What is the best way to get off the fentanyl patch

I was in an automobile accident over a year ago, I have been on the fentanyl patch since then, still have a lot of pain but I want off this patch BAD! They are trying to have me keep it on a day longer but I am having severe withdrawal symptoms severe sweats, bone cold, feeling like i'm coming out of my skin, anxiety, irritability, and muscle pain.  

[painful5112]

I really need help here, I am still in so much pain, have a torn ACL, meniscus damage, have osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and still have pain where I broke my foot, ankle, leg, arm, and from my neck surgery. Does anyone have any recommendations?

[criminy1]

I don't have any experience with fentayl. Can anyone that does offer some advice?

[mellie4]

I tapered down on the dosage a bit and didn't feel any withdrawals.  Then when I was having trouble switching to a lower dose, I switched to a lesser long acting med and am tapering down from there.

[LeaAnn807]

This is something you should really talk with your doc about.  Switching to another med would work.  Taking clonidine would help.  There are lots of things the doctor can do to help you, but you are not gonna feel really great!  There are some OTC things you can buy that will help some, but you're going to feel yucky for a while.  Sorry! : (

[hmf099]

Fentanyl is STRONG! I don't have experience with it personally (which is probably a good thing, with the compulsiveness of my addiction I would have had a LOT of problems with a drug like this), but I know there are people on here who have dealt with it so you should get more answers soon. I would definitely talk to your doctor though as your having such severe withdrawal symptoms, they should be able to make you more comfortable.

[mellie4]

It definitely can be done.  I told my doctor I wanted off.  We've tapered off a lot of things and I've really just had mild withdrawals ... a little annoying but nothing that's going to stop you.  I do find my rebound pain can get pretty bad but I just breathe through it and tell myself I have to wait this out.  It's definitely worth it.  Truthfully, tapering off the Fentanyl wasn't bad.  It's been a little harder with the rest of the taper.  But I need to know where my real pain level is.  So far I've got off the Fentanyl, oxycodone, and Cymbalta.  I still have a ways to go.

See if your doctor will help you get off this stuff.  While it's a great medicine for the people who need it, I believe I never should have been put on it.

[fiddleneck]

If you must come off the fentany, do it slowly. It sounds like you still have significant pain. which will lead you right back to the fentanyl or some other opiate. Perhaps Norco can provide breakthrough pain relief. I would suggest that you let your body heal a bit more, and start simple exercises and stretches, but don't overdo it. I've been on morphine for eight years and fentanyl for two years after. My pain has diminished, but I;'m taking it slow to get off the meds. Just be nice to yourself and healing will happen over time