How to get off the Fentanyl patch?

[A man of faith]

After having a nerve condition called reflex sympathetic dystrophy a lot of the symptoms miraculasly disappeared!  Unfortunately for over 7 years I've been on the Duragesic Fentanyl patch....2 100's every other day.  I've cut down to 100 every 3 days, but the pain is just awful some times.  Would it be best just to quit cold turkey to get it over with or continue slowly reducing it.  I would sure like to be off it to see how I'm really doing.

[FLaddict]

actually there is someone here consistantly who has been cutting down her patches for some time. she would be the one to talk to about her experience. Ladysundown.
other than that, welcome you are in the right place. we are all coming off some kinda drugs.. mostly pain meds. i have no clue about those patches but i understand they are a ***** to come off of. so i wish you the best. anything you need just post..

[A man of faith]

Thank you kindly.  
Although I'm very fortunate to have such an understanding wife, and family, but there are still some things a person has to face alone.
I hope the best for you as well.

[bugsy89734]

well, you are in the right place....if you go c/t it will be hell for 4-5 days,,nausea,vomiting,sweats,,sleeplessness,,ect ect ect,,fentanyl patch's act in the same manor as any other opiod and they are a ****** to get off,,The withdrawls are pretty wicked,,I would suggest to go to your doctor and talk to him maybe he can wean you off of them,,100's then 75's,,then 50's..ecttt,,oh best of luck,,bugzz

[A man of faith]

Thank you buggsy for your comments.  I'm brand new, but at least I don't believe I'm alone any more.

[stormie_one]

eek do not try cold turkey after 7 yrs... I have been on tramadol off and on for 3 years. I say off and on because when the scrip run's out is is usually for about 2 weeks, then I get it again. I sure wish I was strong anough to not get the scrip I have coming in 5 or 6 day's.
Tapering off, weening yourself is best way, unless ther is ultra rapid detox, which, I do nont know about you, but I KNOW I cannot aford. I do not have a good support team here to help me. My husband is an alcholic (spledd right of course). Good luck,

[FLaddict]

you are certainly not alone. this forum is filled with hundreds of your best friends. and we are all helping each other try to live with out abusing out pain meds.

[A man of faith]

I am so sorry your husband has his own problems stormie.
That's rotten.
However, I will consider your advice of not just doing a radical thing by just quitting cold turkey.  I guess patience can be a virtue.
With the nerve condition I was struck down with some of the doctors wanted to slice/dice me.
Or put in a unit that vibrates the pain out.
Or put in a morphine drip.  And other stuff.
I didn't give into that stuff because from reading medical books all those options eventually fail, and a person becomes worse off then before eventually.
I'm glad to find out there are other's here although I wish other's didn't have to go through these attempts and success' of with drawel.
I thought the patch was the least of the evils, and did help me to finally get some sleep. And helped with the pain.
Thank you for your responses.  The encouragement is simply terrific.

[LadySundown]

I have been on the fentanyl patches for over a year. I started at 100mcg. They are changed every three days. The dose you're on isn't so bad now but I have never heard of anyone being on 200mcg and changing it every two days. I'm glad you were able to get the dose down.You have been on them a long time so PLEASE don't try to c/t. It takes a while to taper off of fentanyl. Maybe you could talk to your Dr. about this. You didn't abuse your patches so finding medical help to help you taper shouldn't be hard.

There is a method to detox off fentanyl that some Dr's. agree with, although it's not for me. They use methadone for a couple of weeks and take the patches off right before you start it. They say you get off the methadone before you become addicted to it.

I'm glad you found this forum and hope you will keep posting. Have you had any trouble with the patches sticking?? I started a 100mcg and am now wearing one 25mcg and one 12 patch. I hope to cut this week to just the 25.

I understand what you mean about wanting to get off of strong opiates so you can see what kind of pain you're dealing with. My hope is you will find your pain level tolerable. If not, you might be able to use an painkiller that isn't so strong.

