Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms (Page 65)

I'm trying to wean myself off the Fentanyl patch. I went from 75 micro-gms to 50 now I'm on 25. Having a problem and not sure it is related to the decrease in the med. It's been 20 days on the 25 micro-gm and I'm going crazy. I need to keep rocking, moving in any way b/c my body is very restless. Is this a symptom of withdrawal and what do I do? I cannot take it any more.

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Shelby please keep us informed on how you are doing and good luck to you, Pain Pal!
Nutty, i've been following your epic, incredible and sometimes horrific journey to this point. You are one tough and mighty strong person! Thank you for sharing. Are you doing okay? It sure sounds like it..you sure have inspired me!

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Thanks Suzie.. It's been over 30 hours now and it just feels like a really bad flu. Everything aches and I have no energy. I took off my 75 mcg patch once for 24 hours just to see what it was like and it was unbearable! With the clonidine it surely does make it a lot more tolerable. I would never minimize anyone's pain and if you require it by all means. I found the side effects too much after a while, let a lone the monthly worry of getting your script on time. I truly hope I can get away from this patch, it got me through my days working in the factory now I would like my life back.. Hopefully!

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SuzieQ and Shelby, thank you, it was very rough for me. I have been through a lot of self inflected pain that I so needlessly didn't have to put myself through. I applaud anyone that is coming off the patch. That was the worse drug any doctor could ever have put me on. I didn't really know just how powerful that patch was until I took it off and ask the doctor to reduce it. He really did me a favor by getting mad at me and not renewing my script, just because I ask to come down on the MCGs. I went through a sickness that I will never forget, nor do I won't to forget. It keeps me from ever put another one on. Now, if I can help anyone come off easly I think it is my duty. Take hot baths, heating pads help, the clonidine helps along with a nerve med if the doctor will give you some. But use the nerve meds sparingly so that they work better. And if you have some Lortab or Norco, or percocets, use at least when you are hurting the worst. This patch is 80 times the strength of Morphine so you will be miserable for a little while. I also used Aleive, and suprisingly it helped. I think my water bill doubled for a couple of months at the beginning of the withdrawal. I have always said, and will always say, these doctors that write these patches to people should be forced to wear a 100mcg patch for at least a year and then come off cold turkey just to let them see how we have suffered. Your pain level is intensified when you are on the pain meds to keep you needing the pain meds. That is why the drug companys make them like that so they can keep you hooked. You will see, and I promise, that when you are finally clean of that mess that you didn't hurt near as bad. Merry Christmas and feel blessed that you have come to your senses. Hope all of you have a blessed New Year. Oh yeah, if you can get your doctor to give you some muscle relaxers to take at night or when your muscles cramp up, helps also. Good luck to you and give yourself something nice each week that you make it through to show that you are a lot stronger than you think you are. Now I am fixing to try to stop smoking...lolol...wish me luck..

p.s. one thing my friend tried and said worked wonders for her was she would wear the patch for about two hours and take it off for six, then put it back on for two and then take it off for seven and so on and so on...that I didn't try but she said it helped her. I just felt it would prolong the withdrawals..

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Thanks Nutty for the words of encouragement... What gave me the straight to just rip off the patch was reading post like yours. I know a fellow who went to rehab and did the Suboxone route, it's been 3 years and he is still on them..WTF!! I couldn't see my self going to a rehab clinic and peeing in a cup every week for 3 years!

I'm coming up on 40 hrs. since I took off the patch and I tell you last night was the worst so far. I had the sweats and I could't lay still. I was getting up every 5 to 10 minutes and pacing. This lasted til 3 or 4 in the morning. I finally fell asleep on the couch. I am feeling surprisingly better this am. Besides feeling light headed and severe ear ringing the body ache is for the most part is gone, I know i have some more hurtles to cross but I can now see the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel!

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Shelby, I am so sooo very proud of you. Hindsight is the best learning experience you will have to go on. I know what I went through, I never want to go through again. I don't want to blow anyones bubble, but I don't think I can or could make it without the Suboxone. I just go once a month to get mine and take just half of what the doctor gives me. Simply because I don't want to go through ANY kind of withdrawals again. The Suboxone helps me with the craving part of my mind that thought I could not live without some kind of pain med. It does help and it is not considered a strong narcotic. I take care of my mom (87yrs old) and my daughter that had a bad wreck (she was T-boned and flipped her car three times) 3 teens with the oldest teen has a 1 year old baby. So the alternitive was the Subs. My family said the ole Nutty was back and they love it also. So don't cut it too short. And it is not for everyone. Even the people that was telling me "it's just another drug" thinks different now after they have seen how it has turned my life around. Lots of mornings I forget to take it untill I start doing some strenous work. So you don't go through anything if you don't have it. But anyway, like I said it is not for everyone. It just works for me. Take care and if you need anything let me know. I am soo glad you are feeling better. Time seems to drag when we are going through something like this. Hope you have a restful day.

