fentanal. durogesic patches

[pab1972]

Hello to every one on the patches.
Im on 200mgh -(2*100mgh patches) ive beeb on these for years now due to dejenrative spinal condition. Ive been told by my pain managment doctor that thay can be more damaging if on for to long i have been taking them for 7 years+ and have been told to come of them . He has perscribed me gabapentin 900mg a day.
I there fore would like some feed back on 1)how to come of the patches so i dont have to much withdrals and cope with the pain.
2)has any one been on the gabapentin .
The thing is i have depresion .and have also been diagnosed with bypoler .if ther is any one who could help with what to expect when reducing the patches and how to go about it my doctor did not say how to come of the patches or how to do so.
Could any one help me .. please.

[marycarmel]

I was on fentanyl as well and they should be tapered very slowly.  Do you have breakthrough meds?  Gabapentin may help your pain but will not help much with withdrawal.  Go back to your doctor and ask him to write you out a specific taper plan and find out whatsoever he plans for covering both your pain and withdrawals.  Good luck.  The slower the taper the better off you'll be.

[luv2bmomjen]

I agree as well.  My only experience was last year.  I was on a 50 and a 12 every other day so roughly 65 along with Oxycodone for breakthrough.  I switched from that to the equivalent of less than half of Oxycontin.  Its was a very rough month.  It was nothing like C/T because I replaced it with the lower dose of Oxycontin and still had my Oxycodone but I don't know anything about the drug he is moving you to.  Ask ?'s.  You have a right it is your life and your body.  
I'll keep you in my thoughts!

[petsrule]

I agree with IBKleen.  I was a fentanyl user and will be around if you have any questions. Best of luck to you.

[IBKleen]

Hi & Welcome,

The doctor has got to take you off of the patches slowly. that is a very high dose and you will have problems coming off of it cold turkey. I would go back and talk with him and tell him you need help reducing your dose. they make the patches in smaller doses. that is the way he should be taking you. Let us know how you are doing.