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MedHelp Member's Question

Withdrawl from long term use of narcotic pain killers

by shelby, Nov 30, 1999 12:00AM
I am thankful to have found this site, as I find this a very difficult subject to talk to anyone about. Reading eveyones stories helps me feel not so alone. Here's mine. I was diagnosed with a life threatening cancer about five years ago. I was treated aggressively and apparently successfully, but the treatment left me with some chronic pain. I have been taking ms contin and oxycodone for breakthrough ever since. In addition to controlling the pain, I liked the feeling it gave me. Rather than feeling tired all the time ,I seemed to have more energy, plus a feeling of wellbeing when facing a very difficult time. Well, it looks as though the cancer is not going to get me and I want to finally put that chapter behind me and get on with life. Through it all I have maintained a busy professional life as well as being a wife and mother of school age children. So, about three days ago I cut my dosages in half, and its been rough. I think what I am experiencing is textbook withdrawl; leg cramps, diarrhea, feeling cold all the time, and inability to sleep. I think that is the worst, when the whole house is asleep and I am up and down, in the bed, on the couch etc, etc. I suppose I should ask my Doc about this but I have to admit I am ashamed to. My docs and the nurses have been great and have never made me bad, so I guess it is just my hang-up. I had to laugh when I read on one of the postings that this tendency to try and do it yourself is often part of the problem! Thats me, hard headed. Thanks for listening.







Member Comments (40)

by Brian to Deb, May 01, 2000 12:00AM
If you have ever been addicted before you will get addicted again after a week or two at most of using narcotics every day (and in many people after just a few days).  Even if you haven't been addicted before, since you have been taking the painkillers for about 3 weeks every day you can suffer some mild withdrawal symptoms which it sounds like you are having.  Try going back on them and tapering down by taking about 10% less every day or two until you are off them.  It should help reduce the symptoms.

by debbie, May 01, 2000 12:00AM
i am 28 years of age and just had hip replacement surgery on april 10th.  i was given different types of narcotic pain killers in the hospital, and it did not seem to matter then.  now i am home with a prescription filled for percocet and vikadin, (doesn't matter which i take) and have been taking 2 pills at night when the pain really gets bad.  this has only been since april 11th, and i just went off the pain killer this morning, april 30th.  i did not think i was going to suffer such side effects after using this drug not even 1 month!  i have severe leg fatigue, moody, nauseated and cannot manage to keep warm.  get the chills constantly along with dizzy spells... is this normal for not being on the percocet that long?



regards,

deb

by Mary James, May 13, 2000 12:00AM
Could you please supply information on the withdrawal symptoms and side effects of getting off Methodone.

by Brian to Mary James, May 13, 2000 12:00AM
The withdrawal symptoms are the same as any narcotic: severe flu-like symptoms combined with anxiety, cravings, etc.  They are actually worse and prolonged in coming off methadone than just about any other narcotic, which is why I don't recommend people getting on methadone unless there is no other reasonable option.

by bender, May 17, 2000 12:00AM
I've found through that one can experience leg cramps after taking hydrocodone (Vicodin) for as short a period as one week 7.5 mg three or four times per day. You may want to reduce dosage gradually as it seems worse when just stopping cold.

by BillyBazool, May 18, 2000 12:00AM
I agree with Brian as to the withdrawl from the substitution of methadone.  The molecular structure of methadone makes that substance bind to the narcotic receptors in the brain.  The half-life and metabolites remain in the blood stream for quite a while.  

Avoid any methadone withdrawl program unless this is your last (or close to) resort. May the Force be with you!

by dave, Jun 07, 2000 12:00AM
I'm in the same boat as shelby.2 major back surgeries in 6 years

i'm on 80mg oxycontin and 20mg of the short act. md tells me i'm dependent not addicted, but I need the meds to maintain. I can't stop on my own, Ive tried. Last teat I spet 8000.00 on the repid detox. that lasted 2 months, what a waste. I can't seem to find a

professional in the chicago area to help me get off this ****.



I would really appreciate any and all suggestions!



