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fentanyl

    Hi, I have been taking fentanyl for aprox. 8 yrs and have been on 150mcg every 48 hrs. I started weaning off at 25 mcg at a time. After getting below 100mcgs all hell started. Then I was so miserable and when I was cut to 50mcg I couldnt stand it anymore so decided to do cold turkey just to get it over with. I was like I wanted to die from all the withdrawal symptons. It now has been 30 days and still feel like ****. It took 3 weeks to finally tell that I started getting better ever so slightly. Still miserable and  but can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I expect it may last for moths.If anyone has been there where I was please let me know how long it took to feel good again. Thanks,
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3112530 tn?1434032033
I realize this may be a tough drug to kick but that is how powerful the drug is. You don't realize it until it is too late. I am not here to lecture, just give my support so here it is:
I was taking both Fentanyl and Morphine for pain issues. What a double whammy!!! After I looked in the mirror and scared myself to death, I stopped the Fentanyl that night. The FEAR is what made me do it!
Yes, it was rough but worth it!!! Yes, I went through the withdrawal and yes, it was hard on me also. Looking at death in the mirror was enough to get me started.
After a few days I called my family doctor to advise him what I was doing. He gave me zanex for the anxiety but told me he is only giving me an emergency short supply and to use it only as needed. That same day, I stopped the morphine (about a week apart from one another)
It took me about three days to feel the full effects of the fentanyl withdrawal and the morphine. Stomach cramps, sleep deprivation etc. I took the zanex only at night until it finally kicked in. Eventually I got a couple of hours sleep and that is the start of the medications looking control over your body and mind. Plenty of water, to clean out my system, vitamins, food and only muscle relaxers for pain issues. I had to sweat it out but withing a few weeks I was feeling better. I could think a little better. That also was an improvement. Since I saw improvement in my thinking, I felt confident that I could do this and stick with it and have for over 5 years now.
I will never go back to fentanyl again. That drug took too much away from me and the deception is that I did not even know it. When I began to think clearer, I noticed an overall feeling of better sleep, wanting to eat and clearly thinking now.
It is a rough road as I mentioned but worth every second invested so PLEASE STICK WITH IT!!!! You will see positive results shortly and understand HOW MUCH CONTROL THIS DRUG HAD ON YOU AND WILL NEVER HAVE AGAIN, RIGHT????!!!!
So stick with it and you will see daylight in a whole different view and I promise you, fear will never take you again...unless you let it, so take back the control and do it!!!
Good luck!!!
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Avatar universal
WOW MAD MAN-
I HEAR YOU AND KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU ARE SAYING THROUGH YOUR WHOLE POST.
I HAVE SCHOLIOSIS.  IT STARTED 20 YRS AGO AND IS SOOOOO BAD. I AM ON METHADONE AND OXYCODONE AS A BUFFER.  I AM STILL IN PAIN AND CHRONIC. THIS IS MY PRIMARY DR FOR 11 YRS. I HAVE FINALLY DECIDED TO FIND A DIFFERENT PAIN MGMT. DR THAN THE HORRIBLE ONE I HAD LAST YEAR WHO PUT ME ON FENTANYL PATCH, PERCOCET AND TWO DOSE PAKS OF STEROIDS AND TO TAKE THEM ALL TOGETHER.  THE SIDE EFFECTS JUST AFTER 24 HRS  WERE HORRIFIC AND SCARY. I WENT TO EMERGENCY 14 DIFFERENT TIMES DUE TO ALL OF THESE SIDE EFFECTS IN 10 MONTHS.. IN ADDITION, WHEN I STARTED HAVING THEM I CALLED THIS DR. THREE  TIME IN THREE DAYS AND MADE HIS STAFF AWARE OF HOW SERIOUS THESE SIDE EFFECTS ARE AND TO PLEASE HAVE HIM CALL ME  HE NEVER DID, .
