How do you detox from fentanyl?

Answer 1

As a high-dose opiate patient for many years (Duragesic, Percocet, Demerol, Morphine, etc.), I've had to raise and lower my dosages many times, and withdrawals are a daily part of life. I spent 8 months of steady withdrawals and 1 month of hard withdrawals to finally stop using Duragesic after 9 years. It takes everyone a different period of time to do it, but mental as well as physical preparation are important. I never did it until I felt that I was ready to do it.

The keys to tapered withdrawals are:

1. Time - Make sure you have time to do it (no work, school, activities, etc.). It helps to have a family member or close friend around. Depending on how long you've been taking it, and the dosage, it typically takes longer to taper off. The dose combination you're on isn't that much, but of course everyone is different. If you can't take time off, start on a long weekend or holiday, as the first few days and the last couple of days are the worst.

The reason you should have someone around is that in the beginning you typically are pretty weak, and about the only thing you feel like doing is heading to the bathroom & back to bed. Warn family and friends that your mood is going to be less than pleasant also.

Don't underestimate the amount of time it's going to take, especially if you've been using patches for some time. It isn't easy, and you're not going to feel like doing anything.

2. Hydration - As you've already discovered, you sweat buckets when you're withdrawing. Water and Gatorade/Powerade are my fluids of choice. Gatorade and Powerade replace the electrolytes you're losing, and help with your cramps as well.

3. Heat - Opiates are vasodilators, which means they open the blood vessels. When you stop taking your normal dose, the vessels constrict, and that's why you get so cold. I used to do mine during warm months, but anything to keep you warm helps. Expect to change clothes a few times too, as you'll be sweating a lot. Have some clean bedding handy as well.

4. Mental distraction - There's a good reason I have a large movie and game collection; they take your mind off the pain and discomfort. Computer work, anything that keeps your mind focused on something other than the discomfort. Gaming has actually been sanctioned pain therapy for me for about 12 years. If I could figure a way to deduct it on my taxes, I'd be set.

5. Music - Personally, David Gilmour's BD

" Remember That Night - Live from the Royal Albert Hall

" is my favorite for withdrawals, but any favorite music you have that calms you mentally is a real help. Any Pink Floyd is great, but regardless, have a good selection handy and ready to go.

6. Sedation - When things get really bad, I'll take something to knock me out for a while. Flexeril or Valium if you have it, but Benadryl will work in a pinch.

If you've got enough Percocet or breakthrough meds around, keep them handy and refilled. If your doctor is onboard with your situation, it's a lot easier. The trick with patches is to keep extending the time between changes; if you have smaller patch doses, it's easier, as you can taper down to the point where you're down one patch dose, and you're working on the next.

Once you've dealt with the patches, there's the breakthrough meds to consider

In tapered dose reduction, what you do is cut the pill in half or in quarters. First try taking half your normal prescribed dose, and see how you deal with the withdrawals. If it's too strong, then start with only a 1/4 reduction in dosage. Stretch the time between doses a little more each time. Take it for a week (or until you feel you can drop further), then drop another 1/4. If the withdrawals are too strong still, then stay at 1/4 dose reduction for another week, then try again. When you can tolerate the withdrawal, then reduce by another 1/4, and repeat the weekly process. Keep doing it until you're completely off of the drug.

It also helps to take an OTC med to compensate and ease the withdrawal pain. Two of my favorites are Tylenol ES Rapid Release Gel-Caps, and Bayer Back and Body Aspirin. I also use prescription strength Naproxen, which is available OTC as Aleve. 500mg is prescription strength.

The OTC meds will help compensate for some of the withdrawal pain you'll experience, and they do help. The other thing you might consider is asking your regular doctor for an anti-anxiety med and an anti-nausea med. An anti-anxiety drug will help you get through some of the rough patches, and an anti-nausea drug helps during the last push before you're through. Most doctors are happy to help, knowing that you're taking steps to withdraw from opiates.

You're also going to feel weak through the process, and after the final push when you drop the last dose. It'll take a few days for your body to regain its strength.

The time it takes may be sooner or longer, as everyone is different. Keep in mind also to be aware of any pain not associated with withdrawals as you taper down, as the pain med will mask it. One of the reasons for my last major withdrawal period was that I needed to assess my true pain after my 3rd spinal operation, and you can't do that while on higher doses of opiates.

The whole process is similar to a bad case of the flu that won't go away, with the additional discomfort of shaking and anxiety. But as I said, if you first prepare yourself and know what to expect, it's not as hard as it seems. Uncomfortable as hell, yes; impossible, no.

If you have any specific questions, message me at the address above my profile page.