post fentanyl w/d problems

Question

Long time fent. user. In process of titrating off completely. Excessive fatigue for many yrs.  Just read a post by a
fent. user that has dx'ed completely. He claims he has post w/d "problems". I've never heard of this. Most say they
feel much better after w/d. No details yet about these problems. Scares me. Has anyone heard of having problems
after fent. w/d? Gladly accept all responses, thanks, Dolph

Randolpho · Answer

tooter, is it possible you could provide more information about your
symptoms. 40 yrs, that must have been terrible. Fatigue is my biggest
problem. Was fatigue a symptom of yours? Really curious if your problems were similar to mine. I have spent much time in bed. Prior to that I was very
active. I thought all along Hep C was the cause. Now I'm not even sure of that. I've been cured of HepC, but still feel the same. So, if you have a moment, and don't mind, please let me know what you went thru for so long,
thanks,Dolph.

Randolpho · Answer

Thanks toooter, that's the most encouraging thing I've heard. 15 ys. of
misery. Just hope I have the same reaction as you did. Will certainly let you
know what happens, Should be this week sometime.Thanks again, Dolph

marycarmel · Answer

It took me months after stopping to feel good.  I functioned but it was hard.  I also came off a bunch of things at the same time because I felt over medicated.  If I was doing it again, I'd do a long slow taper.  I also had several underlying health conditions that factored in.

tooter212 · Answer

The thyroid med made me feel all is well. I was okay in my own skin for the first time in 40 yrs! I just wish a dr had checked me before all this time. But hey i'm not going back in the past, it's all future now!! Thanks to MH I have one!

tooter212 · Answer

oh you're going to feel soooo much better when you start your thyroid med!!! I know I did. It even helped my depression!!! Had to cut it back to 25mg because of heart rate and chest pressure. After test next week hope to get back to 50mg. I also was low in B12. Keep us posted

Randolpho · Answer

been  awhile since I checked in. I've since discovered that my fatigue may
have been caused by a thyroid condition. Am presently waiting for final blood
test results. Still want to kick fent. Marycarmel, you never responded to
my ?. Did it take you a few months to w/d from fent, or a few months to
feel better after w/d ing from fent. If you're still following this forum, could
you please respond to my ?. Thanks either way, Dolph

Randolpho · Answer

A few months to stop, or a few months after stopping to feel better? I'm not
sleepy, jus exhausted all the time. My Dr's doing a complete blood and 
urine test/results in a week or so.

marycarmel · Answer

It's doable.  I was on 100 mcg  every 2 days.  If I stopped moving I would fall asleep.  (I was dependent rather than addicted so I didn't have the mental component to deal with.). Hopefully it won't take you as long to feel better.  But for me it was a few months.

Randolpho · Answer

Really appreciate your input. Let me give a few details.I'm f'ing 68, and enjoyed the 60's. Had HCV for many yrs(not addict). Took latest meds and
have come out clean(maybe some liver damage). Started fent. at least 10 or
more yrs. ago. Got up to 100mcs/2 days,w/Dr's rx. Have had excessive
fatigue for long,long time. Think, but not certain, the heavy use of fent. caused it. Maybe a combination of factors.I know my age,length of use, and
high dosage will work against me. Since I'm down to approx 15 mcs/day I 
thought I would start feeling better. Not happening. Per your advice, I guess
I have a ways to go. No w/d effects yet, but was hoping to start feeling a bit better. It doesn't sound pretty, but I'm prepared to stop. Hope this makes some sense, and gracias.

marycarmel · Answer

I came off Fentanyl cold turkey and it was pretty bad.  I had mild to moderate withdrawals for months.  My biggest problem was a severe heaviness in my limbs and nausea and vomiting.  Staying hydrated is key.  I found Popsicles helped with fluid intake as well as fruits like watermelon and pineapple.  If you can taper that would be best but even with tapering you'll feel it.  Fentanyl is extremely strong.

gnarly_1 · Answer

Hi and welcome to the forum.....as for your question  recovery comes slow after years of use/abuse.....it is unrealistic to thing after a few days of detox your going to be good to go...we use a formula that is based on length of use////how high a dose///and your age will all factor into your recovery  my last detox was from 7yrs of methadone at a high dose and I was 47  so all the cards where stacked ageist me  it took a good 90 days to even start to feel better...fentynal is a tuff kick no mater how you do it  recovery is usually slow but you will recover  we have several members who have kicked this drug so they will chim in with some advise   just know it can be done  keep posting for support........Gnarly