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Morphine Addiction

I am a 47yr old female with chronic pain.  My Dr. prescribes Morphine for me for pain. However, I know I am addicted to it and, even though I have gone down some on my dosage by tapering, I am still taking 360MG per day and, can't seem to get it any lower.  I am feeling  a great deal of remorse over this and frustration cause I don't want to take it anymore but, now I have to or, I go into withdrawal.  Should I try to find an addiction specialist in my area?  If so, how do I start?  I am close to a Henry Ford Facility.  Because I have already experienced withdrawal to a degree, I am petrified of it.  What should I do?  Thank you in advance.
Skorchee
36 Responses
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1911789 tn?1322117480
My mother-in-law died suddenly two days ago, due to her use of prescribed Morphine. Her doctor prescribed it like candy. She was addicted to it. Her death was this past Monday, while she was sitting in her favorite chair. Our family is devistated. Please get help to get off this deadly drug,
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Avatar universal
I need someone's help I get morphine shots for my migraines and I cannot stop going into my doctor to get them. I don't even have a migraine sometimes and I go in anyway to get a shot. How do I stop this is there a pill I can take to detox myself
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Avatar universal
just come off morphine after 4 yrs down to 50mg twice a day from 500mg i cant sleep at all i dont feel hot or cold i was on the stuff for stomach problems i dont know how docs can put u throw this i felt so bad on the stuff thank god im off it now i might get my life back good lick to all
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983679 tn?1276833336
you would prob get more response in the pain mang forum.
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Avatar universal
does  anybody out there get uncontrollably hot and start to sweat and feel like they can't function for a few minutes sometimes.  I've done this 3 times in the past two weeks.  I'm on 75 mg of morphine every 8 hours.  Plus I just don't feel like myself anymore.  I just wonder if this has anything to do with morphine?  I already take wellbutrin for depression.  I do have alot of stress in my life.  A whole lot.  I've been on morphine for 2 and one half years.  Please reply.  morphy
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1010938 tn?1250769877
Hello, Im new to this forum, Im 29yrs old & have been a opiate addict since I was ablout 18, I grew up when the oxycontin epidemic was a pretty new thing in the mid to late ninties. When I turned 21 I started on a methadone maintenance program, for the first couple yrs I was on 90mgs of methadone, now Im on 70mgs of it, I dont know if MMT patients are welcome here but Ive been reading some of the posts here in this community & I can relate.There have been times when I have had to do without my methadone {mostly due to the fact that its a 2 hour drive from here & Im not in the best situation as far as transportation goes} the most Ive ever went without my dose is 2 days, & believe me theres nothing as bad as withdrawls from this stuff, even after just 1 day, actually within hours I start to go in withdrawl if I dont dose on schedual, I used to not be able to tell if I went several hrs past my regular dosing time, but thats not the case anymore. Anyway I wont be able to dose until saturday & my last dose was yesterday morning, I know what Im in for, & knowing that Ill be able to dose saturday does help a little, but Im still in for one hell of a ride, I would be more than thankful for any support that I could get. Thanks..
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Avatar universal
good luck and you will also no its time to quit and you can do it with strengh,courage,willpower and gods help you can and will sucseed if you want it bad enough  me and my wife were 14 year heroin addicts we have been clean for 74 days with a lot of help and suport here at MH it is  a wonderful site with wonderful people who will  help in anyway they can how you try to stop is your choice and yours only we went cold turkey very hard  but the right  way for us to go i wish you the best of luck in what ever way you choose to go but you can do it i am 44 years old my wife 43 so age should not make any diffrence god bless you and carry you through the early days when w/d are at ther worst James &Kim
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Avatar universal
I'm also a morphine addict from chronic pain, and feel the way you do.  I deeply believe that the chronic pain diagnosis, with it's resulting "there's no treatment, only palliative care with pain killers and anti-depressants" is to be fought all the way.  By that I mean that every possible underlying cause should be investigated and determined not to apply until the whole gamut of possible underlying causes is exhausted.  Otherwise, like it or not, you're just getting tossed under the bus and left to rot by the side of the road.  It took me 6 - 8 years to get up to 180+mg (180 er every day, + ir for break through pain), until for me it just wasn't worth the fog.  I'm 20 days off.  My Dr weaned me down until he started dragging his feet on refilling prescriptions, and then just told me to find another Dr if I wanted more.  I really don't like the pain, but I'm not sure it is worse than on the stuff, considering the fog.  Wasn't able to get out of bed much on, and still not much off, but at least I have feelings.  I've not done residential treatment for morphine, but I did 20 years ago for booze. and recommend it.  It really doesn't have to be at some squashy resort.  The best places don't take insurance in order to control their own programs, but some offer "scholarships".  I've never done Betty Ford, but that's where I'd start if I was going to do it again.
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Avatar universal
I was on the Duragesic patch (Fentynal) 50 mg for 4 years for chronic pain, muscle and bone problems and nerve pain , I am disabled it never really stop the pain completely but it took the edge off. I asked my Doctor to wean me off because I didn't want to be addicted to pain meds . My Doc told me that she was sure I was already addicted to the pain meds because of prolonged use. With my Doctors help (decrease Fentynal dosage ) for 6 months and then after the six months  she prescribed a low dose of Oxycontin 20mg twice a day .I will go along with the Oxycontin for maybe another 2 months and then pray that surgery (if possible) will take away the need for narcotics to ease the pain.If not I don't know what I will do.Because I am through with pain meds I don't think I can deal with the constant pain and becoming addicted to another pain med.Being weaned off of fentynal was awful.
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Avatar universal
In Morphine withdrawal you may experienced restlessness, yawning, perspiration, goose flesh, restless sleep twitching, and spasms of muscles, severe aches in the back, abdomen, and legs, abdominal and muscle cramps, increases in body temperature, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and heart rate. If you chose  Morphine withdrawal it's symptoms reach peak intensity in 36 to 72 hours. Without treatment, withdrawal symptoms runs their course in 5 to 7 days, even though craving for Opium may continue for months. You probably seek for addiction specialist as soon as possible.