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One of the reasons for me not to go the Suboxone route was that I will be starting a new job in the new year, one that pays better and better hours but no benefits.. So getting off all non-essential meds was a priority for me. I know for myself that it was really bad inflammation that was the cause of my pain and the indomethican really seems to help with that.
Anyways here in Southern Ontario we had a dusting of a couple of inches of snow. I usually snow blow 5 of my elderly neighbors driveways for them. Nothing bugs me more than seeing an 80-year-old with a shovel in their hand. So as 10 am approached I could see them one by one coming out with a shovel in their hands looking longingly at my house, probably wondering where the hell I was.. So I slopped on my winter gear and off I went. I think it was one of the best thing I could have done. It got me out and my mind off things for a while. Although I am extremly pooped right now. I'm feeling not too bad!

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Bless you Shelby, you are such a blessing and what you did for them will be returned to you 10 fold. We don't do enough for the elderly. The teen today seem not to be taught respect like our age group did. They just have their hands stuck out for a handout that was not worked for. (Not all but most) I could go on all day about the teens and youth as a whole. I am hopeful that all that will change one day but to watch my 19 yr.old with his baby, I am doubtful. He informed us that his child would NOT be told no,nor would his hand be spanked..hahahaha...I politely told him his child would not be special in that sense, not in my house. It is a policy in our house, as it was in our time and our mom's time, and so on, that babys should be trained to have respect for others and their things. I have a long road ahead of me...lol

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Well it's been over 72 hours now and besides having zero energy and intense ear ringing... I'm coming out of this a lot better than I thought. I haven't even taken a clonidine today, It will still take several weeks before the Fentanyl is totally out of my system.. But,I know now that this drug can be beaten and Clonidine works very well.. It will take you out of commission for a week or so and it might not be for everyone's busy life style..

A friend of mine stopped by this afternoon and he had an addiction to Percocets. He has been going to rehab and getting his suboxone on a weekly basis since July. He was shocked how well I was doing as he felt he wasn't ready to give up on the suboxone yet. So I guess it all depends on the person, what method will work for you. I am so looking forward to getting my head out if this fog it;s been in for the last 4 years.

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Shelby, congrats on your ongoing success! If it gets too tough, i've heard of a product called Withdrawal Ease. Google it. I definitely will order this when I begin my withdraw after my hip surgery. It has MANY success stories and contains vitamins and herbs..NO drugs!

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Unfortunately I had to put the patch back on. I got call to do an emergency run to Massachusetts which would take over 24 hours. There was no way I could have done it in the condition I was in. I found the colindine helped with the physical withdrawal but not the mental portion of it. I was getting extremely depressed and I had zero energy. Dropping the patch from 50mcg may be too much of a jump. Seeing this was the only 2 week window I had to do a hard and fast detox, I will have to take things more slowly. It was a learning experience that I will discuss with my doctor in hopes to coming up with a solution that will work with as little disruption to my life style as possible. I will look into withdrawal ease SuzieQ as I am sure ever little bit will help.
Happy New Year!

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Good luck Shelby and stay safe. I so admire your mental courage for trying the withdrawal and I am definitely getting the Withdrawal Ease product just because of the testimonials of people in our same boat who took it and seemed to get over wd's much much quicker and with less suffering.

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SuzieQ: I read testimonials from sites other then the ones posted on Withdrawal Ease website and they don't sound as promising..

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Shelby, you are right! I've seen quite a few too. I just really like the support system that comes with it whether you purchase it or not. I think I'm gonna check out some more sites to see if there are any pros and cons. How are you feeling? Don't get run down!

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I recently came across this method of detoxing called the "Thomas Recipe" (which I have attached). After reading it and going over my recently failed attempt, I can see a lot of benefits following his recipe for dealing with withdrawals. Especially the lack of physical and mental energy which I found very hard to over come.

