tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29522895.post8710926494689649664..comments2023-08-10T01:46:35.068-07:00Comments on interruptions: FENTANYL: The Withdrawal Experiment.juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14354144831826180457noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29522895.post-85094307808723145102015-12-07T12:09:11.473-08:002015-12-07T12:09:11.473-08:00I agree with all you say regarding the fentanyl ...I agree with all you say regarding the fentanyl patch. I am a 56 year old male, living in South Mississippi where heat is a fact of life. I like nothing more than working around the yard, breaking a sweat - the thing with fentanyl is - I could not stop sweating. First - I have a rare muscle disorder - myoclonic dystonia - for literally 30 years I was told I had fibromyalgia. Anyways - my son and his family spent the summer with me; I was outside often with the kids - and as was said, I would darn near if not - did - overdose multiple times a week. <br /><br /> I wore a 75 mcg patch, a new one every 24 hours (the effect wears off quick for some reason) and loving was off the table, not interested. My wife of 33 years is still incredibly gorgeous - but I had no desire. Sweating - after a shower I would turn the water to only cold because after - I can not stop sweating. I would go through 2 to 3 of what my granddaughters called "Pa Pa's sweat towels". <br /><br />I would often feel like I was suffocating. I had auditory hallucinations - hearing my granddaughters screaming, my dogs barking while working in my home office. I'd rush outside - and all would be normal. There was always voices in the back ground. Very odd.<br /><br />I got tired of overdosing or nearly overdosing, constant sweating, arguments with co-workers. My quitting stratagy was simple, I cut 1/8 of an inch (about 5%) off the patch each week. The patch I had was a "sticky patch, no gel so it was simple. If I cut more than that, 3/16's to 1/4 - I would be extremely nauseous. All went well for awhile - then the "creepy crawlies" set in. It is (not was) like millions of ant in my muscles - legs, back, arms - it is absolutely horrible. I have them now, had to get up at 3 this morning, 2 Sat morning. The creepies are BAD. Percocet occasionally helps (2 10/325 and a tylenol). It had and has got so bad - after 33 years of sobriety (I quit when I was 21, my wife never knew me when I drank and of course our kids did not either).<br /><br />But - it's so bad I started again. Go to bed at 11, up at 12 with the creepies, have 2 double shots of vodka, go lay down in bed, back up within the hour, 2 more double shots - then sleep would come. Today, up at 3, pills and vodka. I can't work and I love my job, I work from home but can not stay still - more drinking. I hate my life, I have no desire to die - I desperately need the creepies to stop - but they won't. I removed the last 1/8th inch last week.<br /><br />Unless you have no choice - stay away from the fentanyl patch - the withdrawals are horrible the side-effects are also. <br /><br />My next battle will be to stop drinking - assuming the creepies ever stop.<br /><br />This is my story. I hope you hate it as much as I do.<br /><br />R/S<br /><br />... Peter<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Peter Sakalaukus Sr.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05424227760133095918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29522895.post-47906957409551221882014-04-29T16:53:05.154-07:002014-04-29T16:53:05.154-07:00Ratterjoe, thanks for coming by!
That's such ...Ratterjoe, thanks for coming by!<br /><br />That's such a great question. The only thing I know to suggest is that you remember it's not personal whatever she's saying. If you know the kind of person she really is and her behavior on the patch is different, try to remember who she really is and don't take it personally.<br /><br />Honestly I was glad when my husband told me how Fentanyl was affecting me--I didn't want to be on something that changed my personality. <br /><br />I do understand that "defensive" thing. Build in a pause before you answer. Then you can respond rather than react.<br /><br />Best of luck, that is a hard place to be!juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14354144831826180457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29522895.post-81113517393991213412014-03-28T14:40:00.260-07:002014-03-28T14:40:00.260-07:00Help do you have any suggestions for the people wh...Help do you have any suggestions for the people who have to live with the patch users??? My spouse goes from moody to mean to happy to non verbal from one minute to the next. I get defensive and don't want to. Ratterjoehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05981363138688688473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29522895.post-75789979390946136612012-10-08T16:25:23.567-07:002012-10-08T16:25:23.567-07:00September Anon! How do i do this, i thought i had ...September Anon! How do i do this, i thought i had responded to your comment but clearly i did not! i love the way you express yourself, too funny. At least you have not entirely lost your sense of humor while in withdrawal hell! i hope you've made it through alright by now....juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14354144831826180457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29522895.post-19581944741587160432012-09-16T12:12:15.243-07:002012-09-16T12:12:15.243-07:002012 - September now,,,,,and yes, your post/blog e...2012 - September now,,,,,and yes, your post/blog entry has been a misery loves company session for me. I never thought about the withdrawal from stopping the med, I just got tired of being so drugged and didn't replace the next patch (fentanyl 50's). Really thought I was getting a virus, then thought of withdrawal....took me three days to actually look it up on the computer. I am a classic case, except, I have such diarrhea. I am so tired, now, but can not sleep well. I am this far into this cold turkey that I am not turning back now! I am angry at my doc for casually handing me the Fentanyl script with no warning....and I was in such pain that I took it with no questions and used it without reading the package info! After two months of sleeping every spare minute, I am now not so nice a person to be around. Grrr - warning: mad dog housed here ! <br /> I truly do thank you for your blog page...I see now that I am not crazy, just in the throws of withdrawal at home. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29522895.post-48171825581242958232012-08-03T10:54:33.975-07:002012-08-03T10:54:33.975-07:00ACK!! i'm so sorry! somehow i've missed th...ACK!! i'm so sorry! somehow i've missed this comment and here we are a couple of weeks out...<br /><br />How are you doing now after this much more time? i guess sometimes we're so ready for the doctor to do something to stop the pain that we try these lovely medications that we had NO idea how bad the withdrawals would be! and so EXTRA weirdly, the withdrawal from a pain med causes....PAIN???!? Doesn't seem right. <br /><br />IF you can keep telling yourself that it's temporary and you aren't really going crazy, you can hang in there--if you can, i'd get some anti-anxiety medication from the doctor (Ativan etc) which will probably get you some sleep. Sounds like you are pretty sensitive to medications, and so get ridiculously bad withdrawals. That's good to know for the future for sure!<br /><br />Let me know how you're doing! i have a friend with Addisons who's been successfully medicated for that for years, so here's to finding EXACTLY what you NEED for medications!<br /><br />juliejuliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14354144831826180457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29522895.post-80271150262186911542012-07-20T06:05:50.302-07:002012-07-20T06:05:50.302-07:00Hi, im two days in to my fentanyl patch withdrawal...Hi, im two days in to my fentanyl patch withdrawal, I was on 25mcg and was using it for fibromyalgia and arthritis although I also have cervical spine problems and shoulder issues. To be honest fentanyl didnt help a great deal, I was on it for a year or so, but new problems with my health, mean that I need certain tests and opiates can't be used. Ive been tested for addison's disease which can be fatal if not treated but the first batch of tests gave mixed results probably because of the patch. So anyways, two days in, if I could, id be climbing the walls. Ive read that withdrawal can cause sweats, anxiety, insomnia, etc. but jeez the pain!! I cant keep my body still, in bed or on the sofa.. I feel like im loosing my mind. I havent slept - only light broken sleep - since I took the patch off, and the sweats, as well as being boiling inside my body but icy on my skin.. Duvet on, off, on off arrr! Its shocking. Ive tried to come off meds before with horrific side effects, including the psychiatric drug venlafaxine which left me with hallucinations and head shocks and 30 mins from being sectioned.. But im not sure which one is worse now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29522895.post-87726267004918439422011-10-01T21:32:31.930-07:002011-10-01T21:32:31.930-07:00hi Anon 1 and Anon 2!