I WAS JUST TALKING WITH MY MAN EARLIER ABOUT IF MAYBE IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO SUE THIS CREEP FOR MAL PRACTICE AND GOING THRU WHAT I DID/PAIN AND SUFFERING AND HOW DARE HIM NOT CALL BACK. I COULD HAVE DIED AND AT TIMES I THOUGHT I WAS. I AM SICK OF THESE PRACTICING DOCTORS THAT ONLY WANT TO GIVE A PERSON NOT ENOUGH PAIN MEDS TO KILL THE PAIN. WHAT THE HECK ARE THEY AFRAID OF? NOT OVERDOSING ON MY END. I HAVE THOUGHT MANY TIMES THAT I WISH THERE WAS SOME WAY THEY COULD FEEL THE PAIN THEIR PATIENTS GO THRU CONSTANTLY/CHRONIC/24/7.  I HAD TO ORDER A MUSCLE RELAXER TO HELP ME SLEEP AT AN ONLINE PHARMACY WITHOUT A SCRIPT AND I A PAYING $$$ FOR THEM, BUT MY DR. STOPPED GIVING ME THEM LONG AGO AND I KNOW THEY WORK. SO I HAD TO DO WHAT I HAD TO DO. HA HA TO THE DR.S THAT WILL NOT HELP FULLY. MY DR WILL NEVER KNOW.LO.L
I KNOW WHAT MY BODY CAN HANDLE.
OH, DID YOU KNOW THAT PHARMICISTS HAVE MORE SAY SO THAT YOUR OWN DR, IF THEY FEEL YOU SHOULD TAKE SOMETHING  WITH SOME OTHER MEDS YOU ARE TAKING, THEY CAN OVER-RIDE THE DR.S SCRIPT AND NOT FILL IT. ALWAYS KISS BUT TO YOUR PHARMICIST AND ESPECIALLY AT WALGREENS. THEY ONLY HAVE ONE ON STAFF AT A TIME AND THEY ARE MORE BUSY THAN ANY OTHER PHARMACIES. WHO DO WE GO TO/ WHO DO WE TALK TO/ WHO DO WE TRUST IN THE MED. INDUSTRY?  NONE IN MY OPINION. JUST KISS ***  AND FLIP OFF ONCE YOU ARE DRIVING AWAY WITH YOU PERSCRIPTION YOU NEEDED. LOL
KIWI2016   PS. LOOK AT THE BOTTOM.  I WROTE SOMETHING TO VEREEN.
I THUROUGHLY ENJOYED AND SO RELATED TO YOUR POST.
THANKS
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Avatar universal
hi VEREENA. I ASSUME YOU DID DO NOT KNOW THAT THE PAIN INGREDIENT IN OXYCONTIN IS OXYCODONE.  I DO NOT UNDERSTAND THESE DOCTORS. WHY THE HECK (MAYBE YOU SHOULD ASK YOUR DR.) DID HE GIVE YOU TWO SCRIPTS OF OXYCODONE? OXYCONTIN AS I SAID HAS OXYCODONE IN IT- AS WELL AS ONLY ASPIREN AND THAT IS IT. THEREFORE, TWO SCRIPTS OF OXYCODONE. I JUST STARTED TO GO ONLINE AND ASK WHAT IS IN CERTAIN MEDS. FROM NOW ON I WILL BE DOING THIS. OH, OXYCODONE IS ALSO THE MAIN PAIN INGREDIENT IN PERCOCET BUT WITH TYLENOL AND LESS OXY.. IS NOT THIS CRAZY OR WHAT?
VERY CONCERNED REGARDING DOCTORS AND WHAT THEY PERSCRIBE. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT A PAIN MED. DR. PERSCRIBED FOR ME AND THE HORRIBLE  SIDE EFFECTS THAT STARTED ABOUT 24HRS AFTER TAKING THEM AND LASTED 10 MONTHS AND STILL HAVING LITTLE REMNENCE OF SIDE EFFECTS. THIS HAS BEEN THE MOST HORRIFIC YEAR OF MY LIFE DUE TO TRUSTING A PAIN DR. WHO IS SUPPOSED TO KNOW WHAT MEDS GO WITH OTHERS AND WHAT THEIR REACTIONS ARE. ALSO, FROM NOW ON WHEN I MAY GET A SCRIPT I HAVE NEVER TAKEN FOR MY SCHOLIOSIS SEVERE PAIN OR ANYTHING, I WILL ALWAYS LOOK UP THE SIDE EFFECTS AND ALSO HOW THEY INTERACT WITH THE OTHER MEDS. I AM TAKING. IN ADDITION, ALWAYS TELL YOUR PHARMACIST WHAT YOU ARE TAKING AND HOW THE NEW SCRIPT WILL EFFECT YOU. THEY KNOW WAY MORE ABOUT SCRIPTS THAN ANY DOCTOR OUT THERE. IT IS THEIR JOB.NMY NAME IS TERRI, BUT ON THIS SITE IT IS KIWI2016
PAIN JUST ***** DOESN'T IT? ESPECIALLY WHEN ONE TRUSTS THEIR DR. AND THEY SUCK.
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Avatar universal
Hi HoagieBoagie.  :)

