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Have MS. On Fentenyl Patch. Worried For Its Side Effect. How To Stop Using This?
Question: Hi, I have MS and was just lately put on the Fentenyl patch. I have read quite a bit about this patch and it scares me. So far I have only taken three patches at 12 mgs. HOw do I stop using this patch. I feel anxious, and can't sleep at night. Thank you. XXXXXX
Hello XXXXXXX and welcome to XXXXXXX
Thank you for writing to us.
I can understand your anxiety and concern about using fentanyl due its many adverse effects. But, if you have confidence in your doctor then I am sure your doctor should and will take responsibility to carefully monitor your response. But, if you are skeptical about the use of this particular drug and wish to discontinue it then let me help you with that information.
Discontinuing fentanyl will have to be carefully done, and always monitored and supervised by a doctor. This will require converting patients to other opioid drugs, by first removing fentanyl and simultaneously calculating and prescribing the most appropriate dose of the new pain killer (based on patients requirement and report of pain). It takes approximately 30-34 hours for complete removal of fentanyl from the system (body); following which some patients can experience withdrawal symptoms (although unlikely in your case due to a very short course); like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anxiety and shivering.
Do consult your doctor if you are uncomfortable with this medication and only under your doctors supervision start off with a discontinuation.
I hope you found my response informative and helpful. Do write back to me for any further assistance, I would be happy to help you.
Best wishes.
Thank you for writing to us.
I can understand your anxiety and concern about using fentanyl due its many adverse effects. But, if you have confidence in your doctor then I am sure your doctor should and will take responsibility to carefully monitor your response. But, if you are skeptical about the use of this particular drug and wish to discontinue it then let me help you with that information.
Discontinuing fentanyl will have to be carefully done, and always monitored and supervised by a doctor. This will require converting patients to other opioid drugs, by first removing fentanyl and simultaneously calculating and prescribing the most appropriate dose of the new pain killer (based on patients requirement and report of pain). It takes approximately 30-34 hours for complete removal of fentanyl from the system (body); following which some patients can experience withdrawal symptoms (although unlikely in your case due to a very short course); like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anxiety and shivering.
Do consult your doctor if you are uncomfortable with this medication and only under your doctors supervision start off with a discontinuation.
I hope you found my response informative and helpful. Do write back to me for any further assistance, I would be happy to help you.
Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Why is it since I started on the Fentnyl and stopped the morphine I feel very unsettled and walk half the night away? The reason I stopped the morphine was because of the the constipation although when I am not in the relapse stage I seem to manage this as well. Could it be the Fentnyl doesn't agree with me?
Hello once again XXXXXXX
It appears as though you are experiencing anxiety. This could also be due to the withdrawal of morphine. As mentioned earlier, anxiety is a common withdrawal symptom. I would attribute this anxiety to the withdrawal of morphine and not due to the introduction of fentanyl.
You could wait this out, as such symptoms are normally experienced in individuals whose drug regimen has been changed. As long as the fentanyl helps keep the pain away.
Your anxiety will either have to be treated or waited out. As advised earlier, I would want you to visit your doctor for proper management. Do not worry XXXXXXX such symptoms are normal and I request your patience. In the meantime, keep your doctor informed and try relaxation techniques coupled with change in sleep behaviour. These should help.
I hope this information helps. Wishing you the best and nothing less.
Take care.
It appears as though you are experiencing anxiety. This could also be due to the withdrawal of morphine. As mentioned earlier, anxiety is a common withdrawal symptom. I would attribute this anxiety to the withdrawal of morphine and not due to the introduction of fentanyl.
You could wait this out, as such symptoms are normally experienced in individuals whose drug regimen has been changed. As long as the fentanyl helps keep the pain away.
Your anxiety will either have to be treated or waited out. As advised earlier, I would want you to visit your doctor for proper management. Do not worry XXXXXXX such symptoms are normal and I request your patience. In the meantime, keep your doctor informed and try relaxation techniques coupled with change in sleep behaviour. These should help.
I hope this information helps. Wishing you the best and nothing less.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks for your input but I simply cannot sleep. I wander the house until early morning. Would night time tylenol help this?
Hi XXXXXXX
Tylenol is pain and fever relieving medication. This will not have any effect on your anxiety unfortunately. I would prefer you either try sleep inducing techniques, anti-anxiety techniques or as a last resort anti-anxiety medication (only if the anxiety persists beyond the withdrawal symptom duration).
I hope this information helps XXXXXXX I understand anxiety and sleep deprivation can be frustrating. This is only a phase, with time and your doctor's help, you should surely get over this soon. You could write back to me anytime for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.
God bless you.
Take care
Tylenol is pain and fever relieving medication. This will not have any effect on your anxiety unfortunately. I would prefer you either try sleep inducing techniques, anti-anxiety techniques or as a last resort anti-anxiety medication (only if the anxiety persists beyond the withdrawal symptom duration).
I hope this information helps XXXXXXX I understand anxiety and sleep deprivation can be frustrating. This is only a phase, with time and your doctor's help, you should surely get over this soon. You could write back to me anytime for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.
God bless you.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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