Was I weaned off Fentanyl the right way?

I was put on Fentanyl 25mcg every 3 days for about 2 months.  After 2 months my Dr. told me to start changing my patch every 2 days.  This was because the 3rd day for me was always a bad day.  I could feel the pain "I thought".  2 months after that I was told to increase to 50mcg because I wasn't getting the same pain relief.  So now we're at 50mcg every 2 days.  Today-Just over 6 months later....... I want off.  I think the patch might be making me feel worse.  This was my Dr.s Weaning Process: 50mcgs every 2 days for 2 doses, then 25mcg every 2 days for 3 doses, then STOP.  She gave me Catapress .1mg patch to wear for 1wk, maybe 2 if needed.  She doubts I would need the second week.  She also gave Promethazine 25mg to take as needed.  ONce again doubts that I'll need it.  Thinks I'll be just fine if I follow her weaning directions.  WRONG-She was!!!  I removed my last 25mcg patch 5 days ago.  I had every withdrawl (withdrawal) symptom.  The first 2 days were AWFUL!!  I have anxiety, pain, insomnia, NO strength (very weak), and I'm having a hard time breathing.  

[Lisa0345]

You need to call your doctor and let her know what is going on.  Take a look thru the health pages there are a lot of things to help you thru the withdrawl (withdrawal) process.  There is the amino acid protocol and the Thomas recipe, both will help you a lot.  How long were you on the patch?  I mean if you were only on the patch for a couple of months, then I do not see anything wrong with the way your doctor told you to come off the patch.  Did you take something prior to that?  What lead you to taking the patch?  Good Luck and God Bless   I am here for you if you have any other questions and there are a lot of people on this site that you be here for you also.  
Lisa
Jacksonville,FL  

[jstntime]

So your doctor's brilliant taper plan is to have your dose cut in half for 6 days then to stop all together.

It's ridiculous.  The general rule of thumb is a 10% reduction every 3 days which I NEVER thought was enough time to adjust.

Your plan is to reduce by 50% for 6 days then reduce 100% to nothing.  As far as tapers go, you might just as well go cold turkey because your detox on this "taper" will merely make you feel like crap for an extra 6 days.

I would talk to your doctor about this as Lisa said.  There are lower strength patches than the 25's.  Also, some of the patches can be cut as well.  Please ensure yours are the ones that can be cut before attempting this.  The ones with the visible gel in them CANNOT be cut.

Tell your Doctor you believe your taper needs to be a bit more gradual if you really begin to suffer.

Goodluck,

bob

[martikadragoon]

Just a reminder to take all advice with a grain of salt. no offense to any of the other posters but I've been told Fentanyl patches should never be cut, they can release too much of the medication too quickly in the bloodstream resulting in an overdose.  Others like Lidoderm patches (lidocaine) can be cut safely. but I was only told this by 1 medical professional so I haven't gotten more opinions about it. My mom was on Fentanyl patches and got off because she noticed that after about 6 hrs without the patch she'd begin to have severe withdrawal symptoms.



As the other 2 posters said, talk to your doctor about them. there are lower strength patches. if your suffering such serious withdrawal symptoms then your med is being reduced too quickly. If your doctor is not open to trying to taper more gradually I'd suggest seeing another doctor.

[jstntime]

I was prescribed the patch that clearly stated it could be cut for reducing dosage.  Some patches have the drug directly in the film evenly spread.

The patches whereby you can easily see the gel within a "pouch" cannot be cut because they release all of the gel and can be dangerous.  You simply need to ask the pharmacy if the ones you have can be split.  It will also state this in the literature which comes in the box.

This is a nasty drug and Heather is wise to want to stop.

[pharma9]

Matrix patches can be cut safely.The reservoir ones can not.