I'm glad you have found our PM ( Pain Management ) Forum but I'm going to ask you to please go to the top of our page and click on the "green" button that says Post a Question and re-post your question.  This post is very old and belongs to someone else.  If you re-post then people will be more likely to find your post and try to help you.

I'll be watching for your new post.  :)
Thank you so much.  ......      Sherry   :)
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Avatar universal
Advice please!! My son was in a major motorcycle wreck July 4 of this year and almost died. Was put into a drug induced coma because of the extent of injuries. During the time of July 4 until July 31 he received fentanyl daily.  He went from that to dilaudim and finally oxycodone. He is currently at rehab where he cannot consistently do physical therapy. But, not receiving pain meds. CT scan does not show any medical reason for this. I feel it must be related to the fentanyl.
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547368 tn?1440541785
I'm sending you a message with some info also. Wanted to add if you do not obtain answers pleases return and post a new thread - we'll try to help.

You are always welcome here.

~Tuck
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547368 tn?1440541785
Hello and Welcome,

This is a very old thread. Please begin a new one instead of hijacking one. Your question is important and you are welcome  - but you'll obtain better visibility and more responses by beginning a new question.

I'm giving you a link to the Substance Abuse Forum. Again you are welcome here but our SA Forum is really more in tune to your concerns. Here's the link:

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Addiction-Substance-Abuse/show/77

Good luck Doc66. You'll find the SA Forum very supportive and full of information regarding your question.