Thanks for the kind words, b...hi Anon 1 and Anon 2!<br />Thanks for the kind words, both of you--glad to be of some help (and perhaps some very needed comic relief) in this withdrawal struggle. Now i'm dealing with the withdrawals from the Cymbalta i was on for about 3 1/2 years. Also not a picnic! But so far not as horrendous as the Fentanyl, thankfully. At least the Cymbalta withdrawals only make me homicidal instead of suicidal. i know, i know, neither one is good... :-)juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14354144831826180457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29522895.post-54177539410538515282011-10-01T06:41:03.602-07:002011-10-01T06:41:03.602-07:00thank you so much for your page it has helped me s...thank you so much for your page it has helped me so much. i thought i was going mad because of the withdrawls!!<br />for me the worst part is the insommna and the RLS in the day i can just about cope with the withdrawls but night time is the real test of how strong you are and im finding out that im not that stronge!! i thought it would only be a few weeks and it would all be over but now i know it could be weeks if not months!!<br />hope you are now on the road to recovery<br /> take care xAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29522895.post-61936234414444703802011-09-13T14:58:09.498-07:002011-09-13T14:58:09.498-07:00Thank you, thank you for your insightful writing. ...Thank you, thank you for your insightful writing. I have 2 physicians in my immediate family and well, not a lot of help.<br /><br />I was only on the Fentanyl patch 25mcg. for a little over two weeks. I need a hip replacement and you get the picture. I used a second patch to help the increasing hip pain and felt like I was suffocating. This was Sat. Today is Tuesday and it's all been downhill. Now I've got to deal with the hip plus all the side effects from the evil patch and if I make it through this withdrawal I don't think I'll be keen to take any meds. It was a bit of comfort to know I'm not crazy. Still doesn't do anything for these horrible effects of the patch but I hope withdrawal doesn't take forever. I went online to see how long these things last...duh. I need some sort of time line. Anyway, I got a giggle and a lot of encouragement from your writing. Thx a ton!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29522895.post-51539427939831989362011-09-13T14:54:06.024-07:002011-09-13T14:54:06.024-07:00Thank you, thank you for your insightful writing. ...Thank you, thank you for your insightful writing. I have 2 physicians in my immediate family and well, not a lot of help.<br /><br />I was only on the Fentanyl patch 25mcg. for a little over two weeks. I need a hip replacement and you get the picture. I used a second patch to help the increasing hip pain and felt like I was suffocating. This was Sat. Today is Tuesday and it's all been downhill. Now I've got to deal with the hip plus all the side effects from the evil patch and if I make it through this withdrawal I don't think I'll be keen to take any meds. It was a bit of comfort to know I'm not crazy. Still doesn't do anything for these horrible effects of the patch but I hope withdrawal doesn't take forever. I went online to see how long these things last...duh. I need some sort of time line. Anyway, I got a giggle and a lot of encouragement from your writing. Thx a ton!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29522895.post-58508520567498590662011-08-25T09:50:27.439-07:002011-08-25T09:50:27.439-07:00Hi Anonymous and Policebashing--sorry to have take...Hi Anonymous and Policebashing--sorry to have taken so long to respond. Now it's been so long that you both know just how long the worst of it lasts...you should both be past the worst of it, still experiencing the occasional spike of anxiety perhaps...<br /><br />That energy thing, it's a tough one! That's an equally big issue for me in the fibro alongside the pain, but hopefully whatever fatigue was caused by the withdrawal is better. i've been using Adrenal Stress End (the one with real pig adrenals in it) and that has helped. Better sleep, better energy. <br /><br />How are the both of you doing now?juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14354144831826180457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29522895.post-38493793987729262062011-08-18T01:20:53.235-07:002011-08-18T01:20:53.235-07:009 days in to fentynal withdrawals i jumped off at ...9 days in to fentynal withdrawals i jumped off at 100 patch it is hell ,MY BIGGEST PROBLEM NOW IS ENERGY AND LACK THEREOF I amaveraging 4 km walks everyday but it kills me i feel ne energy ,no strength before jumping i was concreting and worked like an animal ,,if i can not get my strength back how will i work ,,,anybody know how to get strenght bak and stamina ,,,I have tried B12 eating right foods etc etc when i walk and do things arond the house i have to sit own have a breather,,,,it is as though i have 100kg 220pund bodysuit onpolicebashinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03785993358424410992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29522895.post-57562670195489055652011-08-02T04:07:52.480-07:002011-08-02T04:07:52.480-07:00I've had 3 surgeries for back problems (this l...I've had 3 surgeries for back problems (this last one lasted 12 hours), and they put me on Fentanyl at the inpatient rehab center. Well, just started the decline from 25 to 12, and am getting the skin crawl, the bone aches, and the sleeplessness (even while taking Ambien ER). I'm still on extended leave from work, and the doc wants me off all my narcotics before I can go back to work, so my question is this - how long did the most serious of the symptoms last after the last patch? Thanks, and much thanks for the blog.