[melissa1982]

i have been using fentanyl patches for the last year and a half due to a spinal defect. My dosage was at 100mcg when I found out I was pregnant and my doctor decided that I had to be taken off of it immediately. She assured me that things would be alright and dropped my dosage by 25mcg every 6 days until i was nothing and just left it at that. Now it's been 10 days where I have not worn a patch and am goign through some nasty withdrawals. I can not sleep, am twitchy, resltess, itchy, bowel issues, having difficulty eating and generally look like an addict now. IS there anything anyone can suggest to help make this easier? I have seen several doctors and they agree that it should have been decreased more slowly but all of them have said I have to deal with it. Would be easier said then done if I wasn't pregnant on top of it and needing the extra sleep and nutrients that I am now losing.

[ymccormack]

Hi:

I posted a note on another string to you but basically....the withdrawls are not good for the fetus either - they can cause miscarriage. I don't mean to freak you out but....you're are almost through it which is probably why the other doctors figured you would be OK. Find out if you can take Immodium from your OBG...I hear that Immodium AD also helps with the restless leg symptoms...take a double dose until your diarhea is gone.

I did a fast taper like you when I found out I was pregnant...I had a few days of withdrawls...it sucked but you have to do it...you know?

Stay Hydrated, take vitamins and get lots of rest. Take lots of hot baths and go for a walk at least once a day. Walking gets your endorphins pumping and keeps your mind off of it. The worst thing you can do is lie on the couch all day.

Keep us posted!

YM

[IcameIdidIconquered]

I cant believe your doc took u off so fast. I carried and delivered 2 healthy boys on hydrocodone and oxycodone. Due to my injuries and amount i had used my OB's ( had 2 diff docs for ea. kid) decided it was safer to continue using than to detox while pregnant due to the fact that withdrawl can cause miscarriage. I would suggest u seek a different OB! I do agree with the fact that you have come too far to go back but for someone to say deal with it obviously has never had to go thru it themself. I feel for u girl i felt like ******************** thru both pregnancies and that was while i was still on my meds! I dont know what to tell u to help since u are pregnant u def need to check with doc before taking any OTC meds except Tylenol or Immodium. Please keep us posted and good luck. I am so sorry you are having to go thru it this way.

[melissa1982]

after yet another trip to the hospital because of the severe withdrawals i finally got a decent doctor who noticed right away that i was in hell. after speaking to me for only 5 minutes he said my doctor had messed up and he put me back on fentanyl. aqpparently weaning of such a strong drug should take months (4-5) and NEVER WEEKS! I had questioned him about how long the effects of the withdrawals can last and his answer was not a pleasent one. The worst of it can last for up to 2 months and the rest like the anxiousness and inability to sleep can last for another 6 months on top of that. Had I known before I had ever started fentanyl that it would be this hard to get rid of it I never would have allowed the doctor to presribe it. My family docotr seemed to forget that I've been on narcotic pain meds for the last 5 years and not just the fentanyl for the last 1 1/2 years.

Thanks for the suggestions and support. The 10 days without it were hell and hopefully IF and when i have to wean off again it will be done right. Although weaning is doubtful. As long as the doctors (obgyn, pedi, and labor and delivery team) know of the fentanyl usage while pregnant they can prepare for the only risk known and that is slow respitary rate in newborns. Heres to keeping fingers crossed that everything comes out okay with the baby and to the ONE doctor who was smart enough to recognize that the baby and I were both in distress.

[ymccormack]

Melissa:

I'm so glad you got a doctor to listen to you. I was worried for the baby but didn't want you to panic.

Did the doctors talk to you about the baby being born opiate dependent? It's something you may want to read up on just so you are aware. I'm not saying you didn't make the right decision...I think you did. But just make sure you are prepared, you know?

Good Luck

YM

[IcameIdidIconquered]

glad ur feeling better

[Jesgrate]

Originally Posted by melissa1982

i have been using fentanyl patches for the last year and a half due to a spinal defect. My dosage was at 100mcg when I found out I was pregnant and my doctor decided that I had to be taken off of it immediately. She assured me that things would be alright and dropped my dosage by 25mcg every 6 days until i was nothing and just left it at that. Now it's been 10 days where I have not worn a patch and am goign through some nasty withdrawals. I can not sleep, am twitchy, resltess, itchy, bowel issues, having difficulty eating and generally look like an addict now. IS there anything anyone can suggest to help make this easier? I have seen several doctors and they agree that it should have been decreased more slowly but all of them have said I have to deal with it. Would be easier said then done if I wasn't pregnant on top of it and needing the extra sleep and nutrients that I am now losing.

MY DAUGHTER RECENTLY DIED FROM THE PATCH

Melissa - so sorry you are had to endure such awful withdrawals while being pregnant on top of it but best that you are able to get off as soon as possible. I notice from reading these posts that "Moodstar's" Father died from the patch. My daughter was also using the 100 mcg Sandoz Fentanyl patch for two years and accidentally died in February from the patch when her breathing became very shallow. I cannot tell you what a horrible nightmare it was for our family to have to remove her from the defibrillator because she was brain dead.

I did not know then everything I know about the patch now and all its dangerous side effects and if I had I would have taken measures to help her reduce the dosage and get off it as it is very addictive and did not always work after awhile. It did help her neuropathy pain in the beginning but after awhile wore off and she had to go higher. It is unpredictable as to its delivery system - e.g. body temperature goes up it can release a fatal dose, patches are known to leak unsuspectingly causing death (two recent Mfg. recalls), allergic reactions, accidental overdoses, restricted urine flow leading to kidney damage, etc. The patches are not stable and have caused hundreds of deaths - over 150 in Florida in one year alone.

I feel the FDA does not monitor these powerful drugs enough before releasing them to the public (I understand they rely only upon the Mfg's research studies) - just like Vioxx and hundreds of others that people start using, thinking they are safe. I realize many of you are in severe pain but please think twice about getting hooked on this particular potent painkiller. I would highly advise using some other type of painkiller. I have received emails from many friends who have lost loved ones because of it, some not necessarily knowing it was too much of the "patch" medication they were using. I hope this post might help save another life before it's too late.