Coming off the Patch

[ALiteHeart]

Hi, I am new to your site but was referred here by my doc.  I am a heart patient.  LONG story...but the short of it is I have been sick for 12 years.  I was put on percocet, morphine (slow release) and oxycontin for 6 years then they put me on the fentanyl patch.  I am at on 75mg and have been for 6 years with a supplement of percocet (120 a month) for breakthrough pain.  This stuff if killing me and I have finally talked my physician into letting me come off.  He says its hell and the more I read I believe this.  I am starting on the 50mg in two weeks (the taper).  I never abused the meds and complained constantly of the addiction ability.  The pain med docs just kept saying "don't worry about it".  Right, they are not the ones having to deal with this.  I just printed the Thomas Recipe and am off to the health food store today.  I am now terrified that I cannot come off this stuff.  Does anyone know the impact the withdrawal can have on the heart and blood pressure.  I have restrictive cardiomyopathy (need a heart transplant), my 8th pacemaker is coming up on Aug 16th and I am on 8 meds for hypertension. (Pressure runs in the 190/110 range and they can't control it).  Everyone here seems to be so knowledgeable on the nightmares of these meds.  Any advice would be so very appreciated, I feel like I am now up against another losing battle.  Thanks so much and God bless!

[shelby74]

Welcome and I am so sorry to hear of the way the doc's have treated you.  I am not sure what to tell you with your heart condition - but I do know that clodine (sp?) helps with the blood pressure and w/d's.  marcatj can tell you more about it.  I am going to order it today.  I will be stopping cold turkey again and want some relief.  Please talk to your doc though first.  I am not sure what impact it would have on your heart.

all my best,

shel

[TimH2]

I didn't know in the beginning that I would have w/d's. I used to take as prescribed and after 6 months, I took them for other reasons. I remember when I would run out and always thought that it was the flu. I researched and found this forum. I knew in my heart that they would get me addicted. I still took them and wish so much that I hadn't. I left a post for Lady Sundown on the other forum. She can help you a lot and will be on later. Keep checking the post for her. I feel bad that you are hurting. You aren't babbling and we are here to support you and never judge anyone. You did not abuse your pills, but the outcome is still the same. Take care of yourself.

God Bless,
Tim

[ALiteHeart]

Thanks for the welcome.  I have already learned so very much just from reading different post.  My doc didn't know what to say when I told him the medical world was creating hell for people under the misguidance of helping.  I did my homework on all my meds before I started taking them (side effects, what would mix with what, etc).  I constantly asked about the addiction of these pain killers and was always told how they could be stopped with no problem.  I think my outrage comes from the fact that I was so boldly lied to and then I feel rather stupid that I didn't see what was coming.  They just kept saying to me that I would be fine if I did not abuse the meds.  I was almost phobic over that.  I never took a pill before the time that was allowed, I never took more than prescribed and now I realize that I still will face all the horrible withdrawals of these meds.  I have a dear friend who just went through withdrawal from meth. I thought that was the most horrible thing I could think of and now I am facing this because of the wonderful world of doctors who are not honest.  Sorry for babbling on...just is nice to vent.  Thanks to all who listen.  God bless!
Susan

[TimH2]

Welcome to the forum. I understand that getting of the fentanyl patch takes time and you should cut back slowly. There is a woman on the other forum by the name of Lady Sundown and she has gone through the w/d's from the patch. I will let her know that you are here and she can offer some advice. She has been off for over 2 weeks, I think but not sure.

God Bless,
Tim