Aa
Fentanyl w/d day 5... when is it going to end
Hi everyone, I've used a solution of fentanyl intranasal for over a month, and decided to quit cold turkey on wednesday.
I have never developed a physical tolerance to an opiate, despite recreational use from time to time, probably because I didn't use them regularly. But this time, I had access to so much of this demon drug and for so cheap, I lost track of how much I was using - by the time I decided to quit, I was using upwards of 1.5mg a day.
The first few days were pure hell, the worst pain I have ever experienced... I'm not sure if I can explain it to anyone who has not been through withdrawal, but the closest I can get is that it was like I had the flu, except a hundred times worse.
So now it's sunday, and a lot of the worst symptoms are gone; now the restless legs syndrome and insomnia are what's bothering me the most. I can't seem to sleep for more than one or two hours no matter what I try.
From what I've read online about people trying to quit from patches, the w/d's are far from over. But I thought maybe because the half life of intranasal fentanyl was so much shorter than the transdermal roa, the w/d's would be shorter, is there any chance that the length of w/d's are in some way correlated with the half life of the substance, or am I being overly hopeful out of desperation?
Any info would be appreciated, and sorry for the rambling post. I barely got up this morning after 4 days of sweating profusely, shivering in cold, with about 3 hours of sleep total. Now that I feel somewhat better (enough to sit at my desk) I just had a lot to vent.
I have never developed a physical tolerance to an opiate, despite recreational use from time to time, probably because I didn't use them regularly. But this time, I had access to so much of this demon drug and for so cheap, I lost track of how much I was using - by the time I decided to quit, I was using upwards of 1.5mg a day.
The first few days were pure hell, the worst pain I have ever experienced... I'm not sure if I can explain it to anyone who has not been through withdrawal, but the closest I can get is that it was like I had the flu, except a hundred times worse.
So now it's sunday, and a lot of the worst symptoms are gone; now the restless legs syndrome and insomnia are what's bothering me the most. I can't seem to sleep for more than one or two hours no matter what I try.
From what I've read online about people trying to quit from patches, the w/d's are far from over. But I thought maybe because the half life of intranasal fentanyl was so much shorter than the transdermal roa, the w/d's would be shorter, is there any chance that the length of w/d's are in some way correlated with the half life of the substance, or am I being overly hopeful out of desperation?
Any info would be appreciated, and sorry for the rambling post. I barely got up this morning after 4 days of sweating profusely, shivering in cold, with about 3 hours of sleep total. Now that I feel somewhat better (enough to sit at my desk) I just had a lot to vent.
People relapse for several reasons. But mainly because they do not cut off all sources for drugs. You must be truly committed to quitting for good. Please get rid of any and all that you have left. You are already thinking of a relapse by wanting to take just a little for sleep. The reason that this will not work is because "a little" will never be enough. You will want more and more, and your body will require more and more to get the desired efect. I promise you that a little will not help you.
The other main reason for relapse is because people do not get any aftercare. Once they quit, and get through detox, they think they are strong. But, as you've seen, your mind will keep craving the drug. I think seeing a Psychiatrist would be great for you. You will get one on one, in person support, and you can get to the root of the issues of why you started using in the first place. Also, you will get the tools you will need to stay clean. This is very important. Aftercare may be the most important step in this process.
Whatever you do, DON'T use! Please don't. You have come way to farr to have to start over again. Also, each detox will get worse than the one before, and detox get worse as you age!
Hang in there! Keep asking questions. You are doing great!
The other main reason for relapse is because people do not get any aftercare. Once they quit, and get through detox, they think they are strong. But, as you've seen, your mind will keep craving the drug. I think seeing a Psychiatrist would be great for you. You will get one on one, in person support, and you can get to the root of the issues of why you started using in the first place. Also, you will get the tools you will need to stay clean. This is very important. Aftercare may be the most important step in this process.
Whatever you do, DON'T use! Please don't. You have come way to farr to have to start over again. Also, each detox will get worse than the one before, and detox get worse as you age!
Hang in there! Keep asking questions. You are doing great!
Thanks for the kind words. I honestly thought I was done with the cravings after the intense pain ended, but this stretched out insomnia and tiredness has me wishing for any relief, especially at night. I desperately hope I can stand it.
I'm not sure if this will be much after care for addiction (nor whether I am addicted, scared to find out), but I'm seriously considering seeing a psychiatrist. I think the main reason I started using opiates regularly is because I thought they improved my personality (from being introverted and depressed). There must be better (and safer) ways to deal with this problem, fentanyl was such a stupid choice.
I'm not sure if this will be much after care for addiction (nor whether I am addicted, scared to find out), but I'm seriously considering seeing a psychiatrist. I think the main reason I started using opiates regularly is because I thought they improved my personality (from being introverted and depressed). There must be better (and safer) ways to deal with this problem, fentanyl was such a stupid choice.
I'd also like some information on how people tend to relapse.