________
jhazline_20
Comprehensive resources for those looking for recovery from addiction. http://www.addictionrecovery.net
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Avatar universal
I am going through the same as I type except for the fact I am going Cold Turkey in the words of John Lennon. 3 day I think that is how wacked I feel right now. Hang in there I have been through this before and know it gets better. sweats, cold and hot unable to determine temperature around me at all, depression, shaking hands very bad and tons of other fun things. Hang in There I suffered a broken back for discs fused one cut on and loads of screws, plates, and rods to lve with and can't really be that mobile anylonger, but I have to live with the pain and I don't want to waste it not even feeling oaded just taking **** to feel normal anymore.
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Avatar universal
Hey jojoms, one thing about Methadone and Morphine, they are both opiates. Both will get you high, and both create dependency and addiction. Methadone is just a little bit less potent than morphine. Methadone doesn't make you stop craving opiates, because it is also an opiate.
If someone is chronically addicted to Morphine, Heroin, or any other potent opiate, clinics will often prescribe Methadone as a way to taper off of harder opiates. The problem with this is that people often get addicted to the Methadone also, and can't quit. It's hard to stop using opiates by using other opiates.
At one time, amusingly, Morphine was used to help Heroin addicts taper off of the Heroin. Clearly, that's a silly way to do it because both substances are highly addictive. The Methadone being used to taper off Morphine and Heroin is the same concept. It rarely cures and addiction.
A better way to get rid of an opiate addiction is to go to a detox clinic where doctors and other professionals can help someone stop cold turkey. Most people experience withdrawal when stopping cold turkey which makes getting off the drug nearly impossible when doing it alone. This makes a detox clinic necessary.
A detox clinic may also help someone taper off the drug, but not through using a less potent drug. The lower the dosage at regular intervals until you are no longer physically dependent on the drug. This eases withdrawal symptoms, but it is still hard to do this on your own.
I hope this has helped a little bit. If you have any more questions, please feel free to email me at nepenthe444[at]hotmail[dot]com
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Avatar universal
help - just found out that my new daughter-in-law who has been on Methadone for 5-years, is taking Morphine pills !  alot of them ! what is the deal - I thought the Methadone was supposed to help "stop the cravings for opiates". as you can see, i have no experience with drugs.  
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261850 tn?1189755833
Thank you, I will hang in there. My wife and I are trying a different approach, she is getting off the morphs first so one of us can stay strong for our kids, then I am going to go through it last because my is more of me being scared of being in constant pain. But I am going to do it and hope for the best. I know if I can get off this stuff, then nothing can get me down.
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Avatar universal
Hey there!  Try posting a new thread, you will get more responces!  Hang in there and keep in touch with this forum, it can be a great asset!  My husband and I are both recovering addicts, we have both been sober about 3 and 1/2 years!  We both had to go to treatment, actually twice.  But we are both on the other side now and things are just great!  NOTHING like we used to be, but it did take allot of work from both of us!
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261850 tn?1189755833
Well I dont know where to even begin. Lets start with how: I was in a car accident when I was 20 years old, I am 33 now. The seat belt created scolioses of the spine, which in return has cause me alot of nerve damage and chronic pain. Just this year in May I had neck surgery, I had a plate put in my neck, and now the doctors are telling me to put a morphine pump in my lower back. What the hell is a Morphine pump..lol Anyways I have been taking pills since the accident, started with vicodines, went and graduated from them to Norco, and now Morphine for the last 2 years. Well I have been married for 3 years and I dragged my wife into this world of addiction, and what a mistake! It has cause our marriage so many trials a tribs, I have lost count. I used to be strong as hell when it came to anything, I smoked pot for years and just quit, no problem there, I have even done crack and had no problem there quiting, but these fricking Morphine`s have gotten the best of me. I dont know if its because I am just tired of hurting or if I am just scared to go through the withdraws of getting off these things.
  Well today I am going to tempt it, I am going to try and get off these things. For the last 4 months I have cut myself and my wife back to, Me three a day, Wife 2 a day. I have read alot of peoples stories in this forum and I am more scared then yesterday, when I decided to quit. And after, hopefully when I get off these things, I can help my wife. I mean she is more scared then I am, but I am scared for her. But I have to do this for my kids and my wife, maybe if I succeed she wont be so scared.

