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710547 tn?1295446030

I'm trying to get off morphine. Pain is awful!

Since I've been on high dose opioids for decades - my tolerance has made them ineffective. I've been tormented by whether to try to get off of them. I lost my prescribing doctor 2 years ago and hadn't been able to find a doctor willing to take on a new pain management patient.

After looking for a year, I finally found one who did nerve ablation. She decided to write scripts for me for a reduced amount. I'd gone down to 120mg of Avinza, but still took a few oxycodone to get out if bed in the morning.

The whole process was demoralizing and I guess I snapped. The urine test she took showed all the meds I'd been prescribed by my previous doctor (and I'd told her each drug), but her attitude really bugged me. She even thought I took Dilaudid - yet I NEVER have. It can show up as a metabolite for morphine. It just felt awful.

When I picked up my new script, after multiple insurance problems which developed in the intervening 2 years, I just felt like it was time to stop. So although she wrote for 90mg, I took 60, and stopped the oxy completely. There were 10 days of hell.

Now I'm trying to only take 30, and I am having serious pain! (And withdrawal). I still take my Tramadol, but I am wondering if anyone ever gets to the point where the meds work for pain again. After being off for a while that is.

I feel so desperate to find relief. Last night I took tylenol and ibuprofen and ended up throwing up. I have terrible GI problems from Systemic Sclerosis. I'm not even sure what my question is. I guess has anyone made this decision when still experiencing severe pain? Have you been able to get any relief from opioids after being off them long enough? Or have you found other things that have helped your pain?

I'd love to be able to use accupuncture, but I don't have the money. Thanks.
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Avatar universal
I'm do sorry you're going through this. I had back problems and was prescribed Vicodin 7.5 4-6 times a day. I was able to have one surgery and the dr said he's "see me soon" for the 2nd. I had NO intention of going back, but 18 months later, and unable to walk, I was ready for the 2nd surgery. The various docs I saw all kept me on Vicodin (ok, it's now called Norco, but it's the same thing). 5 days post surgery and I go see the PA (his VERY FIRST DAY with this doc) and he cuts me off cold. Said to take ibuprofen. I didn't want to beg, but crap, I did, for about a minute. He looked so uncomfortable! I said "YOUR dr put me on this 2 years ago and you cannot just cold turkey off of it!" No response, so I left his office and went right to my PCP. With her help and compassion, I was finally able to get down from all that Norco and now I have Tylenol 3 for pain--pain which I will have forever, as arthritis has set in, but good. Ibuprofen helps, and keeps me moving, but now my liver is complaining. (sigh)

I know someday soon she is going to cut me off the Ty 3's. They are weak sauce compared to Norco and I know it. And I know the horrific sensation of withdrawal. too. Even tho I had Tylenol 3, I was so sick for about 2 weeks.

Drs hands are tied. They are under the most incredible scrutiny to not overprescribe. I did have one 3 month period when I had a major oral surgery, whilst waiting for my back surgery, I was trying to work PT and sitting was excruciating, I know I took too many Norco. I just had to survive. A dr in the pain clinic called me and said he was going to report me to the state. Over 20 Norco, which the oral surgeon had given me. I cried myself silly over the embarrassment. Now on my dental chart in HUGE red letters it says "DRUG ABUSE ALERT" do NOT prescribe Norco." I need a root canal and told the dentist "no, I'll deal with it. Obviously you can't cover the ensuing pain." (This is the son of the same dentist I saw for 40 years--and this is how he views me).

The stigma of being a patient who needs pain relief comes at such a cost. My hubby and kids are on my case. They want me off of everything. Well, it's no picnic, having X number of pills to get your through the month and having a few bad days and running out.

Some people are chronically in pain. That's the sad truth. I can take nothing and I am basically in bed all day. Or I can take a Tylenol 3 and 800 mgs of ibuprofen and function fine.

BTW< Acupuncture did nothing for me. Neither did shots in the back. Nor massage, or physical therapy. Arthritis is no respecter of people---my back is sore all day, every day. I'm active and involved in life---and evidently, a drug abuser. Very, very depressing.

Maybe you can change drs? Find one who is compassionate and not judgmental? Ask around, look on the internet. People live with chronic, severe pain and they ARE being treated--I just don't know how they found a decent dr.

And yet, the neighborhood "drug dealer" is still doing a BOOMING business. All these stupid laws did was make people who have chronic pain feel terrible about themselves.

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Avatar universal
JeraldP
If you aren't a head of the higher institution, and linked in, and have a pain clinic they are going to close your doors. Then all your patients will be rerouted though the University system that's set up for pain management. They are trying not to offer you a choose as to where you want to go or see. Regardless of cost and location. Once. Again your screwed in options. Unless you have the healthcare to brevide that care. Ask me, yes we will put you on but when it's time to come off no one will answer any questions you need. So you turn to places like this, thank God! By the way I'm down to 1mg a day with the help of this forum. Before I didn't know what or how to do anything. I don't know what's tomorrow holds, but today I feel alittle better. Thanks you guys, like Garly_1 and the rest of the gang.
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2 Comments
JeraldP
Another reason I choose this time to get off is a year or two from now I may not have any chooses. So I better get what I can while I can. What amazes me is when your Doctor finds that you are truly trying, how much they will admit to personally to you about their own situation. They are thrying to tell you they are re human and worst of than you. If they seek help it's over for there career.
Will watch spelling, sorry, getting pissed!
Avatar universal
Hi,
Getting off of pain medication *****! Being sick, from the withdrawal is the worst! Especially when you have no dr support.  I was able to switch PAs at my pain management office, and he put me on suboxone to eliminate the withdrawal, AFTER a year on my own. It was great! I later became allergic to it, but it got me off of Fentynal patches, and down on all the other crap I was on.  

Now I only take OxyContin 20mg x3 a day, use TENS & Lidoderm patches for worse days.

Ask for more help! If you Doc understands you want to eliminate all that you can, with a MINIMUM of withdrawal, they should help you!!  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am actually in the process of doing what you are doing, getting off all the opioids because they are no longer working for my pain after years of being on them. It is a frustrating, lonely road to be on that the Dr's surely don't understand. I am actually replacing the opioids with medical marijuana and so far it seems to be working for me. I am using indica dominant strains with high cbd content and that seems to be working, I'm using balms, oils and regular smoke. It actually helps a lot. I'm hoping giving the opioids a break means if I ever want to go back on them my body will actually tolerate them better and they will work better in the future. Mmj is also much safer for your liver and your body overall than opioids so I'm much more confident taking that than the opioids long term. I hope this helps a little! Good luck hun and keep your head up, chronic pain doesn't have to dictate who we are!
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Avatar universal
I've never had use quite hat much pain management, but if the doctor is prescribing that much then there is a reasen no matter what the other specialist says.  Acupuncture is great.  I had spinal surgery and my brother happened to be an acupuncturist and i think it make a huge difference.  After have the discs half removed I was only on Endone for three weeks and lived on Acupuncture every second day as well as phsio.  It helped a lot.  I rarely use OTC codeine how the its six months later
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Avatar universal
sorry no one has replied. Someone will.
Helpful - 0
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