Fentanyl withdrawal

[Annia73]

I have been using the patches for 6 years, up to 75gm. I had a couple of bad experiences at the dentist recently after extractions to begin implant surgery. I just stopped using the patches, it has been a bad 10 days. I am 73. Some symptoms seem very weird. Can anyone advise as to how long this will last.

[marycarmel]

  I agree) Annia is amazing.  I don't think they fully inform people about the bad side effects Fentanyl can have.  I truly believe it caused real damage to my body.  Some people seem to do well with it but far more seem to have problems with it.

[marycarmel]

  I agree) Annia is amazing.  I don't think they fully inform people about the bad side effects Fentanyl can have.  I truly believe it caused real damage to my body.  Some people seem to do well with it but far more seem to have problems with it.

[lulu747]

You are inspirational and like I said, one tough cookie.  How are you managing your pain now?
Lu

[lulu747]

Honey the fentanyl is just awful.  Tell your doc you want to switch to an oral opiate and taper from there.  It took a lot of me complaining and begging before my doctor agreed to this.  I truly believe it causes more suffering than it does help.
What are you taking the fentanyl for?

[Annia73]

Please stop using the patches, don't go cold turkey, I am stupid. It's because we lived on the edge of the Kalahari desert for so long we had to make our own decisions  & self medicate. I feel so much better now, as though I have come through a dark tunnel. I don't know your age but am finding that doctors are not terribly interested in the over sixties. A dentist told me that there are too many people on the planet .& too many elderly, I guess I know when I'm not wanted., but there are things I want to do & places I want to go.
Urine retention is still lingering, I drink lots of water & cranberry juice & hope for the best. It is worse in the evening.
Don't sleep your life away,. X

[Jinx_777]

you absolutely amaze me.  i am on fentanyl 50 mcg and i am scared to death of the detox.  you have given me hope.  i have horrible fatigue on this patch (started about 1 or 2 months after starting it) and if i could stay in bed 24/7 i would.  hate this medication.  went to the doctor today and she took blood to test my liver function and it came back ok.  she refuses to believe it could be caused by this dang patch.  

[Annia73]

Thank you, I hope you both have found help & good medication.
I had spinal surgery 30 years ago in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. I lived in Botswana at the time. There was no doctor or any medical help within 200 miles of our home, so after 14 days in hospital I went home & managed. Unfortunately just 5 weeks later my husband had a heart attack so I had to
run our company. I don't think my lamenectomy had chance to heal properly so have been in pain ever since. Now arthritis has taken its toll.
I do feel that doctors should be careful when prescribing fentanyl & explain
the downs.
Go well.
X

[marycarmel]

I had a problem with urinary retention on Fentanyl and though it's not as bad now, I still have it.  I'm so impressed you got through this.  I hope your new doctor has a better plan for you and that you have more confidence in him.

[lulu747]

Hey Annia-

Wow you are one tough cookie!!!!  I was a mess when I was on Fentanyl so I switched to an oral opiate and then tapered until I was at a reasonable level to jump cold turkey.
What was the fentanyl prescribed for?  What are your plans for managing your pain?  I'm assuming it's pretty serious because Fentanyl is just about the strongest pain med there is.
I admire your courage and strength.  I am so happy you are feeling better.  Please keep us updated.
Lu

[Annia73]

I am clear now, but 14 days after stopping I thought I was going to die & didn't care. I realise now that the urine retention problem I had was also
caused by fentanyl. I am between doctors, I had no confidence in my last one
& haven't seen my new one yet, I have an appointment on Monday. I will make sure that I research any drug they want me to take.
I am feeling human again.
Good luck to all trying to stop, it is worth while. X

[marycarmel]

I would have thought you would ave had worse symptoms.  It's a very tough drug to come off.  Drink lotsof fluids and eat wha you ca.  Look at the Thomas recipe for supplements that wll hep.  How do you feel now?

[lulu747]

Hi Annia-
Wow.  That sounds like you got off pretty easy in terms of a cold turkey Fentanyl detox.  I'm sure it doesn't feel that way to you, but most people would literally feel like they were dying and not sleep at all.
The benefit of fentanyl is not great and yes, I think I was in worse pain on fentanyl than anything else.  
How are you feeling now?  Have you checked in with a doctor?
Lu

[Annia73]

Lu, I am 73, I am not on any other opiate. I was tired, sleeping for maybe 16 hours a day, sweating horribly, general operating at about a sixteenth capacity. I don't feel the benefit so so great as I was still in pain.

[lulu747]

Why did you discontinue use?  What kind of symptoms are you experiencing?  I have been on fentanyl at that dosage and it is HIGH.  It is not something that you want to stop abruptly.  But it's been 10 days already???  Have you been very very ill?  Are you taking any other form of opiate?
I am concerned both because of the abrupt stop of a very strong opiate, and your age.  Please tell us more so we can help.
Lu