Fentanyl

[charles28]

Im wanting to know how long you have to take Fentanyl to start having withdraws if i stopped? My doctor prescribed me the 50mcg patch in May.There was 10 total in that script.I had them filled again a few days ago and after reading everyones horror stories ive decided to stop taking it.I have used 2 more patches this month already.So ive taken them for about 6 weeks total now.I have used exactly 12 patches total.Do i have a long road ahead of me now?Im scared to death!If anyone could let me know something i would greatly appreciate or welcome any answers.

[kim715]

I'm sorry I don't have any knowledge about this drug,but I'm sure there is someone here that does.There are not many on right now but hang in there.There will be many more on in the morning and someone will come along to help.Stay strong and please keep posting. Peace.

[charles28]

Thank you, i just dont know what to expect or if i stopped in time.

[Florida_Guy737]

Hi - I was on 50mg patches as well; prescribed for 6 months.  In the beginning, I used sporadically because mybreak through meds were easier.  When I started using the patches regularly, my estimate (IMHO) was that within 6-8 weeks I had built a dependency on them.  Fentynl is a very difficult drug to withdraw from because the half life of the med is 2-3 days. Since you haven't been on them to long, you should be OK...maybe minor wd issues.  Read the Thomas Recipe, Aminos, etc.  I stopped using the patch by using my break through meds, percs, to taper.

Good Luck,

Guy

[charles28]

Ok,thanks i appreciate the feedback.I figured that because of all the bad things people were going through on here.I read a post were a guy said he had only been on Fentanyl for 30 days and he had bad withdraws from it already.Im just really scared and dont know if im going to be able to fight it off. I took the patch of earlier this evening about 8:00 pm or so Central time.I heard half life is like 17 hours i guess.So maybe at around 1:00 pm tomorrow i should start feeling some effects of it wearing off.

[charles28]

Well its 2 am here in the morning.Im wide awake still.I guess im going to go take some of my sleeping medicine and try to get some sleep.That way i dont sit up all night and worry about what i got coming tomorrow.

[kim715]

Get a good nights rest and don't worry about tomorrow,it may not be as bad as you think it's going to be.No sense worrying about it until the time comes and when it does you take it minute by minute,sometimes second by second.Just know that we will all be here to help and support you in any way we can.Until tomorrow.Sweet dreams. Peace.

[charles28]

I appreciate all the comments from everyone.Its 8 pm here now.I feel a little sick like i need to throw up.I feel real jittery.My back of course is hurting again.Im afraid cause i have to go to the doctor on the 23rd.Thats when there going to setup my surgery date.Dont know what they will be giving me for pain but i know im going to keep fighting this fentanyl thing.

[worried878]

good for u.....try to hold on.......but she was on them much longer than u...just feel safe in the fact than u can ask ur doctor for help if need be...sometimes this can take the panicky feeling away...i dont think at this point...less than 24 hours?  that u would be in wd from the patch yet....but the worry and dread is what u may be feeling...and it can be just as bad as 99 percent of wd is mental....relax...6 weeks is not a long long time...u may feel uncomfortable but dont compare urself to long term use of this patch...were u on a narcotic before the patch?

[zenmind]

I can appreciate where you are, but I am quite concerned.  One shouldn't stop any narcotic cold turkey.  You need to be weaned off the Fentanyl.  
I'll share with you a bad experience I had behind my patch just coming off once.  I didn't realize it until I wound up in the ER with the most horrible symptoms;  I thought I was dying, so weak I could barely move, cold sweat pouring off of me, throwing up...It was only later on the ER stretcher that I realized that my patch had fallen off.  I'd been on them about six months then, about a year now.
For me, Fentanyl has saved my life.  I was in such horrible pain before that my life was barely worth living I thought.    To each his own, however.

[charles28]

Yeah, i was on tramadol and lortab for years.Ive been through w/d with them several times.I seem to be doing pretty good considering what ive been reading.It dosent help though that i know were there at and it would be real easy just to go get one at any time.I think at this point i might have beaten it.

[iwantoff]

i have been on the fentanyl patch for 4mths now because of chronic pain. i started at 12.5 then within a month i was up'd to 37.5
i still have chronic pain and a lot a breakthru pain for which i take tylenol 3 and clonazepam (for spasms).

i want to stop the patch because it does not work for me .... can i stop cold turkey ... so far i have got myself down to 25 and am prepared to drop to 12.5 but what process would i follow .. how many 12 patches would i apply before stopping completely.

i need help and advice ... has anyone gone thru something similar

[iwantoff]

i have been on the fentanyl patch for 4mths now because of chronic pain. i started at 12.5 then within a month i was up'd to 37.5
i still have chronic pain and a lot a breakthru pain for which i take tylenol 3 and clonazepam (for spasms).

i want to stop the patch because it does not work for me .... can i stop cold turkey ... so far i have got myself down to 25 and am prepared to drop to 12.5 but what process would i follow .. how many 12 patches would i apply before stopping completely.

i need help and advice ... has anyone gone thru something similar