Fentanyl addict wants to know how long I'll feel bad

[RowdLoud]

I'm a mild withdraw case from Fentanyl, from what I've  heard and read.  I'm on day two from 25 fentanyls, plus all kinds of pain killers in the recent past.  I have chronic back issues.  I feel restless, kinda gross all over, hurt everywhere, especially back, have trouble sleeping, exhausted, weak.  I have clonidine and klonipin to help.  How long do you think I'll feel real bad since my case is mild???

[deano1961]

i too have been and still am under the wrath of fentynal addiction.i need my hip replaced but feel i weigh to much to risk the surgery.its been totally collapsed for 5 yrs and causes ungodly pain.i am 6 ft about 350,ive gained and lost 60-100 pounds in last 3 yrs.was givin thank god(maybe)10/325 norco and 75 mg duralgesic pain patch.seemed to work pretty good until the last 4 months when the pain forced me to start to chew chew instead of the stick on like i should.now the patch last 10 days instead of 30 leaving me suffering for 20 days.i had stockpiled them when i had everything under control so was one point where it was a patch a day for like 45 days until they were gone.once again thank god, but now its watch the calender until the next script is due to recieve my next big relief from these horrible pain.take a long look and a deep breath before you ever get here...im sure il be alright but unsure what the future holds..goodluck in your battles and listen to your dr when you think he may be playing god.he/she in the end may be the closest thing to him you'll get

[SHELLBELL79]

To those getting off fentanyl... I feel your pain! You have to completely get off pain meds to get rid of the horrible w/d symptoms! I know its hell, I detoxed off of 150mcg of fentanyl cold turkey! It was the worst experience of my life! the worst pain, anxiety , panic attacks, thrashing, restless legs, arms, head, etc. Too many bad symptoms to list! It took me a good month to start feeling somewhat normal. Sleep was the worst. I was losing my mind! Tried everything to help me sleep, nothing worked. I was literally awake for 10 days straight and went to the ER b/c I was losing my mind. They gave me 20 mg of valium and it did nothing. My brain was like I was manic and my body was exusted. I also found out from my bloodwork that my potassium levels were very very low, so they gave me a magnesium drip and big potassium pills to take for 10 days. I guess that happened b/c I hadn't eaten in 8 days. Fentanyl w/d causes temp. anorexia and a bad taste in your mouth and everything smells bad.My skin was on fire and burning for 2 weeks. My heart was beating out of my chest for 1 week and 1/2. The clonodine helped but will rebound on you too. The night at the ER the doc gave me 10 10mg valium and I slept for 2 hours that night, it was a miracle. Slowly things got better. I had to be on valium for a month and that helped with my severe anxiety and sleep. It took a few months for me to sleep through the night. I use trazadone to help me sleep. If ya'll need any help or advice just PM me!! I know what your going through! Remember your not alone! Fentanyl is no joke.

[avisg]

It will end I promise I know how u feel right now I have been there .Try to keep looking forward on what is to come and how great it will be .Yes exercise is great during wd and it will help things like your sleep schedule get back on track faster then if you didnt use it .We are here for you if you need some to listen feel free to pm me anytime .

[vicki595]

How are you doing today?  I've been thinking of you...are you keeping warm? Hydrated?   Eating?

Let us know...

V.

[RowdLoud]

I had a horrible night's sleep even though I took two klonopin and a clonidine.  I was just drugged, but not sleeping.  And I hurt so bad I couldn't get comfortable.  I'm always so cold, and once in a while break out in a sweat.  I finally took some ibuprofen with a little nyquil and I guess I kind of slept.  I feel worse today than I have so far.  My poor kids.  It's the week after Christmas and I can't help them put together the toys they got, etc.  The youngest one, 7, doesn't seem to notice much, but the older one, 10, is more sensitive.  And I think the youngest just keeps it inside.  I also keep rocking back and forth.  I'm trying to push the water and vitamins and I've taken a couple of hot baths.  It's just so hard to do it cause I'm always so cold.  We have an eliptical and I've gotten on that daily and it helps me feel better while I'm on it. The sciatic pain goes away.  But the minute I'm off it all comes back.  At least I guess it will make me tired at night.  I'm so scared this will never end and I'll never have energy for my kids again.

[toogoofy317]

I've been on Fentanyl for five years now due to chronic chest pain from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and microvascular disease. I also have two herniated disc, a prior hip injury, not to mention the Chron's disease.

