How do I get off Fentanyl patch 50 mcg?

[esther009]

Hello Everyone,

I'm so happy that this place exists, and I commend you all for your bravery and honesty.  I started off taking 5 mg of Vicodin for intense back, neck, hip, ankle pain which occurred out of nowhere in March of '08.  Well, Vicodin has always been my weakness, and since the pain continued for months, I worked my way up to Norco 10 mg, 5 times a day.  Well, the pain was being controlled for the most part, but I wanted to still enjoy the high, so then worked up to 20 mg Norco 4 to 5 times a day.  As I ran out of pills before my next pain management doctor's appointment, I had to confess to my problem, and he was very nice about it.  Because of what my body was used to, he started me on 50 mcg Fentanyl patch, changed every 48 hours.  I've been on this 6 weeks now, and CANNOT stand myself as my personality has changed so much.  Sure, pain is gone, but from going to my chiropractor weekly, it seems the actual causative pain is gone and everything's come into alignment.  So, I want to get off of the Fentanyl.  Pain doctor also nice to give me Norco 10 mg for breakthrough pain, even after my misusing it.  My personality changes and anxiety and feelings of panic while on Fentanyl have scared me straight, and I want to get off of this as soon as possible.  I have already done 2 cycles of taking Fentanyl only 50 mcg every 3 days, and using Norco only for breakthrough pain or in the spirit of telling the truth, when the "low" of Fentanyl (since I've been on Fentanyl, I feel very sad and anxious and sooooooooo unhappy) causes me to seek the comfort of Norco.  Amazingly, I've been good about this (once again, have been "scared straight" by Fentanyl), and only taking Norco 1 tablet 1 to 3 times a day.  My doctor wants me to stay at Fentanyl 50 mcg every 48 hours, but I really, really, really do not -- I want out!  Therefore, what is the safest way to taper down my Fentanyl patch to nothing, using Norco at a minimum for withdrawal symptoms?  I'm willing to go through the pain of withdrawal just to get rid of Fentanyl, and am so glad I've only been on it for 6 weeks from all of the posts I have read here.  Thank you so much for your willingness to reach out to me and others in this time of your own pain.  

[Lee33436]

You need a new doctor. Ask to try MS Contin extended release 60mg tablets that you can take as needed every 12 hours.

[covgurlie]

I have been addicted to pain medicine perks tabs ect for like 4 years now...I have a good job good husband a little 2 year old boy and now pregnant with a little girl and have 3 more months of pregnancy left...I have been struggling the past year to get off these pills i would get clean for a few days then take them for a few over and over...I finally decided to stop trying to do this alone for the sake of my baby and myself and i told my baby dr. i had a problem...I now have counceling and drug tests twice a week iv been clean for 6 days but i still dont have energy and i have a very demanding job,2 year old, and pregnant..anyone have any suggestions on how to handle the depression and non motivation that comes with this??  

[aUSMCmom503]

I sure hope you quite taking the Fentanyl It is hell to deal with . I have been on it since 2003 and want off it so bad. Granted I started on 100 mcg and am currently using 12 mcg and going through hell as I was on 37mcg untill three days ago. This stuff is hell to get off of.

[Jaybay]

Have you talk to your prescribing doctor about a taper plan?  That's the first place to start.  I was on the fentanyl patch for several years and it took a very, very long time to taper off.  Part of that is because my underlying condition is still very much there so I'd take breaks occasionally and let everything stabilize before cutting down again.  

I used the Mylan generic patches which don't use the gel pouch delivery method.  They look like a piece of transparent tape and they can be safely cut.  I cut little slivers off the patch and really had no problem tapering until I got to below 12.5 mcg.  Tried jumping from half of that and it wasn't pretty, but finally accepted that I was going to be sick for a while and just did it.  Being off the patch is very liberating for many reasons and I'll never go near it again.  I'll take the pain.

