Cold Turkey Withdrawing - not by choice

[lovelyladybumps]

I am being forced to cold turkey withdrawal from all meds I was taking for fibromyalgia and I don't know what to do. I was prescribed percocet 5/325 5x daily,  ultram 50 4x day,  and Valium 2x/day (final dosing). My pain management clinic kept upping my dosage because of tolerance and also because I take care of my adult son with a TBI as well as work a very stressful job full time. I really thought I needed it due to all these problems they said I had so I went with it not realizing I was getting addicted. I failed one drug test approximately one month ago,  but had gotten all my meds refilled that day.  I wrote them an extensive letter saying why I tested positive for codeine (I had accidentally been taking my stepfather's Tylenol 3 mixed in with my Percocet when my mom gave me a smaller pill bottle to keep in my purse) and oxycodone (I took the last 3 pills of Oxycontin new I had received a prescription for two years ago as stemming as a side effect from a bad reaction to a bone-hardening agent I received for osteoporosis since I can't do oral pills). I wrote them to see if I could get 1 months worth of meds while I found a new provider and they are refusing all correspondence with me.  I was due for a refill on 7/13 and so i am technically 5 miserable dsys into this. Tonight has been the worst - the heart racing, sweats, anxiousness, diarrhea, etc are miserable. I cant get an appt to a shrink unril next Saturday. What can i do in the meantime and how do i deal? My husband is being most supportive but everything OTC doesn't help except for Pepto and the antidiarrhea meds. How much longer can I expect and what is normal? I am so embarrassed by this and ashamed.  Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,, so much.

[jimi1822]

Great answer to a tough situation =0)

[nursegirl6572]

I agree that a medically supervised detox would be best, considering the multiple medications you're on.  The Valium is especially problematic and risky, as abrupt benzo discontinuation can lead to seizures.  Valium is less risky in that regard, but it is still a concern, and with the symptoms of the opiate w/d, your seizure thresh hold may be lowered.

I would really recommend doing this with the help of a doctor, inpatient would be great, but if not, outpatient with close monitoring of a doctor, preferably one who specializes in addiction.  You also need to start now to find a new pain doctor/clinic.  Your pain issues are still going to need to be managed, and it may be difficult to find a new doctor right away being that you were dismissed from the last clinic.

Best to you, keep posting!

[jimi1822]

I'm sorry, Tylenol (3) has a full grain of Codeine and they do show up differently with a Tox Screen =0) I agree she should look at the options of going to a hospital to detox where they have Medical Professionals to help with the detox but she has to be open and honest with the staff.

                                                          Prayers and Blessings

                                                               jimi (little wing)

[jimi1822]

Percocet has Oxycodone with Acetaminophen, Tylenol (3) has Acetaminophen with a half grain of Codeine.

[Sonrissa]

I agree, Motye.  The Ultram and the Valium should not be stopped cold turkey.  I do not think Percocet has codeine in it, but I'm not sure.

Lovelylady, I hope you will get a doctors assistance with this.  It could be dangerous to suddenly stop the Ultram and Valium, due to a risk of seizures. Take care, and keep posting and let us know how you are doing.

[motye51]

In reading your post, my opinion would be to NOT try to w/d from all of these different medicines at home.  This is alot of prescriptions you've been taking and for quite some time.  I'm not sure that it's a good idea to go cold turkey without medical staff present in your case.  Maybe I'm wrong, and I'm hoping nursegirl will come on shortly and tell you what needs to be done, but I do think this one's gonna be a hard one.  I'm trying to figure out how you fail a drug test where it shows up codeine if you were taking percocets anyway? Don't they both have codeine?  If I were you I would start immediately looking for a detox center in your area that can take you ASAP!  No waiting 30 days, you need to go now!  Please be very careful with this...