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Rapid Detrox for Fentanyl

Does anyone know if the rapid detox programs work for people who been using Fentanyl 100mcg for  10 plus years. I feel the Fentanyl patches our doing more harm then good. Now I'm having so many issues with the side effects. But the Cronic pain is still a big concern on what to take if I'm able to get off the fentanzl patches. And that's a big if.

Any information on how to get off fentanyl and if thier any other pain medicine that could help with less risk of addiction or side effects?
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Avatar universal
Hi there....

I would just speak with the Dr. who is prescribing the Fentanyl...I presume it's a PM Dr? Either way....just explain to them that they do not work as they did previously and you would like to work with him on switching to another pain reliever.

Since you bring up the subject of addiction...is this something in which you have had issues in the past with other opiates? I would also discuss this with your Dr. as there are other meds and ways to help chronic pain with people who have addiction issues. As the other poster mentioned...Suboxone is a med that not only helps those with addiction issues..but it is a good pain medication and used now with regular patients that don't have this issue.

I'm confused though on why you mention "rapid" detox. There is no reason for it to be rapid if you are working with your Dr. on slowly tirating down the Fentanyl and switching you to another medication. You shouldn't have to suffer any type of withdrawal.

Now...if you have run out of the patches early and are now having to go cold turkey...that is a different issue but I would still recommend you come forward to your Dr. to explain all of this.

So...no matter the circumstances...I think you should contact your Dr. and work with them on all of this...

Good luck..
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954005 tn?1304626605
Hi:) I don't know much about rapid detox, except that it is very controversial.  I was on the Fentanyl 100mcg patch with dilaudid for breakthrough...up until about a month ago.  I have pain that will always be here...but I am 36 years old, and I was getting very uncomfortable with the high doses of medications I was on.  Also had problems with the patched staying on long enough, or the patches would last maybe 48 hrs and then I'd feel like I'd start feeling withdrawal symptoms for the last 24 and into the next patch for a few hours.  And the dilaudid for breakthrough....I was feeling like I was in a constant state of pain and discomfort, so I basically took the dilaudid 4 times/day.  I decided that I needed to make a change, but I could not stand the withdrawal symptoms, or the pain...I was very lucky to get into one of the very few pain management doctors in my area...I live in Canada, and some areas have very limited healthcare resources.  So...I decided, after talking with the doctor, and he gave me a lot of information...I started suboxone.  It is just starting to be used in pain management, and I was amazed,  For the first time in probably years, my pain was controlled! And I had "real" breakthrough pain! Meaning that every once in a while I would have some really bad pain just happen, and I take motrin, and it goes away.  I feel safer now...I don;t worry that I won;t wake up in the morning from the crazy high levels of narcotics I was on...and I have been more active this last month....my life has changed.  I was told by the doctor I had been seeing for years, that I would be on the fentanyl for the rest of my life.  I was so depressed.  I was always in pain...my quality of life was just awful.  I have been very hesitant to post about this, because suboxone is usually used for addiction...and isn't widely used in pain management.....but it is the best pain reliever I have had over the past 5 years of pain and surgeries.... So.,..I don't know how long term I'll be on suboxone... but my new doctor will also be doing injections and other treatments, so I may be able to go to a lower dose.  If you have an injury or health problem that requires very long term or life-long pain medication...maybe look into suboxone...I only decided to try it because I will always have the injury/pain, and it has no way of healing or being fixed.  
I hope that I gave you something to consider...chronic pain can be so debilitating, and some of the strong meds just keep you from living life in a way, and I am already able to do so much more now that I switched.  Good luck:)
You could also post on the Addiction:  Substance Abuse Forum....It's not only for addicts....many people become dependent on the meds, and there is a lot of advice about how to stop, and help with withdrawals, and about detox methods.... a lot of great info and a great support group:)

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Addiction-Substance-Abuse/show/77
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