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516810 tn?1211590206

Fentanyl abuse

I have been addicted to opiates off and on for many years.For the past year I have been taking 75 mcg fentanyl patches every three days.I need and want to stop and get back to living a clean FUN life.I don't get them by prescription so I can not goto a dr to taper off.I have tried on my own and it was total HELL! The thought of those feelings again scares me to death.I read about Suboxone and wonder if someone here can tell me how it worked for them.Also money wise how much did it run?I have no insurance and am a single mother,but I have to get off of this! Its like my life revolves around the drug,because if I don't have it my body will not function.I f I can get through the w/d's then I know I can stay clean.Please if there is anything that anyone can tell me I will greatly appreciate it all.
                     I want to love life again,Jenipher
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Avatar universal
This is from 2008, if you repost as a question you will get great support & answers.
So glad your here:)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
How much ms contin for 2 100s? I am wanting to do the same but am already on 200 mg contin a day and 100 mcg patch
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Avatar universal
I was up to two 100's at one time and had be on the patch for about a year. The doctor switched me to Mscontin and the transition was simple. I then quit the Mscontin. If you can't find them you might have to level with a med person.
Helpful - 0
516861 tn?1212295108
Detoxing from the patches to Sub may be a little tricky, since they slow-release for about 72 hours.  In the past, how long have you gone without one before you started to feel withdrawl symptoms?  Before you can safely start Sub, you must be in mild to moderate withdrawls.  If you start the Sub before this time, the buprenorphine in the Sub will put you in intense withdrawls, because the fentanyl is still in your system!  So, the hardest part is having to go through the anxiety and fear of knowing you'll be somewhat uncomfortable for a little while.
For me, it wasn't too bad, really!  At the time, I was taking up to 25-30 Norco 10/325's a day, but managed to taper down a few days before my appt. with the addictionologist for the Subutex.  I think I took my last two Norco around noon the day before, and for the rest of the day and night I was very anxious and had abdominal pain, slight nausea ,runny nose, sneezing, goose bumps and couldn't sit still!  I had to take a very small dose of Xanax (0.25mg), one Ambien CR, and a couple Immodium in case I started to get the runs.  I woke up early the next morning terrified about what was going to happen next, so I took 2mg of Subutex that I was given before by another doc who wanted me to be prepared.  I was still very foggy from the Xanax  and Ambien, but the withdrawls lessened and were quite manageable.  I got my rx filled as soon as the pharmacy opened that morning, and took half of an 8mg Subutex immediately, and within 10-15 minutes felt much better!!!  From there, I took another 4mg about six hours later, and another 4mg before bedtime, as directed. I don't remember much about that day, except that the w/d's from the Norco were over!  I do remember feeling slightly nauseous, a little anxious, and not having an appetite for the first two days on Suboxone.  It has been great for me so far, no major side-effects at all!  It takes your body a few days to get over the stress and physical/mental exhaustion from all the energy spent getting ready to start the transition to Sub.  You can do it too!!!!
I was taking 4mg four times a day up until today, but my doc upped my dosage to 4mg five times a day for various reasons.  It takes everyone a little while to adjust and find an appropriate daily dosage.  The dosage depends on your drug of choice, how long taking it, how much daily, and many other factors.
I have rx insurance, but I know how expensive it would be without!  If you can't afford it, there are other options for getting off fentanyl.  Methadone is much less expensive, but has it's own issues.  Try finding someone in your area that won't charge for a consultation regarding Sub, and pick their brain about it!  There is lots of info available online at subutex.com or suboxone.com.  They both have the same main ingredient, buprenorphine, but only Suboxone has naloxone in it which is an opiate blocker.  Subutex is prescribed more because it is considered to be safer if given to a patient with a history of injection and/or snorting drugs.  If Suboxone is injected, it will cause immediate and intense withdrawls and possible even death because of the naloxone added.  The one I take, Subutex, does not have naloxone and is usually only given on the first day of induction, then patients are switched to Suboxone for maintenance therapy.  I guess my doc gave it to me because I've never used needles nor snorted.
Read up about the Sub and consider if you think it could be an option at this point.  I did my homework before I decided to try it, and am very satisfied that I made the right choice for myself!  There are lots of opinions out there, so do your own research and pick the best treatment plan for you!
Let me know if you have any other more specific questions.  Good luck to you!
Helpful - 0
452063 tn?1324074916
I was mostly addicted to Vics but would take any opiate that I could get and was using Fentanyl for a few weeks. The withdrawl was much more severe than with the Vics. Jacqui is a nurse and her DOC was Fentanyl. She will probably come on oryou can  send her a PM and I'm sure she will have the best answer for you. Good luck. Corey
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Welcome and know personally how hard it is. If you were like me in anyway it was not like your life revolved around it it does revolve around it. It is what made my world go around period for the last 6 years.
Helpful - 0
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