Hi, folks,

Since this thread is old and the original participants are no longer taking part, we'll close it now.  If you'd like to ask a question or start a new thread, please click the "Post a Question" button near the top of this page.  Thanks!

Claire
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Dear Melissa, I 'm new to this forum and saw your answer about getting off patches, I'm on 75mcgs and just so afraid of them. I started taking them in 2008, started at 50mcgs now on 75 mcgs. I have severe lower back pain and I tried morphine for 6 months but I have UC and it hurt my stomach so bad. I just don't know what to do. I'm not even sure what or how much pain I have. I would appreciate any help. Thank You!

I have been on 100mcg fentanyl patches. For approx 8 year's oh and norco/vicodin longer. I tried this stop cold turkey and omg the vomiting and the other and the sweating and and.  I made it 2 weeks and ended up putting a patch on last night. My daughter got sick so I need to be there for her right now   I  am now thinking of trying methadone?   And suggestions on that?

Hi LadySundown, I have been on Fentanyl patches and oxycodone for 9+ years I talked to a pain doctor about stopping yesterday he said to stop the patches c/t and take oxycontin instead. I am going to try but am very afraid of the detox process because of high blood pressure, but he says I will be fine? I will try to let you know how it goes if I don't die trying. Do you know anything to help avoid some of the syptoms of withdrawal? DumbBunny

I'm in the same boat as everybody above pretty much.  Been on 2x100mcg patches for almost 10 years following a horrific, near fatal skydiving accident.  I was hospitalized for several months and had way too many injuries to list.  Like everybody else, my body is completely dependent on the patches and I suffer withdrawals if I go even a short number of hours past my usual change time.  I too would like to get off the patches at least briefly so I can see what my pain level would be (and what it feels like again to be a normal human being) without the patches, but it seems like an impossible task.  Still, I'm going to find a way, either by very gradually reducing my level, or perhaps a rapid detox if I can afford it at some point.  

One tip I'd like to offer to others reading and posting in this thread who have complained about suffering withdrawals as as they approach their prescribed time for changing their patches every 48 or 72 hours: Instead of taking your full prescribed dose every 2 or 3 days, cut the dose and the time in half.  For example, if you're supposed to take 100mcg every other day, cut the patch in half and take 50mcg every day.  You should never again suffer any withdrawals or feel like crap in between patch changes.  After several years of being on 2x100mcg every 72 hours and then eventually every 48 hours, and suffering like so many others by the 2nd or 3rd day, about 3 or 4 years ago I started changing 1 patch every day instead of 2 patches every 2 days as I was prescribed, and I can't tell you how much my quality of life improved.  

Changing my regimen so I that changed one patch every day instead of two patches every other day made all the difference in the world and kept me "even".  No more feeling like crap, and I still get the pain relief I need but on a level basis.  Obviously you can only do this if you use the Mylan brand of patches that don't have the gel-filled pouch.  If you're not already using the Mylan you should switch anyway imo.  They're way smaller (especially the 100mcg's), they don't make noise when you're moving your body like the gel-filled pouches do, which can be embarrassing if you don't want people to do know you're wearing something under your clothes, and of course you can easily cut them to any size you want.  The latter is particularly useful if you're trying to ween yourself off the patches or if you need to stretch your patches a little extra for whatever reason.  If you're a long-time user give this a try, I'm sure you'll feel much better than taking your full dose every 2 or 3 days depending on your prescription.  

Hi,
I started fentanyl patches in Dec 2012 - 25mg, then in Jan went to 50mg. I have to taper off, not a choice - my pain doctor has "fired" me because I would'nt stop taking hydrocodene. She offered me no taper off plan or any plan whatsoever. I am taking 50mg every 48 hours and have 7 left. What do I do??????

