Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms

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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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1

Yes, that can be caused by withdrawal, you probably jumped down in dosage a little too fast. This med is very, very strong, 80 times stronger than Morphine and it has a half-life of 17 hours, so that means once you take off the patch, it takes 17 hours until it has dwindled to 50% off the full dose in your body, then it slows and actually takes 3 or 4 days before it is all out of your system. So if you tried to go lower too fast, you are going to get withdrawal symptoms.

Ideally, you should step down to the next lower dosage at least a week apart, and most doctor's recommend at least 2 weeks apart, so your body can adequately expel the higher amount, get the new dosage in, and adjust to that one for a period of time before lowering again.

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2

Yes. You are having withdrawal symptoms. I've used fentenal 75 mcg. for a long time. When I had hot flashes I would get more medicine released which led to misuse. I'm now on Suboxone to relieve my chronic pain and addiction problems.

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3

Hey, more power to you for decreasing your dosage of this powerful drug! It will be hard in the begining, but you sound like someone who has the willpower and desire to achieve your goal. Don't give up too soon. Good luck

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4

White #365 oblong shape

White#E282 smaller

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5

THIS SOUNDS ALOT LIKE WITHDRAWL. PLEASE LET YOUR DOCTOR HELP YOU HE CAN ALSO GIVE YOU OTHER MEDS TO HELP WITH THE AWFUL WITHDRAWAL.GETTING OFF THIS MED IS VERY HARD, SOUNDS LIKE YOUR CUTTING DOWN WAY TO QUICK. PLEASE BE CAREFUL DRIVING-ETC. GOD SPEED

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6

I too am weaning off of the fentanyl patch. I went from 50 to 25 every 2 days and then too every 3 days and in a few days I will go to every 4 days and if it is real bad the doctor will go to the 12.5 patch for 2 weeks. I too have had some withdrawl while going through this but I want off of the patch so bad that it will be worth it. I had horrible side effects and it has been a nightmare for me. Good luck too you and let us know how you are doing

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7

hell yes! your suffering from withdrawal! it always amazes me that doctors always overlook the horrible withdrawal effects that opiates cause to the body! its outrageous to think that you or anyone should have to suffer from the terrible effects of physical dope sickness, no different than a heroin addict off of the street! DOCTORS OVERLOOK THIS S*** BECAUSE THEY NEVER HAVE EMPATHY, OR TIME TO TRUELY UNDERSTAND THEIR PATIENTS ISSUES, BUT BOY IF YOU MISS YOUR COPAY OR YOU DONT HAVE YOUR INSURANCE CARD, THEN YOUVE GOT THEIR ATTENTION! the sad thing is, since your going through withdrawals you have to contact your doctor who will take his time returning your call, if he or she does at all! i went through this same thing and i had to get some valium from a friend as my doc wasnt even returning calls! you need to get a benzo in your system to help you sleep, and to minimize your irritability! valium, xanax, ativan all will help you withdrawal and titrate down. good luck!

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8

I want to thank everyone for their advice and help. At the time of my original post, I was unable to find the symptoms anywhere on the internet that I was experiencing so I wasn't sure if they were related to the decrease in the med or another issue entirely. I'm happy and very grateful to say that I am Fentanyl Free and had I known up front how horrible this medicine was I never would have listened to the doctor and went on it. Once he told me that I could have died when I didn't have a patch for 3 days and that if a pet just licked a used patch it could die, I was like this is some bad stuff and wanted off ASAP. (I was on vacation and thought it was packed in suitcase, ended up going to Emergency Room for a patch. Doctor yelled at me and said I was irresponsible). Anyway, thanks all and I'm glad it's all behind me. Any suggestions for pain management medication????? - after I was off Fentanyl they put me on Kadian which I am no longer taking and just gave up on the doctor's office. I'm not taking anything for pain b/c listening to the doctor scares me....

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9

Hi all! I am on fentanyl now 25mcg.The reason is -is because I had surgery in Oct. and was precribed way too much percocet! When I stopped I went through major withdrawal!!! I was told it was because I developed an opiate dependence and now needed Fetanyl to get me through withdrawl. Now I want off Fentanyl!!!I tried taking off the patch for a few days and felt like death! So...put another back on. Felt better in a few hours...but I want to stop this cycle of drugs,etc. and the doc. doesn't think I am important enough to warrant a return phone call?!? HELP!!!!!!

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10

Kris,

I know how you feel. Please read the other posts that gave a lot of information. You should wean yourself off slowly. Is there another doctor in the practice or a nurse practioner that you can talk to? My doctor was the same way but the nurse practioner was sympathetic and helpful.

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11

Hi Again. Well today I spoke with my Dr. and told me that 25mcg. w/d symptoms were psychological and referred me to a pain mgmt. dr. I called them and they cant see me until 1/28. They said I have to remain on the patch until they see me, and if I try to ween or even stop I could get very ill or potentially have a heart attack. They were also shocked to hear that they prescribed fetanyl as a weening method from percocet??? What a mess this all has become
Thanks for listenening!!!!

