Taper Down From 50mcg Fentanyl Patch To 25mcg Withdrawal Help (Page 2)

So, I'm in a big big dilemma. For my own security and well being, I MUST come off my Fentanyl transdermal patch. I've Been using 50mcg/72 hours for about 6 mths straight. I have 3 of the 50mcg patches left and 4 of the 25mcg to help me taper off. I will no longer be using them anymore, just Norcos or oxymorphone IR. I'm absolutely terrified of withdrawals. My doc who put me on them has No idea what it's like to come off like this. Can someone please tell me if and how bad the withdrawals from going down that much will affect me? I can not take any benzos (Ativan, xanax, etc). I have come off the oxymorph about 75% in the last 2 mths. I'm literally freaking out. Again, I'm terrified but HAVE to do this for at least another 7 months. Any help would be appreciated. Or experience/reassurance. Thanks again. BTW- I'll add, all of my RX are legal and prescribed by the same doc and NOT misused.

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Today I started the new 25's. Was on the 50's for 2 months-this round. Was on the 50's for 6 months ending this past march, but couldn't stand the side effects. Then 2 weeks on methadone-bad idea-horrible effects. Then onto oxycontin-no dice there either. A few weeks later was prescribed ms contin. Took that for a month or so, also with side effects. Back to the patch. I can't stand the foggy brain, and other side effects. Was a time when the patches did their job, but no longer. My first experience with the patch was when my primary care Dr. prescribed 75's. When those lost their postitive effects, he told me just to stop using them. Talk about a baptism of fire...never WD from anything before until that week! When told, my current pain management Dr. looked pissed and expressed as much. I also have 2 norco's a day. So when I feel the 'jumpy legs' that's when I take a norco? Thank you all for sharing your stories-it really helps, let's me know I'm not alone...

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I am also on Fentanyl 50mcg and have been for about a year. I have told my doc they do not last three days but it's useless. I chose the patch because oxycontin was to hard on my digestive system so it was patch or nothing. Oh, neurostimulators surgically implanted NO THANKS

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Put the patch on when you get out of the shower, after about 5 minutes when your skin is still clammy to the touch. Use the area below you deltoid muscles, essentially the outer facing part of your biceps. Hold the patch down w/ the other hand for 30 sec as hard as you can.

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Fentanyl...for me was a dark dismal suicidal planet. Pain management, yes, but at a very high cost. My husband hates them and hated me on them. We split for 3yrs. He's bipolar, I was the stabalizer, now we live next door to each other. 100mgs, every 3 days for 7 yrs. 1 good day, 2 days of withdrawals. Try to convince someone they don't make you feel high. Filthy things, to manage my pathetic life, I would have to constantly be rotating 3 patches. Basically I would keep on each patch for 6 days. Filthy things. Dangerous things, I can't swim anymore, but I try sometimes, and it had to be a constant vigilance that ( I would wear only 1) it didn't come off. Extremely limiting soaps to use, because if u use anything nice for your bod, guaranteed that thing will slide off. I know it's rare, but maybe u might have intercourse, even tho your libido is zero, and life is grey, grey grey, u have to be on guard it doesn't slide off and attach to your partner. Kids and those patches on your arms, humiliating and once again always fearful ones gonna slide. What about summer, and bare arms and having to show those thing off or sticking them on the underside so they don't show and then u tear the crap out if ur skin. Fentanyl.. I get it. My dr retired, I moved from a metropolitan city to urban country. Not working, no money. I'm not the only one who moved. No drs. Saw a horrible dr,, after 3 mos. he wrote my scrip, He said my specialist was wrong, I handed back the scrip and walked out. I had two weeks left of my original scrip. Went to a segue clinic, they said because I had chronic pain they couldn't touch me. Had to go to a pain clinic. Realizing at this point, with the new rules it's going to take 3 mos for a dr. To write a scrip for a narcotic, 6 mos for a pain clinic.