I had been on Fentanyl for over a year when diagnosed with Advanced Breast Cancer, Mets to Bone and had some pretty painful tumors in my hips.  I had surgery 6 mo ago to take the tumor in my hip out and replace with cement where the hole was.  At that time I was up to 225 mcg and have been gradually coming down.  I was at 100 for a month, then 75, 2 weeks, 50 a week, 25 two weeks, then 12 for a week and last week (6 days ago) I took off the last one and have been feeling restless, and uncomfortable every evening.  I had norco 10/325 for breakthrough, which doesn't help but last night I took 2 benedryl and 2 norco after taking 600 mg ibprophen 2 hours prior and I slept well.  I feel fine during the day but at night is my problem.  There were 2 days last week I had no energy and slept all day (just had probs at night).  As I type this now I am feeling that resless feeling again.  I asked my oncologist nurse today after my monthly treatment and she said she would call me to give me a solution, but haven't heard yet.  I am hoping it will go away soon.  Good luck to all!

Hi All,

I am new to posting here, but not new to reading and I have a question I hope I can get some help with because a lot of you guys seem to have great advice!  I am 35 years old (female) and when I was 15 yrs old I was diagnosed with a degenerative joint condition, along with MS and a few other things (endometrosis, cluster migraine headaches, etc.).  At this point, I am obviously also a chronic pain patient as I have been in extreme pain for 20 years (I do not work and am considered completely disabled; I walk with a cane, etc.).  I was on Oxycodone and Oxycotin and Vicodin from the time I was 15 till I was about 25 and then I was switched to Fentynal patches because I was taking too many (prescribed!) pills to be safe for my liver.  My prescribed patch dose is 175 mcg every 2 days (so I am wearing one 100 mcg patch and one 75 mcg patch) and I take about 30 mg's of Oxycodone daily for breakthrough pain - or should I say I was.  I have recently decided that I REALLY want to get off the patches, at least for a little while so I can see how much residual pain I am truly dealing with.  In addition, I am SO tired of being forced to use the patches.  I don't want to be in pain, however, I am tired of feeling like an addict, which is exactly how I feel every time I am late putting on a new patch and start to have w/d's or every time I am rushing to get to the pharmacy before they close to fill my script filled (and I am always going on the day I am out of patches because my insurance will not cover it even one day early).  At this point, I would rather at least TRY the pain then never know if I can do it.

I talked this over with my pain doctor and he said no, absolutely not.  I spoke to my specialist (who doesn't prescribe the meds but obviously knows I take them) and also got a no and I talked to my family doc who also said no.  I am determined to at least see what my life is like with out these patches and see what my pain level is like all these years later.

So, over the course of the last 30 days, I went from 175 mcg every other day down to 100 mcg every day (so just one 100 mcg patch that I replaced every other day) and then I cut out the daily oxy's completely.  I was doing well with that and stayed at tht for a week and then because I still felt alright, instead of dropping to 75 mcg, I just went ahead down to 50mcg (so for a week I have been at one 50 mcg patch every other day).  I use the Mylan patches so I can cut them myself.  I am doing so-so.  I am in quite a bit of pain but it doesn't feel like w/d pain (or at least not all of it), it feels like my old, reliable bone and joint pain.  

I am ready to drop down again and this time I will be going to 25 mcg every other day.  I have tried going three days on a patch instead of 2 but that doesn't seem to work for me for a few reasons.  One, I have very oily skin and the patches peel - even with just two days I have to use a Tegaderm and waterproof medical tape and the tape peels off on a daily basis.  Secondly, for some reason I have been running a high body temperature for about the past year, which none of my docs seem to know how to fix or what's causing it and so the patch definitely doesn't last three days.  So my plan is to go to 25 mcg for a week and then drop down to 12.5 mcg (and I have heard from a lot of people that this is the drop that hurts).  


