I recently dropped from using a 25 mcg Fentanyl patch to using a 12 mcg patch. It seemed to me that prior to dropping to the lower dosage, that I was experiencing some withdrawal symptoms, like anxiety, being very emotional, tingling in the feet. On the day that I dropped to the 12 mcg patch I started to have diarrhea and felt queasy and had no appetite. I thought that was possibly due to anxiety about dropping to a lower dosage that evening. (I have Crohn's disease,so it is difficult to know if the GI symptoms are from the Crohn's or from the Fentanyl withdrawal). For the first 48 hours, the only withdrawal symptoms that I had were the GI issues. Then last night (48 hours after dropping to the 12 mcg dosage) I started to get almost constant tingling in the feet and could not sleep. (I do feel fortunate that I was able to sleep for a little while every 2 to 4 hours). I have not read other posts from people that have experienced this type of situation. I am wondering if anyone else has the withdrawal symptoms start several days after dropping the dosage? Any advice for getting through the withdrawal symptoms will be greatly appreciated. Thank you
When do Fentanyl withdrawal symptoms start after the dosage has been reduced?
Question posted by BlessedByGod1 on 17 Nov 2012
Last updated on 18 April 2021 by jabeemiller
26 Answers
Sorry I'm calling my doctor tomorrow. Insurance co refused to fill my Butrans 15 mcg patch.
2 weeks since renewal. You answered my question. Diarrhea and anxiety have been a
regular problem since I had to quit using mine. Thank you.
I don't feel withdrawal for about a day, but get extreme anxiety, weird dreams and I'm awake every two hours, sweating profusely, agitated, uneasiness, etc. It's horrible. I'm on a high dose now and I'm forced to cut back and I'm scared to death.
Yes the only way to get through these withdrawals is to hang on to GOD . I find my withdrawals are coming heavier and heavier and stronger I have been on the 75 or 50 Fentanyl for about 10 years , now because of this new law they have took me from 75 to 50 to 25 I’m having server withdrawals and getting all these plus more pain than I have ever felt. Been having chest pains too. Can anybody help me with this !!! Can’t get my breath sometimes and just don’t want to keep going!! You can’t take God out of this situation because without GOD I couldn’t make it at all!!! Please can some one tell me what to do to help these withdrawals I’m still working and I don’t think I can work and do this without something to help these withdrawals!!! Please help!!
My Dr gave me a prescription called Catapres 1mg for withdrawal symptoms. It’s technically a blood pressure medication, but it helped me so much with the leg and body cramps. I ended up having to take it for about 5 months... yes, unfortunately the withdrawals can linger long after. Fentanyl is so dangerous, it’s good that people are being taken off of it.
I had been on 50 mcg for 5 years and am being weaned off by my Dr. I am in the middle of my 25 mcg patches and in about a week and a half will go to 12 mcg for 2 weeks then nothing. I was deathly afraid of what kind of withdrawal I would go to and someone told me about CBD (legal hemp oil) that has very little THC in it so u don't get that high feeling from it. So I went and got some and it stopped the anxiety, restless legs, helped with the pain, no nausea or vomiting. I would suggest to anyone that is going through this to get some. It will make the journey alot easier
I dropped from 75ug/hr (after about 2 years at that level) to 50 ug/hr with no problem. After a month at 50, I dropped to 25 ug/hr. Sure enough, the withdrawal symptoms kicked in after about 2 days. Diarrhea, some overall generalized flu-like feeling, and tingling in my toes. I have peripheral neuropathy in my toes but it usually only surfaced at night a few times per week - now I have discomfort pretty much all day long. When the neuropathy pain appears at night, I put on 4% lidocaine creme - Walmart carries the Icy Hot brand. It works pretty well in stopping the tingling. If you apply it, wear gloves when you rub it in or wash your hands well with soap and warm water to get any residual lidocaine off of your fingers - be sure not to touch your eyes before getting rid of the lidocaine.
I also have crohn's and I just started using a 75mcg/hr patch. I was driving to work this past week and started hurting all over my body. I had to pull off the interstate and get out of my car and walk around but before I could get stopped I started breathing real fast and couldn't catch my breath. I was taking to the ER thinking I was having a heart attach but everything was fine with my heart, the only thing they could think of that I was having withdrawals from my patch cause it wasn't stuck good to my arm. They gave me a shot of fentanyl and the semtomes went away.
it depends on how much you realy want to do this i have had these same symptoms no sleep gi symptoms and tingle feet also vaugeness ,no appitite and lousey vision yo0u will win keep at it you will win god bless you my friend
I have had six surgeries on my right foot starting in 2006 and ending in 2013. I have chronic neck and upper extremity pain, cervical radiculitis, cervical spondylosis, and degenerative disc disease. I have been on Fentynal patches for 16 years. I started out at 25, 50, 75, then 100. My Doctor took me off of the 100mg three years ago and I have been on 75mg since. I have also taken Norco APAP7.5-325. However, I stopped taking the Norco on February 9, 2017. I am experiencing severe stool blockage and my doctor has put me on Myrbertriq 50mg, he also suggested that I take 50mg of Fentanyl untilI I can move my bowels. I am miserable, but I want to follow the Dr's advice and stay on the 50mg for as long as I can. I am having bowel movements but the pain is on both flanks and in front as well. I also, have Osteoarthritis. Do you have any suggestions?
