I was on the duragesic patch 25 mg for about a year for chronic upper back pain. After about 8 months he started having me change it every 48 hours instead of 72 hours. After a while the patch was making my skin break out anywhere I put it.
Last month he changed me to kadian, which is a time released morphine pill. I have been sleeping better and I don't have the restless leg syndrome anymore. I have been having more headaches though.
in order to get off the patch completely you will have to be weaned off with some pills like tylox or lortabs. Otherwise you'll have withdrawal symptoms such as feeling extremely tired and yawning all the time, irritability and restless legs and more i'm sure.
Good luck getting off the patch.