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what can i expect when i discontinue fentyl patches ...
Sent to Health Experts May 31 07:33 PM

what can i expect when i discontinue fentyl patches

 

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Female , Age: 58

Already Tried:
I have one more patch left. after that, I will either stop cold turkey or step down to 12.5 mg. just want to know what to expect if I go cold turkey

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $10
Answer
May 31 7:54 PM (21 minutes and 15 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
Dear Barbara,

Much depends upon why you are taking it, how long it has been, and the dose (which you did tell me).

I'm giving you a link to a site that deals with the agent; the page is written for non-professionals. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/202702.html

If you're been on the agent for any considerable period of time, step down is the way to go. Withdrawl can be ferocious, depending upon the nature of the person involved.

Another way is to stop BEFORE using the last patch. Then, if it gets bad, you have something to fall back on while you're getting the 12.5 mg patches.

Good luck.

Teaching Doc

What I tell you is what I teach. I'm here to help improve your quality of life, and I'll work with you as long as necessary to help you.

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Doctor Nash -- Professor of Medicine (MD)99% Positive Feedback on 605 Health Accepts
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May 31 8:09 PM (14 minutes and 47 seconds later)
         
Reply to Teaching Doc's Post: Was treated for fibromyalgia severe and chronic pain. (Also have severe depression in check with meds.) Started with 50 3 yrs ago and cut back to 25 in addition to vicodin for breakthrough pain. Have had RDA ? on L3,4,5 resulting in practically no pain. Am anxious to get off any meds not needed. Recently read that discontinuing fentlyn causing problems with BOTH fibromyalgia and depression. Your thoughts on the wisest course: reduce OR eliminate.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
May 31 8:44 PM (35 minutes and 21 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark
Welcome back, Barbara.

Wow. That was a lot more than I expected.

It's impossible for me to put myself in your shoes, but having battled major depresssion for decades and finally in remission thanks to SSRI/SNRI, I certainly can advise not to do anything that can cause exacerbation of that problem.

In regard to wanting to reduce the number of meds you take. I'm a 74-year-old kidney transplant doc who was transplanted by his own team. I take 16 meds daily, some by injection, and some more than once a day. You can learn to love it if it keeps you going with your grandkids.

NO, DON'T STOP IT. It's too big a risk. If quitting does throw you over in regard to the things you now have under control, you may not be able to get back. I don't see how quitting can improve your quality of life, and that's what I've spent my life working on for people.

Let me know what you decide and/or you need anything else.

Teaching Doc

What I tell you is what I teach. I'm here to help improve your quality of life, and I'll work with you as long as necessary to help you.

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Doctor Nash -- Professor of Medicine (MD)99% Positive Feedback on 605 Health Accepts
I've been teaching and practicing medicine for more than 40 years.
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May 31 8:49 PM (4 minutes and 36 seconds later)
         
Reply to Teaching Doc's Post: Thank you for the wisdom. You are so right.
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June 1 8:08 AM (11 hours and 19 minutes and 29 seconds later)
         
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Karel1 -- Certified Respiratory Therapist100% Positive Feedback on 79 Health Accepts
Have suffered with Narcolepsy a sleeping disorder over 30 years,specializes in asthma ,COPD
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June 1 10:42 AM (17 minutes and 1 second later)
         
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