Help with pain relief - Fentanyl

[Leve03]

Hi ladies, I've been on fentanyl now for 6 months and really want to come off it. I'm having excision surgery next month, which I hope will help with pain.

Have any of you been on fentanyl and have any advice in the best way to come off it?

Thanks!

Laura

[Londonlady9]

Oh that is going to be hard. My advice is to talk to your dr and ask for a weaning off plan. Fentonil is one of the strongest painkillers out there and easy to become addicted to. I ended up addicted to 60mg of codeine 4 times a day for the last few years. Was given it for IBS pain which I now suspect is related to endo.

I have not managed to come off it though I want to, there are side effects, feel like you have flu if stopping suddenly. There are books on addiction to pain killers and although I started taking it for pain, as with yourself, you may now find as I have that you feel terrible without it.

I have read many books on people trying to come off these things, it is not easy but it is do-able.

Please let us know when you have spoken to your Dr. How do you feel if you miss a dose?

Good luck.

[Ally1966 in reply to Londonlady9]

Yes i agree with you. Its very hard to come off these type of pain relief medication. Definitely need to do it with gps help. Good luck 🤗

[Lilly83]

I'm on it, I have cut down by cutting my patch into smaller bits but I feel so ill when its 'running out'

Would you not be better coming off it after excision? X

[Impatient in reply to Lilly83]

I'm with Lily - best wait till after the op, I would have thought too, or to discuss it with the staff nurse at pre-op. The hosp my want you to stop before surgery, or may offer an alternative or ask you remain on it.

You could discuss alternative options with your GP before you get a pre-op if you want some advice specific to your medical history.

I was on Pethidine many times in my life for kidney stones, but never as long as 6months.

Fentanyl is derived from Pethidine. Mine were always injections in the bum ..... never had a problem stopping because I'm not keen on injections in the rear, but also because with kidneys stones there comes a time when the worst is naturally over and the pain subsides to levels that can be managed with less powerful drugs.

[Leve03]

Hi ladies,

Thank you so much for your replies! Sorry I'm just following up now.

Londonlady9, i know exactly what you mean! I tried coming off it myself last week (topping up with tramadol) but the 'flu' feeling was horrendous and I started having panic attacks! I knew it had to be withdrawal. Now I'm super worried and feel I've gone into this too naively, and don't know how to get off it safely! It doesn't help at all on the severe days anyway so I still take 800mg of tramadol on those days.

Lilly, have you been okay cutting the patches? I thought you couldn't do that in case of overdose? I totally hear you - I know I should prob wait until after surgery. I only have 6 weeks to recover and get back to work though, so think I couldn't cope with post op recovery and withdrawal.

I think you're all right, that I need to speak to the doctor about it. I'm going to get an appt tomorrow. I'll keep you updated.

Thanks! x

[Health_Nut]

Loperamide (i.e., ImmodiumAD), 8 mg. -- i.e., 4 tablets -- every 12 hours for about 3 to 4 days. You'll have no problem. Loperamide is the precursor to fentanyl and is well known for it's ability to remove opiate/opioid withdrawal symptoms. And it's over the counter!

[Leve03 in reply to Health_Nut]

Health nut, I'm really sorry I didn't reply earlier - I didn't see your post!

I am post op now and STILL trying to get off the fentanyl!

I'll check out the loperamide! Thanks so much for your advice!

Will post an update soon!

Lx

[sbactive]

Health nut can you clarify the loperamide comment? I am on targinact and get terrible withdrawl if I am late on a dose. I want to get off it. Not sure I would be allowed to take loads of loperamide due to bowel disease and problems with blockages but...