I have finally decided to stop. I weaned from a max of 125mcg to 25mcg over 8 months. I really did not have any problems stepping down except for this last step! I had my last patch on December 5, 2009. My PM doc said to take the hydrocodone around the clock for the first week with the morphine as breakthrough back up. I went into the hospital with my heart problem two days later and spent five days. They refused to give me the round the clock meds so I was having issues. Not really with pain per se but I felt like my skin was crawling. I also was quite anxious which is not normal for me. I could not sleep at all.

Now, I'm three weeks out and am still having the jitters. I am okay in the day time as long as I'm moving and active. But, night is the worse I still cannot sleep without a morphine pill. Then it is only for about three hours. I refuse to take anymore than that. My PM doc said I could go back on the patch but if I've come this far and am almost through it I don't want to!

I've never had an "addiction" my breakthrough pain meds usually last about 4 months. Also, the fentanyl never made me groggy no one could tell I was on narcotic meds. I'm doing this because I want too my docs were ok with me staying on it. I just got tired when I went to the ER the docs would say I was pain seeking. Which is so not true I got less at the hospital than I did at the hospital so how does it even make sense!

So, long story short how long does it take to get over the jitters and sleepiness. That and I've gained 15lbs with this. I just want this to be a distant memory

[SHELLBELL79]

I detoxed off of Fentanyl 1 year and 1/2 ago and it was the worst pain and hell of my life! Ive detoxed off Norco 10/325 and Loratab 10's and that was a walk in the park compared to Fentanyl. Fentanyl is 100x stronger than Morphine and 50x stronger than Heronin. It is the strongest Narcotic in the world. Fentanyl has its own weird/horrible withdrawal symtoms. Ask anyone who has detoxed off it! Fentanyl takes about a week for the severe w/d's and reg. w/d's last a good month. I didn't sleep for a month and when I did it was a few hours. There is soo much to say about Fentanyl w/d, it would take forever to write. If you need more info, just Private Message me!  One of the suckie side effects are Anorexia but its just temporary. I remember forcing myself to eat and drink and everything tasted horrible! I had a hightend sense of smell, eww that was nasty! I also was severely sensitive to light. My heart was beating out my chest. I had severe burning all over my skin and felt like I was on fire.No medication would work either. These were just the minor symtoms. The first 2 days I was so so and on the third day I felt like I had the flu times a million. It got really bad that night. I ended up thrashing my body non stop and had restless legs and arms, head for 4 days and 4 nights straight! I wanted to die. All I did was pray! I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy! There was a lot more to tell but, this is just the jist of it! I am going to pray for you! Remember if you need me just PM me!!!

[vicki595]

Sleep well friend...you're tired and things will look brighter after a little sleep.
Will check on you tuesday~
V.

[RowdLoud]

I'm so tired now, I think I'll take a bath and take something to help me sleep and go to bed.  Thanks for the advice.  I do need to be told what to do that will help.  I'm sooo bad at taking care of me.  When will I realize that if I take care of me, I can LIVE and take care of everything else.  Story of my life.  I'm back to blaming my childhood which is totally stupid.  These drugs really make you feel depressed and vulnerable.  Yes, I am on an anti-depressant, thank God.  
Oh, AvisG, I can't believe you went through this by yourself the first time.  Truly amazing.  I'm just so tired and short-tempered with the kids.
I know of the Thomas recipe and will get it out and eat better.  If we could please keep talking I'd appreciate it, if you have time.  I know everyone is busy.
Thanks for all your help so far, it's been amazing.
Vicki, I really feel like a train ran me over and so sluggish.  At night my arms and legs fly up involuntarily.  I have drugs that help.  It just hurts to sit, stand and lay down.
Good night and thanks.
I'll check this first thing tomorrow.

[avisg]

I think for most of us we would have found it soooo much easier if we had been able to go threw rehab. I know I would have .Not having all of the daily responsibilities of having a family that in itself would be such a big help.As well as having the intensive recovery care .Unfortunately for most of us that just was not a possibility.So I totally know what you mean .The are going to have to be time that hubby helps you out .I WD the first time nobody new it was sooooo hard and lonely that god if found the forum .
The second time my hubby new and as you said with your I don't think he really understood but he did help out alot .It was so nice not to have to hide anymore.

[vicki595]

Hi again!!   Wow!!   That's quite a story and I applaud you for wanting to get your life back!  I'm thinking you'll feel a bit crappy for a week and then it'll get much better.

