Tapering down from fentanyl

While Dr G was away on vacation, his colleague Dr Hammond was willing to write a prescription to taper me down from the 50 mcg fentanyl patch. With narcotics, it's especially important not to stop "cold turkey." The plan is to slowly decrease the dose and avoid withdrawal symptoms.

Because I was already at the hospital to get Zometa, I took Dr H's scrip for 25 mcg fentanyl patches to the Cherry Hill hospital pharmacy. They were able to fill it with a minimal wait. The new patch is quite tiny, less than one-quarter the size of the old one. I will replace the patch every 72 hours and then let Dr G decide what else to do when I see him next week.