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12

Mary how did you become fentanyl free by the way

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13

this is my 8 month of recovery. All my medication I took was by prescription by my doctor and I took it as prescribed, for chronic pain. But anyone will develope a tolerance/ addiction believe me. I was on vicodin 12 a day, 5mg/325 for eight years,Fentanyl 75mg pathch every 72 hours, Xanax 0.5 3x day ambien 10mg if anyone is trying to get off these medication you need to be an advocate for medical detox don't do it on your own push for 10 days plus when you leave you must go to a supportive environment my detox took about 40 days and it was hell be careful, do not be alone ask for help. It will not work by yourself I thought I could do it also. I share my story because I felt so alone. I did research on my own after 8 years of going to the doctor and finally being told I have nerve damage. I am know on neurontin 400mg 3x aday the quality of my life has improved so much please be an advocate and research yourself, anyone else on neurontin and how is it working for you.

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14

After the patch is removed, it takes 17 hours or more for a 50 percent decrease in serum fentanyl concentrations. If you are planning to discontinue use of Duragesic, a gradual dosage decrease is recommended since it is not known what dose level the drug may be discontinued without producing the signs and symptoms of abrupt fentanyl withdrawal.

Do not stop taking Duragesic without first checking with your doctor. Regular use will produce physical dependency in a few weeks which can lead to severe withdrawal if use is suddenly stopped. This can generally be avoided by reducing the dose gradually over a period of time before stopping treatment completely.

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15

Those are all signs of withdrawl. I was involved in a car accident and went from the 75mg to the 50mg each having 5 patches, then i went to the 25mg and only used one patch, I am now going through withdrawl, but I need to get off of this drug. I can take the withdrawl as it has been 2 days and I am strong willed. I would just like to know, are there any quicker ways to flush this out of your body, ie; drinking alot, eating a lot of food, sweating, exercising, and also, I am looking for some sort of timeline as to how long this withdrawl is going to last. thanks.

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16

Man - I am totally freaked out after reading some of the people's horror stories. I am on 10/325 Hydro's and 50mcg Fentanyl every 48 hours. My insurance company cut off my prescription coverage out the blue, so here I am reading to see how I can get through the lack of medication without killing myself. I have about a month worth of Fentanyl left to ween myself off. Doesn't sound like that is enough time.

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17

OFF ALL OPIATES!!!! for one month, through detox center, Does anyone know how long I will be vibrating - cold,shaky hands, insomnia still worse symptoms

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18

Im scared I was taking 50 mgs of fentanyl and percocet. Workers comp. stopped my doctors visits and my perscribtions.without giving me any warning. im also staying in a shelter i have no insurance and i dont want to go through all this with people i dont really know. but i have no one to help me,and the pain in my back is aweful and i need some pain relief. Man this sucks

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19

Wow like looking in a mirror, i just went through the same thing, i was on the patch for 5 yrs do to M.S. i tried getting my doctor to take me off it 2 yrs ago, he refused i also went from 75 down to 25 i couldn't sleep while on the 75's the smell of the morphine would come out of my pores, it sucked big time, i'm curious to why you were on it, that may explain the jumping movement M.S. is known for spastisaty would love to chat.

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20

I don't know what the big deal is. I just went from a 50mcg/hr patch to nothing with no noticable withdrawal symptoms after 96 hours. Am I really as atypical as these posts make it sound? I was really scared of getting the kind of symptoms I keep reading about, but other than the return of my pain, there's been nothing more than some mild anxiety, which I atribute to worrying so much about withdrawal... BTW, I ran out because a batch of my meds were stolen while on a trip. If you are traveling, keep your stuff locked up!

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1672

Nobody should wean themselves off of Fentanyl without the aid and instruction of a pain Dr. Only your pain doc knows what other meds you are on and in what dose and for how long. Do not follow the direction of a stranger who has no idea what other meds you are on. That could be catastrophic.

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1671

Re: Verwon (# 1) Expand Referenced Message

Not entirely accurate. Going from 25mcg to none is really hard. Most pain docs will supplement the lower dose of Fentanyl with another weaker opioid that is reduced pretty quickly which lengthens the taper a bit. People may still experience withdrawal symptoms for weeks or months in a mild form.

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Re: Little David (# 20) Expand Referenced Message

You won't get withdrawal after 96 hours

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1669

Re: Lou (# 1668) Expand Referenced Message

Ask you Pain dr-GP for temporary Volume or xanax, the will help the restlessness-sleeplessness at end of going off! It only takes a week & down to 12.5 shldnt be to hard as long as u dont worry or think about it & one if these meds Will help for that week-2 to get used to Normal again. Also keep on for 4 days instead if 3 (Ive done for years), theres still enough medication left to help u go off. I think youll be fine though, thats the lowest u can go on patches & look how far u went down. Hope this helps, I’m coming from experience, except for going completely off!

