Lowered tollerance for pain

[Sandav]

I have been taking hydros 7.5/325 3=4 x a day for about 6 months for knees that need to be replaced and arthritis. I have noticed that my other pain like body aches and other joint pain have increased exponentionely since I started taking them. The doc says he thinks I may have fibromyalgia but it was never nearly this bad. Also I am getting ready to have  knee replaced and the doc is sending me home with the same meds and I am afraid they will not address the pain after the surgery.  I am trying to wean myself off them before the surgery and am getting withdrawal but it is scheduled for end of next week. Anyone else experience this who are taking these things in the quantity I am?  

[guitrldy]

Definitely that is what happened to me.  I kept thinking I had a horrible bunion and a bad shoulder.  I just stopped taking hydros and all of a sudden the bunion is nothing.  The shoulder still hurts, but I now understand it was the med making it worse.   The term is called Opiod Induced Hyperalgesia; I think a lot of doctors do not know about this and so they keep giving out new diagnoses and more meds!
Good luck with your surgery.

[jessem85]

I agree with these posts its your brain trying to trick you into using but it will go away addiction is a serious sickness and trys to get you to use do to your dopamines trying to fight off the fake dopamines that drugs create a dopamine is what makes you feel pleasure drugs make false dopamines that are bigger and more pleasurable its a lot to explain but look up drug addiction dopamines and it will fill you in better than I can good luck

[Whollymolythathurt]

Hi Sandav - I was on hydro 10/325 (6-10/day) for 3 yrs...after my last back surgery.  I experienced what you mentioned and read a lot about what Phoenix mentioned.  It's like your brain try's to trick you into thinking everything hurts.  In Dec I was CT 20 days & then tore my rotator cuff & needed surgery.  At 14 or so days my back and knees actually started feeling better...then the surgery and more pain pills.  I'm off again...day 16 I think & like last time the joints are starting to feel better...now if my head could catch up I'd be doing better.

Good luck with the surgery & recovery. And try & get off the meds pretty quick.

[ThePhoenix75]

I have know exactly what you are talking about, but my experience has been with fentanyl and oxycodone for Rheumatoid Arthritis.
What you are experiencing is called hyperalgesia.  Basically what happens is when you have been taking opiate based pain medication, your body stops making it's own endogenous neurotransmitters like dopamine.  It is a very common occurance and happens to pretty much everyone on opiate pain management.  Definitely happened with me.

The good news is that (I've heard!) once you are completely off the opioids, your brain starts rebuilding those neurotransmitters and your pain perception evens out.  The challenge is getting to that point though.

Does your dr. want you off of pain meds before the surgery?  will you need pain meds for a short time after the surgery?  I am just curious because if you put the effort in for a taper now I would hate to see your work end up in vain because you needed pain management for a short time after the surgery.

If you dr. does want you off of pain medication, ask him/her to suggest a taper plan that can certainly help minimize withdrawals.  Coming off of pain meds is no fun but it can be tolerable.

I wish you the best and good luck with your surgery!
Phoenix