THANH YOU

by Brian to Sick and Scared § ALL you guys, Jun 07, 2000 12:00AM
There should be plenty of addiction specialists in the Chicago area.  Look in the yellow pages; call treatment centers and just ask around.  Look for a program or doctor using buprenorphine to detox you.  It is pretty painless and FAR cheaper than UROD.  I've been through the rapid detox and felt like death afterward.  However, it is not the fault of the detox that you relapsed.  No detox is a permanent solution.  It is just a first step.  The far harder part is staying off the drugs.  Finally, if you have chronic pain, you may want to try a pain clinic.  They may decide you need something like methadone for your pain.  Good luck.

by some one who cares, Oct 13, 2000 12:00AM
Id like to find out everything I can about vikadin because my friend keeps telling me its god's gift to her. She takes it everday and says it solves all her problems. Can someone (ANYONE) send me some info about it. What is it, what does it do, effects, anything ur willing to tell me. Im really worried about my friend. Please help! E-mail me right away. his_angel***@****



Thank you all soooo much. Anything u send will mean alot to me.

<3,

Some one who cares about people like you

by rikki@megavision.com, Nov 13, 2000 12:00AM
I know what you feel and what you are going through, as i am dealing with the same myself. I started about 8 yr ago and after hitting bottom I decided to stop cold turkey. This I can recomend not doing without a strong support group to help you. I have only been clean for about 2 months. Every day is constant fight to stay alive. I had to stop working in my trained profession as a nurse. I found it very difficult to even look at pain killers. It seems my body does something new every day just to remind me of how much I miss and want the drugs. However I know if I go back i will surly die. I can only say if you want to stop it's all up to you and only you.

by neoo@msn.com, Dec 29, 2000 12:00AM
to angel do not even think about tryinr vicodin i used it to get off coke and this is much harder. i did 70.000 in cola in about 2 years and after 3 days i had no urge no withdrawl but vicodion is another story i love the motherfuckers i feel like i am superman when i first started taking them. i could work 18 hours a day  and ask for more byt now 3 years later i need 8 to get out of bed 5 hours later i need 8 more to get through the day.i make more money in 1 year than most people dp in 5 and im about to lose it all im in day 1 of quitting and im already thinking if giving up. please dont start please.u have my email u or anyone can talk to me anytime i check my enail daily

by neoo@msn.com, Dec 29, 2000 12:00AM
to angel do not even think about tryinr vicodin i used it to get off coke and this is much harder. i did 70.000 in cola in about 2 years and after 3 days i had no urge no withdrawl but vicodion is another story i love the motherfuckers i feel like i am superman when i first started taking them. i could work 18 hours a day  and ask for more byt now 3 years later i need 8 to get out of bed 5 hours later i need 8 more to get through the day.i make more money in 1 year than most people dp in 5 and im about to lose it all im in day 1 of quitting and im already thinking if giving up. please dont start please.u have my email u or anyone can talk to me anytime i check my enail daily

by Patrice, Jan 06, 2001 12:00AM
Hi Again everyone



Neil from the vicodin board has deleted all the the posts from here that people were posting on his board.  THANK GOD!!  Like I said ,I am pretty new here, but this is private, at least to me,everyone have a good night and please write me.  ***@****



Take care



Patrice

by Patrice, Jan 09, 2001 12:00AM
Pain killers especially vicodin are very addicting.  I was clean and sober for 12 years, and due to my age(46) I started having many problem with chronic pain.  I was put on vicodin and within 3 years was taking at least ten norcos a day, and went back to my drug of choice heroin.  My life is in a shambles, my hubby is starting to talk about using again, and sometimes it like I dont wanna die, but I want to go to sleep until its all over.  Can anyone relate?  I have made a decision to take Dans suggestion and get on a 21 day methadone detox.  I have to before I just waste away.  Addiction never goes to sleep, it waits for us every ******* day of our lives!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I am at the point of the would have should have could haves.  My diease is running wildly in my mind, body and spirt now and I have to stop befor I die.  I am so lucky I found this group, you guys let me know as long as there is a breath left in my body, I have hope to be in recovery from this deadly diease that tells me I dont have a diease.



I love you all



***@****

by makayla, Jan 11, 2001 12:00AM
Patrice,

please write back and tell us how you are doing, I feel for you so much. I have never used heroin but am addicted to vicodin and know somewhat of the struggle you must be going through. There are people who care about you. I have read your posts on the vicodin board and found you here also. I need to know that you are okay. I will say a prayer for you.