I'm new here, just an FYI.
I'll start with the situation: I've been under the care of a pain specialist for over a decade now and been prescribed the fentanyl patch and oral hydrocodone. I was called today and informed he lost his license this week and they are closing up shop. I had been slowly reducing my dosage over time but what I was taking worked so I wasn't especially inclined to change things (I have many significant chronic illnesses, but no mental health issues or previous or current addiction issues).
So, this question is for those of you with experience here. I'll probably be needing to start tapering even if my PCP or Gastroenterologist come to my rescue (i've seen both of them for 10+ years as well, but they likely won't be able to fill those scripts for more than a couple months, if they are allowed/willing to do so). Lets have 3 scenarios, to work from, scenario 1 I have enough to continue my current dosages for a month and then I'd run out, scenario 2 I have enough to do that for 2 months and scenario 3 I have enough to keep going for 3 months. giving those options, how would the experienced among you go about tapering in those 3 scenarios (in scenario 4 one of my doctors swoops in and fills the scripts until I can get seen by a new pain specialist or another doctor willing to deal with this mess).
Hopefully one of my doctors comes to the rescue but just I'd like to plan for worse case.
Also, My PCP is likely to be willing to prescribe other schedule 3/4 medications if there is a medically accepted use for it in tapering from opiates, even if he isn't willing to prescribe schedule 2 stuff.
Thanks
I'll start with the situation: I've been under the care of a pain specialist for over a decade now and been prescribed the fentanyl patch and oral hydrocodone. I was called today and informed he lost his license this week and they are closing up shop. I had been slowly reducing my dosage over time but what I was taking worked so I wasn't especially inclined to change things (I have many significant chronic illnesses, but no mental health issues or previous or current addiction issues).
So, this question is for those of you with experience here. I'll probably be needing to start tapering even if my PCP or Gastroenterologist come to my rescue (i've seen both of them for 10+ years as well, but they likely won't be able to fill those scripts for more than a couple months, if they are allowed/willing to do so). Lets have 3 scenarios, to work from, scenario 1 I have enough to continue my current dosages for a month and then I'd run out, scenario 2 I have enough to do that for 2 months and scenario 3 I have enough to keep going for 3 months. giving those options, how would the experienced among you go about tapering in those 3 scenarios (in scenario 4 one of my doctors swoops in and fills the scripts until I can get seen by a new pain specialist or another doctor willing to deal with this mess).
Hopefully one of my doctors comes to the rescue but just I'd like to plan for worse case.
Also, My PCP is likely to be willing to prescribe other schedule 3/4 medications if there is a medically accepted use for it in tapering from opiates, even if he isn't willing to prescribe schedule 2 stuff.
Thanks
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