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7567066 tn?1392068986

Severe Pain after Discontinuing Oxycodone for Chronic Pain

Hi all,
Sooooo, I am on day 10 after voluntarily going off of my pain meds, and my body is still screaming in pain.  It's mostly my spine, legs, tailbone, and bladder (I have Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Disease and Fibro). I am taking Advil and Tylenol, as well as using Voltaren emugel, and I am very miserable.  I did a voluntary in-patient detox and they used very low dosages of tapered methadone to ease me off, and I'm thinking that the methadone has drawn things out.
I know that other people here, like me, have tapered and decided that opiate pain management was no longer for them, either, so any advice on this whole issue would be most welcome.
Thanks.
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7567066 tn?1392068986
Hey Cin,
I live in Canada, so am covered under our universal healthcare system, and am not sure what you can access in the States or what it would cost.  Basically, people who have medical issues that need attending to whilst going cold turkey or during an aggressive taper are medically monitored during the process -- kind of like being in hospital.  However, they put me on a very low dose of Methadone (and tapered me off over 7 days) to hold back some of the symptoms of withdrawal.
I have been home for at least two weeks, and I still feel horrid, and at times, worse than  I did in there.  The problem is that no matter how low the dosage, Methadone acts as a painkiller, as well, and now I have no pain coverage.  The first week was utter misery pain-wise, and I wound-up in the ER (refusing pain meds) with no results, despite the fact that my blood work was abnormal (though  I'm grateful to not have been charged a fee for the visit), the healthcare system in BC ***** -- particularly for people with chronic health issues.
At one point, my doc tried to switch me to Fentanyl, but I refused it (no judgement to you for taking it, though).
All I can really say is that whatever you decide to do, work with your doc.  Access  as many services and supports as possible, and get ready for it.  It's different for us b/c our bodies scream in pain, and we're accustomed to a "solution".
Helpful - 0
1264863 tn?1391118193
Hey good to see you are out and FREE of the meds.  I am so very very very very proud of you!!!!  Iv'e been wondering how you are so thought I would stop in and see if you were around.  Hang in there the pain will go away.  You can try so many other things now.  Acupuncture, meditation, vitamins, non-adictive meds if needed.  Give you brain a chance to be truly free because from all the posts I've seen this is just your body trying to get you to take the narcos again.  Once it gives up the pain will get better.  
I am now down to just one 10mg OxyContin.  All other time release is GONE!  It feels great.  I drop the 10mg on my oldest son's 11th Birthday next week and I can't wait.  All I will have left is the short acting meds and not many of those left.  
Helpful - 0
7721494 tn?1431627964
If you had methadone 10 days ago, then it's completely out of your system.

If you have been on opiates for a number of years, they have changed your nervous system. It is going to take a long time to get back to "normal."

I once stopped opiate-based medication for two years, and tried alternatives, like tricyclic antidepressants, which were more debilitating than the opiates.

I finally came to the conclusion that with chronic pain, I can function better with opiates than I can without. That was 22 years ago.

The discomfort of being without opiates will go away in time, but the pain of your underlying condition may stay with you, and you'll have to decide whether or not you are better off with opiates than without.

However, nothing is lost by this trial, no matter how painful. Indeed, you are learning about yourself, your character and strength. No matter what you decide, you are learning that you alone are responsible for your medical management, which is the most important and empowering realization anyone with chronic illness can have.

Best wishes to you.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi Sprich3..Hope you are doing better,sorry to hear about your experience with the de-tox. How do those de-toxs work? I am titrating off of Fentanyl I started using Fentanyl 4 years ago d/t DDD, fibro and multiple mylagias . I think I messaged you about a few weeks ago. I had started on Fentanyl and my therapeutic dose was 100mcg for about 4 years. I decided to go to a p/m doc in Nov. and now I am going to start a new dose tonight of 25 mcg. I can't wait until I get rid of this monster. Next month I will(hopefully) be a 12mcg and then NOTHING! I do take Dilaudid 4 mg. four times a day..but anything is better then Fentanyl.  Hoping for strength and hope for you.  Smiles/Hugs  and God Bless   Cindi
Helpful - 0
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