Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms (Page 80)
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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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Hello everyone,
I'm 1 1/2 months off patch. The muscle weakness continues and some restless legs at night, but overall I feel well. Hang in there if you're still withdrawing...it does end. I'm using ibuprofen for back pain. And not very often. I just wanted to give some hope, like Hawaian Born...thanks.

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Pat
we make a great team! You have wisdom and a different outlook. I think people will gravitate to what they need-
you are a good voice for responsible use of drugs for pain management.
I champion non drug pain management for those of us who want free of medical control..
and yes, we do agree on a lot of
things!

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Hey Little Z,
get a slow taper perscribed for an easier withdrawal. Learn all u can about the process, there is a chemical reason for the feelings in withdrawal. Yr brain has to learn to produce natural endorphins again, so, yes, it will challenge you.
Hope u are sucessful.

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Hi Sam,
high blood pressure/ heart rate was part of my withdrawal for three/four weeks,
now, I am tapering off metroprol, as I have normal pressure again, 5 months off opiates and benzos perscribed for crushed back.
Healing takes time.
His heart is probably fine, but check it out. Is he home yet?

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Hi Jemmy,
at one month off, I was like a ragdoll... Still, get checked out.
Wow- 8 years and now u r off the patch- be proud of yrself !!!
I found swimming helped build my strenght again. Easy on the back and joints..Post again to let us know yr progress

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Hi all,
After hearing of Sam's friend and his awful experiences I even hesitate to ask a question, but..... It has been 1 month off the patch. I did it so slowly and decreased down to 6 mcg before dropping. Most neuropathy is within reason and insomnia a little better, but I am having terrible muscle weakness which is painful and definitely limiting. Minor tasks are so difficult. It is pain from muscle weakness. This was not a problem while on the patch, so am hopefully assuming it is some longterm withdrawal symptom. Also extremely tired, easily fatigued , and hard to get motivated to do anything. Are these like long term withdrawal symptoms? Does it get better? I was on the patch for 8 years. Thanks for any advice anyone can give. You read all about short term problems, but no one mentions extended problems.

Jemmy

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If I have been on 100mc Fentanyl for over a year. I patch per week, but I want off, will I go thru a lot of withdrawals. My biggest fear is depression.

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repond to post

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Hello, A long road indeed. He is still in detox, 5 days now. They may let him leave tomorrow or Thursday. His heart rate and blood pressure have been very high still. They fear the patch may have caused damage. He has not been on Suboxone for a day and a half now. He is going a bit nutty in there, just hope he is okay and retunns home soon. Then off to a Cardiologist, I guess. Thank you all again!! Mary

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Hawaiin Born..If you really read what I post, you would see that we don't disagree on a lot of things. I know it sounds that way, and it isn't what you say, or what you did..Heck, I wish I were capable of getting off of opiates, but we all can't and that is what we disagree about.. If someone is able to live opiate free with severe chronic pain, and be able to enjoy their life, I would stand by that person 100%. I just think it is dangerous to let all people whether they be chronic pain sufferers, addicts or both (Like me) think that this will work for them, because it works for you..Some people do die from opiate WD's I am not talking about a man or woman who is in good health in their 20's or 30's, but people like me who have other medical problems that have died from WD's. I only believe in tapered WD's, cold turkey is so hard on anyones body, and I worry about PAWS..A person doesn't have to be an addict to get PAWS. and for some of us the mental torment is deadly. When I am talking to someone here, I don't know if they are an addict or not, I just treat everyone the same. Even if a person isn't an addict, they are dependent and WD's are something I wouldn't wish on anyone. As for NA, I hate that program. NA was what made me want to end my life, so I don't tell anyone to go there, but I also don't tell anyone they have to stay away..All I am trying to say is. I am really happy you are free from opiates, but just remember that not everyone can do what you did and succeed. That is why I always first tell anyone to talk to their doctor before making any kind of desision concerning messing with medication dosing.. I have never taken fentanyl, I don't even know what it looks like, but from what I have read here, I am glad I never had a prescription for it, Sounds worse than pharmacutical heroin for getting addicted. I know people who are chronic pain sufferers who were put on the patch and when they are going through WD's the ER will medicate them because they can and have gone into shock. My friend almost died the day she went to a methadone clinic because of her severe WDs..Just remember that even though some of us are addicts, 99.9% of us started out as chronic pain sufferers..I didn't want to become an addict, but put narcotics in a 14 year olds hands and it is a train wreak waiting to happen. One day I was taking them for pain and B4 I knew what was happening It turned into a full time job. because I had to start supporting a habit that I never knew I had..The reason it is so hard for any person who has ever been dependent on opiates to stay free from them 4 ever is because opiates are one of the only medications that almost every human being will need to take sometime in their life, Sugeries, accidents, cancer. Them boom, they are back where they started and that is why I agree with you that unless someone has to I don't think anyone should take opiates every day of their lives.We sometimes have to take them and hope for the best..I think that is the goal for all of us..I am sure that we can find common ground here if we both just listen to others and each others..Whar do you think??

