Please help...support for weaning off fentanyl and new here

[arnsmom]

I have been on 37mcg for almost a year along with 7.5/325 percs 6-10 times per day. I am doing this myself. I looked in the mirror the other day and felt as if I was staring at stranger. Made the decision that I am done and I want my life back. I have gone down weekly from the 37 to 25 to 18 to now 12.5. I am also taking 5/500 hydros 2 times daily.

How should I finish the taper?? So far...I have not had real bad w/d. My appetite is down and I am suffering from stomach issues. I go from so tired I can barely open my eyes to horrid insomnia.

i just want to know what to expect from here. I am planning to cut my 12.5 in half for a week and then stop completely.

any advice for a newbie like me??

[arnsmom]

Thanks for the advice...and yes...I do have the patches that can be cut in half. My plan was to be off the pills and patch at the same time....but after reading what others have to say, maybe that is not such a great idea.

I go to a pain clinic and have an appt the end of the month...they however...do not know that I am weaning off. I plan to tell them where I am in the scheme of things once I get there and see what they tell me to do.

Today has actually been my hardest day so far. I have hot and cold sweats...go from fine to crying at the drop of a hat....my appetite is bad...the only thing that sounds good is sherbert and ritz crackers.

Its nice to have people to chat with that have been and some are where I am at...makes me feel like Im not crazy after all... :)

[pharma9]

I do not suggest cutting the fentanyl patch if it is a reservoir type.If it is a matrix type it is ok to cut because the drug is in the glue that comes in contact with the skin.If not matrix and cut ,the drug may release all at once and cause overdosage esp since you have already decreased your dose.
You could probably wear the patch longer because the drug decreases as you wear it but does not completely disappear out of the patch.
I am not sure if taping off half the patch and having only 1/2 the patch contact the skin would work.I have read different theories
1..the reservoir type can still flow into the skin and does not produce decrease in dose
2. as long as only 1/2 the patch is in contact with the skin,person only gets 1/2 dose.
True if you cut the patch only 1/2 the drug is available,but the 1/2 can flow into the skin too fast and cause overdose.
Try to get a matrix patch and you can cut it safely.
I*f you still have percs,they will definitely help with the withdrawal from fentanyl,but try to control those as well .
I have a dear old 86 year old lady who decided to stop her fentanyl patch herself and did so.She has not used the patch for 3 weeks.She had wanted to also stop her dilaudid,but I told her no...take your time with that one.She was only takin dilaudid 2 mg twice a day.
I phoned her a couple of days ago and she told me she was doing OK,but definitely had to keep on with the dilaudid.
I had sent her all the vitamins etc.
Maybe her innocence made her not realize the withdrawals she would encounter..but she is coming along OK.

[joycee418]

Hello,
Frist I like to say that I am very proud of you for making the choice to get off this Nasty Pills. All that this pills do is keep us in Chains.  I am so so happy to know that you want your life back. You dont know I did too! I was on Lortab for 14 years off and on. I am not a Dr, but I can say keep slowly tappering off. Do you have enough to do this?? Drink lots of water,multi vitamins. The stomach thing is normal. If you can buy Aloe Juice at the health Food Store. I had stomach Problem and it helps coat the stomach. I drink it twice a day. Helps with your linning of your stomach. If you cant keep your eyes open and need sleep, take the sleep. About the imsomia, you will have that. I am sure you will get other ideas too. I hope this has help a little. You will be on my prayers!

Joycee