THOMAS RECIPE
If you can't take time off to detox, I recommend you follow a taper regimen using your drug of choice or suitable alternate -- the slower the taper, the better.
For the Recipe, You'll need:
1. Valium (or another benzodiazepine such as Klonopin, Librium, Ativan or Xanax). Of these, Valium and Klonopin are best suited for tapering since they come in tablet form. Librium is also an excellent detox benzo, but comes in capsules, making it hard to taper the dose. Ativan or Xanax should only be used if you can't get one of the others.
2. Imodium (over the counter, any drug or grocery store).
3. L-Tyrosine (500 mg caps) from the health food store.
4. Strong wide-spectrum mineral supplement with at least 100% RDA of Zinc, Phosphorus, Copper, Magnesium and Potassium (you may not find the potassium in the same supplement).
5. Vitamin B6 caps.
6. Access to hot baths or a Jacuzzi (or hot showers if that's all that's available).
How to use the recipe:
Start the vitamin/mineral supplement right away (or the first day you can keep it down), preferably with food. Potassium early in the detox is important to help relieve RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome). Bananas are a good source of potassium if you can't find a supplement for it.
Begin your detox with regular doses of Valium (or alternate benzo). Start with a dose high enough to produce sleep. Before you use any benzo, make sure you're aware of how often it can be safely taken. Different benzos have different dosing schedules. Taper your Valium dosage down after each day. The goal is to get through day 4, after which the worst WD symptoms will subside. You shouldn't need the Valium after day 4 or 5.
During detox, hit the hot bath or Jacuzzi as often as you need to for muscle aches. Don't underestimate the effectiveness of hot soaks. Spend the entire time, if necessary, in a hot bath. This simple method will alleviate what is for many the worst opiate WD symptom.
Use the Imodium aggressively to stop the runs. Take as much as you need, as often as you need it. Don't take it, however, if you don't need it.
At the end of the fourth day, you should be waking up from the Valium and experiencing the beginnings of the opiate WD malaise. Upon rising (empty stomach), take the L-Tyrosine. Try 2000 mgs, and scale up or down, depending on how you feel. You can take up to 4,000 mgs. Take the L-Tyrosine with B6 to help absorption. Wait about one hour before eating breakfast. The L-Tyrosine will give you a surge of physical and mental energy that will help counteract the malaise. You may continue to take it each morning for as long as it helps. If you find it gives you the "coffee jitters," consider lowering the dosage or discontinuing it altogether. Occasionally, L-Tyrosine can cause the runs. Unlike the runs from opiate WD, however, this effect of L-Tyrosine is mild and normally does not return after the first hour. Lowering the dosage may help.
Continue to take the vitamin/mineral supplement with breakfast.
As soon as you can force yourself to, get some mild exercise such as walking, cycling, swimming, etc. This will be hard at first, but will make you feel considerably better. Thomas

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Wow! Thank you Shelby so much. This is great info and I will make my grocery list! Are you feeling okay Shelby after your trip? I sure worried for you.

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I'm doing ok thanks for asking. I'm back to the 50 mcg patch right now and the trip went well. I'm back on the road tomorrow and they are calling for some wicked weather in the north east. So it should be a fun trip. I would really love to get off this stuff and get my mind back. I'm having a tough time deciphering how much of the pain I was experiencing during my withdrawal is actual pain or withdrawal pain. It scares me in way as I don't want to go back to the way I was before the patch either. That recipe I posted sure seems like the way to go and I will just have to ween off more slowly in the hope that I will know the difference between the two.

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Me too Shelby, I can't keep up with these damnable patches!! I forget when I put them on and even what day it is to take them off. I feel horrible after taking a shower.. I get dizzy and shaky.
I will have arthroscopic surgery on my hip this month and I am worried about what pain meds they will give me post op when I'm on this 50mcg fentanyl patch. My PM doctor will join forces with my orthopedic surgeon to regulate my pain comfort strategy. I wonder what meds it will be? Any idea?

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I had morphine pump post-op and was given oxycodine to take home after my hip replacement surgery. When I ran out of the oxy's and I still had a lot of pain from my surgery my GP put me on percocets. Now this was the start of my pain meds journey. I was on tramacet and T3's pre-op for my aches and pains. So chances are that your already on the Fentanyl patch already I would think they may up your mcg and and give you Percocets or similar for break through pain. My guess anyways.. which is ok because you don't want to be in a lot of pain. You are way ahead of the game if you are already planning you detox from the meds. I never realized how much of a grip they had on my life till it was too late, as so many do.. Good luck and please keep me posted on your progress.

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Well, I have to have surgery next wed on my neck and they think I have a blood clot in my lung. I pray it is not a clot. I have had them before. They hurt and are dangerous. Now I have to come off the suboxone the day before I have surgery and then I will have to take something stronger for a few days. The sub doctor said that I will be fine and the narcs will work better because I have been clean for over a year. Yay..finally I can do with a milder narc that the patch that was sooo strong and kept me down all the time. And for a shorter time. I like that. Wish me luck in my surgery. My port is occluded, or the blood has hardened in my port line. So it will take about two hours to replace it. And now I have to remember to go once a month to get it flushed. Glad to see everyone is making it ok and in good spirits. Take care and good luck on the surgery that you have to have done Suzie. God bless you all...

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Thank you for the input Shelby! Believe me, i'm no virgin to pain meds..off and on since '93 after my 1st shoulder surgery. Oddly two weeks following into recuperation, I was bitten by a brown recluse spider about six inches from surgical site. To this day and several surgeries later on shoulders, back, and now hip..my joints utterly kill me and have deteriorated. Curiously, i've had some of my drs believe the spider venom could be the culprit!
Good luck to you Nutty on your proceedure and Shelby, I hope your days are comfortable. I'll keep my new friends posted and visa versa!

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