 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 624 | Hi Delia --
You have to have a withdrawal plan for Fentanyl. Some people have no problems, but most doctors taper off in 25 mcg doses and then over a period of weeks.
The withdrawal symptoms you describe should have been anticipated as *possibilities* at least, with a 50 mcg drop. I am amazed the doctors seemed puzzled.
A fellow patient of Barry's at Hopkins told us he had a lot of trouble getting off the patch and he struggled for some weeks, despite a good withdrawal plan. Eventually he got to be OK, but it shows that individual's tolerance and reaction to this drug varies.
Hope Charlie is feeling better soon!
Gail
CG to husband Barry, dx. 7/21/05, age 66, SCC rgt. tonsil, BOT, 2 nodes (stg. IV), HPV+, tonsillectomy, 7x carboplatin, 35x tomoTherapy IMRT w/ Ethyol @ Johns Hopkins, thru treatment 9/28/05, HPV vaccine trial 12/06-present. Looking good!
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