You really don't want to go cold turkey if you don't have to.  I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy!  Try to calm down and give yourself a few months to taper.  Slow and steady wins the race where the fentanyl patch is concerned.  :-)

[teresa2407]

hi i really need help ive been on fentanyl patches for the last 5 years and dont know how to get off them,i was prescribed them for pain associated with copd and have tried so many times to wean myself off,yet within 2/3 day i start experiancing agitation,and cramps and flu like symptons which are so severe, i dont know which way to turn,n at this moment am feeling stuck in a vicious circle,im aware of the potency of these patches,tho wasnt told it would be sheer hell to try n get of them,please if anyone that has gone thro withdrawel of these patches could help,id be extremely grateful thanku

[karenandy]

I really think you are unwise to just stop taking the 75mg patch.  If you read
the many comments listed here you will see that the safest way to do this is - gradually.  I wish you great success but I have a feeling that the way you are choosing to do this may hamper your ultimate success and possibly land you in the hospital.  

[gnarly_1]

HI no one can tell you how bad your withdrawals will be it different for everyone  what is sever for one is mild for another I would say because you havent been on them long it shouldent be to bad but no withdrawals are fun look up the thomas resipe on the lower right of this page pick up the stuff it will help ez the pain lots of hot baths and force the fluids keep posting for support and its time to get clean put some sort of aftercare in plase you could have killed yourself doing you what you did with those patches its time to sit down in a N/A room and get serious about getting clean wile your still alive......Gnarly

[kvn1175]

Hi, it seems like Ive been on one opiate or another for 8 yrs now. While I don't takes as much as ive read some people do, I do take them a lot. I was taking 1 or 2 oxycontin every few days. Got off that. Then it was a methodone clinic. Off that. Then lortabs. Off that. Then 60 Mg of morphine off and on. Off that. But about ten days ago I found some fentanyl patches while cleaning my grandmas, who passed away, house out. Ive been cutting them open and taking the gel. Maybe a quarter of the patch every few hours. But reading on line I'm realize how uterrly stupid this is. My question is how bad will the withdrawal be if ive only done this for 10 days. A 7.5 patch in about a day is what ive been taking

[spikeus]

to worried878, it spkeu
i got down to 12mcg in june, but end up in hospital
with Diverticulitis and doctors put me back to 25mcg
after left the hospital, i return with still pain in tummy
they told me take endone, which i cant take
so i end back on 37mcg. in aug they tried put me back 50 mcg
they made my heart race. i still need to get back down

[gorana57]

i hate fentanyl 75 mg patches ,i am not my self any more,i need help ,i am sooooo tired of trying so many things

[disasterinprocess]

Hi Chichi -

I was on the fentanyl patch after I got out of the hospital with a stint in ICU.  In the hospital I was switched to dialuid (sp?) b/c my body vitals were truly out of whack despite a blood transfusion to stabilize.  After that drama, I was put on fentanyl w/roxis for breakthrough & a host of other stuff.  I was on the fentanyl for about a month and dr was increasing from 72 to 48 hrs think it was the 75 or 100 patch definitely not those tiny 25s.
I demanded to switch back to morphine as a downgrade.  I should have kept downgrading but only managed to lower amt of morphine w/roxi for breakthrough.  
http://www.globalrph.com/fentconv.htm  (Perhaps here the dr did have a better idea and I should have stayed on fentanyl; who knows.)

The more you can work with your dr the better.  No idea what norco is.  Oh that is just viocodin; does that do anything?  Obviously not if you need 10-20/day.  Didn't touch my pain nor did oxycontin at higher doses so each is different.  

If you are still in pain not much is going to do much anyway so just grit your teeth.  
Talk to the dr and start decreasing.  What else is in your cocktail?

Aside from this stretch, due to other illness/surgeries I have never had an issue tapering and /or CT from opiates incl oxycontin.  This time was a bit rough but there was a ton more in my system and it was pretty quick by any standard.  Then again, I never went running out for replacement pills or dr shopping etc. for opiates, benzo, et al.  The benzo was a TON uglier and much rougher.  I turned other scripts into my doctor.

Good luck.  
Directions say not to cut the patch but I believe I did once or twice.  Talk to your doctor -- always be honest with the doctor and when possible or appropriate get a second opinion.