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29522895.post-68189071642077518132011-05-25T19:55:01.888-07:002011-05-25T19:55:01.888-07:00Yep, doesn't seem like anybody has had too muc...Yep, doesn't seem like anybody has had too much fun with the patches! They seem more unpredictable due to outside influence (like overheating) and are miserable to get off of! i feel for you, Winnuendo. i hope you find something ELSE that helps--just not these nasty things!juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14354144831826180457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29522895.post-30285491687928786452011-05-24T23:09:45.731-07:002011-05-24T23:09:45.731-07:00I've been on oxycodone for months due to chron...I've been on oxycodone for months due to chronic pain from a spinal injury. Today my Dr. asked me to inquire if my insurance covers the fentanyl patchs. After reading all your posts.........I better not start them, geezWinnuendonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29522895.post-89840400225191459822011-04-29T13:13:22.201-07:002011-04-29T13:13:22.201-07:00Yep, it's a horrifying drug the docs prescribe...Yep, it's a horrifying drug the docs prescribe without telling us all the withdrawal nightmares associated! Could you get something for sleep to get you through the worst of it? Honestly, the first couple of weeks were the worst for me, but if you can get something to help the temporary sleep and anxiety problems it would be worth it! I wish you luck on this little journey thru hell. :-P IT WILL get better! You sound pretty tough to me, so I bet you'll do better than I did. :-)juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14354144831826180457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29522895.post-71987619275647816712011-04-23T02:10:18.441-07:002011-04-23T02:10:18.441-07:00I weaned off fentanyl from 75 mcg to 0 and it has ...I weaned off fentanyl from 75 mcg to 0 and it has been hell. From creepy crawly to arms and legs jerking, I can't sleep, hurt more, and now read it could take months to overcome this. Thats just great!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29522895.post-59065355852121095782011-03-05T16:29:45.003-08:002011-03-05T16:29:45.003-08:00Hi Baby Moon! Wow are you ever brave! cold turkey ...Hi Baby Moon! Wow are you ever brave! cold turkey from 75-- It is brutal since the withdrawal from the Fentanyl causes pain and then if you are alREADY in pain, blecch!! As long as you can remember during the withdrawals that the horrible things you're feeling will pass in time, you can hold onto that sanity thing we prize. :-)<br /><br />At this point i am actually only using 30mg Cymbalta daily and then Vicodin on an "as needed" basis, which only works out to be about twice in a month. It's bizarre how we can teach ourselves to deal with the pain, which allows us to still have a brain!<br /><br />i pray your withdrawal goes quickly and that you don't get discouraged--just know to keep looking for what works for you, it sure doesn't seem to be the same for everyone!<br /><br />Thanks for coming by.juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14354144831826180457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29522895.post-20305570583171259932011-03-03T12:37:32.072-08:002011-03-03T12:37:32.072-08:00Wow, that article explained me exactly. last night...Wow, that article explained me exactly. last night I ripped the last 75mg patch off me I plan to ever use - and said to hell with it. Dunno if that was a good idea because now I have pain in all the odd places again - like before I started the patches, from head to toe. I thought fibro pain was horrible but this is way worse. I still had pain on the patches but not as intense.<br /><br />I just have had such a terrible time recently with the patches. The worst symptom of all for me is the sweating then freezing chills constantly. I had to stop. Now all I have is percocet form breakthrough pain. <br /><br />Thing is, before the patch I had gone through ever (and I seriously mean EVERY) medicine out there to treat the fibro and NOTHING helped. Now im back at square one and im ripping my heair out. =/<br /><br />Oh and I do the 'rotisserie chicken' every single night. A sleep number bed has greatly helped but I still do the moves. And sitting on ther couch to watch a movie? ARGH! I must swap positions on the couch 100 times. I dunno how the hubby can stand me!!Baby Moon Fireflyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03506092358263864693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29522895.post-28477603736550253372010-11-29T21:16:04.358-08:002010-11-29T21:16:04.358-08:00Cyndi-- unfortunately, for so many of us in pain, ...Cyndi-- unfortunately, for so many of us in pain, we'll try anything that promises relief! Sadly it doesn't always work out so well. Withdrawal's a bitch, but it can be done. i'm now at 2 years out, and i'm amazed i ever went through all that...i've done better changing my view of pain, changing something in my brain and its perception of pain i suppose. But that can work with fibromyalgia pain, i don't honestly know how it would do with the pain associated with something more organic and less "hyper nervous system" oriented.