So it happens, I'm down to 3 patches left. My original dr. Had been trying to get me on gabapentin for years. I didn't like taking it because my vision would get all messed up. And I'd get euphorically high( not the chemical highway) and fentanyl is scary, I was a heavy drinker before I started the patch. After, I literally did not, would not touch a drop. It was like a visual anti-abuse. So I had these bottles and bottles of gabapentin. I'm voraciously reading everything I can on detoxing. I was concerned either my pain would slay me down or if I would have a heart attack because of my high dosage and length of time on it.and then cold turkey. So I started poppin gabas. Those gabapentin saved my life. I had mild discomfort ( no big deal at all) one bad day where I rolled around in my backyard and had my husband trying to knock me out with sleeping pills, and a big bottle of booze(I'm iff the patch at this time, well I had a real old dingy one on) . It was like a rollover in one day. The next day was the best day of my life. We r talking about 7-10 days from the last patch I put on. Clean from fentanyl, no more grey,dismal, suicidal life, the colour of life was and is back in my life. I feel alive, I am no longer sleeping my life away. I still have my last patch 100mg patch that I never had to use.

I have finally found a dr I like and respect, but as is typical in my life, there is a lot of controversy over gabapentin now, it was the wonder drug that lost a legal suit because it declared itself in an email the new snake oil that worked.and drs are scared of it. But it isn't a narcotic. Mind you it was originally declared an anti epileptic, but isn't any longer. It was then declared a neuropathic pain for diabetes, it has since been declared for all neuropathic pain. It has qualities of an anti depressment( I hate these things, the only one I would take was cymbalta)I no longer need to take the cymbalta. But it has been given to bipolar sufferers, and there have been suicudes. I'm not bipolar, but I do have depression, just from the havoc my pain creates. So after I detoxed myself, because nobody gave a crap about what I should do, I was told a year or two ago, I could take as much GABA as I wanted.i used up what I had and Now for five different interim drs, I have had 5 different dose levels, one dr dropped me right down, I was in bad pain, but I also had wicked bad headaches, the next dr told me, there's a risk of seizures if u dose down too quickly. So now I have a dr, I have a regular scrip for GABA, which hopefully will be increased my next visit and I am no longer addicted to opiates or narcotics. Right now I don't have great pain management but I also need to get a better diagnosis, because when the GABA dose is what I think it should be, I am making my injury worse by being mobile and really active. It's not a cure just pain management.So it's the same game of just waiting to take my dose to feel some relief. But I do get relief and my world has colour, I'm not forever climbing and sliding down into that dark pit. I don't cry for myself anymore, my pain isn't severe enough and I'm not emotionally and physically exhausted from the withdrawal roller coaster.

I've got a road to go, but I know I'm not restrained by my medicinal needs,and that is liberation. First time in 8 years, I don't have to get to the dr, once a month. I got a scrip for three months that will last me two to and half. Now on that note my pain doesn't have one source, same vicinity, but it's like three or 4 separate things that grow and radiate and don't have a ceiling, I just pass out. So this GABA seems to prevent that growth and radiation but their is still a source of pain and I take behind the counter acetemenophen with codeine. No scrip needed. But I definitely need a few with each dose. I find it the strangest thing in the world, I can't really believe it. If I screwed up and my dr went on vacay and I had no scrip, nobody helps, so u scrounge for oxys, coke, keep your percs, and your morphine. I've gone from all that to gabapentin and acetemenophein with codeine. Believe!! Fentanyl makes u fearful, fentanyl turns your world dark there's no hope,when u take a closer look, all u see is despair. take a chance, try something that's not a narcotic it may work.( 6 mos ago I would have said its impossible) If u r a reasonably tough individual, don't take forever to wean off. Go hard. Get it done and over with. Why drag a dead horse for the next year, when next week, ur life could be brand new. I don't know if I would have had the success I've had if I didn't do it all at once. And honestly if no one gave a rats ass( I don't look or act like a bum, and everyone was so apologetic they couldn't help, or didn't know what to advise ) that I was gonna be bumping down that hard with nowhere to land, there's no reason not to say to your dr, fast track please and thanku. Unless you've got a year with nothing better to do, but I'm probaly relating to people who've been dealing with the same miserable routine for years. Took me about three to four years to reassemble in a small way. I'm in year 8 now. I listen to music on a regular basis now, couldn't at all for the first 3 yrs. then maybe once a year. Couldn't handle the vibrations ,etc.. Now I can. Yea. I have found such solace in these forums, I hope somebody is able to find my post beneficial medically, but most of all I just want someone to know I get it... When ur in the world of chronic pain, it's a lonely place. But here is a place we can once again relate to our fellow man or woman.