My question is, how hard will it be to stop at 12.5 mcg?  Anybody with past experience?  I know that 25 mcg is approx. the same as 30 - 60 daily mg's of Oxycodone so I would assume 12.5 mcg is approx the same as 15 - 30 mcg's of Oxy (and of course, I know that Oxy is MUCH easier to quit than Fentynal, the w/d's I have had from Fentynal are a bear and make the old Oxy w/d's seem like a cold compared to the Hell from the patch w/d's).  I know I am going to be sick, I am aware that it won't be pleasant but how bad are we talking?  Sweats, vomiting, diarrhea, chills, severe aches and pains, muscle and bone pain, sleeplessness, restless legs, anxiety, fever...will it be the whole thing?  And will I most likely still suffer protracted w/d?  I really want to do this but I do have a 10 yr old daughter and I can't have w/d for two or three months because that, coupled with my pain, will be unbearable.

I just wondered if anyone could advise me on their experiences, please.  I have been doing ok stepping down - I don't feel great but I don't feel awful.  

Any serious advice or comments welcome.

Thank you,

Sunny

I have ankylosing spondilitis and I've been on 100mcg of Fentenal patches for about 9 years now and I put a new one on every 72 hours. Sometimes I get to the point that my feet and legs won't be still and want to jump around, and under my fingernails I have to keep pushing my skin back and forth I know it sound weird but I'm not sure if all these things are because of the patches. I don't think I have any bad reactions because of the patches. I know I am very addicted to them, but when I weigh out the symptoms from the patch verses the pain from the AS Unless someone comes out with something better, I will stick to the patches.

I have been on the dreaded fentanyl patches for 3 or 4 years. Apart from being a fantastic pain killer regarding my back condition (spondylolythesis) actually the only med that worked. They had some other side affects which almost cost my relationship due to often becoming loud and sometimes un-bearably aggressive in tone. I decided to come off the 75's in order to keep my partner. I have no doubt some will think I am some kind of crank but I was so desperate I just took off the patch at about 2pm. All was well until I awoke from a sleep at 11pm with a headache from hell. Nevertheless I was not going to be able to sleep because I felt as though I really needed a replacement patch. By 2am I felt as though I was ready for being carted off to hospital. I was frightened in that I knew a replacement patch would take ages to work and I was at the end of my tether. The day was saved when I took a teaspoon of Oramorph (for breakthrough pain) which enabled me some composure and even a small sleep for a couple of hours. When I woke I just wanted to scrape my skin off. A long story short I found I was able to challenge and beat the devil in a patch. I refused to put on another patch and suffered no sleep or very little for about 2 to 3 weeks. Main problem was skin irritation which was eased by copious showers and baths. I refused to go out during this time but I am pleased to say I did come off the patches completely. However, after some months with just the occasional teaspoon of Oramorph for severe back pain, I found this not to be enough pain relief however I am now using just 25 patches and put up with some pain. The use of the fentanyl resulted in me loosing weight thus slightly easier on bottom of spine. SO it can be done but be prepared to meet the devil himself for a while, and if there is someone who can give you some help and support I did it so can you if you are determined. If you live in the UK I would be more than happy to help if I can. Its something they dont usually tell you about.  John.....

I have been on the dreaded fentanyl patches for 3 or 4 years. Apart from being a fantastic pain killer regarding my back condition (spondylolythesis) actually the only med that worked. They had some other side affects which almost cost my relationship due to often becoming loud and sometimes un-bearably aggressive in tone. I decided to come off the 75's in order to keep my partner. I have no doubt some will think I am some kind of crank but I was so desperate I just took off the patch at about 2pm. All was well until I awoke from a sleep at 11pm with a headache from hell. Nevertheless I was not going to be able to sleep because I felt as though I really needed a replacement patch. By 2am I felt as though I was ready for being carted off to hospital. I was frightened in that I knew a replacement patch would take ages to work and I was at the end of my tether. The day was saved when I took a teaspoon of Oramorph (for breakthrough pain) which enabled me some composure and even a small sleep for a couple of hours. When I woke I just wanted to scrape my skin off. A long story short I found I was able to challenge and beat the devil in a patch. I refused to put on another patch and suffered no sleep or very little for about 2 to 3 weeks. Main problem was skin irritation which was eased by copious showers and baths. I refused to go out during this time but I am pleased to say I did come off the patches completely. However, after some months with just the occasional teaspoon of Oramorph for severe back pain, I found this not to be enough pain relief however I am now using just 25 patches and put up with some pain. The use of the fentanyl resulted in me loosing weight thus slightly easier on bottom of spine. SO it can be done but be prepared to meet the devil himself for a while, and if there is someone who can give you some help and support I did it so can you if you are determined. If you live in the UK I would be more than happy to help if I can. Its something they dont usually tell you about.  John.....

