Chronic Pain Support Group
Physicians and professionalsdefine pain as chronic if it lasts longer than three to six months and is persistent. It's distinct from acute pain that is a direct result of injury or trauma. This support group is dedicated to those suffering from chronic pain. Discuss treatments that have worked for you, find advice for your specific experience, and find support. You're not...
I've been on Fentanyl patches for at least four years now and I'm at 75mcg down from 100 and I'm going through withdrawl. It's lasted now for over a month with pain and with physical illness. I'm going to be moving to 50 in about a month and I know it will get worse.
The problem is that I still have the underlying pain issues and need some kind of pain killer or I can barely walk. I'm thinking of stopping at 50 and seeing if things even out for me or does anyone think I should go right off of them, go through the wicked withdrawl and start something else? Either way I know the hell that awaits me and I do not look forward to it. I simply know that I can't go to none without something strong to fight this. I also take oxycodone 5/325's but of course they are fairly ineffective against the kind of pain I suffer.
I need counselling and wonder what people out there have to say.
Really in need of help here.
JC
The problem is that I still have the underlying pain issues and need some kind of pain killer or I can barely walk. I'm thinking of stopping at 50 and seeing if things even out for me or does anyone think I should go right off of them, go through the wicked withdrawl and start something else? Either way I know the hell that awaits me and I do not look forward to it. I simply know that I can't go to none without something strong to fight this. I also take oxycodone 5/325's but of course they are fairly ineffective against the kind of pain I suffer.
I need counselling and wonder what people out there have to say.
Really in need of help here.
JC
There are more experience people on here that my have much better advice. Do not cold turkey any of these meds our bodies are not set up to deal with that very well.
Sending positive thoughts your way. Hoping your doctor gets you through this quickly. -RJ
Is there any chance of increasing your oxycodone?
( you're on a very low dose.
I'm also a JC..and have been on the 100 mcg fent patch for about four yrs.
I dread the time of changing. So much so that I haven't in spite of recurrent problems because of difficulties with the patches coming off.
I can't begin to advise you..
But sure can empathize.
Hug
jc
Fentanyl is the strongest pain med allowed outside of a hospital setting, and they don't use it in the hospital that often unless Morphine and Dilaudid won't work. Stopping Cold Turkey from where your at can cause Grand Mal Seizures, Respiratory Issues, Dangerous Cardiac Issues, and a whole list of other nasty things.
This is a problem that is widespread for CP'ers who've been on Fent. because once you've been on the top of the Pyramid for Narcotic Pain Control you don't have many options as far as covering your pain. What PM's usually do is switch you out not Cold Turkey you from one before another Long Term Narcotic is in place....the Oxycodone you take is a Short Term med and not meant to take the place of the Fent. Oxycontin or Long Acting Morphine would be a typical replacement for Fent.
So, please don't make any rash decisions before you talk to your Dr. this is not a medication to mess around with.
Take care,
Kat
Remind me again why you want to decease your meds if your pain is still unbearable to the point of not being able to walk? Is it just that its fentanyl that you want to get off of? Or is it pain medication in general? To my way of thinking, if you have a doctor that prescribes medication and you found the combo that works for you and your pain levels aren't going away because of healing or some other reason why do you want to quit? I guess I just don't understand.
Your dose of oxycodone is very low & won't even come close to competing with that dosage of fentanyl. If you've been in physical withdrawal for a month with just a 25% decrease then I'd be asking for something to take its place like what Kat suggested; a longterm & short term med. I definitely wouldn't drop down again or go cold turkey.
I'm sorry you're hurting & I hope you find some solutions soon.
Emerald
I'm not going from 75 to 0 but to 50 but I know I'll go through more withdrawl. Not fun. I need to get used to the pain at a lower dose for a while and then maybe move from one to a lower another. Any lower than 50 and I'm going to have serious problems with pain, not that I don't already but I think it's just withdrawl pain. I don't know for a fact.
I'll move down reaaallllly slowly from here on out and only if there's a plan in place for me.
I'll have to go to a higher dose of oxycodone for sure so I hope my pain doc realizes that or the deal is off.
I"m just too used to the fentanyl and it doesn't do the same job any more. I need a change but first I have to clear my system a bit I think. What do you all think, what would be good drugs to ask for now for withdrawl and what might I think about later. Not morphine either, it hurts my breathing.
JC