Fentanyl patch detox

[mrfixitall]

I have been on the fentanyl patches since 2003 and am up to the 100 mg/h patch for the past year. I still have breakthrough pain and take percocets 10/325 twice a day. My physician refered me to a pain management Dr. because he said as a GP he couldn't prescribe anything stronger and on my 1st appt. with the pain mgt dr. he said he wants me to enter detox right away as he believes the medication is actualy causing the pain to be worse. I am stunned. I am now on disability and am feeling so much better on the regiment I am on now and actualy think I could go back down to the 75mg/h patch if I have the percocets for the other breakthrough pain. I am scared to death that I will go through detox and still be in pain but unable to get my medications since the pain mgt dr. doesn't believe in using any narcotics for pain unless absolutely necessary. I took my patch off when it was due to change it every two days and whithin 7 hours was lying in bed shaking like a leaf crying and my legs wouldn't stay still. I finaly couldn't take it anymore and put on my patch and 4 hours later started getting some relief. I am nearly 60 years old and have copd emphysema from 20 years foundry work. I am afraid I will end up buying street drugs for the pain or worse. I actualy wanted to die while going through the wd symptoms when the patch was off.
My big thing is I am finaly pretty comfortable while on my meds and have never abused them but so don't want to go back to living in pain. Can anyone give me some insight about this and your opinion? What do I have to look forward to if I do detox and is it dangerous for someone in my condition? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[SpiritWolfSpirit]

Hi, I can empathize with your situation. I was on high doses of prednison for 7 years and was geting worse. In the hospital every other month, in emergency 2-3 times a month. The last 2 times, I actually flatlined. After 11 years, I decided to change doctors. New doctor started me on Xolair injections and slowly weaned me off the prednisone. Problem was, prednisone weakened my bones, tore my tendons, etc and after I was weaned off the prednisone, started experiencing horrible pain and also broke my hip and 2 ribs. Asthma sent me to pain management dr. I got up to 20/650mg Norco every 4-6 hours. I started noticing withdrawl symptoms. Chills, shaking, pain, restless leg syndrome and creepy feeling throughout my body. Dr. put me on Fentanyl 25mg, then 50mg. and cut my Norco down to 10/325mg every 4-6 hrs. Feeling better but so afraid because I have COPD and I noticed breathing is a bit harder. My pharmacist keeps warning me about the pain meds, especially Fentanyl but I have to have them. Pain is unbearable. I am keeping close attention to breathing because since my dr started me on Xolair, my asthma seemed not existent. I was so happy and thought I could start living again. I haven't had that much relief in many, many years and I don't want it to flare up again. I am going on 65 years old in May 2013 and I just want to live my remaining years LIVING LIFE. Stay in touch anyone who can relate and let me know of progress. Email: ***@**** SpiritWolf

[TheMadMan]

Read your post and understand what is happening to you. I have been on Fentanyl patch (50mcg) since Jan 2012, and found it was not helping my pain but my doctor was 'trying' to accommodate' my pain issues any way he could. By June 2012, I was down to 108 pounds not knowing it. When the pain medication started interfering with my digestive tract and pancreas, it scared the hell out of me and I had to stop.
First of all...Don't create fear of what will happen. Each person is different and the strength to get off this devil is the start of the incentive that is needed. Just keep your mind focused on what you have to do for yourself and your health. You have got to have the mental strength to want to go through this and from my research on line, I have not found anyone in the medical community that will offer anything else except rehab. If you do not think you have the mental strength to go through this, read up on rehab and what they offer. One way or another, you have got to find the mental strength to get off this devil. It will destroy your minds thinking and body over time.
Don't create fear! The fear of getting off this medication is the focus you really need. Yes, I will be honest, I am 59 y/o and went through this cold turkey when I saw how much control this drug had over me. I had no choice! It is now over a month off this drug and I am gaining energy, eating and taking healthy walks to keep the endorphins pumping. Vitamins and hydration are also a healthy part of what is needed to be done, to put your body in repair mode.
You have got to get your mind set on what you want to do to help yourself, keep yourself focused and build strength to do this. That is the major accomplishment to start and from there, it takes even more strength to do this. Build that mental strength, get as much support as you can, in any way you can, even if you have to join a group. I will be honest to say, this is a very hard devil to clean your system out of BUT IT CAN BE DONE!
Research people on line who have gone through this. Educate yourself on building your health back up again. I will take time but as you see the positive results and realize your thinking is clearer and you recognize your body is cleaning itself out, you will feel more energy and see positive results.
I know this is a hard road to go down. I know FEAR is what worked for me when I saw what this drug was doing to me but that is MY situation. Keep yourself tuned into people who want to help you through this and put the fear into strength. Hope you can make it through but I will keep posting in anyway I can to help. Seriously, it can be done. I have done it but there are other people who have beaten this devil and the need to want to beat this devil is the start to a healthy and mental state of being. Taking control and not letting the drugs take control is the focus here and the mental attitude is the best way to start.
Good luck and work on taking back your life.

[selfinduced]

I know your fear and so empathize . Without knowing your medical history, and not being a dr. anyways, I have to commend your pain management guy. What he says may or may not be true, but you won't know till you detox and see what pain level is. 60 is the new 30 and you have a whole life ahead of you. From experience and what I have read, the pain does go away when the narcotics are stopped. Crazy riddles I know, but so true. Give this Dr. a shot and go with it, if nothing else to prove him wrong. What do you have to lose?? Prayers and support your way.