Tuesday, February 7, 2012

14 days = 2 weeks

2 weeks ago today, I began an intentionally difficult journey. I decided to go off the Fentanyl (opiod pain killer) patch. I was getting tolerant of the 25 mcg./hour and it was time to boost my dosage. I did not wish to get into the trap of needing more and more pain medication and increasing my dose over time. I actually read about a woman who used a 100 mcg./hr patch - but she needed to use 14 patches at a time! I did not wish to become that person. I am not judging what other people need to do - I respect other people's choices, but I need to do what's best for myself.

So, under Doctor's supervision, I quit - cold turkey. I am very blessed that I don't have a propensity toward addiction, but I knew it would be difficult. Many people are unable to do it. So...2 weeks ago I tore off that patch. Whoa! Within 12 hours, I was drenched in sweat, everything hurt, and I could not even think of food without throwing up. This part lasted 72-hours, and what happened next was that I felt like I had a VERY BAD flu. But every day, I felt a little better....and then, I really did get the flu just as I was coming out of the physical dependence on Fentanyl. I got a sore throat, fever, cough, GI symptoms, everything. I am just now getting over that and then BAM! I got my period (sorry if this is TMI) which I am shocked about since I'm only getting them every 4-5 months. And it's a doozy, so there you go. My last 14 days.

And still trying to be positive and focusing on all the fun things I'm going to do when this is OVER!