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I am giving your story a standing ovation! WOW.. you really have a way with words, my pain pal friend. Thank you thank you. I felt everything you put into words!! Have you ever thought of writing a book?

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When I read letters like this I cannot help but wonder WHY some people feel that they MUST get off a certain drug. Is it a mater of finances? Is it a matter that you feel that there is something morally wrong with using them? Are you afraid of a drug check?

I will more than likely be on Fentanyl for the rest of my life. I'm on 50 mcg/hr and have no problems with it except when my doctor leaves town and leaves me hanging for a new 'script.

Getting off of ANY opioid drug is more than likely going to give you some form of withdrawals; if you do not have to really quit, DON'T!

I am 73 years young and have to stay on them because I have peripheral neuropathy and will have it the rest of my life.

Fortunately for me, I am on Medicare Plus so I don't pay anywhere the retail price, but even the $45 co-pay is hurts because I'm n Social Security.

There are many articles on withdrawal. I'd rather bang my head into a wall over and over again than ever go through withdrawal again. I'm a heart and brain attack survivor and when I went into withdrawal, my heart was negatively affected. No biggie, I took a nitro and that was enough but don't get off of the drug unless you really have to or your pain has gone bye-bye.

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to answer your question about why some people HAVE to get off of a certain pain med let me tell you my story . . . I have metastasized prostate cancer, mCRPC, and my wife is disabled. when it came time for my wife to have several surgeries I realized thatI would be the full time driver for quite a while. As I was then Rxed 125 mcg Fentnyl patches I had quit driving as it affected my reflexes too much. To accomplish my goal of not being "wobbly" 24/7 I had my oncologist switch me to Fentora, an IR form of Fentanyl. I'm with you on the no WDs, this way I got my cake and can eat it too. Some folks have a bad reaction to their Rxed opiate or other reasons to want to switch meds, few want to stop all pain treatment .

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It is very common for the Fentanyl Duragesic patch to be "done" at 48 hours vs. 72. Perhaps you can find some articles to leave with your Dr. Some people are fine on the three day usage, there are some people who burn through their patch by 48 hours. I know this is an old thread but thought I'd reply anyhow. Best of luck.

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Thank you, Strider! Much of what you've shared I can completely relate. I left the patches behind, but now I'm on ms contin. I'm sick of the fuzzy brain/unable to clearly concentrate, until I've taken the meds and they work-then the world has no worries. I'm afraid of that feeling the most. I've started to lessen my dosage, from 90mg to 60, twice daily. Plus 4-10/325 norco's. I'm down to only 2 of those a day. Started last week. I'll give it another week before I drop another 30mg from the ms contin. I know you said you'd rather quit cold turkey, but my heart might not handle it. I have a good friend who also says that's the way to go. Tried it once by choice and it was horrible. Not to mention the times when the patch only worked for one day, or not at all. Like Father's Day 2012-oh, what joy that was...Thank you so much for sharing! Like I said before, it's good and comforting to know I'm not alone out here.

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I use NexCare Absolute Waterproof tape from Walmart. Tape from botttom up and change or add more tape if necessary.

