fentanyl patch withdrawals

[aj1960]

I've been on fentanyl patch 25 mcg and 12 mcg combine for 2 years for health reasons . Due to adverse side effects I have come off of them call Turkey . I am on day 5 and it is been hellish to say the least.

[marycarmel]

Alteril is all natural and works grear for sleep.

[Pat1956100]

Hi aj
You are doing so well and yes, unfortunately, sleep is the last thing that returns to normal.  It is very frustrating but you just have to resign yourself to it.  It will return though.  You will get more and more sleep soon.
Have you tried melatonin?  It seems to work for many.
Just take what sleep you can get and know that you are doing amazing.
Keep posting for support.  The mental battle is tough.

[aj1960]

I made a post that I meant to send to you.  I hope u see it and have an answer.  You've been so very helpful.
BTW,  merry Christmas.

[aj1960]

Well,  it's Dec 21.  I'm still off meds.  The sneezing is almost gone.  BUT,  and I mean a big but,  WHEN WILL I EVER SLEEP AGAIN.  night time rolls around and my body starts acting like I've had double expreso and now in itching all over.   I'm so very tired.   I feel great during the day but night fall is rough. I'm I still in withdrawal? Is it just my body rebuilding itself from the past years of being on fentanyl ?

[marycarmel]

Usually it's best to taper of Fentanyl as it is so hard to come off.  You might ask your doctor for Clonidine, an old blood pressure med that helps with withdrawal.  Imodium also helps with all symptoms, not just stomach troubles.  Try Hylands Restful Lesgs for the rls.  Bananas  or tonic water with quinine will also help.  A magnesium supplement may also help.

[aj1960]

I'm doing better. I'm still sneezing like crazy.   The hard horrible withdrawals are over except for when I try to sleep.   I still can't sleep and toss and turn,  so I just get up.   I'm exhausted but at least I am not on there patches or other meds.   Also my pain is so much better.  The meds seem to be a big part of the the horrible pain I've been thru.
Don't stop.  Don't give in.  Get through and then realize access your pain.

[Charleigh123]

I am so glad to have come upon your posts! My very loving husband told me to rip off my patch and go cold turkey 5 days ago because I guess he got tired of hearing me complain that my pain was not better and I was overdosing on otc meds to get through the day.  I was only on the patches for 4 months because I reached the highest tollerance on hydro and I am allergic to Morphine.  Since I never got a "high" from the patches, I thought it was no biggie.  Oh lord, this has been HELL!!!!!  Vomiting and migraines to unable to function out of my bed and too weak to walk.  I am sneezing like a maniac too and was like, WTF?  Then I saw that this was part of the detox and you and the people helping you helped me!  I can only hope that there is a light at the end of this tunnel.  I am scared I will always feel this way.  Almost an anorexic feeling.  The pain clinic called and wondered why i didn't get my refill.  I told them why and they said i needed a withdrawl med.  Shoot, I can't shower, let alone drive.  Besides, I am sure it is methadone and another pill to kick. My husband took away all otc pain relievers that i was abusing.  I do have to monitor blood sugar.  Will I feel like a human again?  Are you doing better?

[ariley13]

Ha! Yep, might be a good idea. You may not have as rough of a time as I did with the sneezing. I have terrible allergies all year round anyways. You've got this either way though. Sneezing is a small thing to deal with when you've got your freedom. Keep up all of your great work and soon it will really start to pay off.

[aj1960]

Thx.  Good to know.  I guess I better  buy more tissues then ;)

[ariley13]

The sneezing can last for awhile, but the flu-like stuff should be passing very soon. I think I was sneezing for almost a month after I quit. It did get a little better every day though. Congrats on you 8 days clean! You are doing fantastic. Hang in there and keep fighting.

[aj1960]

The worst of the withdrawals are gone but the sneezing and flu symptoms are diving me nuts. I feel so sick.  I'm on the eight day.