I didn't have the courage to flush the medicine I have before I started my detox. I did lock it in a case with a padlock and literally threw away the keys, so it wasn't easy to get to, but if I ended up giving up, I could hack it open.
I feel like I've gotten through the worst of the w/d's, and the cravings have pretty much gone away (except when I lay awake in the early mornings, but this I can suppress).
I don't quite understand what would happen if I let myself have a very small dose to help with sleep before going to bed. I understand that this is the beginning of a very slippery slope, but does a small slip actually set you back all the way to day 1?
The extremely long nights leave me thinking about this a lot, and the only thing that stops me is my fear that I won't have the self control to stop myself after the one dose at night.
Any insight on how people relapse would help me understand better.
Thanks in advance, fent.
I didn't have the courage to flush the medicine I have before I started my detox. I did lock it in a case with a padlock and literally threw away the keys, so it wasn't easy to get to, but if I ended up giving up, I could hack it open.
I feel like I've gotten through the worst of the w/d's, and the cravings have pretty much gone away (except when I lay awake in the early mornings, but this I can suppress).
I don't quite understand what would happen if I let myself have a very small dose to help with sleep before going to bed. I understand that this is the beginning of a very slippery slope, but does a small slip actually set you back all the way to day 1?
The extremely long nights leave me thinking about this a lot, and the only thing that stops me is my fear that I won't have the self control to stop myself after the one dose at night.
Any insight on how people relapse would help me understand better.
Thanks in advance, fent.
Hi fent, I think that your age (being 19) will definately help you recover more quickly. I'm glad to hear that things are starting to get better. Hopefully you are beginning to turn the corner, and you will continue to improve each day. Hang in there, and stay strong and focussed. Keep posting, and let us know your progress. All the best!
PS: have you given any thought to some form of aftercare, like AA/NA meetings, counseling, therapy, etc? Aftercare is a very importand step in this process. There, you will get in person support as well as the tools you will need to stay clean. Give this some thought.
PS: have you given any thought to some form of aftercare, like AA/NA meetings, counseling, therapy, etc? Aftercare is a very importand step in this process. There, you will get in person support as well as the tools you will need to stay clean. Give this some thought.
Hey there, I appreciate your post, knowing there are other people out there fighting the same thing as me, or a lot worse, really helps me get through this.
I guess I'm having it easy, maybe it's because I'm younger (only 19), or because, apparently, intranasal fentanyl has a half life of 7 minutes compared to transdermal fentanyl patches with half lives of up to 27 HOURS. Either way, I hope you start to get better soon, I can't even imagine what 8 years on oxycodone must be like to quit from.
I guess I'm having it easy, maybe it's because I'm younger (only 19), or because, apparently, intranasal fentanyl has a half life of 7 minutes compared to transdermal fentanyl patches with half lives of up to 27 HOURS. Either way, I hope you start to get better soon, I can't even imagine what 8 years on oxycodone must be like to quit from.
I agree, at first, the sheer pain and going back and forth between shivering cold and sweating profusely were what I thought was going to kill me, but now, the combination of fatigue and insomnia is what's bothering me the most.
Last night, I could only think of how cruel this combination of symptoms is, before getting 2 hours of sleep. Still, it's getting a lot better.
Thanks a lot for suggesting the supplements and Hyland's Restful Legs. I only got the metal supplements today, but was able to find Restful Legs at the CVS last night; I don't know if it was the curiously fast melting pills or walking all over the medicine aisles but I did get more sleep (considering).
Last night, I could only think of how cruel this combination of symptoms is, before getting 2 hours of sleep. Still, it's getting a lot better.
Thanks a lot for suggesting the supplements and Hyland's Restful Legs. I only got the metal supplements today, but was able to find Restful Legs at the CVS last night; I don't know if it was the curiously fast melting pills or walking all over the medicine aisles but I did get more sleep (considering).
Thanks for the tips on RLS! I did not have any elastic bandages to work with, but I tried putting my legs up while sleeping, and that helped a lot!
And yeah, I found out later about Benadryl or other antihistamines exacerbating the problem, but only after taking 150mg in maddening insomnia :/ That's probably why I had such a bad time with it all of a sudden.
You were right on my feeling better today also! I was actually able to eat lunch out, which I would have thought impossible yesterday. I can finally see the end, thanks a lot for your advice!
And yeah, I found out later about Benadryl or other antihistamines exacerbating the problem, but only after taking 150mg in maddening insomnia :/ That's probably why I had such a bad time with it all of a sudden.
You were right on my feeling better today also! I was actually able to eat lunch out, which I would have thought impossible yesterday. I can finally see the end, thanks a lot for your advice!
From what I've read, the route of transmission (transdermal vs intranasal) doesn't make a huge difference; once you have the drug in your body, your liver metabolizes it the same way.)
How old are you? The younger you are, the more quickly you will get over the w/d's. I'm not sure if that is a good or bad thing. I'm 52, coming of an 8 year dependency of prescribed oxycodone. I've had an AWFUL time withdrawing. I envy you that at day 5 you are feeling a bit better. The hell had just begun for me on day 6. Yesterday was day 16 and I started getting the leg pains back, still having diarrhea, and now a new symptom: coughing!