Do you take a probiotic? I was on 75mcg every 48hr plus 10mg Percocet 4x's daily, .5 Xanax 2x's daily, 10mg tizanidine 2x's daily & ambien as needed nightly. I think that was all? I have osteoarthritis, severe stenosis in my spine & joints, Fibromyalgia, IBS, chronic fatigue syndrome & am highly sensitive & allergic to more substances than not. I was told by every Neurologist, Surgeon, Physician I've seen in the last 10 years that there is nothing they can do for me aside treating me as a guinea pig & experimenting with different drugs. I'd had a rare & potentially fatal reaction to a steroid that sent me to the emergency room & down the rabbit hole, so I just went with what had worked for me in the past- the short list of pain management drugs with fentanyl being one. Having IBS- I've suffered with extremes since I was around the age of 16, I'm 53 now.
A few weeks before I decided I was ready to do away with the patch & all of these meds- I was completely backed up & miserable. I couldn't eat or drink anything because bile would be pushed up into my throat & mouth. I know this will sound unbelievable because I didn't believe it myself until I tried it. I was absolutely desperate & probably would've tried anything at this point... anyways, my friend had sent me some essential oils & she told me to put a drop each of peppermint & lemon in a capsule with extra virgin olive oil & take it with a glass of water. I did & within 20 mins I had gone to the bathroom for the first time in days. Like what you described- I went but not nearly enough- but it was a start! So I repeated this & on the 3rd day I was as close to normal as I had been since a teenager! I've been normal since & all I do is take a probiotic & 2 drops of lemon essential oil daily! The other side effect to the eo's- much less pain! I came off the patch after being weened down by my pain management team & all the other medications I listed above with the exception of the Percocet I am allowed 3 per day if needed. I'd applied the last patch late August 2016!! The withdrawals were NOT fun & my pain Dr didn't know what to think of me honestly. She told me she's never had a patient ask to come off their pain meds without replacing them with other pain meds -and- she never had anyone come off the fentanyl patch ever!!! That's crazy to me. Seriously, her clinic is ALWAYS packed with people & no one has ever come off the patch? Wow! Anyways- if you're not taking a probiotic- you need to find one high in the good bacteria & take it regularly. Since you are backed up- take 2 initially with a big glass of water!! If you know anyone that uses good therapeutic essential oils- ask if they will share some lemon with you! If not- I'll share some with you, just let me know. My name for the hot (I'm trying to be clever) lol -mail is lolaney and then the at symbol! Anyways, good luck!!
I am 63 years old and I have never tried the medications that you have taken. I have severe neuropathy as well as carpel tunnel. In May 2015 I got very sick and they found out that I have a tumor behind my right eye, however, and I Praise the Lord it is benign. No matter what happens, I know that I am one step closer to being with my Lord and Saviour. I do not like this pain and I pray every day that I would find relief, however, my life is in His hands and whatever happens, I trust in him.
I urged you to try MiraLAX for constipation. It draws upon the liquids in your body to loosen the stools.
I have been on 100mcg fentanyl for about 3 years. I have been reduced to 75 +12mcg 11 days ago. The first week was just more back pain than normal. Sleeping only every second night. Now I can't sleep at all I'm wide awake every night and now I am getting chest pain and feel tightness in the chest. The paramedic put it down to anxiety but this was nothing like having an anxiety attack. It went away after a couple of hours but now I'm getting the chest pain back again tonight. No sleep still. It's another 9 days until I go back to the doctor. I've had a lot going on in the last 6 months but I know well enough it's the fentanyl that's causing all of this. I don't want to take sleeping tablets so I just have to put u with it. I feel like I'm going to have a heart attack. Sorry I can't offer any advice on coping with withdrawal symptoms. I just have to put up with them I guess.
I don't see what would help in my case as I'm on a high dose and the fentanyl blocks out anything I have tried. Best of luck to you.
I forgot to add I also suffer from restlessness in my legs and now it's happening in my wrists and fingers. This keeps me awake also. Constantly going to the toilet as I feel like I have a full bladder but nothing comes out. I was then diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis. All of this is caused by my back. Next is going from the 75 + 12mcg to 75mcg.
