Taking a whole bunch of different things after an accident

[vecchio]

Hi! I'm new here.
I had a bad car accident back in December. I broke my leg, collar bone, scapula, and ribs 4 through 8, and was bashed around real bad. I've been on pain meds since the accident, in and out of the hospital, etc. I weaned myself off of the Percocets (was up to 2 x 10mg, 4 x a day), but I'm still on a Fentanyl (Duragesic generic) 50 mcg/hr patch, and I take an Oxy 10 twice a day. I also take Klonopin .5 mg if I need it for anxiety, and I take Ambien CR to go to sleep, since my leg pain makes it hard to fall asleep (my fracture is still not healed and I'm still in treatment for it).

I am noticing that I can no longer get through 3 days on the Fentanyl patch. By the end of Day 2, I am anxious, achy, restless, unable to concentrate, and the only thing that relieves it is changing the patch out for a new one. I don't understand why this is happening since, in theory, the patch is supposed to deliver 50 mcg per hour over 72 hours - i.e., a steady dosage. So why is my body acting like suddenly after 48 hours, it's not getting enough?  There must be something going on that I don't understand or aren't aware of - anyone who can hip me to what's going on, I'd appreciate it.

My family doc thinks he can successfully wean me off the patches once I'm ready, especially since I beat the percocets myself without help. He has, though, said he can refer me to a pain specialist if I want. The third option is either outpatient rehab or in-patient rehab. WHich is best? Clearly I'm now stuck using a bunch of powerful meds, and I'd like to  get off of them cleanly and only take what is necessary to control my residual pain.

Advice appreciated - thanks, and strength, to all!

[mom2rachie]

Hi.  I'm sorry for what happened to you.  You'll find a lot of people onhere who started out of these medications for legitimate pain and then it just snoballed from there.  You sound like you have your head screwed on right though so good for you!  I bet it was hard weaning off the percocet right?  Congrats to you for doing it.
I don't know anything about the patch but I just wanted to reply and let you know that there is a woman on this site, LOOadysundown I believe) who was or is on them and she can definitely help you.  
being off the meds is all of our ultimate goals and being able to take them correctly when truly needed is definitley mine!
God bless, keep posting and welcome!!

[Gypsygirl66]

I want to say welcome to the site, you'll get lots of support. Yes I believe that ladysundown has been weaning off the patches for quite some time. I was on the patches several years ago and do know that unless you place the patch on a clean area of skin that the relief won't last as long. If you put in an area that has recently had a patch on it the fentnyl wont last the full 3 days. I have no idea about the rehab options, I guess what you would think is best for you after more info.
Good luck in finding whatever helps you get to the recovery you seem to want. This site is full of very good ppl. We will all be here to help you. Take Care
God Bless,
Gtpsy

[FLaddict]

Could there be a reason the patches are not lasting as long.. like are you rolling on them in your sleep.. I have heard of others who have came here had stuff like that happen and didn't even know it.  Ladysundown has been weaning off patches for some time.. her family doc is helping her.. she also got put on them for legitimate pain..  She would be a great one to talk to about this..

[fishmeal]

The main thing is to nip this in the bud and get off of everything.  I didn't know that my little drug ride was going to cost me so much later... they don't tell you that... the only thing dox used to say is that vics were highly addictive~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~DUH!!!!!