Scared Weaning Off

[dardo]

Well,

I am really scared.

Today I went to my Dr. and told him I needed off the Fentanyl and Norco. He was very supportive after my Pain MD would do nothing, I told my GP what my PMD was giving me, which was a 50mg Fentanyl path and some Norco, which I had have not taken for 10 days now. I told my Dr. that I can't do the patch cus of side effect and so he came up with a weaning schedule. He said it would not be easy but since you can't go CT, he put on the following. 15 ms contin 2x daily for 1 week, then one 15 ms contin for a a week and then a schedule of 3 weeks of Norco.  

I am scared to death of even dropping to the ms contin which he gave me which is the same as dropping to a 25mg patch.

I am not an abuser as I always follow the rules of the med directions but surely dependent as as hell as I have been on Norco for a couple of years and the patch for 3 months, I asked if he would consider subutex for pain but then wean off that and he said that he understood but just did not know enough bout the BUP in terms of using to get off or detox, just knew how to prescribe it for pain and he was basically saying i can't take chances with doing off label cuz I just don't enough about the dosage. And he said you  will have to come of that too eventually and while WD MAY NOT BE THAT BAD from BUP, he said you will not feel any more discomfort from this schedule, cuz CT off BUP can be as bad as a small 3 or 4 a day Norco dependence. Just like any opiate, either you stay on them for ever, or you decide to wean, weather that's methadone, BUP, or anything else.

He has said, that  I will be on pain pills for the rest of my life about 8 months ago or deal with the pain. I will deal with the pain, but the GP said, if you can get down to the weaker Norco and you can get free of the c-2 schedule of Fentanyl, where you feel OK on just a few Norco daily then he would be happy to still treat me with that level of medication for my pain. But, he said, if you can't handle it and need to stay on a schedule 2 like fent, ms contin, or oxy then he would need to send me back to PM and thats not an option for me.

No more triplicates each month that keep me imprisoned. Cant go on vacation or miss the day to get the triplicate or misunderstandings with the staff and Dr. who always think you are trying to play them foe more meds.

So this is  my chance to wean or its the methadone clinic or a Suboxone dr. which will cost 1000.00"s for the first two months.

Please wish me luck and if anyone has a story or experience to tell about weaning, please share with.

Thanks...    

[swtbreezie]

I know it is hard we all been there some worse than others.  I'm fairly new to the forum and don't know much about the patch I just would like to give you some encouragement and tell you good luck and that you can do this too.  I know just having the help of the furum Angels is the best step in quitting, they are sent from heaven that's for sure.  If anyone can help they can.  I have faith
swtbreezie

[suppdawg]

I quit duragesic CT because my pain management doc was a bit of an idiot. I was a 25mcg i believe.  It was horrible, I would have given anything to have ms contin or norco.  I think you will be ok, there is no way to taper without having some discomfort because you are physically addicted.

[cathy5841]

ITS GREAT THAT YOU HAVE DECIDED TO TAPER OFF the drugs....i understand you are in pain...but you will find as you get off the pain is sometiems not as bad off the meds.  the more meds you take the more pain you feel...that sounds crazy but it is true..many can attest to that here.  you have come to the right place for support. kkep posting and let us know how you are doin
cathy