1st day off percs

[scoenen]

I am starting my withdrawal and it stinks.  It's way different than coming off Fentanyl- more nauseous less shakes - at least for the first day.  Jeez-  I can't believe I am going through this for the second time this month.  God give me the strength.

[scoenen]

Good, I am glad you talked with your doc.  Tapering just didn't work for me.  I wanted to get the withdrawals behind me.  When I went in to see my doc after I came off.  He started going over the meds and I told him I hated the Fentanyl.  He looked at me a moment and said, "are you still on them?"  When I told him no.  He laughed and asked how that went for me.  I was honest and said it was worse then my 38 hour labor and c-section.  He laughed harder and said that is why we don't suggest doing it cold turkey especially on your amount and the length you were on it.  I then asked if he had any other patient just get sick of it and take it off.  He said that over the years a few people have tried but end up calling him and asking what the heck is going on and then end up back on it.  He then said I was the first to do it the way I did.  He told me that in the future I should check with him before going CT because some meds are dangerous to come off CT.  I explained that my husband was a pharmacist and I had done my research and knew it would be bad, maybe not as bad as it was but I would not die from it.

[photogirldenise]

Well after talking to the pain med Nurse, she said and I quote "Girl, you went about it all wrong, of course you are going to have WD" So she said be patient we are weaning you down slowly, I have a few more steps down before the complete removal of the patch.  She understands my determination, but she said be patient and we have been working towards the end, but slowly so You don't have a week of WD. whew, so the patch goes back on, and I will work downward more slowly. oh well, so what only lost 2 nights of sleep. a nap is in store after work today!

[Cissy373]

God will give you strength and keep as busy as possible I believe thats the key, keep the ole mind occupied with anything but the pills.

Your in my prayers.

[scoenen]

Everything is going to be ok.  It is really tough getting off this junk.  Pick a time and schedule a few days off.  I also told my Mom and she helped me with the kids the first few days, which was a godsend since I could barely move.  There are a few on this site that worked during the first few days and I can honestly say there was no way for me to do that.  Your are on the right track- wanting to get off and get your life back now it is just time to figure out how and when this is going to happen.  If you can handle working through this I appauld you.  Figure that for the next week you will not be getting much sleep and remind yourself why you are doing this.  I found that with the Fentanyl it took longer for the symptoms to go away, more than the 3-4 days.  It has to do with the length and strength of the medicine in your system.  It really takes 120- 180 hours for the Fentanyl to leave your system.  I am proud of you and your resolve.  Keep up the great work.  

Susan

[photogirldenise]

Well I made it till 4am, so about 24 hours. I put the patch back on for 3 hours so I could get a couple of hours sleep, I have a full time job I have to go to. Then I took the patch back off this morning. I tried everything I knew last night, hot bath, warm tea, benedryl, advil, biofreeze for my aching arms... no sleep till I gave in. I'm going to ask for the wd drug today, make an appt with the pain dr.  oh well.

[laurel453]

hey, you are not alone, scoenen... but it's important, really important that you keep saying and believing those thoughts. Of course, YOU WILL BE OK.... of course, YOU CAN DO IT  :) trust me, trust yourself....

are you taking all those supplements....maybe some valerian root for your anxiety now... the magnesium+calcium ... eating right ?.... how about bananas? .... i gonna sound like your mum now :)... if you feel exhausted , have you tried Ltyrosine and a good B's vit complex ?

btw, i have not doubt you are a beautiful mum but you have also a male gender here, you know, right ? Lol

[scoenen]

Laurel-  Thanks for thinking of me.  I really needed it so it came at a great time.  I feel so alone.

[scoenen]

Its been rough.  I was not able to get help today so I am having to take care of my two daughters.  I just told them that mommy has the flu so it is going to be a restful day today- no park etc.  I feel anxious, sick to my stomach, antsy, severe lack of energy and motivation, sad, etc- although I have to say this is not as bad as coming off the Fentanyl but my body is just tried.  I guess I am tried too- mentally exhausted.  I keep telling myself, willing myself to believe, I will be ok, this will get better, you are doing this for you kids, etc.  Trying to cheer myself through my misery but it is getting tough.  

[laurel453]

scoenen, i wanted to wish luck here and now :)

how are you doing ?

[scoenen]

I wouldn't.  You were on such a low dose and for such a short time that you should feel better soon -and not have the horrible time I had since I was on it for 2 years and at a high dose.  Use Bendadryl at night and that should help.  See how it goes.  Hopefully things were be pretty easy as compared to some of us.  Good Luck and you are doing great.

[photogirldenise]

I was on percocets 325 for 6 months, then on the 24mg of fentanyl for 1 month, now I'm in week 2 of 12 mg, and ready to not put another one on, i realized that the one I had on wore off when I couldn't sleep last night, and made the decision not to put one back on. it had to happen one day. I don't feel too bad, my arms hurt, not sick, but had a hard time sleeping.  I'm considering asking for a wd drug like clonadine... not sure, going to talk to the pains drs about it. I thought since I weaned down so easily tha the wd wouldn't be bad. not too sure about that.

[scoenen]

Yeah,  Fentanyl is a tough bast#$% to come off but you were on a very low dose so it should not be so bad.  It takes a little longer for the withdrawals because Fentanyl stays in your system so long.  Figure at least 7 days for you to start to feel better.  I had points during the 5 and 6 day where I felt half way normal.  I made sure to get outside.  I hate to say this but tomorrow is going to be worse.  It took a good 24-36 hours before I was in serious withdrawal.  Keep talking with us and I will help as much as I can.  Do you have help for the first few days?  Can you find help?  I really could not do anything from the 2 day until the 5th day.  

The severity of the Fentanyl withdrawals depends on the dose and length you were on it.  Were you on both percs and Fentanyl?  how long were you on them?  I can help more when I have more info.

[photogirldenise]

Well I'm on my first day off of Fentanyl. shakes and pins and needles, an not much sleep last night, mostly, I've been weaning down off of full percs, then down to Fentanyl 24mg, I was on 12 mg for two weeks, now I took the patch off for good last night. God give me strength!

[scoenen]

I did not really have the poops when I came off Fentanyl nor the stomach upset but I sure do now!!  Cripes- I am just miserable.  I just hope that I can make it.  I am plain worn out.

[shelliAS]

Are you able to just hang out in bed?  It sounds like you are having an awful time.  I am so sorry.  I have just gone through hydrocodone and tramadol w/d, and it was awful.  I am still lethargic as hell, but the worst has passed (I hope!).  I am thinking of you - please hang in there!

Shelli