[ariley13]

If you have to take it, then take it, but be very careful. It's very easy to become dependent on it and the withdrawals make opiate withdrawal look like a walk in the park. You just keep doing whatever you have to no matter how silly it seems. Rock away!

[aj1960]

Good idea,  the icy hot.  I'll try that.  Last night I finally resigned myself to rocking,  very fast,  I might add,  in the lazy boy.  Sounds silly but it seems to help . I may not even try to lay down tonight because it is too  frustrating  and scary.  
What about the Valium,  should I not take it either?  I don't want to,  but  the past two nights were so unbearable.

[ariley13]

You're very welcome. Please keep posting. We are here for you.

[aj1960]

Thx for the the encouragement.   I've been reading this forum daily,  nightly,  etc.  Its been so helpful but I felt I needed to post.

[ariley13]

I had that too. Where I would be ok during the day, but once night hit I freaked out and the anxiety and restless legs started. Increasing your potassium intake can really help the leg stuff. Also putting Icy Hot on your legs and wrapping them snugly in ace bandages really helped me. You can even sleep like that. The biggest thing that helped me is when I stopped fighting it and fretting over sleeping. The more you obsess and psyche yourself out, the worse it will be. I know it sounds basic and simple, but the more you can go with the flow, the better.

[aj1960]

Thanks for responding ago quickly.  First I apologize for all typos,  my tablet loves to auto fill.  
My syptoms are,  sneezing,  flu like aches and pains.  During the day is better, far from great,  but better.  But night time is a different story.  I get real jumpy,  restless leg is awful.  I feel like I'm Linda Blair from Exorcist,  minus being mean. Thing is night time is here again and I really need rest.  The people last two nights I've taken Valium and is helped some but I'm fearful of trading one problem for another. I am taking overcounter ibuprofen too.  

[ariley13]

This all sounds very normal. Hot baths with epsom salts can help a lot with any aches, pains, restless legs, and anxiety. Exercise and staying as active as possible can help too and helps you to heal a lot faster. Music, funny tv/movies, chatting on here can all help to keep your mind off of how awful you feel. Sounds like you are doing a lot of the right stuff. Just hang in there and I promise things will get better very soon as long as you don't use.

[ariley13]

Hi there and welcome! Fentanyl can be one of the tougher opiate detoxes due to it being a totally synthetic drug. The more synthetic the drug, the longer it likes to hang on. You are doing amazing if you have made it 5 days!! Keep up the fight and please stick around and keep posting. This is a wonderful community where you will find lots of encouragement, support, and advice. What symptoms are you having? If you let us know we can offer advice on how to ease the symptoms a little. Please hang around. We are here for you. Take care and keep your head up.

[aj1960]

I'm new to this and my post is cut off before I was finished. To continue I feel like I have the flu I'm sneezing constantly going thru tissues like crazy I have restless leg syndrome I have no lathargec . Needless to say sleep is non existent. I have watched the thomas recipe and read a lot of post and realize  a lot of this is normal I just felt like  being on such lower doses it should be  easier by now. I have used valium the past two night just to her a bit if relief but I feel it may be extending what is inevitable. Km taking ibuprofen and some Benadryl but that seems to not make a difference. Then Agin it could be helping and I just don't know. I'm taking hot showers, singing water, hot tea, and coffee, both decaf. Reading, watching TV, listening to music, anything to take my mind off the torment. Please any thoughts?

[aj1960]

I'm new to this and my post is cut off before I was finished. To continue I feel like I have the flu I'm sneezing constantly going thru tissues like crazy I have restless leg syndrome I have no lathargec . Needless to say sleep is non existent. I have watched the thomas recipe and read a lot of post and realize  a lot of this is normal I just felt like  being on such lower doses it should be  easier by now. I have used valium the past two night just to her a bit if relief but I feel it may be extending what is inevitable. Km taking ibuprofen and some Benadryl but that seems to not make a difference. Then Agin it could be helping and I just don't know. I'm taking hot showers, singing water, hot tea, and coffee, both decaf. Reading, watching TV, listening to music, anything to take my mind off the torment. Please any thoughts?