Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms (Page 67)

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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Four years on fentanyl patch, four lost years of sweating, restlessness, night mares uneasiness"s and a trip to emergency because I didn't get my prescription soon enough talked to my doctor about it she said I needed it my wife said I needed it. I call it the devil patch because I have been in Hell for four years. But no more,I talked with my pain doctor, told her I have had enough get me off from it. Pain yes I have it. Three fractured vertebras osteoarther tea of the spine, and parkinson"s which amplifies every thing. So now I am on day 6 of cutting back to thirty seven she has me on a program of cutting back slowly, should take eight to 10 weeks I tried cold turkey lasted two days. So I ask myself will cutting back slowly work. I say yes I am determined to make it work. After six days I feel better mentally I know it will be hard to do alone as the wife thinks I am crazy, this is one time she is wrong

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Rayman, Thank you for sharing. You put into words my experience to the tee. The only thing I would add is, If you are in pain and what you are given doesn't work for you be it not masking the pain or too many side effects, then talk with your physician. These pain meds Do Not not work the same with everyone. Sometimes it may be the brand or it could be the med itself. If it's NOT working for you tell you physician!

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My point was that the Dr.s seem to use the contract as a weapon. I was being actively extorted for every med change."I can't give you something if you don't give me something." When I reported this to the clinic manager, I got violated on the contract, labeled an addict, and sent forth to suffer. And they wonder why H use is skyrocketing. I haven't gone there, but I know a dozen chronic pain sufferers who have.

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I really sympathize with your situation Doey. You're in a very difficult situation and fighting for your life, and that's a pretty strong cocktail of pain meds that the PM docs have put you on. How scary is that that your doctor says they've never tried to get anybody off of the Fentanyl patches?!?! That means that either every single one of their patients has died, or the ones the lived (and presumably cured of their cancer) were sentenced to a lifetime of being chained to an extremely high dose of Fentanyl, with no support for getting off of it. If they WERE cancer free, there's no reason for them to be on it anymore, and the doctors should have just as much responsibility to treat the Fentanyl dependency THEY created in their patients, as they did to treat the initial disease.

I won't speculate or comment on the potential success of using alternative medicine to combat your lung cancer, that's a decision you and you alone have to make, but you have a tremendous journey ahead of you to try and get clear of all of those pain meds before you can be treated properly by your Chinese Medicine doctor. Unfortunately, that battle is almost as great as battling the cancer itself. I'm concerned, knowing how difficult and long it takes to get off Fentanyl alone, that you may not have that kind of time. I don't know what your financial situation is, but because your case is very dire and life threatening, you should be aware that there are rapid detox centers that can get you off of all of those pain meds in a matter of days, with minimal discomfort. The downside is that they generally don't take any insurance (not their fault, insurance stupidly won't pay for an affliction that the doctors created), and the cost last time I checked, was something like $5-$10K+. Since you have cancer, and every second is precious when it comes to combating it, you should evaluate every financial resource available to you to see if this is something you might be able to do. I wish you all the best, and please follow up and let us know how things are going.

For those following my journey, after more than 2 weeks I'm still at 50mcg/24 hours, or 100mcg/48 hours (50% reduction from my initial prescription that I've been on for over 10 years). Very little appetite, and about half of each day I have a soft, dull pain in my stomach that really kind of ruins my day, but no major withdrawals with one exception. Day before last I was supposed to change my patch around 5PM. Took a shower around 3 and took off my second patch beforehand so I could wash that area (I wear two patches, changing one every 24 hours). Forgot to put on the new patch before I left for the doctor's office to pick up my new prescription around 4:30. Sat waiting for over 30 minutes for them to hand me my prescription, and by the time I got home after 6 my stomach was feeling really bad and had to use the bathroom. Got a new patch on by 6:30, but during the 3 hours that it takes to kick in and provide relief/medication, I suffered the worst withdrawals I've ever suffered since I've been on my patches, mostly in the form of extreme restlessness, sweating, hot/cold flashes, and stomach pain. Felt like my body was possessed, which is a familiar description/feeling for people that have suffered major opioid withdrawal.

