Fentanly was a life saver for me at first. It allowed me to work, drive, function normally. I increased from 25mcg/hr patch to 50 mcg/hr patch rather quickly. After several months my primary pain condition improved (4 level disk degeneration) and my doctor told me he was going to start my detox process. Upon hearing the word "detox" I was concerned. I didn't feel like an addict. I used the patches EXACTLY as prescribed. I never felt "high" or "loaded." I used the patch to treat pain only - my life is full and complete, I have no need for chemical repreive. But I had been on the patch every day for months.
After the doctor told me he was going to start to detox me, I went straight home and took the patch off. I was in full blown withdrawl the next day. Sweats, chills, pain, flopping on the couch like a fish out of water, vomitting. These symptoms lasted three days without subsiding. My wife wanted me to go to the hospital every minute of those three days, but I figured I had to be close to finished. After three days and I'm still vomitting I put a patch back on (50 mcg/hr) and my symptoms subsided about six hours later. I swore I'd never go cold-turkey again. I do not recommend it. It was hell on me and my family. Also very degrading. . .it's humiliating to be a successful, loving human being reduced to drug addition withdrawl. Very hard to get my head around. Junkies go through withdrawl under bridges, not good patients with jobs who follow their doctors orders!
Later my doctor had me return to my 25mcg/hr patch and prescribed me methodone 10mg pills. I was to take a methodone pill 4 times daily for four days, then three for four days, the two for four days, etc. until I was not taking any methodone. Then I was to remove the
fentanyl patch and start the methodone regimen over: 4X4, 3X4, 2X4, 1X4, 1/2X4. then quit.
From day one I was determined to stop so I took my fentenyl patch off and only took the methodone pill when I felt nausea coming on. . .I figured I could live with the rest of the symptoms. I ended up taking about 2 - 2 1/2 methodone the first couple days. By day five I stopped all drugs - daily. I would use 10 mg methodone every other day to keep the "willies" at bay, and after a week to ten days I even stopped those. It's hard but possible.
I have been totally drug free for 12 weeks now. I know I sped up the doctors orders but I had great desire to get my life back. I kicked heroin 18 years ago and was very afraid I would lose all I have work for - family, cumminity, and self respect included. Fentenyl was a tool that allowed me to participate in life mostly pain free. Comming off the drug is a very difficult process the patient MUST be ready to participate in. I've read some tragic stories of those who have been unable to become free of the patch.
God bless you all. . .there is hope, I've lived it.
Les C.[/quote]