My hell journey on Fentanyl is over!

Just wanted to share my experience with Fentanyl and give hope. I was prescribed a 15mg, every 72 hour patch for Lupus pain, which steadily was increased to 150 mg, every 48 hours in 5 months. The pain was never really in control, but my Dr was afraid of Percocet, so gave me Fentanyl, without knowing anything about it. Very gradually, I became deathly illl. I lost 50 pounds, had very low bp, began fainting, became paranoid, was unable to work or drive and nearly ended my incredible 36 year marriage. Saw 6 different specialists. All blamed Lupus, none blamed the Fentanyl. My husband did research and found Fentanyl could be the cause. He took me to a pain clinic to get help detoxing, since the prescribing Dr didn't know how! The pain clinic treated me like a street addict and tried to cut my dosage WAY too fast, without help from other medications. I became so despondent, that I tried to quit cold turkey (from 125 mg!) and almost died on the way to the ER. They replaced the patch and sent me back to the prescribing Dr., I then tried another pain clinic. WHAT a difference! They devised a 4 month step down plan, giving me Percocet 10/325, 4 per day, the rationale being that it is much safer and easier to get off the Percocet, eventually. I had only mild discomfort for a couple of days each time I would step down off the patch. In 4 months, I was Fentanyl free and NEVER had a desire for it. It's now a year later. I do still take the Percocet and my pain is in control. My bp, weight are healthy. No more fainting. No more paranoia. Great marriage again. Seeking employment. Keep seeking help. Tell someone you trust that you need help. I am still quite upset with the Dr who first put me on it, who assured me of its safety. Fentanyl should be reserved for end of life hospice care!

5 likes, 21 replies