[worried878]

I have seen folks get off the patch successfully.  Often down with pills like oxycodone or lortab to taper with as u lower ur dose on the patch.  Then when u get off the patch, they used pills until  they were able to completely break the cycle.  Patches dont leave room cept for large jumps down in dose...ie 75mcg to 50 mcg to 25mcg and those are big leaps

Your doctor should help u with this

good luck to u

[spikeus]

I need help, been on it for 6 months 50 mcg, I want onto 25 mcg and found the Withdrawal is horrible. So i on two patches one 12 Mcg and 25 mcg, i hoping that will make the withdrawal easier. can someone help me
I from newcastle Australia

[chichi9909]

How did you get off Fentanyl?  I have been reading the different posts about this patch since I am starting to get jittery taking this.  Your reply would be appreciated.


Thanks,
jc

[Rickt011]

I need help, been on it for 6 years 75 mcg, I want off Withdrawal is horrible, I tried to go cold turkey, no way. Please help me.

[birdman200]

i have spent the last 4 weeks lowering my dosage of fentanyl.  im now at 75mg every 3 days but i am wearing my las t patch and will start going through wd tomorrow.  Fentanyl is the nastiest drug to get off of.  i am so determined to get off of it but im also very scared that i wont survive the withdrawal.  Ive read on here that the severe wd can last a couple of weeks and that scares the hell out of me.  I have no more patches and i did that intentionally to force myself to get off of them.  I hate my dr forever putting me on them, its destroyed my life.  Is there anyone out there who has gone through withdrawal from fentanyl that can tell me how many days the worst of it will last

[Lonelylife51]

It looks like I'm a little to late with this post I found by googling. I'm just in the beginning stages of getting off the 100 mcg Fentanyl Patch after having nerve surgery. I am terrified after reading all of these posts whats about to happen to me. I can't afford to lose weight. I'm a 50 yr. old female, 5'6" 122#'s. My Doctor didn't tell me what was in the patch until I read it on the Internet after wearing it for a few months. I've never done a drug before so I didn't do my research....duh! I'll never do that again! I'm going in on April 26th, 2010 to begin getting off the patch. I can't wait to be free and be able to hopefully enjoy the summer although I'm not allowed out in the Sun. I've got stiches all up and down my left arm that's horribly painful. I also have 5 herniated disks on the left side of my neck, a rotator cuff tear and now an injury inside the left side of my leg due to the nerve damage. It appears I'm really going to suffer a few months. I don't care, as long as I'm free from the patch.

[extrmeski]

OH those patches are horrible!  They are over 80 times stronger than morphine!  Get off them as soon as you can.  They are he11 to get off of once you have been on them for awhile.  Start by leaving the patch on for the full 72 hours, if you have the mylan ones (not the ones that are jell filled) you can cut them in half to taper.  Do what ever you have to do but do something.  The effects of Fentanyl can last up to a year.  The good news is that 50mcg patches are strong but no where near the 100's.  

[badeggs65]

i have been on the fentanyl patch for almost four yrs now. i started at a dosage of 100mcg per every three days. and went up to 150 at one point. i have began to slowly wean down with my pain management docs help . and am now on 50mcg for the past 5 mos. it is going to be a vewry slow process and will take time. i do take percocet 10mg 5x per day as needed (many days i dont take that amount..i take way less.) but i have recently been diagnosed with panic/anxiety disorder. and in jan had a thyroid cancer scare and had to have half of it removed. the surgery should have taken only about 2 hrs but took almost 4 due to the tumor being wound so tightly with the tissues involved. i also have been diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome. i wonder if some of this can be attributed to lowering dosage of pain patch as well as the hormone levels due to the thyroid issue?  all i know is i am committed to coming off all these drugs . i need to see where my pain level is too. and the only way to do that is to come down on your dosage. ia little background...i have had 10 surgeries in the last four yrs due to breaking my hip, knee, and both bones in my ankle. not all at the same time, but overlapping injuries...im lucky that way..lol. anyway. i DO NOT abuse my meds but just dont want to be on them for the rest of my life. i wll just have to see where my pain level is and seek other alternatives to help with it. as of now i have 2 bulging discs in my lower back k(-L4-L5) due to my rt leg being shorter by 1 inch and 1/8 due to all the breaks and surgeries (yes all these accidents are on the rt leg) lol...they shoot horses for this. guess im lucky im not a horse, huh?  anyway....just a little info for you....keep strong, you can wean down and eventually get off of them with your drs help....take care and god bless.   cindy

[sahr]

