I have severe neuropathy pain both feet and legs. I had been on norco 10-325 for 5 years before trying fentanyl I also take 800 mg x4gabapentin now after 6 weeks of fentanyl I want off. The fentanyl is not for me,for one thing it’s dangerous and messes my stomach up. Have I took it long enough to have serious withdrawals? What would be the best route to take and how serious would the withdrawals be? By the way I’m a 78 year old male.
Started on 50 fentanyl patch,15 days.75 fentanyl patch 15 days.100 fentanyl patch 12 days?
Question posted by Oldman11 on 20 May 2021
Last updated on 9 July 2021 by NikiMik
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3 Answers
Fentanyl Patch was a godsend for me. I noticed your dosage seems pretty high considering you were only talking Norco 10-325s. I was on the 25mcg patch and changed it every 3 days. I never had to increase and I never felt sick or confused etc. it seems like your doc put you on a relatively high dose to start you out — the patch starts as low as 12.5mcg then bumps up
to 25mcg. I never needed more than 25mcg so maybe it’s just way too high of a dose for you. I hope you get it sorted out soon.
I took the same thing for 4 years and the only thing that helped me get off with not as bad side effects, was Nucynta ER. They say it is a "Non-habit forming" narcotic but I was skeptical. However it did just that and helped my pain but with no "high" or drowsiness, to the point where I automatically assumed it wasn't working until I realized that was my brain wanting the euphoria i would get when I would take my prescription pain meds along with my prescription Fentanyl patches. It wasn't much after being on it for so long, and didn't last more than 30 minutes but it was crazy how my body craved it to the point that I thought the Nucynta wasn't working. But then I realized I wasn't in as much pain and so I continued taking Nucynta for a couple months until I lost my insurance and was left without being able to afford my scripts. Surprisingly, I did not go into any bad withdrawals.
Just felt a little crappy and of course was in a lot of pain but luckily I found a doctor pretty quick and have just been taking Suboxone for the pain since. It doesn't work as well but I deal since I can't afford a pain clinic. However, Nucynta could be a better option for you? Since it also helps with nerve pain? Hope this helps, even a little!
I would say yes. Fentanyl is a monster drug. Even though in the beginning I got great relief and never once experienced euphoria- as in a high like feeling, when I decided to come off of them it was a nightmare. I experienced hot/cold flashes, sweats, cramps, nausea, diarrhea, severe leg cramps and skin sensitivities. Took me several months to rid myself completely of the ill effects. My pain management Dr slowly weened me off by lowering the dose every 2 weeks. I would leave the patches on a day longer and when on the lowest dose, I let the patch fall off on its own and didn’t replace it. Please ask your Dr in help weening off the patch. I cannot imagine what it would’ve been like cold turkey. Good luck!
Related topics
norco, peripheral neuropathy, pain, fentanyl, chronic pain, patch, fentanyl patch
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