Oh well, just ramblin now. Just wanted to hear some feedback, and wish me luck!
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Avatar universal
First off,DO NOT PANICK>you say you want to get off it but you cannot,you are on 360mg.
Stay on this dose until you are stable(no Withdrawal symptoms),this will take 10 days at most,if you are not ready or feeling symptoms or pain after 10 days on this same dose then something else is wrong,rule out any physical problems.
Now ask yourself is this psychological?is it effecting your mood?Remember you want out!,your not seeking euphoria are you?
Ok sorted, now just slowly reduce your dose, SLOWLY,hold it if your feeling sick,and remember how lucky you are because you want to get off it and have your emotions back,your not afraid of returning to your good old self,or are you?.
With a slow taper their will be practically no Physical discomfort and if you were a happy person pre-Morphine then only mild depression will occur.If you had any emotional problems before taking the Morphine,they will be amplified when you reduce,you can learn a lot about yourself as you get off it.
Or you can be honest and admit that something is holding you back.I think you will be alright and can slowly taper off on your own,but if you are caught up in the Morphine High you WILL be in for a long rough ride,Please do not blame the Drug,remember what you are going back to,yourself.Addiction is different to psychological and physical dependence,you are not addicted.Addicted people are totally preocupied by the drug they crave the euphoria and only want to stop because they are not getting high anymore.Anyway think about it all and if you need help,seek it.And do not forget to help yourself
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
First off,DO NOT PANICK>you say you want to get off it but you cannot,you are on 360mg.
Stay on this dose until you are stable(no Withdrawal symptoms),this will take 10 days at most,if you are not ready or feeling symptoms or pain after 10 days on this same dose then something else is wrong,rule out any physical problems.
Now ask yourself is this psychological?is it effecting your mood?Remember you want out!,your not seeking euphoria are you?
Ok sorted, now just slowly reduce your dose, SLOWLY,hold it if your feeling sick,and remember how lucky you are because you want to get off it and have your emotions back,your not afraid of returning to your good old self,or are you?.
With a slow taper their will be practically no Physical discomfort and if you were a happy person pre-Morphine then only mild depression will occur.If you had any emotional problems before taking the Morphine,they will be amplified when you reduce,you can learn a lot about yourself as you get off it.
Or you can be honest and admit that something is holding you back.I think you will be alright and can slowly taper off on your own,but if you are caught up in the Morphine High you WILL be in for a long rough ride,Please do not blame the Drug,remember what you are going back to,yourself.Addiction is different to psychological and physical dependence,you are not addicted.Addicted people are totally preocupied by the drug they crave the euphoria and only want to stop because they are not getting high anymore.Anyway think about it all and if you need help,seek it.And do not forget to help yourself.  
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Avatar universal
It was such a pleasure to hear from you. I'm soooo glad to hear and realize I'm not alone and more importantly that your operation was a success and your pain free. Cold Turkey,... that must have been a nightmare!!! I'm glad your able to taper down with the Tramadol (I am not sure what that is but I will look it up). I wish you well with coming down off the Tramadol as well. I can not believe just 2 years ago I never even took an asprin for a headache or sinus tablet for congestion. Now, I am dealing with an addiction to morphine. I hope you can continue with your progress on tapering off the Tramadol.

