getting off the patch

[dtmouse]

I've been on a duragesic patch for 4 yrs. I need to get off of it for my kids. I;ve tapered down from 75mcg to 25mcg.
I get really aggitated at night. I also get hot flashes and fluttery feelings. Any ideas on ways to help?

[NautyOne]

Every time I hear the word Fentynl or Patch the hair on my toes stand up!!!!  Honestly, it is one of the toughest balls to kick, but it is doable.  I wish u all the best.  Just try to tell yourself.......a couple weeks of hell---a lifetime of Joy.

God Bless,
Nauty..................

[Emmas Mom]

I was on the patch before I was pregnant with my daughter and I know it is so hard to come off of.  After I got down to the 25mcg patch my doctor put me on the 12.5 mcg patch.  When I got off that he started me on 6 10/325 percocet and 2 mg on clonopin daily and I weaned down on the percocet over 2 weeks and stayed on the clonopin for an additional 1.  It was really hard, but I think it helped to not go CT from the 25mcg patch.  Good luck and PM me if you have any questions or just want support!

[Jacqui805]

Yeah, I did go CT after 25 mcg.  I was on it two weeks into the intended four, and was gonna go to 12.5 mcg after that, but when I went into full-blown w/d on the 25 and it didn't get better after two weeks, I figured I was just putting off the inevitable and I might as well get it over with.  I'm glad I did, 'cause I was sufferin' something fierce and if I hadn't stopped then, I'd be two weeks behind.

[Jacqui805]

Fo' sho' tapering is best here.  I tried CT after tapering only halfway down, that is to 100 mcg and went to the E.R., full-well knowing I was probably experiencing a wicked w/d, but feeling like I was having a heart attack.  Although w/d still sucked, it was far less than that awful time.

[dtmouse]

Thanks for the encouragment. Did you go cold turkey after 25mcg?

[GoingToMakeIt]

All I know is that tapering is the best way.

[Jacqui805]

You picked the right night to bring this up.  I have been on late lately...

I was on 200mcg of fentanyl for four years, and am currently 80 days off of it all.  I weaned down 25 mcg at a time and was on each lowered dose for one month.  I wound up in full-blown w/d in January on 25 mcg, and had s/s of it throughout the wean as well as while taking the drug.  I made the decision to come off of it myself and was dependent on the med.  The w/d was super-rough for me, and I swore I would not live through it, but some fine folks here encouraged me and supported me, and here I am living and breathing and so much better for it.  I still am experiencing some s/s of PAWs, but I cannot tell you how much I appreciate having my life back, a life that was dimmed in a way I was unable to recognize whiile on the drug.  For me, nothing helped rid me of the worst of the w/d s/s, only time, and support.  It will pass my friend.  I swear it to you, and if I could do it, you can too.