1. Community
  2. Brain and nerves
  3. Fentanyl

Fentanly to morphine pump? Any comments. I have new PC.

Posted , 3 users are following.

mary73045
mary73045

Due to all the changes with opiate prescriptions I had to switch from my primary to PC.  Doc seems ok but  I am questioning if the changes he wants to make is just about the money and regulations on pain meds.  I was on 75 fentanyl patch and 40 mg oxicotin for 6 years.  New Pain doc changed oxi to 20 mg 2 times a day.  He also wants to install a morphine pump in me along with some new thing they place in your but then run wires up your spine and loss the patch. The spine thing is major surgery.  I am 65 years old, have never breached the pain contract and I am scared. 

Any ideas????

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • karenlh23
    karenlh23 mary73045

    Posted

    Mary

    Its so hard to know what to do...

    All the restrictions on opioids are so unfair for all who medically need it and already been on for years, without abuse 

    I took myself off Fentanyl 75mcg, 2 years ago.

    I was on the Fentanyl for over 15 years and it was brutal withdrawal. The Fentanyl was making me feel horrible. I was also on Dilaudid, 4mg twice a day.  

    I have stayed on the Dilaudid for pain and decided to deal with the pain I still have vs how bad I was feeling. 

    Do you trust your pain Mgmt dr?

    Sounds like he’s trying to help. 

    I did meet a lady a few years ago who had the implant Your dr is recommending. She said it helped her back pain tremendously. She had a switch to turn it on and off.  Is this similar to what you’d be having done?

    All surgeries are hard on the body, especially the older we get, and even more so when on pain meds.  

    Have you thought of a second opinion before you move ahead?  

    I don’t think I helped here much, a hard decision to make.  Good luck to you!

    All the best. Karen 

    • mary73045
      mary73045 karenlh23

      Posted

      I was being prescribed 75 mcg Fentanyl and 40 mg oxicotin 2X daily for 6 years by Arthritis doc.  Where I am in Nevada, only pain management docs can prescribe opiates for long term....over 2 weeks now.  So new PM  changed the 40 mg 2X a day  to 15 mg oxicodone  4X daily...yes I feel it.  After about 4 hours I feel the withdrawal.  PM wants the pump and to install a nerve stimulator into my back.  I also need a new knee and I have put that off for 10 years because of my fear of surgery, thus my fear of making these changes; each are surgeries.  PM made it clear that he will be reducing the Fentanyl next visit.  PM feels it is causing more pain to be on the opiates but I do beg to differ.  I am not only feeling the WD but my job is physically demanding and after the 4 hours not only standing and walking becomes painful.

      ​Anyway.....how long did the fentanyl withdrawal last?  Did they tritate you down?  Any advice on withdrawal?

    • karenlh23
      karenlh23 mary73045

      Posted

      Anytime you stop a drug as potent as Fentanyl you’ll have withdrawal. Perhaps not as severe as going off all pain medications. 

      Has your pain Mgmt dr discussed his plans for you to come off the Fentanyl and the withdrawal?

      I feel my PM dr took me off the Fentanyl way too fast. I was taken from 75mcg to zero over a month 

      75-50-25-12.5-Zero Fentanyl over a month. I was given 3 or 4 different drugs to help with the symptoms and I stayed on Dilaudid 4mg 3-4 times a day. 

      The first month was brutal, by month 3 I felt I could do a few things. I don’t work anymore, had to retire in my 30’s. 

      I had both my knees replaced in my late 30’s, a year apart. I will tell you it was it well worth  it!! I would do it again in a heartbeat. My only problem during recovery was pain management and that’s when I was put on the Fentanyl patch from morphine. 

      Best advice for withdrawal is get the medications for the muscle jumping, anxiety, and to sleep at night.  I could have never made it without these medications. It’s a brutal withdrawal, no way around it I’m not sure how you could work going through this process, it’s rough!  Like I said with meds to help, you’ll start to feel like a person again after 1-2 months, but not great. It’s a complete 2 year recovery,

      My  Fatigue was a huge issue even up to 2 years.  I’m Feeling so much better I can tell you!! It takes patience and grit, but you can do it. Just know you’re going to feel very bad before you feel better!!  There just no way around it!!

  • Macdoctor56
    Macdoctor56 mary73045

    Posted

    #1 pain blocker surgery isn't new, it's been around at least 35 years.

    I'm 55 years old and I have 4 inoperable herniated disks in my neck 3 in my lower back. I have 95% blockage in both my femoral arteries and I had a heart attack and the bottom of my heart died. I was in so much pain I finally after 12 years of no pain meds ask my doctor forsome help. The very 1st thing he prescribed me was fentanyl. Last I was on 150mg of fentanyl and y doctor was getting ready to bump me up again. I finally had enough when I ran out and the pharmacy said they wouldn't have any for at least 24 hours. I couldn't even get out if bed to take care of my 4 year old granddaughter i had such bad withdrawals. I got off fentanyl and I did it in 2 weeks with my wifes help. My doctor said that could have killed me getting off that much in such a short time but I wanted off and I wanted off now. A lot on 1-2 hours of sleep nights, about 2 weeks and the restless legs were almost unbearable, I wanted to die and at times thought I was. Once I was off this s**t completely, I realized how much it really didn't help with my pain anyways it was fentanyl and excessive alcohol drinking together that helped. I'm on zero pain meds now not even ibuprofen, I've learned to control the pain with my brain. My surgeons say I'm a freak of nature with my injuries they dont know how I can get out if bed in the morning let alone function all day without any pain management. I haven't smoked a joint since 1983 and I only drink weekends.

    You can control your pain with help, go see a yoga specialist.

    • Macdoctor56
      Macdoctor56

      Posted

      mcg not mg sorry for the wrong info.
Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.