I've been on 100mcg for about 15 yrs my doctor decided that it doesn't work for me anymore more( well I think it's the government telling her that and the Henry Ford system) but it was so I agree so I went down to 75mcg and my pain shot up so I told her this but she said oh no we want you off off this I said this is what keeping the drug lords in business cuz if I have to stay in this kinda pain I will look for what will keep me moving I've never taken drugs in my life until I came down with fibromyalgia it's horrible so then I needed to Renu my patches for the month and she I guess couldn't count I had four other people count for me just so I wasn't mistaken but I was right I called and called to let them know that I was going to be out Sat morning but no one would respond to me I called every doctor I could but no one would over ride her so Sat I decided to go off the fentanyl patch I'm in so much pain from the fibromyalgia I can't ...
move I need a shower it's been three days and have an appointment with another doctor to try to get my leg back from a hip replacement that went wrong that is in a lot more pain this morning oh guess what my doctor just called said sorry but her records show different I don't know I said I don't care I was changing doctors and not on the fentanyl no more haven't had no with draw problem though just fibro pain!!! Don't believe in all the god stuff cuz nobody should be in this kinda of pain I'm lonely cuz all my friends have left was hoping to have the HEART attack so I would just go in my sleep but didn't get that side effects oh well think I will just go to the streets!!!
I am on 100 mcg. During the summer I had terrible problems with the hot weather. I was warned that on high doses of fentanyl controlling body temperature was an issue. I found myself having really bad hot flashes to the degree that my patch would slide off. After sliding off there was no way to get it to stick to skin at all. This meant that the patch was rendered useless so I had to use a new patch. My doctors could not work this out and on occasions refused to send a new prescription. Due to this I ran out of patches and had to wait for new ones when next deemed fig by the doctor. The GI issues I experienced were very unpleasant. I had the tingling in my feet and legs that got so bad I was almost ripping the skin off my legs. I was shaking, sweating, I couldn't eat, headaches, tingling in extremities, lack of concentration, my moods were all over the place, I really couldn't see how I would get through it. I really didn't want to go on.
Anyone experiencing withdrawal from prescribed medication please understand you will get through it. It is hard but you can do it. Get support during this time from anyone you can, online, people you know, support groups even a stranger that smiles can be enough to make you want to push on. You can do more than you ever imagined and can endure this. There is an end to it and on the other side you will enjoy life just that little bit more.
I just want nothing to do with this drug ever again!!!
Yes as soon as you taper you get withdrawal symptoms.
Loperamide helps with the diarrhoea, diazepam to help sleep and reduce anxiety. low dose amitriptyline for insomnia and pain, anti emetics for nausea and vomiting. frequent baths /showers for sweats/ chills
I have been off Actiq and fentanyl 30 days now worst symptoms peak at day 3 then reduce but still have some sweats and insomnia.
I was having withdrawal symptoms between changing patches- diarrhea always accompanied. I don't have Crohns- but I do have IBS. After much research, I believe that it's directly related to withdrawal. I am just past the 48hr mark without having a patch & am pretty miserable. My PMD offered to send a script to my pharmacy for another month of 12.5mcg- I declined! I hate that I ever used these patches!!! The horrible side effects just don't outweigh the positive- simply because the positive doesn't last as long as the negative!! This is 4yrs since you posted your question, it'd be great if you could update your progress!!
Yes I have used the same drug and there is withdrawal symptoms. Vomiting. Not eating. Restless legs. And loose stools. It is not fun to go through. I have done this several times. They put you on a high dose at first. I had a crisis and couldn't go to appointment. Did not have the money to pay for the new one. Tired of it.
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I too was on Fentanyl 75 for over 8 years. I ask doc to wean me off from 100 to nothing.
I was in to much pain at 50 and went back to 75. Recently was hospitalized for pneumonia and I have pulmonary hypertension.
Ask Doctor attending me if he would try to wean me off fentanyl by adding Tylenol and extra norco 10-325 from every 8 hours to 4 only if I needed for the time in hospital. I was in Chronic Heart Failure on 35 LPM of oxygen with remainder blowing thru mask. Removed 75 patch on Monday changed to 50 on Thursday. Worst day was Wed looking at all lab results everything went out of range on Wed.. Kidneys were already trying to shut down when I started. On Thursday they switched to 25, had to take some extra Norco as required no more than every 4 hours. On 25 I immediately started breathing better by sat I was on 5 liters per minute and had been on 8-12 liters per minute since 2011.
I also found out that the 2 a day Cymbalta prescribed should have been 1 max and was coming off that. I pulled off 25 Fenytal on Sunday just 7 days.
I was in blurry sleepy state for last three years and slept up to 20 hours a day.! Was such a challenge to do anything and barely could go see doc every two months to be drugged up more.
My back still hurts when I get doing to much. Doctors suspect some pe's next to spine that build up upon exertion and hit nerve ending. It's been two weeks since last patch and only side effect I am having is being hot and then cold. Bless the Dear Lord my years of prayers were answered and once leg muscles and rest of body is built up I can't wait to see all I missed out on and reunite with my friends.
Related topics
a-25, fentanyl, withdrawal, dosage, patch, fentanyl patch
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