Fentanyl - getting off without going nuts!

[Bobbleheed]

just came across this thread.  I started the patch journey about 6 month ago.  Started on Butrans and transtec......didn't hit the spot (severe pelvic and abdominal adhesions cause my pain).  Moved onto Fentanly.  50mg  I have turned into Satan!  Anger, moods, hatred - got im an absolute b*tch!  Decided I needed to get off this crap.....pain clinic doc said 50mg for 3 patches worth (changing as per instructions on box), next comes a 12mg+25mg patch (both at same time) for 3 patches worth, then comes 25mg (3 patches worth), then finally 12mg.  First 2 w/ds weren't too bad.....I know what a full one feels like- I ripped a 50mg off and went cold turkey for 27 hours ----- thought I was dying! NOT RECOMMENDED!.  Bad 6 day w/d when I started the 12mg patches.  Doc now said I've to start on the 20mg Buprenorphine patches until I see him at end of Jan.  Perhaps if you follow these instructions, maybe even stringing out the patches a bit longer in between drops, you will have some success?  Starting to feel more human now that the evil Fentanyl is almost out, just hope the Butrans tapering will go smoothly.  
Good luck to anyone = this aint an easy road.......it's worth it though :-)

[Bobbleheed]

Thanks Jaybay - sounds like you're doing good......not easy but at least you're taking your time.  

My 12mg did its usual and kinda ran out of juice before its time was up......I decided to bit the bullet and move onto my next type of patches......Butrans.  I was on these before the Fentanyl but like everyone does, they aim to be pain free, hence the reason I moved up to Fentanyl (also Butrans affected my joints).  Fentanyl totally twisted my mind.....took me about 3 months to realise I wasn't actually mental - it was the Fentanyl ...... there starts my tapering story.  Anyway - within about 2 hours of changing from my last 12mg patch to a 20mg Butrans, the old w/ds kicked in........tired arms and legs, hot and cold sweats, anxious, blah blah blah - you know the script.  I thought "oh feck, here we go again, so I popped 10mg diazepam, trotted off to bed, and woke up feeling actually alright this morning!! :-D  Hope I'm not speaking too soon, but maybe I'm going to get off a wee bit lighter with the w/d on this patch change over?
Fingers crossed!

Good luck with your taper.........abdominal adhesions are nasty and for some reason, medics don't really take them seriously?  Would you make up the fact you were in agony and wanted to rip your insides out? I think not!

keep on keeping on

Julie
x

[Jaybay]

I have abdominal adhesions too and I'm also tapering off the patch - just a whole lot slower!  Those 12.5 mcg patches still pack quite a punch which is why most people can't take the withdrawal when the stop them. I didn't get the moodiness, but I'm just sick and tired of having to deal with pain clinics and all the attendant paranoia that goes along with opiate therapy.  Best of luck to you in both getting off the opiates and managing your pain (and no doubt nausea) in the future.  :-)

[Bobbleheed]

Thanks viki - hopefully soon, I'll be opiate free......I cannot wait!  A long road, but a worthy one......living in a drugged up bubble isn't really an option in my life.

I hope others can take comfort too and realise it is all worth it........I'm lucky enough to have the help of a specialist - I know many of you chaps out there don't have such support.  If there's anything anyone wants to know - just shout!  

J x

[vicki595]

Hi!  No it's not easy but it sounds like things are a little better for you. Believe me...it's so worth it!!

Let us know how you progress. Good luck!