BuTrans Patches - side effects - thinking of stopping taking them

Eunice-very sorry to hear of your suffering with your health! My experience with Butrans is that my docs did not like it, but no one wanted to own helping me get off..I have multiple autoimmune illnesses that cause pain.

There apparently is no standard Protocol for weaning off butrans-at least of studies that look at impacts, from what I have seen. But, there is a warning that butrans can cause Addison's disease (Adrenal insufficiency.) This can cause a range of issues because it messes with your hormones. it can impact blood pressure, cause muscle weakness, etc. Hopefully your doctors were checking your hormones, especially cortisol levels.

Like responder Katie, i quit butrans cold turkey. Like Katie I also discovered i was experiencing every side effect of the patch. When I stopped, certain bad pain went away, and my constitution felt better.

Be careful with Butrans. It it can cause a lot of issues. Doctor supervision is a must. Lesson learned to talk to prescribing opiate Doc about side effects, compliance, and implications if you want to quit the opioid.This will save you physical and emotional distress down the road.

Hoping all worked out for the best!

Hi Eunice I have the same symptoms as yourself I use patches 10micrograms for my back and knees 's all of a sudden I've feel sick dizzy fast heart beats I think it's the patches because I've never been like this before I was given anti sickness tablets but they made it worse, I have took my patch off its easier to Ho through the pain barrier with Anidin Extra

I have spent the last couple of hours reading most of what has been written on this thread and my heartfelt sympathies go out to all of you who have suffered withdrawal symptoms from using morphine patches.  I am an ex benzodiazepine victim.  I spent 12 months on the highest doses of two different types and am partially disabled and mentally and emotionally scarred because of these prescription drugs.  I went through 6 months of pure hell 10 years ago during the withdrawal and rehabilition period. 

I now have a back condition which gives me considerable discomfort and my current doctor prescribed Butrans patches to relieve the discomfort.  This was last Christmas.  I started on 5 mg and the dose was increased to 10 mg around May of this year.  I admit that I have rather stuck my own head into this noose by accepting the prescription and the reality is that the noose is yet again tightening.  The last two months has become a roller coaster ride ricocheting from being on top of everything to living through a semi permanent anxiety attack.

I have recently hit a rather unfortunate financial crisis, not insoluble but worrying nonetheless and as a result have become extremely anxious, a feeling which I believe is being dramatically enhanced by the long term effects of the opiate.  It is always hard to tell if the drug is causing the problem or is simply exacerbating existing feelings of anxiety.  Having been through the pit of suicidal feelings before and withdrawal from the, now old fashioned, benzodiazepine anti depressants it is, in my view, imperative that I get off the patches even though I know that I will have to face up to the issues surrounding withdrawal. Fortunately my doctor is sympathetic and has prescribed a batch of 5 mg patches to start the climb down.  

I know that whatever problems one has to face in life they are better faced when one has a clear head and a positive approach rather than living the day with a tummy full of collywobbles, a loss of appetite and severe constipation so I have made a pledge to myself to be rid of the patches by Christmas and to put myself in a position where I can face whatever the remainder of my life holds in store for me.  I would prefer to suffer the discomfort of the back condition rather than feeling that my world is collapsing around my ears.

Many of the comments on this thread were written over a year ago and many of you will now have recovered from the effects of withdrawal.  It would be good to hear from those who kicked the patches so that I can judge the best way to deal with the next two months of reduction and withdrawal.

I hope this post reaches a few of you and that you are prepared to share your experiences with me   ~   Clive

 

Hi there not sure if ur still using this forum but thought I'd respond to u, I am 32 and have been in terrible pain with both my knees for 4 years now and was a dancer but now no mobility I too am on butrans patches 20 + 5 mg a week and I too have lost 2 stone in 3 months which I'm very happy about as I was so fit and slim before I became disabled and put 3 stone on, I have lack of appetite and nausea everyday, I'm also on Amitriptyline to help me sleep and that's making my hair fall out so much, I'm very very down and I have a lovely daughter who is 6 years old and I just wish I could do all the things with her that I used to do but she doesn't remember as was 2 when this started, I believe it's the butrans patches that make me feel sick and dizzy all the time, it's so bad that I can't even use my mobility scooter or get my daughter to and from school, it's hell! X

hi my name is larry i wasnt on these patches but my wife was,she was on them for about 2 yrs,she had 4 discs fused,but it was a failure,the pain she was in was unbearable,she started to get down well she was on them and had heart pulpatations and her breathing was affected,so her doctor weaned her of them.im writing to say more about the damage they done to her mind.we have 4 children and 2 grandchildren my son and daughter looked after her while i worked .i looked after her at night or weekends .we were married for 29 yrs she was my best friend my soul mate.when she was coming of the patch it was hard i decided to take some time off work to be with her,she was getting happier every day she was getting back to herself,she was still in pain but she was happy seeing the grandkids and life was better at home.i went back to work as people need to pay bills and live,after a couple of weeks i noticed the difference she wanted me to take days of work here and there ,then she seemed more happier when i was at home.my children told me a few times how down she got but i didnt notice.one day while i was at work i got a call to come home,my wife had overdosed on strong pills and passed away,she left a note saying why,now ive lost a wife a mother a grandmother and most of all a friend.now i blame myself for not being there for her when she needed me,the paranoia and lonelyness got to much for her,my family are devastated i am now at home alone not working and living day to day because of butrans and my selfish self i have no wife and no  friend,happiness comes first my wife was denied that,no one knows how hard it is to come off them patches there mind needs looking after,please look after yourself and please be there for your loved one ,i kissed her goodbye at 7 in the morning by 2 she was gone.i miss her with all my heart,the best cure for coming off them is happiness i can guarentee stay strong and be happy you will beat this with the help from a true friend.

Hello Eunice42724

I have been on Butram patches for over a year now and over the past few months I have felt awful.  I keep thinking I am depressed but it is not depression it is the patches.  I have left them of before to see if the pain has went but each time I do I get nausea diahoerrea and depressed.  I have been to the doctor today as I want off them as they are addictive.  I change mine every week and the day before I do I get low, crying and diahoerrea.  Today I told my doctor  I want off them she told me to stop and instead of the Butrams Patch I have to  take 6 Codeine Phosphate tablets 2 3 times a day for 5 days, and then gradually reduce slowly.  I do not know how I am going to cope with this I might even have to take time off work but I want off them they are very addictive and if you can get off I suggest you do as soon as possible