I had 2 Major accidents (ppl died-ive had so many surgerys, yet cant help my back-spine!

I went from 200mcgrms to 75. I went down in 50’s, forget the 25 & 12.5’s, with No Problems! Along w/actique 1,200 mcgrms x4 boxes, but Never filled more then 1, breakthrough pain (dont hv anymore). However going down brought on a new pain I didnt know what was, went got MRI’s, sent for PETScan & found inoperable cervical myolomalacia (spinal cord giving out), along w/inoperable mass on all but 1 disc. The rest if my back has also been inoperable for years & is Racked (every disc-ruptured, 4-5mm Hurrniations- severe degeneration), so My Pain is Horrific & I cant find a dr that knows how to treat! I wish i never took Myself Down (B4 Opioid Crises), I Dont want to feel this! Also comes w/term life (horrible way to go if look it up), along w/at anytime depending on how fast it grows (they dont know), I can hv a brain aneurysm due to mass pushing on spinal cord! I loved the patches, dont like being high (dont drink either), I make them last for 4 days instead of 3 & that might help you, too as u got down... GOD Speed! You'll be Fine!!

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1668

Re: maureen (# 1390) Expand Referenced Message

Hi. I’m down to 12mc Fentanyl, how bad is the withdrawal if I stop?? I came down from 75mc slowly, but now I want to stop completely. I’m very scared , If I take oxycodone will this help me??

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1667

Re: vernawhaley (# 6) Expand Referenced Message

I don’t know why you are being told to extend the patch for 4 days. After 72 hours it no longer releases the medication because it has been used. I was on a 48 hour dosing which I had to extend to 72 hours. I can do 60 hours comfortably. I am not sure why your doctor would recommend waiting 4 days because that will bring on full blown withdrawal. I have gone from 75 to 50 but in between I did 50 with a 12 to give a middle dosage. Next I will step down from 50 to 37 by using 25 and 12. Even with the slow taper I have terrible anxiety, restlessness, and sweats. Good luck to you.

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1666

Re: k9-mom (# 2) Expand Referenced Message

Hi. Ive been lowering mine since july & it's now jan..starting dose was 125 now down to 25 been taking it for 13 yrs at this strength. Ive been doing it very slow going down by 12 every month. Ive had no major withdrawals and believe me im proud of myself. I went to my pharmacy asked their opinion and so then took that to my dr that wanted to jolt me down fast. Slow is the way to go.

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1665

Greetings to you, I’ve been going through that weaning phase and I must tell you me and my doctor have tried different things to help with the weaning off the patches. And here is what seems to be working for me. 10mg Methadone, And 10mg oxycodone k-56 red color pill. My first two days were kind of sluggish with headaches but after those two days no chills of any kind, just constipation, so we added Leness to help with the stool thing. It seems to be a great combination. But you have to have a doctor that will listen to you..

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1664

If your Dr. says that your leg twitching has nothing to do with fentanyl (opiate/opioid) withdrawals, he is a brand new and still learning Dr. trying to sound smart on a topic he is not familiar with. Leg twitching is definitely part of the withdrawal symptoms of opiates-and the only sure-fire way to stop it "FAST" and move on with your life is to "WORKOUT" if possible! I have found jogging on the beach or in the hot hot desert that I can fend off withdrawals in 3 days! Just think of it like your chasing those demons that you know are on their way to your doorstep! Or you can act and think like your out running those same "OLD HAS BEEN" demons that are slow after all this time... Whatever works for you psychological will work for you physically. I personally guarantee it! Jogging or running I've found over the years is the easiest form of getting your natural brain restoration of endorphins to start working again. Because without it, your misery will outlast you, and you are 99% likely to give in and relapse to escape the misery another day, thinking you'll find another answer to your dilemma when there's only the one sure way to get past it with the least amount of misery. That will make you so thankful and that you realized that you have it within you to overcome the magic of the scepter, but not without utilizing your brain power literally. And those who would disagree are out to sell you magical swampland in the Anza-Borrego desert!! I will debate anyone who disagrees. And those who are disabled in a way that that type of exercise cannot be done. Then the concern of addiction is lowered substantially to make you more comfortable. Now if that is a concern for the person in this position, there's always an option in the types of exercise that will work in the said ways, and are not hard to find with a "little" guidance and with a lot more desire to achieve this well known fix, but has a high popularity with avoidance by those who want an even easier way out, but a lot more unhealthy way also... Thanx for reading! Good luck and take heed... Because it is NO JOKE!

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1663

I agree with the on person who said you may have down too fast, any powerful drug med has a lasting effect on our body that last a bit, but you may have skipping steps, go back to the 37, because dropping 25 points is to bitof a drop for the fentanyl.. I am weaning off my patches as well but I taking it slow. Even though I I get chills when it’s time to change my my patch. But you be very careful..

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