It describes a phenomenon where individuals become fixed in a stooped position, often bent at the waist, with their heads bowed and knees flexed, utterly unresponsive and seemingly unable to move. This distinct rigid form, sometimes colloquially referred to as the “fent fold” fentanyl fold or “fenty fold,” serves as a visible and distressing indicator of severe opioid intoxication. Fentanyl bending over, or “Nodding Off” often also includes “wobbling” or “teetering” which can often appear as a rocking motion. This rocking can range from mild to quite severe as individuals struggle to regain balance as their bodies succumb to the extreme sedative effects of Fentanyl on the central nervous system. As long as it is safe to do so contact emergency services or if you have “Narcan” or other opiate overdose preventatives be ready to administer if the person loses consciousness or stops breathing.
About Medical News Today
It is also increasingly found mixed into street drugs (Drug Enforcement Administration DEA, 2024). Understanding the dangers of fentanyl is crucial, especially for individuals who might unknowingly consume it or use it without a doctor’s prescription. The person should receive immediate medical attention for supportive care and to ensure the emergency has ended. Fentanyl is considered dangerous because it carries a high risk of addiction and is extremely potent, with even a small amount resulting in overdose.
Responding to an Overdose
If you encounter someone displaying the Fenty Fold or similar symptoms, treat the situation as a medical emergency. Call 911 immediately and provide clear information about the person’s condition and suspected fentanyl use. Emergency responders need this information to prepare appropriate life-saving interventions.
Identifying the Fentanyl Fold and Other Critical Overdose Signs
Seeing the fentanyl fold is a clear sign of severe opioid intoxication. It means fentanyl is affecting both the brain and muscles, slowing breathing and changing consciousness. This posture often happens right https://alvtex.al/alcohol-use-disorder-symptoms-causes-and-treatment-2/ before or during an overdose, making it a critical warning sign that emergency help is needed immediately. Yes, the fentanyl fold is very dangerous because it often means fentanyl levels are high enough to slow breathing and cut oxygen supply to the brain.
Expanding access to life-saving treatment for fentanyl
Medical fentanyl provides much-needed relief for patients facing severe pain. Doctors will prescribe it during cancer treatments, after major surgeries, or when standard pain medications aren’t working. Patients might receive a skin patch that delivers medication steadily over days, a lozenge that dissolves slowly in the mouth, or an injection for immediate relief during intense pain episodes. It’s 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. This strength makes perfect sense when carefully measured in medical settings. Communities must also respond with expanded access to naloxone, education about fentanyl’s dangers and readily available treatment options.
- It tells us that addiction is not a weakness, but a serious disorder.
- It represents the final, visible stage before respiratory arrest and death.
- In some cases, the fentanyl fold may occur before full respiratory depression or complete respiratory failure, offering a short but crucial window for urgent medical intervention.
- Fentanyl can last for a few hours when taken orally or when snorted, smoked, or injected.
Support Groups
Yes, the fentanyl fold is a visible sign of an opioid overdose in progress. While this position might appear like someone is simply asleep or unconscious, it’s typically the result of the central nervous system being severely depressed. People get “fentanyl bent over” or “fent lean” due to fentanyl’s powerful effects on the central nervous system, causing profound sedation and muscle weakness. Additionally, it can induce severe muscle rigidity, particularly in the trunk, which combines with the impaired cognitive function to keep them in this fixed, slumped position. If you’re Alcohol Use Disorder experiencing a medical emergency or witnessing an overdose, call 911 immediately.
- But equally crucial is having a simple, stigma-free way to access this life-changing treatment.
- If using fentanyl on your own, understand the dangers and seek professional treatment to help you quit.
- This extreme potency is one of the main reasons that fentanyl is as dangerous as it is.
- He was treated by EMTs with naloxone, and his mental status and respiratory rate improved.
What is the Fenty Fold? “Nodding Out” and Its Risks
It signals heavy sedation and muscle control loss, making it a key visual marker of opioid toxicity. According to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) (2023), fentanyl contributed to more than 70% of opioid overdose deaths in the state. Fentanyl is 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine and significantly more potent than heroin or oxycodone.
As a prescription, fentanyl is available under the brand name Actiq, which is a throat lozenge, or Duragesic, a patch placed on the skin. If a person is hospitalized or undergoing surgery, a healthcare professional may administer fentanyl as an injection called Sublimaze. Researchers still don’t know if fentanyl causes long-term effects on the spine, however there are signs that it causes major systemic and circulation issues. As ABC 7 learned from researchers, the thinking is that the acidic nature of the drug leads to the collapsing of veins. Additionally, fentanyl that is mixed with “tranq” or xylazine has been shown to cause terrible skin ulcers that can become infected.
