Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Fentanyl crisis

My 29 year old son has a "greenies" addiction. He's been taking them for about 3 years he tells me. The last year has really escalated. He's lost everything due to them. He's moved back home because of this and my heart is broken for my beautiful son. He's on day 3 off of them. He's terrified of what's in store as am I. I've gone thru Percocet addiction/withdrawl 3 years ago and I can hardly talk about how horrifying that was. I can't imagine the withdrawl off these greens!! This site helped me so much when I was going thru my hell and I'm back to ask for help for son. Has anyone successfully gotten off these? Ideas? Tips? TIA
Best Answer
1855076 tn?1337115303
Fentanyl can be extremely hard to come off.  Withdrawals typically last longer than other drugs, other than suboxone and methadone.  I came off Fentanyl a few years ago and it was very rough.

It would be great for him to involve his doctor because he can prescribe Clonidine which helps with some of the physical symptoms.  They may even give him gabapentin, which also helps with withdrawal and is non-narcotic. The Imodium will also help.

Staying hydrated is really important.  Water, Gatorade, clear liquids. If he's having nausea and vomiting Popsicles are good to help with hydration.

Lots of people here have come off Fentanyl.  It is rough but can be done.  Once he's feeling a bit better, getting to NA or some other aftercare is essential.

This is such a dangerous drug.  I'll keep both of you in my prayers.
35 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
It's day 4 off the green fentanyl pills but I found out he had some percs so that had kept the worst of the WD's away. He's still having horrible symptoms so that shows how crazy strong these pills are. Tonite he will be out of percs and the real show will begin. He's so scared of the WD's and all I can tell him is there can't be an end to this nightmare if theres no start. I just cry thinking what his poor body and mind are in for. And I told not to F**K with pills/opiates he knows my story. Yet here we are. I'd feel so much better if he was coming off just percs. I'm outta my league with these "greens"
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Still here....I'm delighted with how well you've done!

Listen, you have a great deal of insight into addiction and you ARE a great support to your son. Plus you're doing everything possible to help right now.  I understand how healthcare works up there...so I think the plan of getting him to a doctor as soon as he is able is a solid one.

How many days is it now for him and how is he today?  Fentanyl is a bear to withdraw from; it's so potent. It is not a drug to be taken for long...it's just not designed that way and I shutter when people talk about being on a patch, unless it's a terminal condition.

I'll share with you one drug that helps with wd's and I don't like it but it works. It's DXM; the stuff in cough medicine and cold capsules. Get some of that but don't give him a benzo with it.

This needs to be the last time for him, as you know. As I said before, a trial of suboxone is worth a try so get an appt for him somewhere. He could begin the suboxone right now as he's already in wd's.  

Thinking of you...and so sorry this is your life right now but it's not forever.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
The treatment center we have has a 6-8 month waiting list, for it to be paid by healthcare otherwise it's $15,000 and I just don't have it!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Omg Vicki its you!!! It's soooo good to hear from you!! You helped me tremendously in jan-feb-March 2012. Christina99 Percocet addiction. I'm glad ur still here sharing ur wisdom and helping others. For my son it will be many days before he's able to leave the house. If it's too hard on him/us we'll have to put him into a supervised detox. It's pretty bad already and it's going to get worse. He does not have a vehicle, that was sold because of this. I've taken his phone away and wiped it. And he has no money. I'm having a hard time imagining the WD's will end. I'll get him into the doc as soon as he's well enough to leave the house.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi there-  First, you need to keep yourself well, okay? There's only so much you can do for your son. He has to do this on his own.

He may get through these wd's but then what? If he doesn't have a program, and a good one, he WILL go back.

For now, keep him hydrated. He should actually feel a little better after 4 days in withdrawal although his addiction will tell him he's dying! Don't be surprised. He has to want this more than anything.

Does he have a car? Cash money?  If he does then he will likely leave as soon as he's feeling better and go on a search for pills.

He really needs to get into a program today. NA, AA, it won't matter much, just something to support him; an in patient facility would be best for him. He might look into a trial of SUBOXONE to help get him on his feet.

The wd's are nothing compared to early recovery (staying clean) so that should be his focus right now. Again, it needs to begin today...

I feel for you and know how this impacts a family. You can only give him opportunity but he has to do this work. You need to focus on your husband and other child now.  All the best to you-
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks for thinking of us and ur prayers! I will definitely check out a meeting. This is so hard and I'm terrified for him. terrified he won't complete the w/d and go back to it all. I can't do this over and over. Man am I depressed!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Every single thing you just said in that post honey makes you a PERFECT candidate for Al-Anon.  It certainly can't hurt you to go....so there is no downside to checking out a meeting.

