I'm nevous and afraid of what I am going thru with these withdrawals.

[cetiya]

I am getting off the Duragesic Patch, that I have been on for about 5 months. Took it off Monday morning.  My doc was great and game me a million Oxys to get off the Fentanyl.
  One of my main fears is this strange violent "twitch" , it just lasts a second, but it's scaring me, maybe I have something wrong with my brain?
  Also, I have a weird rash on my face and hand, a low grade fever and a sore throat. I did go to a walk-in clinic and they gave me a creme to put on my face and hands.

[theGolden1]

I have a painful condition called fibromyalgia and started out on vicodin 3 years ago, but my rheumatologist switched me to Ultram. It was effective and I was able to live my life pain free. After finding out that ultram was an addictive drug and very hard to get off of .... I began to taper down. I now find that this pain  condition has all but disappeared and I want to quit drugs altogether. I have been tapering since January .... very, very slowly. Two days ago I stopped the ultram and substituted vicodin. After reading this board I am terrified of getting hooked ... but I want out!! I figure I have 2 more days before addiction sets in. I'm not sure what I will do ... but I know one thing ..... I shall be released. I appreciate your perception as far as pain vs getting high. I have a few theories on the management of pain, or should I say the mismanagement of pain. I believe we are made to feel ashamed of being in pain. We are treated as though we are "weak" or something. Maybe we should try a little harder. I also believe that this is what is behind assisted suicide. The shame that people feel when they have to bear extreme pain or even be on pain medication. They don't want anyone to see them like this. Pain patients are stigmatized and looked down on. MrMichael had some very good  coments regarding pain medication. I will say one thing .... although we start out trying to wipe out the chronic pain and get a life .... an obsessive mental disorder can occur with the continued use of addictive medications. That's a given. I just don't think people should be judged for something that is not their fault. Just be aware that opiates target the brain. The brain will invent pain to get that drug. When I took vikes .... the first brain change was obsessive thoughts .... I couldn't forget about this fear I had .... that rapidly changed into cravings for the pills. I'm on guard this time ... what will you do if you ever need to use pain medication again??

[Thomas03]

Well, old man, forgive the **** out of me for not realizing that humor is not permitted here. I somehow missed that during my 3.5 years on this forum.

As for reading comprehension, I comprehended that part of your post that meant anything to me and left the rest to others.

Ya know, you

[Expillman]

Thanks, Susie.  I, for one, will be happy to see this month of May 2003 roll off into infinity.  I lost my wife earlier this month and now getting off of pain meds has given me DOUBLE TROUBLE.  

I'm simply NOT going to allow this to drag me down for weeks and weeks.  I've decided I'm through with it and that's that.

[snowbunny1]

Hey, hows it goin? In reference to your question and all of the comments from everyone, I would have to say that I dont think it is a good idea to trade in one drug for another, I believe that this just causes more and more problems for someone that already has or had an addiction. There are probably many side affects that will come along with your twitches but in time will get better. Its always a scary thought about coming off of any kind of drug and I believe that you will be ok. Hang in there! snowbunny1

[Susie B]

My deepest sympathy for your loss, and even bigger kudos for your brave fight at this time. Maybe there's some magic in that $50 Menterry Breeze Sun Hat!

[Chezz2]

Terter,

Yes it is VERY possible your friend who is an addict will become addicted relatively quickly taking 12 norco's a day after surgery. Just part of how our brains work. It doens't take much, nor a long time.

Snowbunny- You can not come straight off the patch without tapering down to another med and then tapering again from there. It would be a living hell to just pull the patch off and call it quits. Fentynl is VERY strong.

Regards,
Chezz