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?
I hear you...I did a long and slow taper off of Fentanyl patches and I was at the dosage you are when I started. We can't give out taper advice as it's against MH policy...i will tell you I tapered quicker than my doctor suggested and I experienced mild w/d for a few months until I got low enough to switch medications and jump off.
I, too have RA and several other autoimmune illnesses. It's important to have an alternative pain management plan in place before you go off the medication. Personally, I do yoga, massage, infrared saunas, hot baths, and a lot of deep breathing(:
I have been opiate free for 61 days and my pain is significantly less than what it was on the drugs. I can't tell you how transformed my life is...So know that there is hope. I still have my bad days but find I can get by with a couple of tylenol arthritis and a lot of heat. Communicating with your doctor and being honest and open and realizing that YOU are in charge of your recovery is important. You may want to talk to the doc about switching from the patch to another long acting opiate that is easier to taper (this is what I did) I know the road ahead seems long but I promise it's worth it. And so are you(:
There is amazing support here...Keep posting...
Lu