I do not know at this time what surgeries are planned except I still have a great deal of nerve pain generating out of my right hip and still have a great deal of numbness in my left leg which radiates from my hip down to my knee EVERY night and wakes me up. It is very frustrating. I am rambling but I want to thank you for your kind note, wish you well with tapering off this stuff and if you want to talk please feel free to write me @ ***@****. I wish and pray for your continued recovery.

Tom...
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Avatar universal
Tom - ive just read your letter - i felt i had to write to you - you sound just like me. Ive had 4 operations on the spine - 3 laminectomies, 1 discectomy and a spinal fusion last july - front and back. I was in alot of pain and was in itu.  I had an epidural and was on morphine for ages - months before the op. I was even taking up to 700mg - i was that addicted.  After the op the doctors gave me morphine intravenous  - once they stopped that they thought id be fine. No way - i had cold turkey so bad - i cried my eyes out and insisted they call the doctor out in the middle of the night - i felt like i was dying!  He gave me a shot and i slept. Next day they decided to put me back on the mst and lower it bit by bit. Trouble is - they did it so fast - i went home after 10 days and once home i upped it again - i just didnt feel ready to quit.  Ive now got no pain - the op worked great and im going back to work soon.  Ive lost the feeling in the belly completly - and i may get the odd ache in the evenings but its fine. I decided i needed to come off the mst - the doctors wanted it cut down , but again too fast. I ran out of tablets and my friend helped by giving me some tramadol -( ive had this before and it helped alot).  Its similar to morphine but weaker) . I was able to take this with no withdrawel from the mst -the doctors couldnt believe it. No more mst at all.  But - yep youve guessed - im now addicted to the tramadol! Im taking too much - far too much.  But - its much easier to come off as the doses are easier to control tan the mst. Im cutting down each week now and doing well.
You sound like you suffer from depression - i did to. Its hard not to - pain all day and feeling awful.  Coming off the morphine will make you feel more depressed - you need to do it in your OWN time - you cut one down when youre ready to do it - only you know when.  
Hows the back now? Hope its better - its such a big op to go through for no relief - is there more ops needed then?
Take care - Mandy x
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Avatar universal
I have been attending a methadone clinic for 2 weeks now. I was taking way too many pain pills (up to 40) in a single day. I am thrilled with the results so far. The down side: I must drive about 45 minutes on a daily basis and it is costing $70.00 a week. I also worry about coming off of the medication, even though they will taper slowly when the time comes, I read that you will still experience withdrawl going from 5mgs to zero mgs. I guess I will find out when the time comes. The advantages: I feel great. By this I mean normal not buzzed. I am fuctioning well and am motivated to do everything from work to chores to going out. The clinic I attend is in an exclusive area. It is called Point Commons and is surrounded by many other drs. offices so you don't feel ashamed when you drive in. There was a clinic closer to my home, but I wouldn't be caught dead in that area. As far as giong to a clinic for pain treatment, it would be interesting to find out if you could. We are required to attend 3 NA and/or AA meetings a week . We must also see our counselor once every 2 weeks and 1 inhouse meeting every week. This is so we build our foundation for when it's time to come off of it. The counselor states,"Don't make the methadone the only reason your coming here, it's only part of the treatment."
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Avatar universal
Thank you for your kind words.

please take a look at the to thread from Frank at top. He wants to detox with bup but can't go openly to a detox center. He might enjoy talking with you.
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Avatar universal
Tom, I am so sorry to hear about your nephew.  Take care, my friend, Maryanne
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Avatar universal
To Everyone: thank you for all your responses.  You will be surprised to know that my Dr. does know I am trying to get off of them.  He has given me advice on how to taper.  He would never take them from me and cause withdrawal.  I can't stand the feeling of being controlled by them.  Yes, they help with my pain but, I am down right depressed and lethargic without them also.  It is very confusing.  I started taking Prozac hoping it would help the depression but, I don't see a difference.  I don't know whee to call to find a professional place to detox.  I know of hospitals that throw you in a psych bed and make ya go to group therapy but, I don't know any real detox places around here. What I want is to be detoxed RIGHT.  I am afraid that if I go to a hospital they will throw me in a bed and say, good luck.

Skorchee
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