Pat

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Sounds right, going back to where he is under medical care.
I was detoxed from 100mg patch plus oxy for Brk Th pain over a two week period.
Had the racing heart, too.
Plus the hosts of goblins mentioned earlier.

Are you remembering to take care of yr self,during this time?!!

To address the difference in opinions, what I believe is-
addiction vesus medically dependent tolerance should be viewed differently.
The addict craves the drug, and basically is miserable without it

the Med Depen. is so happy to get off the drugs, he/she never wants to be under it's control again! Of course, with trama, like surgery, it will be ok. Just not daily. What do you think,Pat?

The vocabulary of addiction, like clean vs off all medications
is important to note. Also, using vs taking as directed.
When Mary started the withdrawal from fentanyl dicussion thread, it was about a medical condition caused by legal use of a pharaceutical, prescribed by a dr.
Could we at least get away from the Narcodics Anom. lingo?
Peace out....

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I had to take him back to detox yesterday. He was going down hill fast. He was there too short of time in the beginging. His heart was racing and still is, they are concerned. He will be in a tleast three days this time. they said the way he was using the 50's was more like jumping off a 125,. He needs prayers. He had a boom droped on his back from a crane, Has been on fent. for 6 years, thought it was 5. It was really screwing him. I am really praying, we have a long Rd ahead. He is only 44. The surgery was 4 electic needles to deaden his nerves. Do not know if it worked yet, too many things going on . I'll keep you posted. Every ones opion is valid here. These frugs have a life of their own a nd it so different for each person. Yhat I an learning.. THANK YOU ALL!!! Sam

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SAm, What kind of needle surgery did your BF have, and how long has he been in pain. On a scale from 1-10 how bad is the pain? If he is still not better PLEASE take him back to his doctor and let them decide what to do. As for the insomnia, I have had that my whole life and it is Hell. If he hasn;t slept in a long time he will get sick. Tell your BF to listen to his body, he will (with the help of his doctor) know what he needs to do,Why live in constant agony if you dont have to or you just can't?? Only your BF and his doctor can know what will help him. Not any self help books, or eating right is going to help if he is in constant pain wheather it be actcuall pain, or mental pain. Life is too short to live in agony...You and you BF are in my thoughts...

Pat

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I know people mean well, but there are addicts who have been on opiates for so long that they are incapable of ever being 100% drug free. I am one who says try everything to stay clean, but it after a long time the PAWS doesn'r go away and it isn't working for you, then there is no shame in using pharmacuticles with your doctors help and permision. None of us has the right to make a statement like youre body WILL heal itself. For some people that is not possible. My best friend shot his brains out with a 44 magnum because people made him feel like a failure for not being able to stay opiate free. For him, death was better. so please don't tell people how things happen when you don't know. Opiate addiction is a different monster, and some people CAN'T live W/O them, and there is no shame in that. I am so happy you found peace with yourself and are able to be abstinant, for others it isn't peaceful. it is a living Hell on earth. that is what it was for me. I am not ashamed of that. I would no sooner tell you that you need opiates, so why would you tell a person you dont know that they can do it. Only that person and their doctor can answer that.. What happenns one day if you have an accident or need major surgery? are you going to have surgery with a local and take motrin for pain? Good luck finding a doctor who will treat you. People have died from shock due to pain. I know you are sincere. but please do some serious reading on opiate long term abstinance and then look at both sides of the fence. There are 2 sides to every story

