Fentanyl and Oxycontin withdrawl

[vshiav]

I have been on pain medication for almost four years.  Please let me give you a little history.  I hve been going to pain management for spine issues.  Have been on opiods and fentanyl patches for over this time too.  Went to a new pain management and he started to increase my meds every month.  15mg of oxy every four hours and the patch 75mcg every three days.  He had given me a series of epidurals and the last one, inflamed a bulging disk and I went to the ER in severe pain.  Have not been to an ER in over five years.  Anyway, I had just filled all my meds and had plenty.  He claimed I went to the ER for meds and sent me a dismissal letter.  Unbelieveable.  He also gave me 10 days of oxy 5mg and three fent patches of 25mcg.  I guess he thought this would get me off the meds.  I tossed everything and have been going through withdrawl for over two weeks now and wonder how much longer I have to go?

[dwhitti777]

From what I've read here and elsewhere the amount of time is very individual depending on your usage and drugs. From what I understand the patches are tough.  But I would think that if you've made it 2 weeks you should be near or just over the hump. 2 weeks is great! Keep going. I bet you'll be feeling a little better each day. Exercise helps from what I understand.

[vshiav]

Thank you for your response.  It is the toughest thing I have ever done.  Breathing even hurts.  I am trying to cope the best I can.  I honestly doubt I will ever go to pain management doctors again.  I have had very bad luck with them

[dwhitti777]

I teach anatomy and have a clinical understanding of what opiates do to the brain. For a long time your brain has quit producing the normal neurotransmitters/chemicals that send information around your nervous system.  The opiates take their place so the cells stop making them. This information included things like naturally feeling good about normal everyday things. They will start making them again with time, taking care of yourself (good nutrition, extra vitamins, sleep), and encouragement.  Exercise for example increases some of the "feel good" neurotransmitters.  You probably don't feel like exercising but you'll be amazed at the difference in how you feel afterwards even if it's just a walk. This is why some runners talk about being addicted to running because they feel so good afterwards as endorphins are released. As I said this is just all from the science side that I know. Despite knowing all that I'm in the same boat as you. I'm hooked on fioricet with codeine and while I'm technically not abusing it, I'm tired of being tied to it and the fear of running out. I plan to start tapering my refill today. I've never joined one of these groups before or even talked about this so I'm hoping that taking this step will help.

[vshiav]

I have never written about this either.  I didn't know I was "addicted" to these drugs, until I was facing not having them again.  As I said, I am disalussioned by pain managment doctors and will never go to one again.  I didn't do anything wrong and he dismissed me for going to the ER in severe pain.  So, I was determined to get off of them because I was so angry over what happened. Mentally, I am fine about not having them, physically, another thing.  I have never felt so lousy in my life, but when I think of what happened, it just fuels me to get off of them.  I won't let another doctor do this to me, ever.  I hope you are doing well.... and Happy New Year!

[dwhitti777]

Well the fioricet has been working for me for the headaches but as they wear off I've started feeling very anxious which makes it hard to function. I think that is more of a problem with the fioricet than the codeine.  I also don't like that it has the acetaminophen in it and what that may be doing to my liver. The doctor that started me on this is retired but yeah I wish he'd never done it. I think he did what he thought was best as the headaches I've had since having meningitis were bad and it does help. I just don't want to depend on something that could make my life hell if they suddenly stopped it. I don't like not having control of my own life. Now that my husband has passed away I am all I can depend on. I have to work.

[vshiav]

Reconsider taking it all the time. ( like every four hours etc)  Take it ONLY if you need it.  I trusted Doctors and won't do that again.  I went through withdarwl, not him.   Never again.    I do not think I will ever want another pain pill again.  Not sure how I am going to live without them because my body is old and needs the help.  I hear Vitamin D helps with pain, I started mega dosing it last week.  Maybe you can try that too?  Lets hope for a better New Year...

[dwhitti777]

Thanks for the vitamin D reminder. Low vitamin D also has been linked with depression so taking it may help keep that away a bit.