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Hi,
First of all this can differ depending on your gender and body hait etc. but I am giving you advice based on my personal experoence and I am a female.
Make sure you don't have any lotion or body gels of any sort. I always try to coordinate my patch change after a shower...so I remove the old patch, hop in the shower, exfoliate really well all over my body and use a loofah for sudsing up to get off any other dried skin as well as old patch residue.
I have been using patches on and off for 4 years for chronic migraines and neck pain from many sports injuries and a couple car accidents.
So i have found a few different spots that work but my favorite is my lower stomach area (below where my underwear would be...reason being is the underwear help hold it in place) This does require some bikini area waxing/shaving/trimming etc. If you arent comfortable with that i would choose your upper thigh just below the "arch" of your panties. When you pull the backing off your patch lay it in the palm of the hand you are using to stick it on. Aim it well and smack it on well and then use your entire palm to almoat create a suction which will create heat. Hold your palm there for a minute or two. Once you remonve your palm take your index finger to circle around the edges to ensure all the edges, rspecially the corners, are adhered well. If you are still having issues which could simply be your skin type, the climate you live in, the diet you consume, your daily activities etc, I have used the clear, waterproof "bandaid" type things I believe called Nexcare Tegaderm Clear Dressings. Many hospitals use them after they insert an IV to secure the catheter and tubes etc. These are AMAZING!! I use these mostly in the summer or if I will be doing any water activities, sweating, working out....anything that will create sweat and or friction. My best friend who is also using patches swears by the Tegaderm bandaids. She uses 100 mcg patches and the dressing fits perfectly on the largest size patch (she won't wear a patch WITHOUT the dressing). Anytime I have been hospitalized, the nurse always puts one over my patch as if its standard ptocedure or protocol....because I never asked for one to be applied
So I hope that I gave you some insight, tools and techniques so you can find what works best. There is truly nothimg worse than worrying about whether your patch is on or not especially if your in a place where you can't check.
Best of luck!!
Megan

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In the same mess but I have been on the 50patch for 5years and am terrified of withdrawl from them and I have been on 10mg of perocet for the same time I am so scared and my pain is due to lung,breast and twi failed back surgeries the ptc I go to I think they have me not the person they are talking about they said they found methodone and narco and I have never taken that from them it has been the patch and perocet and do not know what to do have had two UA's the last of march for pcp and she found blood and sludge in my ueine and she knows what I take from the ptc cause she was the one who referred me to it and I always make sure they send anything they find and vice versa. But today on the 4th of April I take two UA's and the pa said I had methodone and narco which I do not kn oi w what narco is but have read and heard about methodone but have never taken it.I think she got me mixed up wirh someone else cause I have never seen her and she sais I have but the 4th of April is the first I ever met her cause I ask for names of who I see so I know their names.I am terrified of going through withdrawl and having the pain from all the surgeries I have been through,but I really am in shock cause she brought presricptions in the room and laid them down and then looked down and said oh these are not for you then left the roon.I do not know who to get in touch with to appeal this cause they know they have the power over you and they can call patients a liar and we can not do anything about it and that is sad cause some of us patients go bu the agreement we sign and go by our word because we were taught not to lie and it hurts when some one calls you that and you have no recourse but to take the slap in the face and I am still in shock about yesterday please if you know how to appeal this or know what to do let me know.I do not want to get sick and hurt also.Please read this and if there is a doctor or patient to help me let me know.I think it also has something to do with the insurance Wellcare cause I got a call from where I get my oxygen and they said I was inactive in Wellcare so I had to call and ask worried to death I was not goung to be able to get my oxygen and Wellcare said yes I was active so the lady called the oxygen company while I was on the phone with her and she had to tell them I was active.Please Please Helo me anyone.Thank You in advance if you can tell me what to do.

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I put paper tape on the outside edges of the patch--try that, I've read where you should not cover the patch with a large bandage, but I've done that too with no problems--Good luck!!!

