Dialaudid Withdrawal

[firefish]

Anyone have an experience getting off Dilaudid?  I have been clean fo a week (well, in a couple of hours it will be a full week) and so far it hasn't been anywhere near as bad as getting off Hydrocodone.  

I was doing 10 mG of hydros 6x/day for the past 6 months, after being on regular dosage Vicodin for almost 4 years.  My source of pain was a trashed talus (ankle bone) after a motorcycle accident in 2002.  Finally, on the 26th of January, I went on for a total ankle fusion.  I am in a cast and the ankle, for the first time in 8 years, doesn't hurt.  

The medicos put me on Dilaudid post-op for pain control.  I felt like ****.  In retrospect, it APPAEARS I went through withdrawal from the hydros despite taking a very powerful opiate.  I talked it ovver with the painn doc, and he put me on a weaning schedule that would have me taking my last dose in the year 2525 or some such bull crap.  Screw that noise.  I quickly weaned down from 60 mG a day to 8 and then down to 4 and on Valentine's Day I took my last dose.  I have been clean since.

My only withdrawal symptoms so far have been sessions of "Nervous and Jerky" here and there, with the worst coming on at bedtime.

While there are many web sites dealing with Hydrocodone and Oxycodone withdrawal, there is a dearth of information on Dilaudid withdrawal on the web.  I would appreciate any insight on what I can expect.  Am I on the downside or will more crap come may way?

Thanks.


The Fish

[firefish]

Thanks for the advice.  Hopefully the worst is behind me.  I was worried that as time went by things would get worse.  The official blurbs I have read indicate Dilaudid withdrawal starts 7 days after the last pill, not the usual 6 - 8 hours.  It has now been two weeks and I have short anxious periods, but at least am now sleeping through the night.

Thanks for responding.


The Fish

[firefish]

Thanks for the insight.  I seem to be getting better but still get the craving, as if I wanted to smoke a cigarette (haven't done that since 1985 and don't want to start again).  I agree on exercise but that might be part of my problem:  I am not-weight-bearing on my left ankle, limited to crutches and "knee scooter," so there's a possiblity that much of my problem is simple cabin fever.  For instance, when driving my car and actually at work, I forget about my limitations and feel pretty good.  Once I am back at home the walls start closing in.  Finally, I can't help but feel that it is really the Hydrocodone yanking at me.  After all it has only bee five weeks since my last one.

[el_em_en_oh]

Like you, I found Hydromorphone very easy to ween off.

I count myself lucky that the w/d's were as mild as they were, because I've heard nightmare stories about w/d's from hydromorphone & oxymorphone (Dilaudid 8mg & Opana 10mg IR). Both were my drugs-of-choice and I obtained them, in large quantities, from a pain-management doctor.

Been clean of them for almost 18 months now, and not looking back, but in hindsight, the w/d's were relatively mild. I'm not recommending anyone trying it on purpose mind you, as I might have just gotten lucky and weened correctly, just just adding my experience.

LMNO

[LeaAnn807]

Hi!  You are past the worst of it, so consider yourself fortunate!  Are you taking vitamins?  Minerals of any kind?  The amino acid protocol in the health pages has helpful info.  Also try to get out and walk a little every day.  Your quick taper may have helped you a little, but I'd say you just lucked out.  Everyone is different, so it's hard to say.  As for the "jerks" you should try some cal/mag/zinc and Hyland's Restful Legs or Hyland's Leg Cramps.  Those may help.  A dose of Nyquil might help at bedtime too.

Good luck!  Hope this helps!