they have given me 7 days to get off the patch b4 my bk surgery i am on 75 x 3 days i have been on 4 5 yrs now what i am told it can not be done by my pain clinic these clinics suck they make u feel like u r a dope addice when after 5 bk surgeries i am in such pain they started me on all these.i don't know w hat to do last time i went cold turkey and it was bad

Bowhunter, u took the wrds out of my mouth... pain addiction scares me so much that i go a day or two w/o puttn on my patch jus so that i dnt live 24/7 medicated n i deal w/ the pain. I have severe pancreatitis n after several wks in hospital i came hm n went on patches n contd 8mg dilaudid. Since then ive quit the dilaudid inless ihave a severe attack n thn i take one pill. But i do wear a 100mcg patch n take it off periodically. I can make a patch last 5-7 days instead of the prcsrbd 3days. As i sit here im going thru w/ds its bn almost 2days since i worn it. Ive bn on these for 2mths n im just so scared of becoming addicted that i will sit in pain jus to avoid constant pain med use. IM SCARED OF ADDICTION & IM SCARED OF THE W/DS... im already so weak from the pancreatitis n i already vomit frm that n the pain worzens so if i start vomitn frm w/ds idk wat effect it will hav on my body. Im only 27 n the pancreatitis is very bad, i almost died .frm multiple organ failure n nw im scared of this drug. No one understands. One of my drs even told me this would b a prob for the rest of my life n told me id prolly b on pain meds for rest of my life i really dnt want that..bt its the only eay i can function... super conflicted n its lik i want to quit c/t jus to prove to my self im stronger than this... IDK anymore

I also have come off the fentanyl patch.  If you have any questions just pm me.  I would be glad to help:)

Overeasy

I wore the patch for 10 years and was up to 125mgh every 72 hours.  Believe me, they did not last that long.  After 36 hours I was in ful withdrawal and sick as a dog.  My doctor just wanted to increase the dosage but I wanted off the patch completely. I had read about all the deaths due to Fentanyl and I just took it on myself to find a place to go.  I live out of Houston and found a hospital there that detoxed ppl from fentanyl.  (There are many detox hospitals that won't touch fentanyl with a 10 foot pole.  They told me it was too dangerous and I could die during the detox and they wanted no part of it.) So on my own, I found Memorial Herman PARC hospital, called them, checked in, and 14 days later, went home patch free.  You will die if you try to detox yourself.  Do it in a trained hospital with the medical help.  You will be free and loving it.  It has been over 2 years since then, found a wonderful pain management doctor, and take non-norcotic drugs along with a few pills to get me through the day.  Don't do it yourself.

I am going to send you a friend request. It's easier to talk there. Honestly the help of a dr would be best, but if not then there are plenty of knowledgeable ppl on here.

I am on the fentanyl patch 100 every 48 hrs. They actually only last for about 36 hours. the withdrawyls are horrible! I ache all over, have hot flashes, feel like Im crawling out of my skin. Ive been on them for about a year & a half. I want off completely! I also take vicodin & xanax. I want off all of it, but one step at a time. The patch is the main thing I want off of. Any suggestions or help you can give me will be truly appreciated.

Thanks

ANYONE on FENTANYL that would like to talk I am happy to help I have been on it for years, have tried to come off, have tapered down, have done large jumps & have suffered the withdrawals.  I have been through many experiences, helped many ppl & have my own experiences & research I have done that I am willing to share to help anyone in need. PLEASE JUST LET ME KNOW.

This is an old post if you would like to you can start a new post in the forum at the top of the page. That way more people can help you. There are so many nice people here who have been through so much and may have similar stories to yours. We all would be happy to help. God Bless.

