Fentanyl Patch ?'s

[Guest guest]

Hey everybody,

I have some questions about the fentanyl patches. I am on 500 ug and i change

them every 48/hrs. I am right now trying to reduce them. About a week ago i

went down to 450. Has anyone had any experience in reducing these types of pain

meds? I just was wondering how fast I should reduce them or should i just go

with what i am comfortable with. My pain doctor wants me to reduce 20%, but i

really don't feel comfortable with that. In the past i have experienced

horriable withdrawls and I do not want to go through that expecially since i am

in school right now. I am so ready to get off this pain meds and i am really

anxious to get it done with, but it is a long hard process. Any suggestions for

withdrawl?

Thanks Lawlor, St. Louis MO

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

,

The manufacturer's recommend a VERY GRADUAL decrease in this drug,

especially if the person is not being converted to another analgesic

medication to take the place of the fentanyl. To go down from 450

mcgs. it may take you a few months, as you need to wait at least 17

hours or more between each adjustment.

If you're finding a 20% decrease too much for you to handle, without

experiencing difficult withdrawal effects, you need to tell your

doctor this, and ask that he work on a more gradual tapering down.

I understand that you're very anxious to be off the medication

entirely, but you need to do it in a safe way that will still allow

you to function for your classes and school responsibilities. You

may have to sacrifice your desire to have it done quickly if you want

to avoid all the horrible withdrawal side effects.

I personally have never heard of anyone on such a high dose as this,

and I don't know how long you've been at this high a dose, but if

it's been for some time, then it may take longer for you to get off

of it than you'd prefer. The optimal result is to taper down with

the minimum amount of side effects possible, so as to not disturb

your school activities and sleep patterns. But since your body has

grown accustomed to this high of a dosage, it may take longer than

average to taper down comfortably.

This probably isn't as definitive advice as you wanted, but I'm not

a physician and can only tell you what the manufacturer's recommend.

You need to do it safely, and hopefully, as comfortably as possible,

so you can still function in class and studying afterward. It may

not be easy, but you'll love knowing that you're completely drug-free

afterward.

Good luck! Hopefully one of our nurses in the group will have a

clearer explanation and more useful advice.

With love, hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

SC State & SE Regional Representative

Pancreatitis Association, International

Note: All comments or advice are personal opinion only, and should

not be substituted for professional medical consultation.

[Guest guest]

,

Dr. Sutherland didn't have a team come in and figure this out for

you?! When I left I had a plan. I wish that I could remember the

details so I could help you. One thing I do remember was that when I

was supposed to be done I started to have some anxiety from

withdrawls. I called my doctor, and I was blessed to have a doctor

who understood. He prescribed me a small dose of Loritab, and I took

two one day, and then for the next two days I took one pill. After

that I never had any withdrawls. I think it would be wise to talk to

your pain doctor and tell him that you don't feel comfortable about

reducing by that amount. On the other hand, I guess you could try his

recommendation and if you feel withdrawls call him and let him know.

From that perhaps he can individualize our pain med reduction even

more.

Crystal