Fentanyl withdrawal with tapering

[Basslady]

Hi, I am new to this board community but not new to Fentanyl patches. I have been on them for almost 7 years for severe fibromyalgia and a type of arthritis. I started out on 25 for a year, then 50 for about 4 years, then 62, and now I'm up to 75 mcg/hr every 2 days for the past year, and I hit the wall, for me, with dealing with the tolerance and dependence issues, and I want off. My pain has been under fairly good control for the past 4-6 months (I also take oxycodone 10 mg 4-5 times a day) so I want to try and get off the Fentanyl if I can, or at least reduce the dose. I HATE the cravings for more due to the tolerance/addiction!!
I did the first step down to 62 (50 + 12 patches) about a week ago and with the help of clonidine for a few days, the horrible dread anxiety and other withdrawal wasn't too bad. What I'd like to ask is: Does anyone else have experience with tapering by 12 mcg/hr at a time, and has it worked for you? I read about the terrible stories of withdrawal being so awful and I am so scared that I will hit a time when this will happen.
This drug is such a trap for people who have chronic pain but are not terminal due to the addiction problems. I had to learn this the hard way and I just pray to the Lord that I will be able to get off or at least reduce it. But then, what do I do about my pain?

[kennethcooke]

This is the link to using a bar of soap under the bed sheet, I know, I was skeptical but it really works-enjoy the freedom

http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2005/12/07/soap-under-the/

Regards Kenneth UK

[Basslady]

Hi and thank you for your comments and suggestions. I am new to this forum, so sorry for the delay.
I did my first step from 75 to 62 without too much trouble, so I have hopes that going to 50 in a couple weeks will be not too bad. But the achiness and pain is worse, so I need to get working on that. I have a lead for a new pain management Dr in my area (I am 1.5 hours away from a large city (Phoenix) so I need to get up the "courage" to make an appointment and see what he has to offer. Thanks again for your reply.

[Basslady]

Thank you for your comments and help. I don't quite know how this forum works yet, so sorry for the delay in my response.

[bmdad]

Welcome to the forum. I don't personally have any experience with Fentanyl but do know that others have successfully tapered off and so can you. I'm sure someone will come along and be able to give you firsthand knowledge.

As for the pain, many of us here decided to deal with our pain without the use of narcotics. I'm here to tell you that it can be done. There are so many different ways to do so. Many times we have to figure it out all on our own. Doctors tend to treat the pain and not the what's causing the pain. I don't know for sure but I bet there's a Fibromyalgia forum on medhelp to where you can get some ideas of what others are doing to help. At the top of the page click on "forums". It will bring up a huge list of all the different forums that medhelp has to offer.

There are also many non narcotic prescription strength pain meds out there. I'd recommend trying some. If one doesn't work, try another. You will eventually find one that will work for you.

Be sure to stick around this forum. There are some wonderful people who will bend over backwards to help you get through this. You will make some great friends along the way.

If I can be of any help, please let me know.

Best of luck.




Brian