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Stryder, please be still out there and talk to me. I'm trying to reduce my fentanyl patch. Have been on it this go-round about three years. The 1st time two years, but never went above 25 MG's. Moved, had no way to get them, quit. Had some dry heaves, elevated pain for awhile, but I was OK.
Two years later had to start them back. Went from 25 to 50 to 75. 75 only for a few months then lost Dr. Found new Dr, said plz put me back down to 50. He did. No problem. I hadn't made the connection until several days ago, but first two months on 75's panic attacks hit me. So severely I lost 140 in nine months, went completely freaking nuts. Couldn't drive or barely leave the house.
Had to move closer to my grown sons. Wreaked havoc on my world!
In this new citry had NO trouble finding pain meds. Self inject demerol-heres a script. 800 mg Fentanyl mouth spray-here, have 90 of the strongest dose to start with. Want some 100 MCG patches? Methadone long-term. Suboxone long term? 240 vikes a month? Here you go.
But, say no? I want off? Ah.....let's punish her.
I have all these meds listed above. Boxed away for the apocalypse O:-) .
Now I have a Dr weaning me. Have gone from 75's to 25's in a month. During this time I've discovered this has been the source of the horrid, horrid panic attacks all along. Panic attacks I can't endure. Not a second of them. I, too, have bottles and bottles of gabapentin. 100 MCG and 300 MCG because I'm a weenie, really, about meds. If they make me feel altered/drunk/high I don't like them.
My new Dr is giving me hydrocodone to help me wean off the patch. Had to see a psychiatrist about the panic attacks to get xanax. Even on the xanax I requested .25 because again, I'm a weenie. When my patch starts wearing off, massive panic attack hits. Only one son can get me grounded and calm. Everyone else freaks at my freak and makes things worse.
I want out of this Fentanyl fortress! Fast as possible! Please tell me how to include the gabapentin as part of my arsenal! Truly the panic attacks are bad enough to get me a rubber room. I need them out of my life. Thank you and anyone else with some help.

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Well, I went from the patch-a year and a half worth (75's down to 50's), to MS Contin (did have Methadone, Oxycontin but side effects were horrible) 90mg x2 daily. Titrated down to 60mg x2 daily (for 2 weeks), then to 30mg x2 daily (2 weeks). Then 30 once a day for 2 weeks. I still have maybe 7 or 8 of those left. Haven't had one in two months now. From that I went to 4 Norco 10/325's/daily. Did that for one month, the three for 2 weeks. Now I'm at 2 per day. I've tried one, but I need to go to 1.5 then 1. Still haven't had the back surgeries-probably won't. Pain is still there-but I've babied it since making this attempt to rid myself of these horrifying drugs-all legally perscribed. I'd rather deal with the pain on my own terms, than to mask it, and reality. Not to mention the bad effects on my other bodily systems. Best thing I've noticed is the fog seems to be lifting...imagine my surprise when I found out we elected a damn Communist!

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I have some ideas. Is there a way to private message on here? Was going to offer my email or phone number but do not want everyone to have it lol.
Hope you are doing well and hope i can offer some relief.
Megs

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I got off of the 50mg patches a few months ago after 3 or 4 years. Pain mgnt took me down to 5 25mg patches, next a month of 200mg tramadol, now a month of 100mg tramadol. I also take 2 10mg valium a day. It really wasn't that bad. You really haven't been on the patches nearly as long as I was. I'm not sure if the dr will give me anything next visit July 3, but it's working for me. I have less pain now than I did on those horrible patches--my body had gotten so use to them I guess. Good luck you can do this.

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They say if you can get a script of flonase (a sinus med) and spray on your skin and let dry, then apply patch. I am on fen. patches almost 8 years and this helped some in winter months, but high humidity and warm months not so much. I use lrg bandwidth brand waterproof bandaids, 2 to cover all of patch with some left over the sides to adhere to my arms, only use my upper arms and switch sides and areas on my arms every other day and it seems to work most of the time. Just don't get area wet until bandaids has been on 12 hours or so. Hope that helps.

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TEGADERM IS THE BEST AND ONLY TAPE THAT EVEN WORKS...AND IT WORKS WELL. NEVER HAD A PROBLEM.

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Add 12 make the step shorter to 37.then 25.i am a nursing officer and have had serious spinal survery.treat your symptomatically rest walk hydrate cool fenenal reacts to heat.distraction and massage.dont be alone .be kind to yourself dont bbe afraid of being a goose by calling emerg if have questions even to check bp.steady gentle.
I know this is an old site but someone might be reading like I am.
Hang in there Georgie

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