Tapering off Fentanyl

[SandDunes]

HI All,
  Im being taken off opiate theropy for pain. I was on the 75mcg patch. Im now down to the 25mcg patch every 72 hours instead of every 48 hours like I was. I have had a fair amount of W/D's.. the runs, fatique etc.... My next change is too the 12.5 patch. Then completly off all pain meds. I have been given 15 ea Clonadine pills.
  Anyone with experience coming off the patch? I hear horrible things about the power of fentayl and also its half life. Does going this low of a dose help at all and does the clonidine help at all?
  Thanks all
-Dez

[avisg]

They are very hard to get off of .I hope you have a doctor to help .You can do this but I know its hard we are here for you

[SandDunes]

Thx Biker Dad,
  Im suppose to take the Clonidine after I stop using the patches.Im suppose to take two pills a day for five days, then drop to one pill a day for the last five.
Yes, it is a fast taper. I violated my pain contract and got fired. I had lost two patches last month due to a heat and high humidy streak here. I lost them in my bed, they got the fuzzies from my sheets stuck on them and were useless.
  I ended up in the ER three days later in full blown w/d's. I have been through w/ds and usualy, it was manable. But never from fentayl. I was loosing fluids by the gallons and I have other health issues and was afraid of dehydrating and stroking out or something. I knew I would be in violation when I walked into the Er that day,but my health meant more to me. The Er Doc was tickled he nailed a person off his meds. He didnt even re-hydrat me or give me something for the runs.The Dr happend to have access to my Dr's records via intranet and asked why I didnt just take my prescribed oxys for breakthrough.I was caught, I had none left.I dont usualy misbehave with the patch.. were talking fentayl here, But oxys are an entirely different thing for me. It is my DOC. It cracked me up cause the ER Doc gave me a script for 3 50mcg patches and MORE OXY"S! I couldnt believe that one.
  Maybe this is for the best, Im single and wish not to bring this into my new life and especialy someone eles life. Ive been on pain meds since the foot operations in 2001. I get to know the true pain levels now. And Im praying the folks here that say your pain is exagerated by opiates are correct.
-Dez    

[BIKERDAD1963]

The clonidine does help but be careful. Use it as directed and dont use it to long. Is it for your final taper or are you using it thru out your taper? sounds like you are tapering pretty rapidly. A 50% taper is brutal. With a propper taper the wd is usually pretty minor. Looks like your taper is just prolonging the innevidable. Sounds like you are handling it well tho. I wish you luck. Keep posting your progress so we can help.