I have to come off fentanyl, have been on a 50 mcg dose and I change my patch every 48 hrs. What will the Dr. next prescribe? I see a pain management Dr. I have been taking this dose of Fentanyl now for 11+ yrs. Also what will the Dr. prescribe for me to get over the addiction of the Fentanyl? Reason for having to come off the Fentanyl is because insurance will no longer cover it unless I pay a really high deductible.
Thanks for your help. I'm pretty scared.
Having to come off fentanyl. What's next?
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Responses (3)
Inactive
13 Nov 2011
lheck7, first welcome to the group. Second, I don't think the doctor if a pain management doctor is going to steer you wrong altho' I have heard of it happening. Why may I ask is your insurance going to refuse to pay for it any longer. Is it because of a typo or wrong diagnosis code problem or what? You most probably will be prescribed a sort of pain pill which is usually an instant relif or could even be a long acting or er release medicine. You do not list what your pain is or how long you have suffered with it, so is hard to say what you doctor will do...
LaurieShay
13 Nov 2011
Hey lheck,
The doctor will have numerous choices to help you with the pain. As long as he prescribes another opiate at the correct conversion, you shouldn't have to go through any withdrawals. Given that you are use to a long acting medication type regimen I suspect he will recommend something like Avinza or Oxycontin. Both of these are long acting formula so you only have to take twice a day.
If you already haven't, I would thoroughly investigate your options for Part D drug coverage with medicare. If you need to, contact an insurance agent and ask them to help you investigate your options. There are many to choose from and the new year is fast approaching so you can change insurances. Now that you no longer have help for low income people, you will have to deal with the donut hole, but you can find the best coverage until that happens.
Best wishes,
Laurie
lheck7
14 Nov 2011
Dear Laurie, I want to thank you ever so much for your post. I guess it's my faith that is going to get me through all this. I know the it's just going to take some time. I had a very rough start with the rsd and getting to the Fentanyl, I didn't do well with any of the medications that are usually taken by rsd pts in in taking the nerve medications. I guess I'll just have to see one day at a time. I did wind up in the gap this yr due to the Fentanyl and also taking Lyrica. Have decided I will only take the Lyrica now during the bad times of the yr for me.
I can hope that it will be okay.
Thanks for writing, so much appreciated.
Linda
LaurieShay
14 Nov 2011
You are very welcome Linda and stay in touch, we care.
caringsonbj
13 Nov 2011
these ladies are both right at one time I was on Fentanyl I had to come off of it not due to insurance but due to low body weight and it knocking me for a loop! the doctor will have choices and what I have found to be so true is that what will work for one person is not effective or it can have too many side effects for you, You and your doctor hopefully working together should be able to go by ? trial and error, It is my sincere hope that you find a drug that works well for you! I had the fears that I think I hear in your voice of coming off and wondering how other medications will work in comparrison to the Fentanyl, have faith I send my prayers and very best wishes Caringsonbj Billy
Inactive
13 Nov 2011
Hello Billy. Glad to see your post. Hope you are home and doing well. Best wishes to you friend,
lheck7
14 Nov 2011
Thanks so much for writing back. I guess it's just going to be one day at a time. When I first came down with rsd and first started with all the meds I didn't know about things, and what it would do with my body. Like you said we're all different. I wasn't able to take any of the nerve meds as they all knocked me for a loop and made me zombie like. Having the Fentanyl was so much like a piece of fresh air. It helped with the pain and I wasn't a zombie and I have never felt all drug up on the Fentanyl. I've been one of the lucky ones in that area. I've had a few of the side effects like the bladder pain, but all the side effects I could handle, now going into the unknown has me scared.
Thanks for writing.
Linda
LiverLips
22 Nov 2011
Hi Linda! Nice to meet you! It's great that you're gathering information with which to arm yourself. Not knowing makes the unknown even that much more frightening.
How have you felt on the Lyrica without Fentanyl these past few days, Linda?
All the best to you! from Wendy :)
Further Information
- Fentanyl Information for Consumers
- Fentanyl Information for Healthcare Professionals (includes dosage details)
- Side Effects of Fentanyl (detailed)
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Dear Mary, I should have describe more:
I have full body RSD along with fibromyalgia. I have had this since a car accident in 2000, after lots of tries with lots of nerve meds which weren't good for me, I was put on Fentanyl, I started out at 50mcg, then went to 75 mcg then 100mcg, was maintained on that several yrs, till moving to Fl. I dropped myself down to 50 mcg. I feel much better in Fl. then I did up in Ct. the pain isn't nearly so bad. I have been on the 50 mcg patch now for about 7 yrs. The reason for having to switch meds is due to an insurance problem. I have been on an extra help program with medicare all 7 yrs I've been in Fl. now this yr, I make too much money. My finaces have never changed since first coming to Fl. but I guess the Gov't has their wisdom, and I am no longer eligible now. I make too much money, they have me pigeon holed into an insurance that has very high deductibles since I take Fentanyl.
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I am not elligble for all the other insurance programs that have no deductibles and no other costs. Even the Dr's costs have gone up. I think it's also because I live in Fl.
(drug capitol of the world), which shouldn't have an effect on those of that take our meds because we need them. I have a spinal cord injury along with disc problems due to a car accident with a snow plow, he hit me.
So now must find other meds like Fentanyl that will work for me like Fentanyl.
Reason I would like to have some ideas, as I think being informed before I go to the Dr's office will make it a whole lot easier for me to understand about the different drugs before I go there. So many times he doesn't explain to me what he's givng me, it's just here take this. I want to be informed, so I can have a logical chat with the Dr. Not knowing what drugs will also help me to come off the Fentanyl.
Hope I can find some answers.