Peace,
~Tuck

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Avatar universal
I'm in my 4th day detoxing from 4 years of fentanyl patches. Dr. Gave me gabapentin and Valium to help ease WD symptoms but I'm afraid of trading one addiction for another. Anyone out  there have any experience with gabapentin and how addictive it can be?
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Avatar universal
Hi, I hope your stay for detox in the hospital will shorten your withdrawal as I know you have been suffering  for way too long. Please let me know how well things work out with the detox. Please stay strong and please read TheMadMan posts because he gave so much strength and hope for recovery to me. You are going to be strong because it will change your whole life and I know that is what you want, and you want it as bad as me. You have helped me much and thank you.    Ray
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Avatar universal
   Thanks for the post. You are describing exactally my experience. I hate to here you worry about things to return to normal as that is a major concern to me also. How much were you on and for how long? I told my DR several mos. ago I wanted off but he said I was not in condition with pain to quit. Drs. just dont know what this drug does to people lives. Even my pain  mgmt. Dr said to expect only 7 to 10 days to feel better. It has been almost 6 weeks and today is the first day I felt some  clarity. The intense feelings still come and go but are much less intense. Thanks and I really pray and hope you just get back to normal as I am praying for.   Ray
Helpful - 0
1855076 tn?1337115303
I came off Fentanyl and it was one of the hardest things I have ever done.  I would never go on it again and I feel it's really not a good drug for chronic pain and should only be used for patients at end of life.  Doctors don't know what this drug does to people.  It changed my metabolism, my tastes, gave me trouble with my teeth and changed me.  I was dull and not on my game.  I went from being a great mom to one who was just going through the motions.  It also robbed me of my short-term memory.  I don't know if I will ever get back to where I once was.  I had great doctors but they just really don't understand how these heavy meds affect you long term.  I learned more here on both the pain management forum and the substance abuse forum.
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Avatar universal
Today feels like I have felt some control over my life and mind. Today so far  I never felt the need for even a xanax since like forever! I know know how mind over matter makes all the difference.I is so very nice to think and know how much my life and feelings will continue to improve. Thanks to you and your words of wisdom which I take to heart. This has been one of my greatest achivements  of my life which I will NEVER go back to opiates ever again. I cant express how much you opened my eyes and gave me the hope and strength at my lowest point of life. God bless angels like you.   Ray
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3112530 tn?1434032033
What an absolute pleasure to receive such a compliment. Thank you very much.
I did not write for the glory but to spread the truth that people find out the hard way. No one should have to go through that if they educate themselves and stay on top of the medical community for answers. I know years ago, I could not get doctors to address my degenerative joint/disk disease issue. I perused this until I got an answer and the answer was that the doctors at that particular hospital did not have the trained staff to do these procedures. Hence, they would follow this by medications and I complained that the medications were not doing me any good (I have had this issue for years) but they kept writing scripts. I have been to hundreds of doctors, hundreds....and still continue to this day without the drug medication. When the staff have no other answers, they write out a script for drugs and then when you come back and say you are out of the medication, they want to know why? The why is because the pain meds are not working so I took another and another until it stopped. The the doctors get angry when they themselves are the underlying culprit to drug addiction. Have them wear your shoes for one or two days in pain! Then multiply this by 90 days which is when the doctors do a follow up but again, too late.
The medical community needs to educate their staff on the latest techniques of pain and signals that are created by pain. That is my biggest beef!!!! Just another pill and all will be as right as rain?????
No I am not trying for kudos here, just to WAKE PEOPLE UP on what their options are and if that requires shopping around for more educated doctors, so be it.
I know this last procedure I had done to my hip bone was done with an RFA. (Burning the nerves) I have had this procedure in the past with good success but not many doctors have access to this type of procedure. From what the doctor made me understand (while I was awake) was that Japanese doctors are now doing this procedure on their patients and it has not become 'popular' in the US at present, at least not in the area of the Trocanter. (sp)
No drugs this time and here it is about 3 weeks later and I am walking around again.
My point is that too many doctors depend on drugs to solve the patients pain issues instead of checking into the latest literature or medical update. Just pop a pill and if you get addicted, that is your problem for 'abusing' the medication'....? Sound familiar?
I have gone through withdrawal from more than one type of drug. I don't like taking all these pills and eventually it will catch up with my body and that is not the reality of life I am looking for. Understanding the quality of life as we are given to make the best and trust the medical community. That's why drugs are put on the market, (I think in a naive sort of way), to protect the doctors. I could go on and on but for what purpose?