<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by, and thanks for leaving a message. i appreciate that. :-)juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14354144831826180457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29522895.post-28172509494171511412010-11-29T15:18:38.036-08:002010-11-29T15:18:38.036-08:00The drug companies are the ones that should be res...The drug companies are the ones that should be responsible for making sure everyone is totally aware of this drug and what happens when you are through. The doctors are supposed to help you, but do they tell you about the withdrawal symptoms and side effects, no! They leave it to the pharmacy, who have over worked and underpaid employees, that don't care. So it comes down to before we use anything "become informed". Had I done that 13 years ago I would not be in withdrawal hell. So to get information out to everyone is the cure. Thanks cyndi bcyndi bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01868386889137146997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29522895.post-62003466751282363322010-01-09T09:15:58.613-08:002010-01-09T09:15:58.613-08:00i just received an email from another Fentanyl sur...i just received an email from another Fentanyl survivor--today is January 9, 2010. i never had any idea when i wrote about this stuff that it would hit such a nerve. But doctors go on prescribing it and then leaving their patient to struggle with the withdrawal. My thought? No doctor should be allowed to prescribe Fentanyl unless he has taken it and gone through the withdrawal himself!!juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14354144831826180457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29522895.post-45300387042671820052009-08-13T19:31:45.125-07:002009-08-13T19:31:45.125-07:00Sorry for the long delay, Julia. The fibro center ...Sorry for the long delay, Julia. The fibro center focuses on balancing hormones, aiding the body's ability to produce energy at the mitochondrial level (with supplements), and giving me IVs that are chock full of high-powered vitamins, minerals, etc. They are expensive, and insurance doesn't pick up any of it except the lab work, but it's the only place that I've been that has helped me at all. The IVs always make me feel better, but I can't afford to get one each time I go because they are $125-$150 each. I went there today and without an IV, the total was around $400. <br /> <br />As for the Fentanyl, I'm off it completely and managed to survive. I've been living on Ibuprofen -- a huge step down, obviously.<br /><br />I am trying to do more stretching, and when I have the energy, I play with my kids or try to get a little exercise. Unfortunately, I have a ruptured disc in my lower back right now, so that limits my physical exertion these days.<br /><br />The sad thing about having to leave my job because of this illness is that no one recognizes the illness. Because it's an "invisible" illness, many people, including my ex-husband, believe that it's all in my head. Those of us unfortunate enough to suffer from this know that it is very, very REAL. I miss my job, but for the first time in my life as a parent, I am able to stay home with my children and be a mother. I am also homeschooling my children, and that is going very well. Perhaps someday I'll go back to the classroom at the university level, but in the meantime, my classroom is much closer to my bedroom, and I only have two young students. <br /><br />I taught computer information systems for the last 10 years. For 5 1/2 years before that, I taught Accounting Info Systems. I do have lots of years invested in my education and certifications, but my body has different plans for me right now.<br /><br />I'm glad I'm off the Fentanyl, but I miss the few days I had that were completely pain free. I sure wish I could find something that would work that didn't have some many negative side effects. I'll keep looking.<br /><br />Good luck to you and all the others out there who read this.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10045686809742254725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29522895.post-52588406101038943502009-08-11T07:13:36.510-07:002009-08-11T07:13:36.510-07:00You are very welcome--when people ask me these day...You are very welcome--when people ask me these days about pain medication and i say i take Vicodin on a daily basis, they say WOW but that is so strong! i scoff--Vicodin is but the tiny pup of opiates. At least i get to keep my own personality. And my sanity.juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14354144831826180457noreply@blogger.com