fentanyl withdrawal

[scoenen]

I was reading some other sites and it seems to be a much more difficult process.  Does any one have any insight?

[mellie4]

I'm wondering why you didn't work with your doctor with this?  I do know how you feel about how the medications change you.  I feel changed, too, and not in a good way, which is why I'm going to look into the acupuncture and other things to see how much they'll help.

I also need another surgery to remove some screws and pins that are shifting in my hand.  I'm holding off on it though because it seems with every surgery I get worse. I don't like the way I am on medication.  I tend to isolate and it doesn't even really cover the bulk of the pain anyway.

How was it going from 50 mg. to 25 mg?  Bearable?  Could you function or did you need some down time?

[scoenen]

Sorry, it should have said 25 mgs down to 12 mgs.  Went back to the 25mgs and then said the heck with it.

[scoenen]

I work with my spinal doc and he manages my pain meds.  I had originally been on 50 mgs of fentanyl and took myself down to 25 mgs (I had 7 left over from my other script) and the whole process was torture.  I had withdrawals the whole time, was tired and very uncomfortable.  I guess my plan is to get off my drugs and then re assess my pain level and if I have to use something I would prefer just percs only when needed or some other non narcotic pain remedy.  I am not the same person I used to be; carefree, funny, happy and always smiling now I am withdrawn and my kids are suffering.  I just can't live like this anymore.  I have had enough.  
Right now I am very uncomfortable, tired- the usual withdrawal symptoms but I hope and pray that I can come out the other side like some of the other people on this site.  Wish me luck, it is one H^%&^ of a ride

[mellie4]

It's up to you on how you want to do things.  I'm a pain management patient and I've been on a lot of different things.  I am terrified of addiction (not dependence and tolerance so much) and withdrawal.  But my NP at the pain clinic tells me when I want to get off, there will be NO withdrawal, that she'll taper me down so that doesn't happen.

I will say I never take more than I'm supposed to (usually I take less) and I have no addiction history (though it still worries me.)  I know what you mean about doing things based on medication.  I hold off on medication when I have to take my kids somewhere or if I can't, I'll get them another ride.  Even though they've said I can drive on these meds, I don't think it's safe.

Best of luck in however you do this.  Do you have any ideas on what you're going to do about pain when you get off?  I'm told that pain often gets worse temporarily when you first go off narcotics but then eases up.  (I'm waiting on an appointment with a pain psychiatrist.  He's going to help me look at things like acupuncture, Reiki, and other non-medicinal ways to treat pain.  I'd like to get off my medications and maybe only have to use them for flare-ups.)

[scoenen]

I am on the beginning of my third day.  So far my main withdrawals symptoms include sweats, cold, crying, nervousness, very very tired, lack of energy, sneezing and slight diareeha.  I guess I have it better then most (am I right?) so I am trying not to complain.  I have even been able to get some sleep at night with a very small dose of alprazolam (I have a script but never take accept for now).  I am going cold turkey, for me, I believe it's the only way.  I just can't take having to go through withdrawals for weeks and weeks while I step down.  I was prescribed fentanyl and oxycodone for severe back pain.  I noticed it the last few weeks that my current script 25mgs fentanyl 4 percs was not working and decided instead of going up to get off the d@#@ s&^&.  I am just not myself on it and I would consistently be checking how many I had and deciding on when to do things based on my medication.  I can't do it anymore so here I am.  I have family that is supportive and are helping to take care of my two children while I go through this process.  I determined but there are times where it gets hard.  I just got scared after reading about the process and wanted to check in.

No I did not call my doctor,  I am doing this on my own.

[vicki595]

What process are you talking about? Withdrawing from fentanyl?

I have one insight :  They're all difficult to quit.   I'm not meaning to sound harsh,trust me,I have compassion.  Quitting anything we're addicted to is just awful. Opiates can just be stopped. It's not easy but it's done all the time.   Do you have any support?  Have you prepared yourself for detox?  Called a doctor to help?

Vicki