Educating the patient is a good start. Ask yourself, Do I really need this drug to control pain that is created by my body or can there be other answers out there? Then ask the doctor why he/she is prescribing this drug and what it is supposed to accomplish in place of the doctor knowing their job and what to treat! They may be hesitant for an answer or think you are being sarcastic but go ahead, you have the age of wisdom on your side (and are probably older than most of the doctors) and the confidence that a drug that is addictive will do more harm than good. Then ask the doctor the same question.
That is why they call this the 'PRACTICE OF MEDICINE' in hopes of one day they will get this right!!!!
Pop quiz tomorrow class......dismissed.
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Avatar universal
You can not know how much I admire you. You are the one that gave me my most strength. I cant thank you enough.    Ray
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Avatar universal
I know what you mean about the worry of being around others while in withdrawal caused by anxiety. My pain Dr also offered that option but didnt make sense to me but might make the long process.
About nutrition I would take your advice and research " The Thomas Recipe". I   had another setback yesterday but the feelings were less intense. I actually am starting to think more clearly and things WILL get better probably faster than I expected. You are more brave than me by going into the hospital as it might be a faster withdrawal.I have spent too much time in hospitals in the last few years to even think about. I have a bad knee which makes it hard to walk and get enough exercise.
. The tapering ***** I know It I think wise to get it all over with as soon as possible. I wish I could help more but TheMadMan who posted has much knowledge and much insight to the process. I hope your recovery goes as well as possible. I know we CAN both make it thru this process With time.Thanks for your help it really has helped me.                                              
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3112530 tn?1434032033
I can honestly speak for my doctor who understands my medical condition. He has given me every avenue of help with pain issues and 'suggested' Fentanyl. He knows I don't abuse drugs so the day I called him in so much pain, offering Fentanyl was an option that I had not tried.The medication is very deceiving. You don''t always recognize if and when it is working. It has a gradual effect over a 12 hour period. Apparently, there is enough of this drug to actually DULL the brain functions (for lack of a better description) without you ever realizing. From that point forward, you are addicted. Fentanyl seems to grab at the brain functions and totally take hold.
In defense of my doctor, he was offering this drug for pain control. My pain issues were severe enough that I wanted to try anything to numb the pain. Fentanyl did!!!!
I think I was on the drug for about 6 months. While taking this drug, I had no sense of reality, didn't care about anything around me, lost my apatite but didn't care and sleeping became my best friend. My caregiver was telling me how bad I looked but I didn't see it. I defended myself by saying I was eating but didn't remember my last meal.
Pain...the answer to this question is as follows:
Did I have pain? My mind could not comprehend the concept of pain and they were like two different realities (my mind and the pain) out in space.
I was invited to a graduation of a friend who just completed law school. I pulled out one of my suits that I had not worn in years and then I saw what I really looked like!!!!
A skeleton with just barely enough skin to make out that I ever had a face! That scary! That was enough fear to get me to stop and I did!
From my experience, friends...DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU!!!!
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Avatar universal
when i read these scary stories about how hard it is to get off these drugs Doc put us on. Well it is scary. Its like they test you to make sure your taking it and taking what they tell you to take, then that become not enough and they up it. But if you want to take less and they test you and that show they though you out. You dam if you do and dam if you dont.
Helpful - 0
7567066 tn?1392068986
You are doing great!  It's also really helping me to message with you b/c of my decision to go to medical detox on Friday (I have a bunch of other health conditions that make it dangerous for me to go cold turkey at-home).  I need distractions to get over this the fear and waiting, so thank you.
I was prescribed very high dosages of Oxycontin and Oxycodone at the height of my illness and chronic pain issues.  After my last reduction, I have tapered down to 15mg of Oxycodone 4 x per day, and, like you,  I just want this to be over with.  It's been a year of tapering, and this last reduction was brutal.  I am still very irritable, and can relate to what you're saying about no one being able to understand it.  I honestly don't want to be around anyone at all, and the medical detox I'm going to is apparently pretty hectic, which freaks me out.  It has been me and my laptop for 2 1/2 weeks, and that is what has gotten me through this last taper.
You should really congratulate yourself for saying no to those offers of pain meds.  I am surprised anyone offered them to you, but I guess they just don't get it
I am surprised about your doctor not wanting to get involved.  You deserve a supervised taper, and I would go back to him to talk about it.  If not, start tapering off of the Xanax once you are able to sleep.  Because you've only taken it for a short-period of time, I don't think it will be a problem.  You may need to start doing more exercise to wear yourself out so that you can sleep naturally.
Which supplements helped you the most?  I am going to pick up what I can, but because I'm on disability, I have very little money.  I'll get what I need the most, and pray I get through this.
If you can't get all of your feelings out here, try writing in a journal.
All the best -- you're doing great!
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Avatar universal
TheMadMan, Thanks for your responses.




