Fentanyl Patch Anomaly?

I'm curious about something that's happening with my Fentanyl patch taper. I've spent the past few months reducing my dosage by leaving some of the backing on and decreasing in increments. I've gone from 75 mcgs to 25, however I just could not increase the time between patches. Anywhere from 23-36 hours I would have panic attacks, bowel disorders, pupil enlargement, severe pain, heavy painful legs, etc. I decided I wouldn't try to drop below 25 until I could get to where I could get back to the 72 hour change. Finally, after four months I made it to 75 hrs and then only changed it because it was bedtime and I didn't want to wake up in the misery of withdrawal. Since then, I have had this next patch on for 132 hours with no ill effect! I have taken a (very) few half hydrocodone for my fibro pain, but I also moved and made a 7 hr drive. I feel incredible except for my legs feeling really heavy and hurting. I'm so confused. How could I go from such severe withdrawals so often, to none now at 132 hours? Since my intent has been to quit them, I'm just going to leave this patch on until it falls off and not put on another! Not looking this gift horse in the mouth. Does anyone understand or have experienced anything like this?

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Hello, Yvonne! How are you? Did you experience any withdrawal effects?

There really is no way to explain it, it just varies from person to person. Your body chemistry and brain chemicals play a huge role in such things.

The Hydrocodone may also have helped a lot with it.

This is a narcotic analgesic, so it has the potential to be habit forming and may cause side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth and constipation.

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Verwon, until I finally made it back up to that last patch that ended up being my last, I had a horrible year of withdrawing every 23-36 hours. Once I got up to 72 hours, that patch stayed on 7 days with no withdrawals. I took it off on day 8. My legs hurt and have to be rubbed with muscle rub before I can sleep, but other than that, I'm 6 days off and feeling great. I take half a 10 mg vicodin once, maybe twice a day for my spine pain, but I'm weaning them now. I stop them for long periods all the time and know for a fact I hurt much less when I'm completely off them. Thanks for your interest!

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