Wiped out!

[ThePhoenix75]

As most of you know, I small tapering off very high doses of fentanyl.  I am doing everything I can to stick with it, but I am so exhausted and have zero energy.  I am taking Emergen c, tyrosine, calcium/mg/zinc, theanine, glutamine, and Lysine. I know that exercise helps but I am also dealing with arthritis pain which limits my abilities.
I will keep going, I am about 1/2 way there, but I know the 2nd part is the hard part.  I wish there was some supplement out there to give me some energy and motivation.  Any ideas anyone?

[ThePhoenix75]

Thank you kimby!!  I take pain meds for severe rheumatoid arthritis.  I went and talked to my dr. At the beginning of December to discuss cutting back on my doses--I was on 200 mcg of fentanyl and 240 mg of oxycodone per day.  My dr. Suggested tapering the fentanyl first by 25 mcg per month then tackling the oxycodone when is was done with that, she said too much at a time would really cause too much pain.
Anyhow, I couldn't wait to do it the right way and started going faster than prescribed.  It was just an impromptu action last week to cut the oxy, so I haven't had a chance to meet with my dr. Yet.
It's hard because I am dealing with severe chronic pain and I am afraid of how I will manage my arthritis pain in the future...Haven't quite figured that part out yet!  ;o )

[VICourageous]

Wow!! Great Job!! TIME is all we got and with that comes Patience. It seems like nothing will work until the poisons are all cleared out and then the vit/min will do there thing..BUT it is good that you are doing it now because it will speed things up a bit..Try the Iron and Bs too. There is so much you can take, but just know it will kick in some day out of no where..You might have up day and then down for awhile but it will all balance out..Keep Pushing!!
Bless

[Kimby34]

You're doing amazing!!!!!!!
You may have said before and I missed it but why have you not cut your sources?
If you told the drs you're done, then the 1st of the month won't be a problem at all! Don't force yourself to be stronger than you need to be-get rid of that temptation ASAP. You've come a very long way! It's inspiring for sure. You can do it:)

[ThePhoenix75]

Mmmmmm are you talking about the Brookside ones?  I've been seeing commercials for those and they look yummie!!  I am putting those on the grocery list tomorrow..
Thank you for the support--I am trying!!

Ugh, these leg cramps are killing me!!!

[mommymarieme]

Wow Phoenix that is just awesome! I am so proud of you! You are doing amazing with your taper of the patch and you flushed the oxys? Wow! You are amazing! Keep up the good hard work honey! Like the others said the ensure and protein shakes are great. Msdelight also said dark chocolate I love it and they have some that are delicious with goji and pomegranate. Yummy! :)

[ThePhoenix75]

Thanks!!!!  I flushed the oxy last week in a moment of strength.  I have a harder time controlling myself with those than I do the fentanyl.  With the fentanyl, I don't get a buzz and the results take 6-12 hrs so it is easy to not abuse. (Just a nasty drug in general.). With the oxy around  it is easy to feel like crap and pop a few to feel better, toooo easy .  So, I decided that it was time to get rid of those and now they are gone!  I will be ok until the 1st of the month when my rx 's are due and I am dying for them.  Lord, please give me strength then!!!!

[clean_in_ks]

You mean you're off ALL the oxycodone?  AND...AND you're down to 100 mcg on your patch?????  If that's the case.....Let's get out the pots and pans and bang em for YOU!!!!!!!  What an accomplishment in such a short period of time.  You just hang on girl......you're amazin~

[ThePhoenix75]

Thanks Kansas!  I am getting there!  You have a great memory about the oxycodone-- I also stopped taking those last week which is probably why I feel so nasty!  So I guess if I can stay off the oxy, I am more than halfway?
I just want this over yesterday so I know I am going faster that recommended.  I just want this OVER!!
Thank you for being my cheerleader-- you are the best!