AGAIN...don't try to c/t. You have been on the fentany too long and at very high doses at times. Also, you have to figure in the lenght of time you have used the patches. Talk to your Dr. and make a plan to decrease your use. I know you're probably tired of the duragesic, as I am. I wish you luck and please keep posting.
Take Care....LS

[bowhunter71064]

i just started fentanyl patch a month ago. on a 50 but only works for 2 days feel like im gonna crawl out of my skin on day 2 talked to doc he says give it time itll balance out and i wont feel like this is it true right now idont want to put new patch on.but iknow if i dont after work im really gonna hurt.i just want live pain free is there anything non narcotic i could use for pain.i only want to go through w/ts one time i hate this feeling.sure confussing living without back pain or crawling out of my skin.the thing is with my w/ds i dont want any thing to fix it.please dont take offence anyone in i mean no dissrespict you people scare me into wanting live in pain i mean to say is im afraid of addiction.my doc says theres a difference between addicition and tolerance it got to be a really fine line thanks the bowhunter

[A man of faith]

Thank you so much Lady Sundown for that information.  I've tried for some time to find out on line how that works.  I did talk to my pharmacist, and she says the same as you.
The last time I took a patch was on Sunday, and here it is a little after five (central time).
I'm fortunate because I used to not be able to go ourside unless it was eight degrees or hotter.  Other wise I'd end up in bed for awhile.
I'm only a little scared of this stuff now.  Its kind of topsy turvey because the Duragesic patch used to be a kind of security blanket that would even help with walking, and sleeping.
But now trying to get off of it has been suprisingly hard.  Where it once helped me now its turned around into a tough chore to get rid of.
I'm into my fifth week at half of what it was (200) every other day.
What I had is relex sympathetic dystrophy, and it was a bear.  A lot of those symptoms have disappeared which is a good thing.
I hope the best for you, and it was nice getting to meet so many kind people who are also struggling.

[A man of faith]

Oh yes.
I used to have all kinds of trouble with the patches sticking and staying on.  All the time.  But then I used to let someone always help me put them on.
But now I really squeeze those suckers on, and push hard.
I even can take a patch off for a bath, and am able to put the same one on after, by sheer strength I think.

[suprglyde]

I hear ya.  I have been on them for over four years (100's), and I want off.  Do what you have to bro, but DO SOMETHING.  I am always here.

[LadySundown]

I'm sure all of this talk about fentanyl patches has made you uncomfortable.You may be one of the few that actually need the fentanyl. 50mcg isn't that much.

What you are seeing here is people who have been on them for a while and want off to see where their pain level really is, and to see if something weaker will work.

Please don't feel that I am saying you shouldn't be on what the Dr. has you on. I'm no Dr. and sometimes I feel like I'm not even human. (bad hair day..etc) Forgive my humor. I just don't want you to feel as isolated as I did when I came to this forum because I was the only one on the patches at that time. Now there is you, and suprglyde and man in faith. At this time we're trying to get off them but we have been on them too long. Call on any of us if you need help or need to ask a question.

Take Care....LS

[A man of faith]

What a relief and a joy to know of other's on this board with a similar experience.  The information and encouragement may be more then I deserve, but I like it, I like it.
I was foolishly trying to go cold turkey yesterday, but when my head was a poppin', dizzy, and other fun things I just went down to a 75 from the hundred. When I read that I could be having rough with drawel after 4 or five days after being on the Duragesic patch it cooled my heels I can tell you. You all are the best I think.  And it gives one a chance to commiserate with someone who has really been through this.  I was at the top of what I could take, and I'd still need 4 pain pills sometimes to get through the pain.
However, through other's prayers for me a lot of the symptoms have dissipated from RSD, and I'm very grateful for that.
And now I have more to be thankful for by finding this site.
Thank you for your comments.  This is quite a relief.