Okay...read some of the articles on the" health pages". Just click at the top of this page and it will bring you to a wealth of information.  Look especially at the Thomas recipe and follow that. There's also an article on preparing for detox that I think is wonderful.Read that one,it's an order!  :)      You need to really force those fluids. You need good food;no junk. Bananas and oranges and veggies.  Try to move throughout the day.   Today is day 2 so how do you really feel? Ask me something specfic and I'll try to help.    Just remember,none of us are doctors here.  But there are some great people on this forum with much experience to share and great advice. So, I hope you hear from others as well.    I'm around,too and I'll be checking on you.

Stay strong~
Love,Vicki

[RowdLoud]

Thank you so much for your help.  Naturally I was hoping you'd say it would take only a few days, but reality is a *****.  Oh, I also wanted to add that I think I'm gonna go back for another spinal epidural, as the last one has stopped working.  I have an appointment with a neuroseurgeon coming up.  The papers are due but I'm too weak to fill them out.  I'm typing this, so I guess I can get to them.  Everything seems so difficult and my kids keep wanting things.  My husband is great, but doesn't fully get it.  He's in the garage watching football now and my kids keep wanting things and fighting.  I wish I was in rehab.  Oh well, could be worse. I know that and am so thankful it's not.
Thanks for all your help so far and please pray for me and all people addicted to this poison.

[avisg]

Fentytal wd can be very rough .Luckily you are on a small amount. I think your wd may go longer then 5 to 7 days but the colondine and klonopin should help alot .Just be very careful with the kolonpin alot of people end up hooked on them as well.
Let us know how you are feeling and how long it does last I will say a prayer that it is mild WD for U
avis

[RowdLoud]

Oh, also wanted to let you know that at one point about two months ago I wore two 50 fentanyl patches for a while.  Wow, was that great.  But just about the stupidist thing anyone could do.  Now I'm suffering.  Should have followed the docotrs orders exactly.  Should have gone on the diet and done the Physical Therapy like I was supposed to.  Anything is better than this.
I'm 5 feet 6 inches and weigh about 220.  The only benefit to all this up and down is I have lost weight, about 25 pounds.  See, as I weaned off pills, etc., I kinda go into withdraw and couldn't eat.  this time i haven't really lost my appetitie, I'm just too tired to get healthy food.  I gotta drink more water and need another hot bath.  Tell me more if you can.  It all helps sooooo much.
Thanks.

Rowdloud (a childhood nick name)

[RowdLoud]

I've partied with opiates for about 4 years off and on, but never went through withdraw.  Just craved them a little when in party situations.  But then I had a back injury and got dibiliatating pain and was given vicodin (120), then percocet (120 suppy also).  They wouldn't last me very long.  I was taking up to 8 or 10 perks a day.  I think they were like 300 mg.  It was up and down up and down and depression so the doc put me on 25 fentanyls.  That didn't help much so another doc put me on 50s for a few weeks.  Than back to 25s with perks.  Always overused what I should be doing by some.  Oh, after the first dose of vicodin I was so embarrassed I went through them like two weeks earlier than I should have that I got tramadol off the internet.  Did that like four times with 80 pills a pop.  Took up to 8 or 10 a day.  Fessed up to doc and he put me on percocet.  Got a spinal epidural that helped a lot, doc realized I was an addict and so that process of weaning down began.  It's been up and down but now my husband is off work until just after New Years so we are going for it.  I'm so sick of letting down my kids and having energy only from drugs.  I want to feel normal again and healthy and not be looking for my next fix.  Now I have to deal with the pain and it's going to be horrible and I'll want pills, I know it.  But I'm hoping this will force me to do the pysical therapy and exercise.  The pain just gets so bad I need something.  That's how this all started really.  Prior to the back pain it was really sporadic. Although now that I think about it I did take Darvocet for a long time for lower back pain from weight and arthritis.  How easily we forget.  So anyway, I've only been on fentanyl like three months and I have weaned down since before I was taking pills with the fentayl.  Mostly every three days.  Did put on a patch a day earlier often.
Thanks soooo much for your help.

[vicki595]

Hi and welcome~

I think that you won't feel bad for very long;5-7 days.  But maybe more info? How long on fentanyl? What other pain killers,how much,how long?

Taking vitamins? Hot baths? Liquids?

Keep posting...lots of support here. Day 2 already!!!

V.