What's strange is that I had only missed my window by a little more than an hour, something that's happened countless times over the years without that effect, although I had taken off my second patch about 2 hours sooner than I normally would. Still had a 50mcg patch on at all times though. I'm sure it was partly due to my current reduction in meds, but I've been on this level new for over 2 weeks with no really major issues, certainly nothing like that. I did notice later that night or the next morning that I was developing a bladder infection (getting that pressure every 30 seconds or so like you really have to go to the bathroom even though you don't), so perhaps the developing infection had something to do with it, who knows. Anyway, haven't had any major withdrawals since then, and that was almost 48 hours ago, but the bladder infection has been unpleasant. Took some antibiotics last night though and felt better when I woke up today thankfully.

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Does the Thomas Recipe work for detoxing from Fentanyl?

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Thank's Patti for your comment, and yes I am working with my pain doctor now, not my family doctor. Family doctor wants me to increase the Fentanyl not get off from it. As you mentioned there are other pain medications out there and as I come down from my fentanyl high my pain doctor will work with me on a new pain medication. My problem is my wife and family doc think I can't live without Fentanyl, and I tell them I can't live with it. So that means I get no support other than from my pain doctor. My wife actually came home yesterday with a prescription for a 50 fentanyl patch for me, I guess she doesn't ITs like putting dope in front of an addic. But I have made up my mind I will get my life back Iam going back on Fentanyl

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Patti that's suppose to say I am not going back on Fentanyl typing error sorry.

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Good for you Rayman. It's up to each individual suffering from severe chronic pain as to whether permanent Fentanyl addiction is better or worse than living with their chronic pain, and/or possibly becoming dependent on other pain killers such as Oxy, Norco, Vicoden, etc., but imho Fentanyl is just about the worst of all evils, unless a person definitely has a terminal illness. There is a time and a place for the Fentanyl patches, but it really should only be used for end of life situations imo. Fortunately you weren't on a very high dose to begin with, so the time and effort it will take to taper down and eventually off is greatly shortened. Should probably be able to do it in 1-3 months depending on your body, your willpower, and how quickly you want to get off of it, but that's up to you and your PM doctor if you're getting help. Keep tapering as much as you can reasonably tolerate and continue to function, and fight the urge and efforts of others to keep you on the patches if that isn't the path that you want to go down.

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Hi Mary, I give you credit for working to get off fentanyl, I think you are just dropping down to much to fast. And you are going into withdraw from it . You just need to 37 from the 50. For at least two weeks than go to 25 for two or three weeks than 12 don't go to fast remember it takes time. Cold turkey or going down to fast will put you in with drawl. Good luck sweetie

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Rayman, good for you. This is your body and only You know how much pain you are in and how much you can tolerate. You are the one the makes the decisions the family is hopefully there for support. Take care if yourself.

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Can anyone please tell me if the Thomas Recipe works for helping to stop the use of Fentayl patches?
Thank you.

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Very quick update:

Roughly 3 weeks after cutting my prescription dosage in half, from 200mcg/48 hours (technically 100mcg/24 hours since it always worked better for me), down to 50mcg/24hrs, my body is definitely acclimating to the 50% reduced dosage. Much of the first couple weeks was spent with mild to moderate dull stomach pain and almost no appetite, but my appetite is slowly improving and I have very little stomach discomfort now. I pretty much feel about the same as I did when I was on 200mcg/48hrs. I'll stay at this dose for at least another week or perhaps a little longer, since I haven't been able to eat much at all the last few weeks and I can't keep reducing my dosage for 2-3 months and never having an appetite. There are a million appetite suppressants on the market readily available at any corner store, but not a single appetite stimulant for people that have medical issues. I'll drop back in and post when I start the next step of my Fentanyl reduction.

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THANKS ENONUMUS, ITS NICE TO RECIEVE A LITTLE ENCOURGMENT, I AM DOING VERY WELL SO FAR. GLAD THAT I NEVER WENT TO A STRONGER FENTANYL PATCH WHICH WAS OFFERED TO ME MANY TIMES. I AM TAKING MY TIME DOING THIS AS I DON'T WANT TO GO THROUGH MUCH WITHDRAWL IF I DON'T HAVE TO. RIGHT NOW I AM STILL ON 37 BUT GETTING READY TO DROP TO TWENTY FIVE. I FEEL I WILL BE ON THAT FOR THREE TO FOUR WEEKS THAN DROP TO 12. SINCE I HAVE BEEN ON THE FIFTY FOR 4 OR 5 YEARS I KNOW MY BODY WON'T LIKE ME IF I RUSH TO GET OFF FROM FENTANYL. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THE DAY WHEN THE LAST PATCH FALLS OFF AND I DON'T NEED ANY MORE. THAN I WILL GET SOME OF MY LIFE BACK. I AM SURE I WILL BE ON NORCO OR ANOTHER PAIN MED BUT NO MORE OF THE DEVIL PATCH. EACH PAT ON THE BACK FOR GETTING OFF FENTANYL MAKES IT EASIER THANKS ONCE AGAIN