[badlandz]

i,m trying to ween off of 25 mg i,ve been on them 4 a month and a 1/2 and perocet 6 times a day for 4 years for djd does anyone know of something better for pain. just can,t stand the patches

[GoingToMakeIt]

I would recommend starting a new post. This one is old and you need to hear from those who have done this. Fentanyl is a real bear to get off of and you will want all the ammo you can to do this right.

[littleme13]

does anyone know how long you have to wait before taking suboxone after removing the durgesic patch

[amigamaria001]

Hi - I am new to this thread but I badly need some answers.  PLEASE!
I have been on Fentanyl patch for 7 years.  I have cronic pain from a disease.  over the years I was on 150 mcg/hr but weaned myself off to 25 mcg/hr.  I am now down to 12 mcg/hr every two days - but the tweeking and withdrawls are really wicked!  I am trying to get off the patch completely but it's so tough - I just don't know how!   Any help would be greatly appreciated.  I'd rather deal with the pain than the addiction.

[mtgoat911]

good luck on your taper, i have used those patched before, just a few times
i still felt detoxie after taking off the first one
i can only imagine what you are going through
be strong, you are worth every bit of life recovery has in store for you
xo

[boothole]

I have been on these Fentanyl patches (100 mcg) for about a year and I am desparately looking for a way off them. HELP! I've hed many medical problems lately and ended up on the "patch".

What I would really like to know is: Is it possible to ween off the patch? Right now I'm more concerned about what is happening to me mentally than physically. Has anyone ever heard of weening off? No doctor I've seen has an answer for me. I was told Suboxone isn't for me. I heard once about detoxing at a place somewhere and that sounds very expensive.

Is weening possible?

Thank you for reading this and any help you might provide.

[Ga Guy]

You're posting on very old posts..and many people may not answer because they will miss it. Click the green "post a question" box at the top of the page and post your question as a new post. Then people will answer.

[divineblessmae]

just wanted to know if you are able to put a patch on for one day and then take it off the next and re-apply it later??? is there any combinatino of these things that work? I ran out of my oxycodone and i need about 3 days worth of medication and i have had this fentenyl patch for a little while and i am thinking i will have no other choice... but is it going to be too much???

mae

[HITMAN187]

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

[patchjockey]

Hi, I have been on pain management for a botched surgery for over 5 years and the patch is the only thing that works for me. I am presently on 50mcg every 3 days and sometimes I try to stretch it to 4 days. My pain doc specializes in these meds and is extremely strict about going to other docs to ask for meds and such. I asked him the other day how to taper off painlessly and he told me to only use half of the patch. To do that, you only cut off half of the backing. You do have to tape the patch on if you do this. It takes twice as long for the medicine to dispense. He says he has had patients that did this until they were completely off and it was very easy and not unpleasant. You are trying to get off of something that works the same way heroin or crack or anything addictive works so it will not be a cakewalk. I am also curious to see what my pain levels would be without but I know if it's too much, I will have his support. I commend you for trying to find out how to do it properly before just doing it and suffering the consequences. Since I work full time in IT and maintain important data centers I can't have a situation where I can concentrate and function so I am very grateful to have found this medication. Fentanyl saved my life as I was ready to give up when he started me on them. I was on Oxycontin and it screwed me up to where I almost lost a really good job. I swear that will never enter my system again. Anyway, good luck and try it the way my doc says to. He spends alot of time researching these things and I trust his judgement without questions......Good luck

He also gave me OPANA for breakthrough and told me to use it accordingly. He is

[moosewatcher]

I am 27 yrs old diagnosed with Rhematoid arthritis and fibromyalgia.. I started the fent patch about a year ago along with taking vicodin and soma( muscle relaxer) I am wanting to get off the patch due to the reason one of my friends had a patch leak into her blood steam and she died?!? I am scared as ever but every time I try to get off them .. oh wow the side effects from not haing it, is awful... anyone have any thought on helping me get off.. I ahve three kids and want to see them grow up and live life with them, but I can't stand the pain with out the patch.. I am kinda in a rock and a hard spot?