Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
9258244 tn?1402972453

Fentanyl 12.5

Any suggestions with detoxing from 12.5mcg Fentanyl patches?
2 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
1684282 tn?1614701284
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
It is difficult to quit on your own, but with commitment and dedication it is possible. I have dealt with hundreds of addicts who have all told me horror stories of doing it by themselves.  I would only guess that if are successful in doing it at home you don't end up in my clinic.
Just in case you are curious, it takes us three to four days to detox a patient and get him/her back home drug free and feeling well on Naltrexone therapy (no opiates).
Tapering down slowly is the best way, but you may still experience withdrawals. Tapering means gradually increasing time periods between doses and also decreasing the dose itself in a consistent manner.
See if your doctor can write you a prescription for some Requip for restlessness, Neurontin for anxiety and malaise, some Flexeril or Soma for a few weeks for muscle spasms and maybe some Seroquel low dose, for sleep. and Clonidine for the creepy-crawly feeling and control of blood pressure variations. It will make your withdrawals easier.  Valerian and Magnesium is sometimes helpful remedies over the counter.
The residual symptoms of insomnia and depression can last another few months. Thus, it is not easy, but it gets better and better over time and you can look forward to a drug free healthy energetic you in the future. When you take opiates for a long time like you have, your body's physiology has been altered. Your central nervous system has created a multitude of opioid receptors that all are screaming for endorphins (opiates) to fill them, but your body has now forgotten how to make them by itself.  It will take time - two to four weeks at least, for your receptors to down-regulate (for the brain begin to heal) and to start making its own endorphins. Brain heals pretty slowly, so it may take you as long as a couple of months to get rid of feelings of sluggishness, restlessness and depression. The best thing you can do is take good care of yourself, eat healthy food, stay hydrated, keep active and busy. Stay away from sugar, soda, and simple carbs. Do not consume caffeine at least 6 hours prior to bedtime.
Take a look at my blogs about options for detox and recovery. You may also take a look at my clinic website where I also have my blogs and a lot of other info about drug addiction and recovery. Look especially into the blog and the info on Naltrexone therapy after getting clean. It really improves your chances of staying clean for good by cutting down your physical cravings. Look into my clinic website as well. All this can be done by clicking on my name in blue. Good luck and feel good.
Helpful - 2
9258244 tn?1402972453
Thank you so much for your suggestions. I never intended for my Pain Mgmnt Dr to take me this far. After 2 yrs of Methadone and a little over a year of this Fentanyl, I'm done. I feel so toxic and that's not me. I am on 12.5mcg reduced from 25mcg 3,months ago. I thought of cutting the patch (its not the jelly one, looks like a piece of tape) in half and doing that for about a month. Then go cold turkey. Your advice?
Helpful - 0

You are reading content posted in the Addiction Forum

Popular Resources
Is treating glaucoma with marijuana all hype, or can hemp actually help?
If you think marijuana has no ill effects on your health, this article from Missouri Medicine may make you think again.
Julia Aharonov, DO, reveals the quickest way to beat drug withdrawal.
Tricks to help you quit for good.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.