I'm thinking of you and sending prayers.  Is your son willing to go to N/A?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hey jif I  honestly don't know what I'll do if he doesn't get sober and stay there. I have a husband and a 15 year old I'd like to pay attention to also. I hope when this long detox is over I'll be able to say "f**k this up again and I'm done with you!" This addiction of his has cost me everything except my marriage. I will not let that happen. His dad loves him but doesn't really understand addiction. This is very hard on him too but he's 55 and German and doesn't talk about feelings. It's morning and I'm tired already. 'll seriously consider alanon even though after all my life traumas ******** I've never seeked help. Except for this site which saved me 3+ years ago. Yep your right I'm really pissed, today
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Noooo please do not ask others for medication. He needs to go to his doctor and get advice and any prescriptions his doctor feels needed. I'm praying for you both. My brother was in a similar situation. Unfortunately he took his life. But I have seen so many succeed. I am currently detoxing from tramadol. I have a clonidine patch on and it's soooooooo helpful!!! I also take gabalentin and have for a couple years for pain. They increased it for my withdrawals and the combo is helping immensely. Maybe check into that. I am so praying for you both. Please know my brother took his life completely unrelated to his addiction. We will pray our lord comforts you both during this time.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Sorry. Some reason I thought you said Klonipin. Any benzos you can get will be helpful. Sleep may be difficult.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I don't have any klonipin but do have some benzos. But they won't last long.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
No, I wouldn't go asking people for their stash of clonopin. That's a bad situation to put others in, taking some of their prescription. As an addict, I did that all too often.

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
May I ask how much Klonipin you have?  See if you can get more from friends and relatives.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Oh my god thank you a million! I'll be reading this to him asap! Congrats to you for your clean time! Around 10 days you say then the worst of the withdrawal is over. He has no idea how long this will go on for. I'll get him to message you for advice from a survivor!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks Kristen for the good info. He'll have to come clean to his doctor about what he's been doing. This doctor should help him as he got him started on opiates! This is all so scary!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Christina- what will you do if you son doesn't get clean and goes thru this again? You NEED to learn how to feel sane no matter what he is going thru. I can tell you just want to fix this for your son but it doesn't work like that way. Once he get thru wds, it's not over. Your son needs to WANT to get clean and stay clean. Not just go back to mom when things get rough. He didn't change his behavior 3 years ago.What will he change this time? And not words...actions.

Again. NOW is the time for alanon. Your son would be going thru this the same way whether you were there or not.
Helpful - 0
12361166 tn?1425375526
Hey Christina.. I wanted to reach out ang hug the daylights out of you reading this..

I will start by saying I have successfully come off the highest dose of Fentanyl you can imagine cold turkey a few years ago..I was on 3(yes 3) 100Mcg patches and also taking oxys for "break through pain".. I had to quit instantly and yes the WD's are bad BUT I honestly was able to sit up and even go spend the night at my friends house by day ten..

Its HARD so very hard but if you can just help him keep as calm as possible and remind him that once you get past the week of hell you have a real life ahead and it is doable.. I suffer from chronic issues and still was able thank goodness..I can link you to my original profile(I couldn't remember my password so made this one) and you can read through it seeing how I did really get through this process..I have two teens and I can only imagine the horror I would feel seeing my "babies" go through it..please feel free to message me in private anytime if you need to talk !!

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Clonidine is not addictive and no it is not like Methadone.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Clonidine is a blood pressure medication and if he took .1 mg tablet 3 times per day it would help.  Also if someone. Can monitor giving him small doses of Klonipin would help.   Do you have a dr that would give a script for the Clonidine?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Is clonodine similar to methadone? I'll do whatever it takes to get my son back! Yes I do have anger and resentment but that's been knocked out by heartbreak!  
Right now I just want to get thru today and am dreading tomorrow!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Can you get clonidine ? That helps a lot with w/d.  What are his symptoms right now?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
" My heart is so broken for my wonderful son that I can hardly breath."

Christina, I say this all the time on this site whenever someone comes on here devastated by a loved one's using. You must get yourself into Alanon. This is why it's called a "family disease." You are scared and probably have lots of other feelings like anger and resentment. YOU need support and help. Your son will have to find his way into his own support if he is ever going to get clean for good. Your life can't stop if he doesn't.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
From what I can gather these fentanyl "greens" or "greenies" as they're called seem newish but gathering speed at a terrifying pace. My son knows people in our smallish Alberta town who have been taking them for 6 years. Hes not doing well and the worst is yet to come he knows. I have clonazapam to help him abit for now. And will take him to the hospital when it gets really bad. My heart is so broken for my wonderful son that I can hardly breath. I'll load up on Imodium pepto vitamin B Epsom salts. Other than that I don't know what to do! And nobody's made it thru the 5 day detox off these things because they leave! The WD's are THAT bad!
Helpful - 0
2
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Addiction: Substance Abuse Community

Top Addiction Answerers
495284 tn?1333894042
City of Dominatrix, MN
Avatar universal
phoenix, AZ
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Is treating glaucoma with marijuana all hype, or can hemp actually help?
If you think marijuana has no ill effects on your health, this article from Missouri Medicine may make you think again.
Julia Aharonov, DO, reveals the quickest way to beat drug withdrawal.
Tricks to help you quit for good.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.