going off fentanyl patch

[live2bclean]

I am a recovering addict who has had chronic back pain for almost 20yrs. 3trs ago I had lumbar decompresion and fusion and thought I would be better off wrong the equipment feels worse almost than the back pain anyway I;ve been on the fentanyl patch for 100's for 2 yrs and I would like to come off I took an addictions course and I am an addictions counsellor I was taught that some times being on the patch makes you feel more pain than their accually is that alot fo it is in your mind due to having addiction problems does anyone out there know or believe this is true?

[Susan252]

I have severe scoliosis with a steel rod attached, degenerative disc disease of the spine, spinal stenosis, rheumatoid, osteo, and fibromyalgia.  I was in recovery for 5 years and quit going, and it's been downhill ever since.  Doc prescribed me vicadin with 5 refills so I just took them when I needed them which was a lot.  I actually got myself pain free, I was walking around, functioning very well, but the euphoric effect got less and less.  Now only a half a pill helps the pain and believe it or not I still get that euphoric feeling.  Unfortunately that's not good.  But I am weaning and planning to get off of these.  
I am currently having injections in my lower back, novalcaine, they only last a few days but they do this first to see if they work and if they do then they will do something called radiofrequency ablation, which will give me pain relief for 7months to a year.  The short term shots are working so that means I am a candidate for the long term.  Have you considered doing something like that?  It is done with laser I think, and they will put you to sleep if you want.  I tried the patch years ago, I did not realize that they were habit forming also.  Wow, probably getting a lower dose to wean would be good.  I think eventually all these medicines have a rebound effect and quit working.  Good luck to you, isn't this a great site?  

[JacksGramma24]

I am currently tapering off the Fentanyl patch. This has been one of the hardest things I've ever done and I'm not an addict. I was prescribed the patches for active Crohn's Disease, arthritis in my lower back and bulging discs in my neck. We got the Crohn's under control with Humira shots twice a week. Went to a pain clinic for a nerve block on my lower back and a steroid injection in my neck. Now that my pain is under control I am happy to get off all these meds but no one told me what it was going to be like.  Last week was pure hell!  I'm still taking my Vicodin until I can get off the patches and the doctor gave me Clonidine to help with the withdrawals. That's been my life saver. Puts me to sleep but at least I'm not crawling out of my skin 24/7!!  I have dropped from 50mg to 25mg and I'm into week 2.  It's still not easy but with my family to help me I can get through this and so can you!!!!!!