Thanks for your responses. I know exact what you mean by just looking into a mirror as I also see it. I have lost my zest for life from this drug and dont enjoy the things I used to. It has been aprox. 4 wks. since I went off and am starting to feel a little better. The restless legs and arms are almost over with and the sleep is getting better taking xanax but feel soo guilty about them cause I was just weeks off  from them before going cold turkey from fentanyl. But right now i an more concerned about getting clean from fentanyl. You are a insperiation to me. Thanks so much!!






you
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Avatar universal
Hi sprich3,    Thanks for your support it means more than I can express. I am a 60 yr. old man with a long story but cant type. At this time I have lost my pain mgmt. Dr. due to the fact he is a 1/12 hr. drive to see him and when I needed him most he wouldnt return my many calls to him so I called and expressed my opinion of him to his office and dont remember what I said but I was VERY upset with him and havent heard from him for over a mo. I told my GP I wouldnt involve him in my withdrawal and will keep my word to him. He did prescribe some BP meds since my BP was 189/112. I feel so alone but am feeling better each day now. I am getting my xanax from a friend who doesnt need them. I slept another 6 hrs. sleep last night and been drinking Ensure and some supplements I learned from this forum which seems to have made a huge difference. I made great strides in the last few days. My intense feelings are much less but still come and go. Your encouragement helps me  more than you know and wish we could talk.    What is your situation? What opiates  are you on. It sounds like your attitude is the same as mine. I never knew how much strength I had until while my family even offered pain meds.I was able to say no more and please dont offer. I am worried about the xanax but need the sleep and take 1/2 mg. 3 to 4 times daily . !/2 mgs. will allow me to sleep about 3 hrs. at night then take another 1/2 for another 3 hrs. sleep the last few nights. My wife of 39 yrs. is trying to offer support but just doesnt understand my moodyness and I dont know how she has stuck by me for the last few years. I feel I am not worthy of her as she is a beautiful person and is not the way I feel about myself. But I will do my best for her as I possibly can.I have so much to express but like I said I dont type. Thanks you so much and if I can make it anyone with a true desire to quit CAN. Please let me know your situation.  Thanks!!      
Helpful - 0
7567066 tn?1392068986
I am so happy that you got some sleep, and are feeling better!  That is wonderful.
Is your doctor is medically supporting you through this process?  I agree with what MadMan said about not depending too much on pills, but there are non-addictive meds you can take to help you sleep, and I don't see why your doctor wouldn't prescribe them in the short-term...  Seroquel, Trazadone, and Clonidine are all non-addictive and they do work.  I just worry about you taking a bunch of OTC meds, plus the Xanax, when you are super desperate to fall asleep and may take too much of something.
Anyways, I am SO inspired by your strength as I prepare to go cold turkey at the end of my taper.  It honestly makes a world of difference to hear that it IS possible, and that I'll eventually start feeling better.
MadMan is right -- you do have control, and are doing SO well.
Love and light to you.
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3112530 tn?1434032033
I read about this and remember when I quit Fentanyl. Fentanyl did me so much damage, it almost killed me. I went cold turkey which is difficult but worth the result.
Keeping you mind strong that you need to get control of you mind and body and not the drugs is the most important focus. You will feel much better once the drug is out of you system and you will be able to think clearer.
Keep the advise mentioned here and stay on top of vitamins. Your body need to build itself up again and keeping hydrated is also important. DO NOT DEPEND on the pills to much. Just take them for anxiety and sleeping and then stop them slowly.
Your body is going through a big change so be patient and you will see result very soon, so hang in there and the best to you for your strength in not letting these drugs take control of your mind and body. You have control and make sure you keep telling yourself that! Stay strong!!!
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Avatar universal
  Hi, I finally got some sleep like 7 hrs. I took a xanax Niquil, and a Costco sleep aid. I cant belive what a difference in how I feel. It the best I have felt since this withdrawal has started. Your advice about nutrition and diarrhea make perfect since. I will follow your advice. I know in my heart I will not fail. I really feel lucky to be alive and look forward to get my life back in order free from addiction. Your response meens a lot to me. Thanks    
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Avatar universal
  Thanks so much for your info. I really appreciate it. You are right about the sleep as I cant even think straight and wont drive in this condition. I really your withdrawal goes well. God bless and thanks
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