Pat

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Just a quick post.
First, congratulations on getting off the patch! If u can focus on that, it will help.
Go back and read the posts from the last two weeks and u will see the progress made. Also, they is some good advice from many people about withdrawal.
This is the actual withdrawal state- the acute stage. Insomnia is the most common W/S in detox. Also the runs, spasms, electrical zaps,restless legs, chills. Okay?
Now- you can get back in bed with Big Pharma and take all sorts of drugs to control it, or just let your body come to it's own healing.
Do you want to get the crap out or stop it up with a pill? Seems to me it is better to clean out.
The sleep will return. If you take drugs, your body will never re adjust to natural sleep. I took benedril and melatonin drugs when desperate. A dr will perscribe Valium, lyrica, or one of the z drugs. Short term, not every night, may be ok for him. Get a Dr on board with you if u are going to use more pharmacuticals.
Otherwize- progressive relaxation, music, baths, prayer, meditation, good clean food, loving,and acceptance will led the way back to health. Hope the procedure helps with the pain. Swimming helps me a lot! aloha from Maui

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As you predicted the Suboxone has worn off. He is drug free. But cannot sleep up last two nights all day and bad crmping. But no sleep is driving nuts. PLASE any suggestions on what to take? Is in further detoxing as you thought he would HB. How long do you think it will last ? Not sleeping and the detox. The pain from the needle surgery is so bad we do cannot tell yet if it worked or how well it worked.. But the SLEEP thing is making him crazy.. Plase advise if you have time,, Many Thanks! Sam

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Well, he had the procedure, no drugs, very painful, four needle sites in his spine! He is still very grogy and in allot pain. We will have to wait now to see how the detox and the the pain do. He is whipped. I think it's time for new Dr., Now how to find one that will be his primary care? THATS A BIG QUESTION? He has had a hell of week. Thank you all, we keep you posted, maybe this can help someone else out. I still don't know how this is quite going to all be managed? Hoping for the best. But wow was he happy to be out of the rehab. Again our Thanks!!!!! Sam

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Hi Sam and hi also to your Person!
Glad u r off the patch. If you are on suboxonne, y are stll on opiates, of course, and hopefully on a taper schedule, after your procedure.
Do the research. Get a doc involved, someone in pain managemt. Try staying away from adjunct drugs like anti-depressants
IF you can, is my advice, strictly as a layman who has suffered through withdrawals from benzos, opiates, neurotin, and ADs.
Read some books on mindfulness.
I really like Pema Choldron the places that scare you. It's about not getting into the drama of your pain... Leaning into it instead of trying to escape from it. It works!!!
Find things to laugh about. Send good thoughts are attention to others who are suffering like u.
Chi gong... Helps move energy.
You will go through some tough times dealing with symptoms fr withdrawal and the nerve pain. Just kee telling yrself it's worth it to be free!
Hope allgies well ! Keep posting and Hang Loose,Bro!

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Sam, if your BF is being given surgery to deaden the nearves that cause him pain, is it possible that after this surgery he will no longer be in pain? If that is the case, then both of your nightmares are over. But if it doesn't work, what can you do to ask a doctor to help him? I truely wish I didn't have to take opiates either but sometimes we have to do things to have a somewhat normal life. I tip my hat to the people here who are able to live in severe pain W/O opiates, but some of us can;t do it, They are truly the lucky ones,,I tried living opiate free, it just didn't work. Your BF was taking a brutal narcotic (I Have never taken it, but when I hear about it, it makes my skin crawl) I really hope he can live opiate free, but if for some reason he can't don't be upset, there are other opiates that don;t cause the misery that Fentanayl does.. Leave your options open and whatever happens, I wish you all the best
Pat

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Hawaiian boarn..The doctor does have a legal oblagation to taper him, but unfortunatly doctors arent always ethical nor do they give a darn about us. I was cut off of some very dangerous medications to go cold turkey. I wasn't abusing them, but I couldn't pay my whole bill off at once so he dropped me as a patient. AFTER BEING IN HIS CARE FOR OVER 10 YEARS. I was cut off of benzos which may in fact kill me when I run out. I am suing him right now. The paperwork is in and hopefully he will lose his liecense for medically knowing he could kill me. Don't always think doctors have your best interest at heart, they don't. To the poster who is being cut off, file a suit ASAP. It is time these doctors who think they are God be put out of business..
Pat

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