Fentynal withdraw and best time to get off after surgery. And 10/325 Percocet

[SophieLaRue]

I maybe be facing a third surgery due to a dr not fusing my neck properly. I want off of these meds so bad. They have. Caused fuel for depression and feeling bed bound , I want to walk so bad on my treadmill but yet I cannot over heat because it causes the Fentynal  to release to much at once, I am stuck! I am already cutting down on the Percocet but not sure if the timing is good until after surgery, I am n pain management and I am sure my dr will help because he is completely aware of what I have gone through with this dr . He is in a lot of trouble here locally and there are over 450 lawsuites against him , he has even fled the country . Anyway I want to cut back on what I can now to try to do some exercising to gain some loss of strength before surgery to help mr in recovery. So what would anyone recommend for what I am facing? I am concerned not only the three levels of fusion that was done will include more levels. I have been on 100 mugs for about a year 1/2 and want to have the dr lower me safely . So should I attempt this now? Or wait and see after surgery. And even after surgery try my best not to use anything more for breakthrough pain unless I am out of my mind in pain . I know all these meds have taken my quality of life go way down. I want my life back and the weight gain since I have not been able to be functional has made me really depressed and not being allowed to drive over this has confined me to be stuck at home , and taking showers and baths have interfered at lot because with experience these patches are not waterproof as they claim. So any advice is welcomed. I am thru with this mess and want to reclaim my quality of life again. Thank you

[Merri123]

I agree. But you have to taper down slowly.

My husband was drugged up totally (listed all above) bc he really needed spinal surgery done. Bc of what he was on, most surgeons wouldn't touch him. Fear of keeping him under safely for the long surgery and then the wds he would be in after. We finally found one who believed he needed it and did the surgery. It took forever to prep him. Then after well over an hour to stabilize him bc he was in full wd.

So yes, being off the fentanyl patch or down low will be a huge benefit to you. Just keep your percocets like they are.

[clean_in_ks]

First....I really LOVE your forum name.....it's quite beautiful ;)

Second, I have read thru both of your threads/posts here and am so sorry for the troubles you have endured.  Having surgery can be traumatizing enough with a qualified surgeon....so sad to read of your past dr and experience with him.

Third, if you fell and hit your head and have blood in your ears...it would seem very prudent to make sure you don't have a head injury, internal bleeding, etc.  Hope you did....or will go soon.. to have that checked out.

Lastly, my opinion may differ from some about the timing of weaning off the fentanyl patches and your "possible" surgery in the future.  It is my understanding that you are in a "wait and see" mode with a NEW surgeon.  You haven't seen this new surgeon yet and don't know any details yet, right?  In the meanwhile, you are still seeing a pain mgmt. dr and this dr would be willing to help you wean off the fentanyl patch, right?

If I got all that correct......my opinion is that right NOW....you are WAY OVER MEDICATED!!  The symptoms you describe about your walking, falling, your dizziness, your numbness, your weakness and bedridden state are ALL possible side affects from the Fentanyl.  It is VERY STRONG....each person's body chemistry varies a lot....and what you describe sounds like TOO MUCH for your body right now.
If you were able to work with your pain mgmt. dr and immediately begin weaning down....you will feel A LOT better.  Your tolerance to opiates is probably very high right now if you have been on that same dose of Fentanyl for a year and a half.  You would do much better should you have to have surgery if you weaned off the patch PRIOR to surgery.  They (the medical personnel) could control your pain better too if your tolerance wasn't so high.  
I had been awaiting my surgery for SO LONG and my tolerance was SO HIGH...they had a great deal of trouble controlling my pain without putting me at risk.  
Just some food for thought.....as you await a new appt with a new surgeon.

[Jinx_777]

you NEED to get to the ER.  tell them you are NOT there for pain medicine, but to be seen becausae of fall.  the bleeding and headaches are very concerning.  you need to make sure there is no bleeding or swelling in your head.

i recently detoxed off of 50 mcg of fentanyl and it was the worst thing i ever experienced.  make sure your doctor slowly decreases your patch by 12.5 at a time.  NOT 25 mcg.  ex  instead of a 75 mcg patch from 100, tell them a 75t  AND a 12.5.  if they try to drop you by 25 at a time, set them straight and tell them only decrease by 12.5 at a time.

don't even think about stopping percs yet.  you will NEED them for the fentanyl detox.

but, get through your surgery BEFORE addressing stopping your meds.

first things first, get to the ER

[Merri123]

Ok Sophia you need to go to the ER. If you are still having those symptoms you need to be seen. Make a list of what you have been feeling to give to them. They will know who your dr is. And what you are on is not a huge amount. My husband was on 125mcg fentanyl, Dilaudid, percs, xanax,flexeril and norco. Yes all at once.

Don't worry about what they may think. Your symptoms must be looked at. Get an MRI and make sure you are ok. Please!!!

[SophieLaRue]

It is so stressful during the waiting game of getting back in to see the surgeon . One thing concerns me was I guess I should of gone to the hospital but didn't due to not wanting to be treated as an addict after a fall I had a week or so ago. I have been having issues once in awhile because whatever this guy did to my lumbar spine is under investigation. But on 4 occasions I got up and was stepping on my own foot not feeling it at all. I feel slammed my head into the wall and the next day I felt terrible. I have had vertigo since he also did his surgeries and not balanced is off. But when you literally have no feeling to even feel that your stepping on your own foot to and falling is another ball game. Anyway my right ear didn't feel right so I got a q-tip and there was blood in the ear. I am feeling so bad I keep thinking that needs to be known and the last few weeks I cannot seam to get out of bed. I feel myself weakening. Even when I am in bed I feel like I have motion sickness and I do have medicine to help vertigo. But why did my left ear bleed when I fell and hit the right the right side of my head? I have had migraines since the dr did his damage but since the fall am feeling really weak. Is there possible bleeding going on in my neck still or what could of caused it?
  

[msdelight]

I agree honey, have your doctor taper the fentynal at his discretion with the ultimate goal of getting off of it entirely. This will probably last beyond the surgery. Use the percocet as directed for now and after surgery. When you're finally off the fentynal you can access your pain and begin getting off the percs. Hope you feel better soon.

[Merri123]

You need to taper on fentanyl. So basically you are on 100 mcgs.  Your doctor will cut it down each month when you get your prescription. So maybe 75 next month, then 50, 25, 12.5.  Are however your dr wants to to do. Fentanyl withdrawal is not fun. So I would say go slow.

How much Percocet do you take? You may want to keep that to help you as you lessen the fentanyl. Then when fentanyl is finally done, you can do what is needed wor the Percocet.

Do you know when you next surgery will be?