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Fentanyl withdrawal

Hi, I'm new here. I have been on the fentanyl patch for over a year. I worked my way up to 100mcg. and held steady there for at least 6 months, maybe more. It never really did a whole lot for my pain, so I kept trying higher dosages.

My husband was on vacation from work last week, and could take care of the kids, so I decided that would be a good time to get off this stuff. My prescribing doctor (an internist) said I "should feel a couple days of discomfort". Boy, is that the understatement of the year!

I took off my last empty patch on Thursday (25mcg., I had worked my way back down from 100mcg. over a few months time), and woke up Friday, feeling like death warmed over. Saturday and Sunday were bad, but slightly better, and today is much the same. I feel like I have the flu really bad, and every muscle hurts, especially my legs and hips.

I have patches left over, and it would be so easy to stick one on, and forget the whole thing, but I feel like I have come so far, I don't ever want to go through this again.

I have called the ER, detox centers, my own doc, and tried to look on the internet (but my eyes refuse to focus), and I've gotten different answers as to how long this takes to detox from? What is the answer? Someone please help me, if you can. It's much appreciated.

magaroon
Best Answer
Avatar universal
Hang in there.....Fentenol is a tough drug to detox from.....You are almost over the hump though.  Day 4 and 5 are the worst for me personally because you are a little better than day 1-3 but the menotony of detox is starting to take its tole.  You are definitely past the worst of it and any day you will break away from the physical effects.  You NEED to exercise and keep your suppliment intake up.  I would highly recommend a 100% weigh protien shake two or three times a day.  Your body needs all of the healthy lean protien that you can manage to eat.  Also, the protien shakes have a lot of amino acids that your body will need to repair your brain.  This will be over soon but keep in mind that this is a process and it take time.  Once you get your energy back you will really start to feel normal.  I cannot tell you how much life is better off of the opiates.  When using you truly think you are normal but once you get a month or two under your belt you will realize that you were in a fog.  Just think also how bad you have felt and every time you go back to using you increase the detox time and levels.....YOU HAVE TO KEEP GOING and quit now because if you don't it gets worse each and every time.  I personally am off the wagon right now and have yet another detox to look forward to.  I am so ashamed that I used again and I have gone through this so many times, I know exactly what to expect and each and every time I relapse it gets worse and worse.  It is a visious cycle and hopefully this time I will make it for good.  Once opiates sink their teeth into you it is extremely hard to get out for good.  A lot of the veterans on this site have been sober for 1-3 years and it takes a unique individual to make it out of this nightmare for good.  You need support and you need to remember that life only happens once and this is our only shot at it and if we waste it away using drugs you will eventually wake up and wonder where all of your life had gone.....Keep posting and god bless.....Also, you can email me if you would like some additional information about what will help you feel better faster....Thanks
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Avatar universal
Is this a support group? I think I must have posted in the wrong place. Aside from 3 people -- 2 days ago, I'm talking to myself here.

Thank you, to the 3 folks who responded.

Bye.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Day 6, holding pattern continues. Still feel flu-ish, trouble sleeping -- flopping like a fish out of water all night. Nausea, sweats/chills, etc. I'm going to feel like this forever. What's the point? :(
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Ugh. This is terrible, I'm on day 5 now and I feel more nauseous and weak than I did yesterday. I feel like this is never going to end. I'm in so much pain, which is why I was put on the patch in the first place. I did take a shower this morning, which took every ounce of energy I had. My legs are so weak, when I walk, they want to come out from underneath me. I know I'm whining, and I apologize, but I don't have anyone else to talk to. I know that I am better than, say, days 1-3, but I feel like I'm in a holding pattern now, and it's never gonna end. :(
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
You are right there, exercise is the LAST thing on my mind. Up until today, I could hardly get out of bed. But today, I was forced to get up and take/pick up the kids from school, and I must admit I felt better moving around and getting fresh air. I still feel like poop, just not as much as the past couple of days. :)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
No problem.....Also, exercise is the #1 way to recover from opiate withdrawal.  Exercise is probably the last thing you are thinking about doing right now but it truly helps out a bunch.  It really helps the brain get back to normal.....Good luck and hang in there!  It is pretty simple really.....DO NOT USE!!!  :)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you for this information! I already have an appt set with my long time therapist (who I've not seen in a few years.) I will check out the amino therapy page. And calling hubby now to bring me home a good multivitamin. Thanks again!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Congrats!  Everyone above pretty much is correct but there are some additional suppliments that you can try that truly help shorten your detox time.  A strong multivitamin and checking out in the health pages on this site....Amino therapy.  These suppliments work wonders and will help you with not only shortening your detox time but helps nurse your system back to health.  Opiates play a number on more than just your brain even with transdermal patches.  I would consider some counceling as well because you will be tempted to use again in the future....Also....Take heed of this warning.  Everytime you go back to opiate use your detox's get worse and worse.....It is not a scare tactic, it is the god honest truth....The longer you use and more times you go back and forth will increase your detox level and time expodentially!  Good luck and God Bless!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Oh thank goodness. Then I should start feeling better in a couple days. It's so hard to find accurate information. Thank you both so very much!!! Thanks for the encouragement too, I really needed that boost!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
The above comment was on the money.........hang in there one more day....day 5 was when my "upswing" started and it just got so much better everyday after that....I'm on day 8(percocet withdrawal)...and I LOVE the way I feel! Keep it up you're doing great!!!!!!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
You HAVE come so far!  Flush those things down the toilet.  It takes about 5-7 days, with days 3 and 4 being the worst.  So Friday was day 1?  That would make this day 4, so you're almost over the worst.  

Does that answer your question?  Remember, everyone is different, so it could vary a little!  Good luck honey. You're doing great!
Helpful - 0
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