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While I am proud of all of you, Enonumus, Patti, Raymon for your success, and I have been praying for you. I am very disappointed that I am unable to receive an answer from any one of you regarding questions I have in my own struggle to become fentanyl free.
I am happy you have each other. I am sorry if I invaded your private forum. I was under the impression it was meant for the public, as a means to help each other. God bless you.
Best of luck, and regards,
Dena, MSgt Retired, USAF
Disabled American Veteran

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Sorry teacup you haven't received any replies, I personally have never hereof the Thomas system that's why I haven't responded. Yes you do need support it helps going down 12at a time so far is working for me very little side effects from withdrawal so far I am dropping down to 25 in a couple days will let you know how it works. You need to start someplace it gives me piece to know I will be free from fentanyl within a couple months take itone day at a time but try something don't let that devil patch get the best of you.. Good luck

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Teacup, I have no first hand knowledge about that process. I only respond to a post where I feel I can be of some assistance or have something value to say. No offense meant. There are many posts on several different medical issues and on hundres of meds that don't get a response. Perhaps you could start your Topic and possibly get a wider audience. Or, look that process up on the Net.

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Since you are asking, I think the Thomas recipe is for s***, on the other hand if you have no problem burdening your endocrine, and kidneys by dumping amount of vitamins and proteins in levels you cannot absorb, hey might keep your mind busy, and hey the placebo effect rocks it if you tell yourself you feel better you will. Geez sounds like you might need to change your patch.

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Um, Teacup, I've only visited this forum once since you posted your question, with the intent of just leaving a quick update, and like most of the others I had no idea what you were talking about, as I'd never heard of the "Thomas Recipe". Might've been better if you'd started off with asking if anybody here had heard of it, and then followed up to any responses by asking if it helped with the Fentanyl patches. While I've tried to be supportive and helpful with other posts I've noticed since I myself posted here for the first time a couple weeks ago, I'm not going to reply and give advice about something I've never heard of and know nothing about. I could Google it, research it, and share the same info that you've probably already Googled yourself, or should have, but that seems rather silly and redundant. I wish you the best with your journey, and though I'm not remotely religious I appreciate the prayers I guess, but I just can't help you with your question.

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Hope every one is good, I am Down to a 25 patch yesterday and so far nothing. More than a head ach. I did leave the 12 on thought I would leave it on until it falls off, good idea or bad I don't know, as I am trying not to have much withdrawal from going down to fast , I do however have more pain in my lower back not unbearable, will work with pain doctor on that have an appointment later this month. I thank everyone for your support, I hope posting on here helps someone to understand the power of fentanyl, and they work with a doctor to get off from it, before it taks over there life. I will report back and let you know when I am free of it.

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That's good news Rayman, glad to hear you're successfully tapering down. Sure wish I was at your stage right now, but at least I'm doing pretty well after cutting down from 200mcg to 100mcg for nearly a month. No headaches here, just loss of appetite and dull stomach pain. You can leave the patch on for 3 days, but really it won't provide any medication beyond that, and any relief or help you're getting from it would pretty much be purely psychological (though that psychological relief can sometimes be almost as helpful as the real thing).

Btw, from my understanding, when you first get off of a Fentanyl dependency, the pain you feel will quite possibly be higher than your normal pain level would be once you've completely and totally gotten all of the Fentanyl out of your system (something that can take many days to even a 2 or 3 weeks). So while it sounds like you're able to deal with the pain, don't freak out if the pain level increases as you completely get off the patches. Give it 2-4 weeks, and then re-evaluate your baseline pain level to figure out what and how much pain relief you might need in some other form. I'm sure you'd prefer not to give up Fentanyl only to be dependent on some other narcotic or opiate, so you might want to research various ways to treat your specific pain. I'm certainly not a PM doctor, but I've dealt with a lot of neck and back pain my entire adult life, before and after my accident, and there are a lot of things and ways to treat pain that don't involve narcotics. From Accupuncture/pressure, to herbal remedies, and of course targeted exercises, which may just be the most helpful in the long run, combined with a decent diet. I'm definitely not the holistic type, don't get me wrong, but narcotics definitely don't offer all the answers, and the side effects often end up being worse than the original pain.

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