I just moved hear from MI and I was told a long time ago I had fibromyalgia witch I have come to find it just some times means you don't have the right income. So f*** you I don't have time for you. So of course they just put me on a bunch of pain pills, and the damn fentanyl path. Now we have just moved to Portland and the Dr. I got hear first tried to just stop the patch but I had my pharmaciest get on her from back at home. She told her to take me off of it slowly and to give me an alternative to fall back on if I felt I could not handoil it for any reason I can go to rehab. You don't need to be insured it's free and they don't take your kids because you get help plus you can more then likely get SSI for going throw the program anyway. It will take you about 5 to 8 days to be all of the way clean. They help you by keeping you filling nothing the hold time and they give you things to block the cravings for the patch in your .

[SHELLBELL79]

OMG GIRL I WAS IN THE EXACT SITUATION!!! I was freaking out for months about wanting to get off vicodin /norcos....especailly the dangerous, stupid Fentanyn patch. befroe i started the patch i was taking 3 vicodin es 4 times a day or 2 to 21/2 norco. my doc didn't like vicodin so he put me on the damn fentanyl patch from june to july my brain was craving the drug more and more. i went from 75mcg to 150mg is less than 2 months. i had only 30 norco, so that went quick. i was so scared and knew my doc wouldn't increase and i knew i couldn't live my life this way. so i called and looked up detox places and kept saying , am i gonna be in pain?...is this bad. they acted like everything was fine. they said oh you might feel like you have the flu for a week. my ***, they pushed suboxone on me but i couldn't afford it and i knew that your just switching to another drug to be dependant on and its hell to get off of. i was told it has a freakin 72 hour half life....thats psycho! fentanyl has a 17 hour half life which 50 times more than herion and 50 times stronger than morphine. i went through hell and back detoxing with just 50 mg of ultram for 5 days. i was in severe pain and in hell for 4 days straight but i did it. i felt like giving up and dying. i will be 2weeks tomm. and i am still having w/d b/c i took fentanyl. i found out from other people here its a nasty , nasty drug. i also am now sick and have an ibfection somewhere in my body b/c w/d causes you immnune system to be low.i am now on antibiotics, plus i also have low potassium in my bloood, which caused my body to have rls and muscle spasms along witha rapid heartbeat.  im am going to get vitamins tomm. i need to find out what vitamins to take that will help heal  my body. there you go.....if you need anymore answers pm me anytime. i know your scared, i was deathly scared. i have major pain medical problems and stress. if i can do it so can you.......i will pray for you.
good luck

[esther009]

I really like your poem because I can so relate to it.  Thank you for being you!  

[esther009]

I know, I have been frightened when thinking of what toll this might have on my liver.  That's why I was somewhat relieved (I know, I know) when I was switched to Norco because a 10 mg tablet only has 325 mg of Tylenol with it (as opposed to 1000 mg of Tylenol from taking two 5-mg tablets of Vicodin).  From what I know, the Tylenol in Vicodin is the real killer to your liver.  

I have another question for everyone out there.  What has been scaring me this year (because I've only realized it this year), is when I wasn't taking pain pills, every time I would feel happy just living, I would start to really crave a Vicodin because I had so come to associate happiness with Vicodin.  And if there was any Vicodin around, I would take one to . . . increase this feeling of happiness I was already feeling.  But then taking the Vicodin would somehow short-circuit the true happiness I was feeling and get me to start craving Vicodin for this again!  How in the world does one break this pattern???  Because I know I have the potential for feeling true happiness at times, not just the emotional pain and sadness that usually leads to my taking hydrocodone in its various forms.  How do I let myself "just be happy" without having to validate this happiness, or is it control this happiness, by adding a pill to it?

Thank you for listening.

[GoingToMakeIt]

Oh, I am so sorry. A PM is a private message. In the upper right corner is the word Inbox. Click on that and then send a message. You have to make sure you have their name spelled right. (upper & lower case etc) Jacqui805 is the right spelling. the other way to do this is when you see their name 'hover' your mouse over the name. You will see options to send note or send message.
A great resource is in the Health Pages for New pople navigating the site. copy and paste this into your browser.

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Addiction/PLEASE-READ-SITE-NAVIGATION-FOR-NEW-PEOPLE-/show/369?cid=66