Yes sirree, this is a sleigh ride to Hell. I will never touch another narcotic again. I don't know WHAT I'm going to do if I ever need surgery!
Hang in there, and don't give up. No one's life gets better on opiates. It just deteriorates over time. My daughter dated a guy for five years whose mother has interstitial cystitis and takes a LOT of oxycontin. She is beginning to have memory loss and signs of early dementia.
I think opiates should be ONLY used VERY short term post-surgery, for cancer patients, and of course, for end-of-life comfort measures. Other than that, they just shoudln't be touched. It is so easy in some states (Florida, for example) to go to a doc-in-the-box and say you twisted your back...and get a script for 80 percs. BAD STUFF.
The best things in life require pain and effort. Don't give up!
How old are you? The younger you are, the more quickly you will get over the w/d's. I'm not sure if that is a good or bad thing. I'm 52, coming of an 8 year dependency of prescribed oxycodone. I've had an AWFUL time withdrawing. I envy you that at day 5 you are feeling a bit better. The hell had just begun for me on day 6. Yesterday was day 16 and I started getting the leg pains back, still having diarrhea, and now a new symptom: coughing!
Yes sirree, this is a sleigh ride to Hell. I will never touch another narcotic again. I don't know WHAT I'm going to do if I ever need surgery!
Hang in there, and don't give up. No one's life gets better on opiates. It just deteriorates over time. My daughter dated a guy for five years whose mother has interstitial cystitis and takes a LOT of oxycontin. She is beginning to have memory loss and signs of early dementia.
I think opiates should be ONLY used VERY short term post-surgery, for cancer patients, and of course, for end-of-life comfort measures. Other than that, they just shoudln't be touched. It is so easy in some states (Florida, for example) to go to a doc-in-the-box and say you twisted your back...and get a script for 80 percs. BAD STUFF.
The best things in life require pain and effort. Don't give up!
Hi fent,
the RLS, sleeplessnes, and fatigue were by far my worst symptoms, as well. Epsom Salt baths, and a 3 in 1 supplement with Calcium, Magnesium, and Zinc helped me with the RLS. You can also try Hylands Restful Legs which you can find at Walmart. Some people say that helps.
The best thing I found for fatigue was to get outside and walk in the fresh air. It may be the last thing you feel like doing, but truly, it made me feel so much better. Not much helped with sleep. You can drink some calming tea before bed, and some say Melatonin, or Alteril, both are natural supplements, can help.
Hang in there. Things should start improving soon. Take care, I wish you the best.
the RLS, sleeplessnes, and fatigue were by far my worst symptoms, as well. Epsom Salt baths, and a 3 in 1 supplement with Calcium, Magnesium, and Zinc helped me with the RLS. You can also try Hylands Restful Legs which you can find at Walmart. Some people say that helps.
The best thing I found for fatigue was to get outside and walk in the fresh air. It may be the last thing you feel like doing, but truly, it made me feel so much better. Not much helped with sleep. You can drink some calming tea before bed, and some say Melatonin, or Alteril, both are natural supplements, can help.
Hang in there. Things should start improving soon. Take care, I wish you the best.
Hi & Welcome to the community,
You are not rambling honey so no fear of that. I am glad you found your way here. I have used Fentanyl but is not my DOC so I cannot give you much advice on that particular drug. Generally, withdrawal is withdrawal. Everything about the same no matter which drug but some get more intense symptoms.
For me, the insomnia and the restless legs were the worst part of detox. i never found a way to sleep with everything I tried (over the counter stuff) but I did find a few ways to help with the rls. The rls comes in when you lay down right? It did for me and I wrapped my legs in ace bandages, from the knee down, and put it on a little tight. Then I sat my rear end in a lounge chair and put my legs up. It helped a whole lot.
Be careful taking something like Benadryl. It made the rls ten times worse.
It takes time honey and no one call tell you how long this will last. At 5 daus you should start to feeling better tomorrow. You just need to hang in there.
Stick around as more members come on and they can tell you what works for them.
You are not rambling honey so no fear of that. I am glad you found your way here. I have used Fentanyl but is not my DOC so I cannot give you much advice on that particular drug. Generally, withdrawal is withdrawal. Everything about the same no matter which drug but some get more intense symptoms.
For me, the insomnia and the restless legs were the worst part of detox. i never found a way to sleep with everything I tried (over the counter stuff) but I did find a few ways to help with the rls. The rls comes in when you lay down right? It did for me and I wrapped my legs in ace bandages, from the knee down, and put it on a little tight. Then I sat my rear end in a lounge chair and put my legs up. It helped a whole lot.
Be careful taking something like Benadryl. It made the rls ten times worse.
It takes time honey and no one call tell you how long this will last. At 5 daus you should start to feeling better tomorrow. You just need to hang in there.
Stick around as more members come on and they can tell you what works for them.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Addiction: Substance Abuse Community
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.
