Fentanyl Withdrawal Cold Turkey

[Noggin9797]

I have been on the 100 mcg Duragesic Patch as well as 120mg of oxycodone each day for about a year now.  I stopped the patch cold turkey about 5 days ago and am slowly tapering down my oxycodone usage.  I am also prescribed 4 mg of Xanax a day, which I am also trying to taper down.  I was in a really bad car accident about 5 years ago and have had a total disc replacement at the L5-S1 level as well as a neurostimulator implanted.  Unfortunately when the implanted the stimulator they put the paddle a little too far to the left, so I get no stimulation on the right side.  I think it was a mistake to have it put in in the first place, because its is a pain in the *** to keep it charged and it doesn't give much relief at all.  I am meeting with the surgeon on the 31st to see about having it totally removed.  I have started exercising each day to help strengthen my back.  But I am still in pain.  I'm down to about 90mg of oxycodone each day, but after about 8 hours or so I feel as if I am going through withdrawals.  I get extremely restless, can't sleep, anxiety, the normal opiate withdrawal symptoms.  I feel as if I need something.  Depending on my pain level, I will either just take 1 mg of Xanax or an oxy.  And then everything goes away.  How long will this last?  I don't think I will ever be able to stop everything because I have panic attacks and I grind my teeth really bad without the Xanax, which gives me really bad migraines and am in quite a bit of pain.  But I'd like to get down to the minimum amount of drugs as possible.  Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks...

[Dee1956]

It sounds to me like you are doing really well, with drawing from fentanyl patches is a hard thing to do.  I would just concentrate on that for now.  Once you are done with that, then you can focus on tapering down the xanax.
It sounds to me as if you have a plan.  One thing I would suggest is to keep a log.  It is very easy to forget you have taken a pill or what time.
I recently had a problem with xanax and that is how I tapered down to nothing, by keeping track on a calendar every time I took it.
Good luck to you

[jamesedward]

Do it slowly and with the assistance of a doctor that can safely help you through your symptoms. It sounds like you are on the right track mentally and that is the most important.

[CWKavinRAS]

It sounds like your body has created a tolerance to the amount you take , Opiate withdrawals usually lasts ( the physical part) 5 to seven days, but then you have to deal with the craving and lack of endorphins that can raise your anxiety level. Do it slowly and with the assistance of a doctor that can safely help you through your symptoms. It sounds like you are on the right track mentally and that is the most important. I hope all goes well with the appointment with the surgeon..