Aa
Question regarding fentynal and percocet...
I'm currently on 75mcg of fentanyl...I change my patch every 3 days along with Percocet for breakthrough pain. I'd like to get off the Percocet as well as fentanyl. I'll be going down to 50mcg of fentanyl next month. My question is, will I have withdrawls if I stop taking the Percocet and just stay on the fentanyl as we continue to lower that? Thanks so much for your help. :)
Hello mominhell. I too am in a similar predicament. Stop my perc intake nearly 30 hours ago. Soon will be facing a patch change. I'm contemplating on going cold turkey or do what most suggest of tapering down
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You can definitely try doing it at home by tapering slowly, but it is not easy. 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).
Long term use of opiates cause hyperalgesia, or over-exaggerated feeling of pain, not supported by actual pathology. Your body start lying to you to demand more opiates. Once you are off of them completely for a few months, you may actually feel a decreased amount of over all pain and less need for medication. You may be able able to move better and have more energy for cardiovascular exercise.
Please take some time to look at my blogs (by clicking on my name and then blogs)to get more information. My website (www.mdsdrugdetox.com) also has lots of information.
You have a lot to live for and you obviously know what is important in life. Eventually you will feel like your old self again but much better. And that is priceless...Good luck to you.
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).
Long term use of opiates cause hyperalgesia, or over-exaggerated feeling of pain, not supported by actual pathology. Your body start lying to you to demand more opiates. Once you are off of them completely for a few months, you may actually feel a decreased amount of over all pain and less need for medication. You may be able able to move better and have more energy for cardiovascular exercise.
Please take some time to look at my blogs (by clicking on my name and then blogs)to get more information. My website (www.mdsdrugdetox.com) also has lots of information.
You have a lot to live for and you obviously know what is important in life. Eventually you will feel like your old self again but much better. And that is priceless...Good luck to you.
Thank you so very much Doctor to take the time to write back!
For a quick past history, I've had 7 surgeries in the past 3 years with chronic pain in between along with numerous hospitalizations...one lasting 3 weeks for a bowl obstruction which during that time I was on dilaudid by IV...that really made my tolerance go up! Needless to say, I've been on many different pain medications and have gone through withdrawal on more than one occasion. With my first and second surgery I didn't have any problem with the meds...I used them only for pain and had refills at the pharmacy and extras at home. Can you believe that? I don't know what happened overtime but I became not only dependent on them for the pain but to live.
I am currently in a pain management program with a Doc I have a lot of respect for. My last surgery was in October...I had a complete disc replacement as well as some other minor fixings. I told my pain Doc that I wanted to go off off the fentanyl or at least taper down. He was happy with that. I've never said I have a problem, but I know I do...running out of medication is a clear sign of that. I hear and read that my pain will be less being off the medication...I'm hoping that is the case. I'm unable to take any ibuprofen so I'm stuck with Tylenol. That scares me but being on these meds scares me more. It has caused problems with my husband and I know I'm not myself for me or my kids.
My pain Doc told me that I wouldn't have withdrawals being on the patch if I don't take the Percocet. It's hard for me to get through without the Percocet...for the pain and life but I have to do it. My appointment is 2 weeks away and I only have 10 Percocet left but plenty of Fentanyl. I have to get through. I'm tired of the lies and trying to get an early appointment, etc. Enough is enough. I can do this right??? Thank you again!!!
For a quick past history, I've had 7 surgeries in the past 3 years with chronic pain in between along with numerous hospitalizations...one lasting 3 weeks for a bowl obstruction which during that time I was on dilaudid by IV...that really made my tolerance go up! Needless to say, I've been on many different pain medications and have gone through withdrawal on more than one occasion. With my first and second surgery I didn't have any problem with the meds...I used them only for pain and had refills at the pharmacy and extras at home. Can you believe that? I don't know what happened overtime but I became not only dependent on them for the pain but to live.
I am currently in a pain management program with a Doc I have a lot of respect for. My last surgery was in October...I had a complete disc replacement as well as some other minor fixings. I told my pain Doc that I wanted to go off off the fentanyl or at least taper down. He was happy with that. I've never said I have a problem, but I know I do...running out of medication is a clear sign of that. I hear and read that my pain will be less being off the medication...I'm hoping that is the case. I'm unable to take any ibuprofen so I'm stuck with Tylenol. That scares me but being on these meds scares me more. It has caused problems with my husband and I know I'm not myself for me or my kids.
My pain Doc told me that I wouldn't have withdrawals being on the patch if I don't take the Percocet. It's hard for me to get through without the Percocet...for the pain and life but I have to do it. My appointment is 2 weeks away and I only have 10 Percocet left but plenty of Fentanyl. I have to get through. I'm tired of the lies and trying to get an early appointment, etc. Enough is enough. I can do this right??? Thank you again!!!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You are not specifying the cause of your chronic pain and why you think it is time for you to taper off of your opiates. If you taper slowly enough, you may be able to avoid the bulk of the withdrawals, but it is tricky to do. 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.
Clonidine is very helpful 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 and on clinic logo.
There is a injectable form available now that is covered by all major medical insurances called Vivitrol that you would need to get only once monthly to stay clean. Just keep it in mind for the future. Good luck to you.
Clonidine is very helpful 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 and on clinic logo.
There is a injectable form available now that is covered by all major medical insurances called Vivitrol that you would need to get only once monthly to stay clean. Just keep it in mind for the future. Good luck to you.
You are reading content posted in the Addiction Forum
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.
