Substance abuse withdrawal

[DeeDee694]

Hi
I was going to post this question to one of the CL's since it's really important for me to know. But, I might as wel ask it in general to any and everybody so that I can get as many answers as possible. I will try to be brief. I had bilateral total knee replacement in 8/2007 as suffer from what I suspect and was told years ago that I have Fibro. I developed MRSA after the surgery and since then the doctors have been trying to eradicate the infection surgically but it keeps coming back. I will face my 5th or 6th knee replacement on July 12. I'm retired, widowed and my financial situation is in a state of emergency. All of this crap has made me increasingly anxious, more than usual.The anxiety has led me to resume smoking and I mean chain smoking after having quit for >32years! My problem/question: Has anyone ever heard of experiencing drug withdrawal during an experiment of weaning off. You need to know what I'm on. Currently, I've been prescribed Dilaudid 8mg every 6hrs and MS Contin 30mg every 12 hours for the knee pain. Since My plan is to go through withdrawal with the help of a medical professional about 4-6 weeks from now.  Giving myself some recuperative time from the surgery. I'm experiencing a persistent dull stomach ache with mild nausea, and increased itching.  The stomach ache started about a week after I resumed chain smoking so I thought It was caused by the cigs. I've also started about 2 weeks ago taking far less pain med and after about 3 days of feeling okay the stomach ache/nausea have returned. In addition, I'm in tortuous pain from my knee and from my Fibro. I have been extremely confused and disoriented more than normal.  Does anyone think I could be experiencing mild substance abuse withdrawal symptoms?  I have thought that you only go through withdrawal when you have quit or are at least on a serious tapering program for several weeks.  I hope I'm not being a hypochondriac but I really want opinions, please. Thanking you in advance for your time.  I'm so glad I can come to MH and ask this.

DeeDee

[DeeDee694]

Thank you so much for such a prompt response.

[dominosarah]

If you are taking less pain meds than you were you are experiencing wd symptoms.  Your pain may increase during this time too, that is called rebound pain.  It should even itself out after a bit.  Make sure you are drinking plenty of fluids during this time.  The anxiety will also add to the symptoms.  Try some breathing exercises when you feel anxious.  You have a good plan in place after your surgery.  Hope you get to feeling better.......sara

[catmagnet]

Wow, with all of that going on, no wonder you're confused and disoriented. Maybe someone else could give you a better answer than this, but if you're taking a lot less medication you could be going through mild w/d symptoms. Anxiety also can give you physical symptoms, that I do know first hand, because it happens to me all the time. I'm sorry you're having so much pain and I hope you can get feeling better...