[ThePhoenix75]

Thanks merri!  I've read varying advice regarding the amino acids.  I think I read that you can hold off on the tyrosine until day 4/5 because it can cause too many jitters in the beginning.  I was bone-dead-exhausted and tried the tyrosine last week and was pleasantly surprised to find some help.  My mood lifted and I had a slight increase in energy.  Then I tapered down another 25 mcg....

I started at 200 mcg, the highest dose I have ever heard anyone being on.  Also taking 120 2x day for breakthrough pain.  Those doses are so high it scares me!   I am now down to 100 mcg on the patch so I guess 1/2 way there?  This is the hard part though!!  Fentanyl is nasty stuff, I really wish I never used it and strongly feel it should only be given for end of life pain.

Thanks for the support, we are all in this together !!  :o )

Phoenix

[clean_in_ks]

If you're almost 1/2 way there on your fent patch taper.....you're making GRAND progress!  Even with all the supplements you are taking, while w/drawing from the F. Patch and still taking 120 mg of oxycodone is gonna compete with the supplements.  If you continue with the F. Patch taper...then you can tackle the oxy's.  It's a long arduous process.....and the energy and motivation will come once your opiate receptors are totally clean and healing.  I know it's going slower than you would like....but progress not perfection....and the only way to get there is to keep going.
Rootin for you......you're on your way~

[Merri12]

I'm not sure if you should be taking l-tyrosine till you are done and get thru day 4 of nothing. Thomas recipe states it will counteract any other vitamins and Imodium you are taking and make it worse. Please go and read to be sure.

Fentanyl is horrible stuff. I have seen someone get thru that. After the lowest patch, he had to check into rehab for 5 days so he was monitored right because it is so nasty. But his dr wouldn't give any lower than 25 mcg patch. Then he did suboxone  for 5 days and weaned off in a week then. Made it easier but have to be strict. You are doing great !!!  What dose are you on now? Where did you start. Keep going. You encouraged me, I will encourage you.

[ThePhoenix75]

Awwww, thanks everyone for your support.  It really helped pick me up and reminded me to keep going.  I am so amazed at the strength and live that I have found on here, thank you all--it means the world to me to have others behind me.  Love you all...
I will keep posting because it is the one thing right now that keeps me going, I have come too far to go back now!  I just need the strength to make it through this really trying time...

Ps--will try the instant breakfast and protein shakes; my diet is not the greatest and it is probably worse right now because I have no energy to put anything into it.

[Pat1956100]

Hi Phoenix
Have you tried Boost or Ensure.  Also Carnation Instant Breakfasts.  All of them are full of vitamins and minerals.  And of course the chocolate ones are the best.  
I have tried them all and the Instant Breakfasts are delicious.

[tooter212]

Phoenix, I want to give my encouragement also. Your such a blessing to us all. I just want you to feel the love we have for you. I don't know anything about the drug and tapper your doing just want you to know I'm praying for you. God Bless

[dominosarah]

You just have to keep pushing thru this part, i know easier said than done.  Keep your eye on the prize and that is you~

[ROSYouralright]

Hey sweetie! You are showing tremendous strength and courage through all of this. Idk hardly anything about tapering because I could never do it! I applaud you on it because I KNOW how difficult it is to taper! I just wanted to drop in and throw my support your way!

[ThePhoenix75]

Thank you Ms D!  I needed those words of encouragement !  I like the chocolate idea...think I need to add that to my grocery list.
I am hanging in there and I will keep going , just getting through the blah's is no fun at all!!!

[msdelight]

Hey Phoenix glad to see you! You are doing great. Its going to sound crazy, and unhealthy, but the answer is chocolate. Lots of good, dark chocolate. Also protein bars and protein shakes were very helpful to me. As far as motivation - music, music, music. Put on something you really used to like and let it flow through you. Also, a goal to work towards beside taper down is sometimes helpful.  Stay here with us we <3 you and want you to succeed! YOU ARE DOING AWESOME!!