Replies To: Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms

Pat says

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:28:16 -0800

Happy Girl..Seriously, try putting a bar of soap under your sheets where your legs are. My husband says it is the only thing that helped his RLS, I know it sounds crazy,but what harm can it do?? And it may help you too.

Pat

Happygirl says

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:32:49 -0800

If I Would Have Known: Just taper slowly...I went from 50mcg every 72 hrs. to 25mcg every 72 hrs for at least 3 weeks! then got 12mcg patch and did it for 72hrs for a whole month. then folded it and went for another 2-3 weeks at 6mcg per hr. It's not easy having all the nerve feeling happen at once. I was numbed for 4 years total, including using the oxycodone for the first 3 yrs or more. It does start to get better. I have been off all opioids since Aug 6 and still have restless legs at night. some sleeplessness too. but maybe I have actual damage to nerves...who knows how poisonous that stuff is. Hang in there and be patient.You will feel better.

Jenny says

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:27:01 -0800

If I Would Of Known: I'm sure you're having a hard time with withdrawal if you've been using 2 patches (50 mcg total) instead of 1, as I was. I was bedridden after lumbar spine surgery, so wasn't functioning much anyway.

As I wrote previously, I took Benadryl every 6 hours for the itching. It made me a little sleepy, which was a good thing. I also take 4 capsules of 5-HTP (similar to tryptophan; available at many places that sell vitamins) at bedtime, which helps with twitchy legs. So does massage--even if you have to do it yourself.

A few days into withdrawal, I was REALLY tempted to cut a patch in half and taper off slowly. But I resisted & was OK after 2 weeks. However, that's just my experience. Since you were at a higher dose for a longer period of time, it's going to take more time to wean yourself off the fentanyl. Consult with your doctor. Good luck.

if i would of known says

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:03:40 -0800

Jenny ......did u go cold turkey after the one 25 patch ...what withdrawl did u have ? and you said it lasted 2 weeks..how did u manage to function??

if i would of known says

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:00:20 -0800

I never said i was only in withdrawl for thre days.I said after 3 days of hell .i put 2 25 patches back on .now my doctor wants me to do 1-25 and -1-10 for 3 days and then 1-25 for 3 days and then down from there .i have never felt so mych torture in my life .It is really hard when u do not have any support .i really feel like Iam going crazy .......have people really died from the withdrawl....

Jenny says

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:48:45 -0800

Thanks, Rose & Tessie. My pain is manageable with Celebrex (200 mg 2x day), a nightly dose of 1 Flexaril tab (can't remember if it's 5 or 10 mg) and frozen gelpacks.

I couldn't tolerate any oral opiates, which is why I was on Fentanyl. I have the Lidoderm patches and they do numb the pain, but Lidocaine makes me so speedy that I feel as though my heart will explode. And forget about sleeping!

Tessie says

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:34:41 -0800

THANKS TONS!! Big Ben!!! That's what I needed to hear!! I didn't know there was a rub, I shoulda had stock in icy hot, aspercreme, ben gay, etc for the last 25 years, I'd be rich off myself!! FYI there is an RX anti-inflammatory patch, called flector, lasts twelve hours but you can only put one on, might help with your back, no narcotics just goes thru skin its like the icy hot soft white patches, also there are RX lidocaine patches because I have some nerve damage in hip from arthritis I get radiating pain down right leg, this numbs from the top and kinda works its ways down, again only topical, no narcotics!! You guys are awesome, Pat I don't think you left anyone out and I have a brother who can totally relate to you. You gotta do for you and have a clear head. Pat is right. Jenny, Maui Girl, BIg Ben, and others she mentioned are all thinking correct and level headed for the circumstances!!! We SHOULD ALL BE PROUD OF OURSELVES!! thanks for the continued help and support. Ben and Jenny if you want info on these alternative topical stuff let me know, I didn't have exact maker, dosages, etc right by me. Have a GOOD DAY every one!! My quote for the day WHAT DOESN'T KILL YOU MAKES YOU STRONGER AND BETTER!!! HANG IN. LOVE AND PRAYERS, TESSIE

Pat says

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 05:22:23 -0800

This is to everyone...I just want to let all of you know that I only share things that I have been through myself..I would never give anyone my suggestions or an opinion unless I have been there myself, I don't go on about a friend of a friend told me how bad this can be or how easy this willl be. Sure, when one of my best friends committed suicide I had to share that, but other than that, I have been through everything you have I have been on opiates since 1974. first as a chronic pain sufferer then as an addict/ chronic pain sufferer, When I see BS, I call it, that is just how I am..I can tell you one thing, if you have been on opiates for a very long time, and you want to be off of medication, after you talk with your doctor, listen to Jenny, Tessie, Maui Girl,Happy girl. And I hope I didn't leave anyone out..If you want to learn how live drug free these ladies have done a good job, It is true that WD's are Hell when done CT and believe me, unless you haven't been on opiates for a long time the WD's will not be long gone in 12 days of course unless you are taking other opiates and there is nothing wrong with that if you are taking them as prescribed..I just don't want anyone to suffer because of someone saying that this is a piece of cake, it isn't a piece of cake. When someone is on a long acting opiate such as methadone and fentanyl the drug is still in the body 12 days after stopping.. This is a hard road and if you are committed to it, I applaude you, but please don't listen to someone telling you it is in your head. Talk to your doctor, read up on dependence/ and or addiction because they are really 2 different things..And listen to the advice of the people who have been here a long time. They have knowledge, they care, and it proves they are sincere because they are still posting...Rose are you still here?? I hope you are ok!!!!!

Pat

Pat says

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 05:06:36 -0800

Jenny, I think # 144 is a troll..I have gone through WD's many times and the LAST thing on my mind would be masterbation, and hus/her WD's lasted a whole 3 days?? If only it were that easy..Looks like you are doing pretty good Jenny!!! My thoughts are with you

Pat

Jenny says

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:01:45 -0800

If I Would Of Known, talk to your doctor or pharmacist right away. If they can't help, call the manufacturer of the patches you're using. DO NOT CUT the patches unless you're positive that they're the Mylan strips. If you cut into a gel patch, the dosage dump could kill you. Really.

I found Benadryl (1 pill every 6 hrs) helpful for the wakefulness, itching & twitching I suffered when I stopped using 25mcg patches after one month. If you're taking other meds, read the fine print & check with your pharmacist before taking Benadryl. (And never mix it with alcohol; ugly things can happen.) It took 2 weeks off fentanyl till I started feeling like myself again.

Get professional help. You don't have to go through this alone.