Anyone else coming off or have come off Fentanyl? Advice

[scoenen]

I am on my 6th day and wanted to touch base with anyone else going through the lovely Fentanyl withdrawals.  I know that it takes 120 hours - 180 hours to even get the drug out of my system.  How is everyone else handling it?

[badeggs65]

My percocets helped to keep at bay any withdrawals I had. I still felt a little, but nothing compared to all out withdrawal symptoms. I had those once after a shoulder surgery, The nurses there said I wouldn't have to worry about my patch since they gave me a block that would last for 18 hrs. Boy, were they ever wrong. I had my shoulder surgery at 2:30pm and by 2:30am I was going into full blown withdrawals. Hubby nor I realized it for what it was, we thought it was just a reaction to the anesthesia.  Well, i suffered through the shakes, vomiting every 15min like clockwork, uncontrollable crying, rocking back and forth, couldn't sleep, achiness all over, and then just praying to die, before my husband decided that if I could swallow an Immediate release morphine and hold it down for about 10 min that I would feel better. In the meantime, he slapped a pain patch on me. He was so worried that within 20 more minutes he was going to take me in to ER. But the pill started working a little and I started to calm down so he decided to wait a while. Well, the pill worked, and I was able to get some sleep, finally. It was the most horrible experience I have ever had (notwithstanding pain from all the broken bones).
  It was a very tough thing to have to go through especially right after a shoulder surgery and dealing with that pain as well. It was pure torture. I do have chronic pain from all the broken bones and surgeries, but I do want to get to where I can take a pill once in awhile for the pain instead of being on such high levels of narcotics. It has caused so much difficulty in my life. The isolation, depression, etc. It is really hard to differentiate these symptoms as being from the meds or just being caused from the chronic fatigue and fibro. It just hasn't been easy. I just wish I had more answers.

[scoenen]

I think its great that the step down method is working for you.  I just couldn't do it.  I tried and had withdrawals symptoms the whole time.  I figured- screw it, I am done and went for it.  Don't get me wrong, my method is not for everyone but I just couldn't do it anymore and was ready to get off my meds.  This process is rough, one of the worst things I have had to go through and would not wish this on anyone but I got myself here so I needed to get myself right

Great job getting down to 12mgs!!  YOu should not have anywhere near the withdrawals I am having.  

[badeggs65]

I responded to a post a few days ago about the pain patches, I don't know if this will help you, but the post can be found with the url below. I have been on the patches since 2004. I started out on a 100mcg patch and have weaned myself (with Drs help) down to 12mcg presently. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me, I can only tell of my experience and everyones experience is different. You cam pm me if u want or post on the forum.
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Addiction-Substance-Abuse/Fentanyl-Patch-Experience/show/1278927?personal_page_id=1370871#post_5856138

[dominosarah]

Yes you can do this!!!  Keep moving around as much as you can as that will help too.  Each day will get better......You are doing great so keep it going!!          sara

[scoenen]

Its been rough but today was the first day that I actually was able to do something.  I put in a load of laundry and vaccumed so that is an improvement.  I have ok periods and rough ones but I keep telling myself that it can only get better from here on.  And the the people on this board really keep me going.  I can do this!!

[dominosarah]

Congrats on 6 days!!!  How are you feeling today?