I AM ON  THE FENTANYL PATCH100 MCG EVERY 48 HOURS, BUT THEY ACTUALLY ONLY LAST FOR ABOUT 10-12 HOURS. I AM ALSO ON HYDROCODONE, XANAX & NUYNCANTAL (MISSPELLED) IT IS ALSO A PAIN MED. I WANT OFF ALL THIS CRAP! I HAVE BEEN OFF FROM MY JOB OF 22 YEARS FOR 4 MONTHS NOW , BUT ONLY RECENTLY FOUND OUT THE REASON FOR THE PAIN IN NOW BECAUSE I AM GOING THROUGH WITHDRAWLYS. I AM HORRIFIED TO KNOW WHAT THIS IS GOING TO BE LIKE TO TRY TO GET OFF ALL THIS MESS. hAVE BEEN TO A PAIN MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST & HE COULD NOT BELIEVE HOW MANY DRYGS i WAS OWN & SAID HE WOULD NOT EVEN ATTEMPT TO TALK TO ME UNTIL i GOT OFF THE DRUGS. WELL, HOW AM I SUPPOSE TO DO THAT WITHOUT HELP.. I AM SO SCARED I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO. ANYONE THAT CAN PLEASE HELP ME, PLEASE TELL ME WHAT I NEED TO DO. SHOULD I GO TO REHAB OR CAN I DETOX MYSELF? I AM MAD AT MYSELF FOR GETTING IN THIS MESS & AT MY DOCTORS FOR THEM LETTING IT GET THIS FAR OUT OF HAND. ANY SUGGESTIONS WILL BE TRULY APPRECIATED.

I just went off my Fentanyl patch 5 days ago "Cold Turkey" after coming down from 150mcg/hr for a year - 50mcg/hr another year, 25 mcg/hr for 6 years and then 12 mcg/hr for 1 week - then I stripped it off and am taking nothing!
My question is this:  after 5 days I am still going through HORRIBLE - SEVERE withdrawals and no sleep NONE for the past 5 days.  When will this end?  Does anyone out there know how long it takes to completely detox and be free from the withdrawals?
Also, to the person who said that 50mcg/hr isn't that much... ARE YOU FREAKING CRAZY?  It's enough to kill some people. Fentanyl is 100 times more powerful per mcg than Morphine is per Mg.  And extremely addictive!  As most of us know.  I only went on the patch because I wasn't expected to live more than 3 months - What a good God to give me back my life!  Thank you lord.  

I want to take you for your post, I was a cancer petient for 6 mo. on Chemo. I was only given 30 % chance to beat the Cancer, a tumor the size of a baseball in my liver. I thank God through prayer the pease came and the tumor is gone. I had started Hep C treament right after the cancer, I just thought the Cancer treatment was rough. The side effects, lower back pains, landed me in the hospital. I was on occecotten for 7 mo. and methodone for 3mo. before the Fentanyl patch of 100 mcg. Just after 30 days I wanted off, the confussion, in ability to function at all. I stoped 2 mo. short of the liver treatment to help subside the side effects. I finally got to a pain manement, that had enough sence to see I was really  wanting off  the pach, I have been on 75 mcg for 6 days and really don't want t continue the additional 6 day/ or 2 more patches ,untill he backs m down to  a 50+ 12 mcg, but fear the doctors will walk away if I don't follow orders. I only get releaf through prayer. Cancer and hep C clean Thank  you Lord.  I just need his help now to overcome the patch and lower back pain the patch brings.


G.L.H

rissa, go up to the top of this page and start a new thread so others can see it and help.  Posting on an old thread sometimes you get missed.  Click on the orange ask a question and post away!

Geez, I was without my patches for just a few hours, I was crawling out of my skin. I could Bearly get out of bed. I c/t Oct back in the days 4 days of yell but I did it.  I don't want to be a slave to the patches, I wish I could afford the rapid detox. I want off of the patches any suggestions?