Yikes, this brings back bad memories! I believe that some of us are more 'addictive' than others, so don't worry about someone who tells you they quit cold turkey. Good for them! I, however, got very very messed up on Fentanyl (probably ended up on way more than I needed due to misinterpretation of localised pin in one point of my tongue) and coming off the stuff was true hell.

In a former life I was once also addicted to Ativan. Very powerful, but in my case, very dangerous stuff. Trying to taper off of those damned little square pills, there came a point where I simply couldn't split them any smaller and had to just stop. Took me three times before I managed it, and boy did I suffer. So, if you're one who can't quit cold turkey, be sure to get the right advice and support when it comes time to get off. And, try to avoid getting too far on in the first place if you can. I'm not advocating avoiding pain medication in the least, but just be careful and informed.

-Seth

Last edited by Stily1; 08-03-2013 06:31 AM.
47 yr old male non-smoker, social drinker, fit. Jan'10, Stg3 rt tonsil+rt neck SCC, HPV+, rad+chmo Vancouver Cda. 2yr clear Apr'12 London UK. Apr'13 mets recur to lymph btw left lung & aorta, 3x Cisplatin+5FUchemo+20 rad, was all clear but 6-mo PET-CT shows mets to pleura around left lung, participating in St 1 trial of GDC-0980. GDC lost effect and ended July'14, bad atrial fibrillation requiring hospitalisation, start more standard chemo 10 Sep 2014.
Sadly has passed away, notified Jan 2015.