Afraid of first time opiate withdrawal.

I was diagnosed with a prolapsed disc a month and a half ago and have been on Oxycontin and Endone ever since. The dose has varied, dependent on pain, from as little as 10mg a day, to 30-40mg. I have been reading forums on the withdrawals from opiates and I'm now so afraid. I suffer from depression and anxiety and have already noticed an increase with agitation when approaching withdrawal. What should I do? This is my first time. I certainly didn't want for this to happen.

[IBKleen]

Hi & welcome,

Are you taking the medications as prescribed? I am asking because I am trying to figure out why there are times when you are approaching withdrawal?

[IwillDoThis]

Welcome and I'm so glad you found this.  I stumbled on this board once my withdrawals started, I was searching for ways to make it better.  I was in pain management also and found myself in a place where I did not want to be.  I think psyching up for the detox would have been worse for me.  I'm glad I was already in withdrawals by the time I found this as it gave me resolve to just get through it.  Other says they are glad they found it so they would know what to expect.

I know it is a scary thought and it isn't fun, I won't lie.  Feel free to click on my name and read some of my prior posts to get my history but in a nutshell I tapered off 3-4 hydros a day for 3 solid years and sporadic use before that down to 1 then stoped.  Today is Day 11 for me and I'm feeling so much better every single day.  Days 2-3 are usually the worst, pretty much like the worst flu of your life.

Look up the Thomas Recipe and assemble everything you will need, get plenty of immodium and use it aggressively (A BIG mistake not taking it the first 1.5 days of  my detox, I got so dehydrated).  Hydrate, take plenty of hot showers as they will help.  

You'll find a lot of support here and great people with a lot of widsom.  This board has been heaven sent for me through this time.

Your post is the first step to taking charge of your life again.  Be brave, set your mind to it and just get through the worst of it.

Post often and ask any questions you have.  Be well.

[Anni412]

Well at first I took them as prescribed, but I have been muddling around with them myself for probably 4 weeks now. I had extra oxy's (a lot) from a separate doctor that I saw as a once off (I was diagnosed with my condition on holidays!), and I used these unbeknownst to my GP, who also prescribed, but Endone. So some days when the pain was bad I took extra, and some days when the pain was okay I wouldn't have any all day, but would then feel pain all over my body. This is when I realised it could be withdrawals.

[Anni412]

Thankyou for your welcome. God, it sounds horrible. I will definitely look at your posts. I'm thinking might pretend in my mind I'm having a case of Gastro. And will tell my mum this too. All the best to you, and I will follow your advice.

[IwillDoThis]

Yep that is usually how it starts.  I had scripts, never bought them, never ran out of my script, until 3 years ago I always took less than I was prescribed.  I was more of a pill hoarder if anything for a long time, just the comfort of knowing they were there in case I had pain was important.  I had a bottle of vics sitting around for years and wouldn't touch it.  3 years ago I can still remember the day when I up'd my usage to the 3-4 I was actually prescribed and just got steady with it, never running out but to the day usually.  I did have the ability to pace myself thusly lying to myself that I had it all under control.  It helped the pain at first, felt good, gave me energy but I knew it probably wasn't a good idea.  Then I was dependent and I just didn't want to face the inevitable period of detox.  I got mad recently and just set my mind to it.  You CAN do it.

[bmdad]

I to had a prolapsed disc which eventually led me to surgery after trying alternative ways to minimize the pain. Are you doing anything else for the your pain or injury besides just taking pain meds for pain? Many times doctors will just prescribe pain meds and send you on your way when there are ways to try and alleviate the pain besides just masking it with pain meds.

I still have back and sciatic pain but decided a few years ago to deal with the pain rather than dealing with the wrath of narcotic pain meds. There are many things that can help. I'd recommend seeking these alternative means rather than getting deeper and deeper into the use of pain meds if you think you're at risk for addiction. I never thought I would be at risk becoming addicted but almost anyone is if they are on them long enough. If I could turn back the clock I would've done things much differently. They aren't intended to be taken over an extended period of time but doctors seem to think they are. Treat the problem, don't mask it with narcotics.

If you need help with anything, please let us know.

Best of luck.




Brian

[Anni412]

Yeah, I thought I was pacing myself and being good when I stretched out a dose. This stuff should not be prescribed unless you are on your deathbed I reckon. Like latestage cancer. Even on these opiates I still have pain, but the opiates kind of make me be able to work through it and pick me up. It's weird, it's not like when you have a headache and you take paracetamol  and it disappears. It's like the headache stays, but you feel good. I'm rambling.

[Anni412]

Hi Brian,
I'm on a waiting list for surgery. The big question is do I, or don't I? I still don't know if I should, because a you say, you still have the pain. I just pray it goes away itself - it could do. I'm seeing an osteopath and have had some improvement, which is why I want to het off the opiates. I should be able to do light exercise soon. What do you find helps?