if just 1 of you could help me

[572]

I'm feeling like I can't hang in there doing this by myself. I'm trying to take myself off Oxycocet and Lyrica. I quit 60mg Cymbalta cold turkey 4-1/2 weeks ago and it was a very tough ride, but I refused to give in. Now I'm trying to get off these other 2 drugs and I feel like I can't cope. Can one of you please help me? I've gone from 600mg Lyrica a day down to 450mg and I'm on 1 oxy 5/325 4 times a day. How can I do this?

[572]

I meant 50mg a week on the Lyrica or should I look at 25mg a week taper?

[572]

The lyrica also comes in 50's and 25's, I've been dropping by 50mg a week and I've gone from 600mg down to 400mg so far. I saw my doc yesterday and told her I had quit everything, and now tapering off the Lyrica she was somewhat shocked. She had originally put me on the Cymbalta but the Lyrica, Oxy and Tramadol was from the specialist. I guess I've really put my body through a lot since Dec 6th, the day I started quitting all this. My doctor was actually very good with me and has me coming to see her once every week now until the end of Feb. I'm still having some anxiety and with that comes sweating and sometimes crying spells, diarrhea and very little sleep. Have not been into work all week but I did get a doctors note for that. The Cymbalta and Tramadol must be out of my system by now, Dec 6th since I quit Cymbalta and 17th on the Tramadol. This isday 6 for the Oxy, gee I must be getting close to the end now? Do you think the 50mg a week taper is too fast or I could do 25mg a week. Just want my life back.

[marycarmel]

I don't post on this forum too often as I was dependent versus addicted, but it was here that I got help coming off an enormous amount of narcotics and other drugs when I was in pain management and they were not helpful when I wanted to try to come off.  

I don't know if you've written any other posts and I'm unsure whether you're addicted or dependent.  I agree with others who say one drug at a time.  I had a miserable taper because I was way too anxious to get off and made myself very ill.

I was diagnosed with fibro 13 years ago.  They tried me on Lyrica but I'm sensitive to a lot of meds and I gained 16 pounds in 2 weeks so I went off it.  In hindsight, I'm blessed.  I CT off Cymbalta.  I had an adverse reaction to it and it didn't help my pain.  And unfortunately, it spiraled me into a very black depression.  Coming off it wasn't that easy and I now know I should have tapered.

I know how difficult fibro can be.  (I wasn't on narcotics and Cymbalta for my fibro; I was on it from joint replacement gone bad that resulted in RSD.)  I never abused or misused my meds but had the physical withdrawals just like everyone else.

In the 13 years I've had the fibro, I have found it's a bit of searching to find what works for you.  My fibro primarily affects my arms and legs.  Even though it seemed impossible, I decided to try to exercise.  I started with swimming (and initially all I could do was one length.)  I then moved on to an exercise bike, the elliptical machine and some light weights.  I also was careful with what I ate.  I found that worked better for me than anything the doctors had prescribed or anything I had researched.  (I tried some pretty wacky things in the beginning.)

Good sleep is essential with fibro.  I do get flare-ups and some have been significant.  I had a bad car accident and was fine, except it caused a 6-month flare-up that I couldn't break for the longest time.

Fish oil or krill oil is supposed to be helpful.  I don't overdo it on the supplements but I do take a vitamin, fish oil and try to be kind to myself.  (Not easy with 4 kids and and 84-year old dad depending on me.)

Take your time with the Lyrica.  Sounds like you're almost out of the woods with the oxy.  Are you using anything from the Thomas recipe?  I found that the Imodium helped so much with withdrawal, way more than with just the stomach issues.  Alteril is also a great all-natural aid for sleep.

Pat, I can't tell you how many doctors told me I'd never have withdrawals because I had "real pain."  And the truth is, I never got a high or a euphoiria with it.  Sometimes I'd be tired and my memory went to hell or I had side effects but nothing enjoyable.  What a surprise the first time I went into withdrawals!

Just wanted to encourage you.  I know when you have chronic pain it can be very difficult. I have some very bad days.  There is also a pain management forum here that you may benefit from.  It's not as active as this one and it's not the forum it used to be when I first joined, but there are often some great ideas.  And I think there's also a Fibromyalgia forum here as well.

[Pat1956100]

Wow, you are doing so well.  Just remember to go slow with the Lyrica taper.  It can be brutal but is doable with a slow taper.  I think the smallest dose they come in is 75mg.  I could be wrong though and you can't break them open.  
I am in Southern Ontario as well.  It seems like the doctors have really been pushing Lyrica here lately.  They are trying to get everyone off of the Oxy's which is a great idea but they are going to have to do some research on how bad the Lyrica withdrawals are.  My doctor said I wouldn't have any.  What a joke.

[572]

Just started day 6 about 4 hrs ago, not perfect yet but by day 8-9 I should be oxy free and no withdrawal symptoms.  Now I'm on a mission to kick out the Lyrica!

[572]

I'm going to the other side, no way I'm going to give in now. I feel good again tonight.