How do I wean off of Fentanyl patches???

[JRu605]

Due to many neck and back chronic pain issues, my doctor prescribed me these 50 mcg Fentanyl patches to be changed every 72 hours.  I was heavily addicted to Percocet and Opanas for several years so I thought this would really help me out. I have been on them about 3 months now and my health insurance has just been canceled. I have 3 of the patches left and need to know what to do to wean off and then stop them completely. I cut one in half to make a 25 mcg patch and was fine for a day and a half then the withdrawal came on super strong. The one i have on now is 3/4 of a 50 mcg patch and i have felt ok until last nite when i started withdrawing again. Couldnt sit still, could sleep, felt nauseas, so i stuck the other 1/4 patch on. Since I no longer have insurance is there any other way to get off of these damn things? How about Suboxone or anything else? Any help would be GREATLY appreciated. Thank you!!!!!

[skmedlin27703]

Have you told your doctor about loosing your insurance and asked to be switched to something cheaper? I felt that Morphine Sulfate works as well if not better than the Fentanyl and is cheaper.  Or maybe check out the needymeds.org website... it has patient assistance program information and coupons for some medications... hope this information helps....

[marycarmel]

Fentanyl can be tough to come off.  Can you ask the prescribing doctor if he can taper you down with something less expensive?  When I was on them, my prescriptions came with a coupon for $50 or $25 off.  You could contact the manufacturer and see if they can be of assistance to you.

If you've already dealt with withdrawals from other opiates, then you have an idea of what it's like.  The Thomas Recipe does help alleviate some of the symptoms.  Make sure you stay hydrated.

Wish I had better suggestions, but I don't.  Hopefully someone else might.