new drugs and new side effects coming out every year. Your pharmacists job and only job IS drugs. Remember, always be your own advocate and go somewhere else if your body and mind are telling you something isn't right. I wouldn't count on a month being enough time to go off the patch, but only you really know what works for you. You have to remember, though, that it's not really all about will power, it's about your physical and mental health as well. Withdrawal too quickly or too soon can literally kill you. I'm a stay-at-home mom with MS and epilepsy. I'm not a health expert, but just have 15years experience with many different pain killers, ep. drugs, and anti-depressants. I've done a lot of my own research, got second and third opinions, and found a doctor I can really trust. I am also withdrawing from the patch. I was on 100mg for 2 years, went down to 75mg for 4 wks., then 50mg for 2 wks., and am now on 25mg. I hope 2 weeks will do it, but if I need a little more time, I won't hesitate to go to the doctor. I truly wish you all the best. God Bless You!!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I have been trying to post on here for months and will try once more. Finally finally off the fentanyl and on lorazepam 1mg nightly so I can sleep. Sadly the pain is quite bad but I no longer have the sweats, the foggyness and the awful constipation which ended up causing me so many problems I have episodes of diverticulitis I never had before and had no clue I even had diverticulosis until a colonoscopy last month! My head feels clear for the first time and I can drive again. Hope everyone is doing good. Best to Yvonne and Sid, hope and pray you guys are coping x

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

LynneB, I am still Fentanyl free, thank God. Still sometimes have to take half a pain pill. And my xanax .25, for anxiety. Sadly, I'm pretty much back to being unable to do anything most days. Its so discouraging.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Hi Brad....I know this is 5 years old but in case anyone is still reading. I went off 50mcg phentanyl in 2003 cold turkey! I was the worst 2 months of my life! Restless arms & legs that you can't even explain! My dr tried methadone as a long acting pain med but all it did was made me vomit for 5 days! I have only tried phentanyl twice, a couple weeks each time, but the first time I was on Vicodin for break through so I didn't go through withdrawls. I had been on either Vicodin or oxycodone since 2001. Anyway! The second time trying phentanyl is when I went off CT! I don't suggest that method....I survived, of course, but was in hell for 2 months! The only long acting I can take is MS Contin and I prefer not to take it at this point. I was put back on Percocet a little over 2 weeks ago, made by Actavis which is a whole new talk show in & of itself! Anyway, I'm back on Norco (generic though) and although it's not the best for my pain I will not go back to Percs after what I went through and am still going through after being off them for almost a week! I feel for all of you that have endured withdrawls but it is even worse when you have to go through them due to FDA/DEA BS and the crappy generics they are making so it's not even your choice! There are non narc meds to help with WD's and a person should talk to their doc about them.

Now, to the person who said most addicts were at one time chronic pain patients.....that is absolutely false. Only 1% of chronic pain patients become true addicts. I'm not getting down on you & I hope, after all this time, you still check these threads, but just because a person goes through withdrawl does not mean they are narcotic addicted. I know YOU didn't say this but so many, even docs & nurses have said this and that is BS! A body being physically addicted ( dependent) on narcotics, benzo's or anything that can cause withdrawl WILL go through it if stopped suddenly & sometimes even when weaning. That is completely different than addiction as addiction is a physical AND mental process! Some nurses even claim there is very little to no difference between dependence and addiction. Well, I am a nurse and they are full of it! These nurses have never learned about chronic pain! These are the kinds of nurses that believe learning stops at graduation, if you know what I mean! WRONG! If there is always one thing consistent about medicine/the med field is that it is continually changing. People need to do their homework ( research) before stating things that are not true. I'm sure you've seen plenty of that around here and if you've been on other forums. I agree with what you said that not everyone can be opiate free! I am hoping I will be able to be but most days I have my doubts. It won't stop me from trying, though. But, I want to be free of them so I can get back to my nursing, which that might not ever be possible but I'm not ready to accept that yet. I'm only 46 years old! Narcotics don't mess with my brain anymore but you have to pass a drug panel to get a job most places. Even if I had to just take them at bedtime after working all day, I could handle that but I don't know if an employer could! Rock and a hard place, I tell you!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Eunice....ask your doc for clonidine , it helps with the chills and "creepy, crawly skin feeling" there are also other things you can try with that and that's potassium, magnesium, good multivitamin, vit B complex.......well, google this, The Thomas Recipe. I have heard good results from people in wd's from opiates. I won't say it will make you feel wonderful but I guess it does help with a lot of symptoms. Another thing is Gatorade which has electrolytes and immodium. Yes, it's for diarrhea but it helps with other symptoms as well. Good luck.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Lol, Yvonne....I'm Pentacostal too.....no snakes!

Congrats on your opiate decrease/cessation. I am hoping one day I can get off hydrocodone but can't even try for a few months. There are some things that need done first. Surgery to fuse my left SI joint was, I say WAS what they wanted to do. I declined. I had my right side fused and, although it was a success from how bad I was before hand, it isn't good enough for me to want to do it again! ( on the other side, I mean). It was pure hell at first. Now I have flare ups but it is way better than before surgery. But, I still don't want to go through it again! There has got to be another way to go about living with my left side hurting. Just to say, if I had to do it over, I definitely would have the first surgery done because of how I was with the injury....I just don't feel that I'm at the point that surgery should be my only option just because it was for the right side. I'm still praying for healing but God also gives us doctors and such for a reason!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

i have post surgical lower back pain. was in 50 mcg patch and had side effects and so decided to wean off. i finished wi...

311 REPLIES

I have been on the 100 mg patch and Percocet for my Crohns and Colitis for years. Last week I went cold turkey on my own...

36 REPLIES

Aloha from Hawaii- this is my 6th week off fentanyl patch 100mg and breakthrough oxy 40mg day for several years. Also wa...

27 REPLIES

My husband, age 77, developed severe acute pancreatitis and has been in the hospital for the past 8 months. He has been ...

18 REPLIES

Hi, About three years ago during treatment for rectal cancer, I was given Dilaudid and Fentanyl as part of a pain manage...

5 REPLIES

I was on 25mcg Fentanyl patches for about 2 months. I went down to 12mcgs to wean myself. After the 12s ran out, I was e...

9 REPLIES

Hi all. I have seen a lot of posts in the drugs forum about Fentanyl withdrawal. I too have been struggling with the wit...

17 REPLIES

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 ...

16 REPLIES

My question is that I have titrated down from 75mcg to 50 and had some times that were NOT fun, I must say, but I figure...

13 REPLIES

I have been on Fentanyl 100mcg/hr, In vivo delivery of 100mcg/hr for 72 hours and I change them every 2 days instead of ...

9 REPLIES