Fentanyl Withdrawals - how long do they last Cold Turkey?

[AmigaMaria]

I've been on a Fentanyl patch for the past 9 years. I went from 175mcg/hr down to 12.5 mcgs then 5 days ago I stopped cold turkey.  I don't take any other drugs except for my blood pressure meds.
The withdrawals have been BRUTAL!   I mean the most horrific thing I have even gone through.  When will this stop?  At night the minute I start to fall asleep it's like a demon takes over my body and I jerk and jump, twist and shout all night long - I get up and down out of bed, I exercise and even lift weights to try and stop the demon - but nothing works.  I haven't slept for more than 20 minutes at one time any night since stopping.  I'm scared!  I will choose not to live if I have to go back on Fentanyl but I can't take much more of these withdrawals.  
When can I expect the withdrawals to end and how long does it take to get back to my normal self with no effects whatsoever of the Fentanyl?  I seriously need help!  
Thank you

[Niene]

I replied

[Niene]

I have been detoxing my way down forom 37mcg every 2 days. Stretched it over 6 weeks to where as of Thursday was taking 19 mcg Every 3 days I was cutting the patch. Finally decided after seeing my general prac doctor to just go cold turkey never mnd the 12mcg. I'm on say 2 and can't believe the intensity of restless legs. It's driving me nuts. I was hoping for a 3 Day detox and then back to work after Labor Day. I don't see that happening after reading all these posts. I can't stand this. But I do not want the patch on anymore.

[lulu747]

Hi There and Welcome to the Forum-

It sounds like you've been on quite the journey and we'd all love to support you!
Please start your own thread by going to the right upper side of your screen and clicking on Ask A Question.  This is an old thread you are commenting on and not likely that you'll get the same support.

Bless,
Lu

[nanaincanada]

I was reading all the posts,,,i have scoliosis, degenerative disc disease, fibromyalgia, sciatia, and the list goes on and on,,,pain  and surgery on my disc,,,L4-5.....I have been on fentanyl patches for about 8 years, I was on 75mcg, then I requested to go down to 50mcg, stayed on that for months because I let FEAR rule me,,,,,then I decided to reduce to 25mcg, because I wanted my life back, and did not want FEAR to rule my life anymore, I was on 24mcg for 2 months, then went off last week cold turkey ,,,,,had a lot of pain , restless leg syndrome, etc,,,,now I am into day 5 and am sleeping but have a lot of diarreah, no appetite, but did not have one before either,,,,i am going to never put on another fentanyl patch or take any other drug that has terrible withdrawal symptoms,,,,i take extra strength advil ,,,2 every 4 hours and doxepin to help me sleep at night, what little sleep I am getting helps,,,,going today to get vitamins and something with electrolytes in it,,,,hot water helps as well,,,,,i hope you are ready,,,you will know when you have had enough!,,,just do it,,,,for you,,,,don't let fear run your life or a drug ever again,,,take your life back, you only live once,,,,god bless

[nanaincanada]

I was reading all the posts,,,i have scoliosis, degenerative disc disease, fibromyalgia, sciatia, and the list goes on and on,,,pain  and surgery on my disc,,,L4-5.....I have been on fentanyl patches for about 8 years, I was on 75mcg, then I requested to go down to 50mcg, stayed on that for months because I let FEAR rule me,,,,,then I decided to reduce to 25mcg, because I wanted my life back, and did not want FEAR to rule my life anymore, I was on 24mcg for 2 months, then went off last week cold turkey ,,,,,had a lot of pain , restless leg syndrome, etc,,,,now I am into day 5 and am sleeping but have a lot of diarreah, no appetite, but did not have one before either,,,,i am going to never put on another fentanyl patch or take any other drug that has terrible withdrawal symptoms,,,,i take extra strength advil ,,,2 every 4 hours and doxepin to help me sleep at night, what little sleep I am getting helps,,,,going today to get vitamins and something with electrolytes in it,,,,hot water helps as well,,,,,i hope you are ready,,,you will know when you have had enough!,,,just do it,,,,for you,,,,don't let fear run your life or a drug ever again,,,take your life back, you only live once,,,,god bless

[nanaincanada]

I was reading all the posts,,,i have scoliosis, degenerative disc disease, fibromyalgia, sciatia, and the list goes on and on,,,pain  and surgery on my disc,,,L4-5.....I have been on fentanyl patches for about 8 years, I was on 75mcg, then I requested to go down to 50mcg, stayed on that for months because I let FEAR rule me,,,,,then I decided to reduce to 25mcg, because I wanted my life back, and did not want FEAR to rule my life anymore, I was on 24mcg for 2 months, then went off last week cold turkey ,,,,,had a lot of pain , restless leg syndrome, etc,,,,now I am into day 5 and am sleeping but have a lot of diarreah, no appetite, but did not have one before either,,,,i am going to never put on another fentanyl patch or take any other drug that has terrible withdrawal symptoms,,,,i take extra strength advil ,,,2 every 4 hours and doxepin to help me sleep at night, what little sleep I am getting helps,,,,going today to get vitamins and something with electrolytes in it,,,,hot water helps as well,,,,,i hope you are ready,,,you will know when you have had enough!,,,just do it,,,,for you,,,,don't let fear run your life or a drug ever again,,,take your life back, you only live once,,,,god bless