Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Hydrocodone withdrawls

I've been in and out of pain management for 10 years for lumbar pain.  Between procedures I've been on everything from, I call it candy hydrocodone 5/500, through morphine and which I weened off as well when a procedure went temporarily well. About 3 years ago, my L5/S1 was fused.  I behaved physically to heal and weened myself off of hydrocodone 10/500.  A year after the fusion(my recovery/play it safe time) I was hopping in the beach water about knee high with a four year old.  INSTANT excruciating pain....I thought here we go again.  So I want through the regular Dr. tests, pain management, injections again hydrocodone 5/500.  Didn't touch the pain this time.  So nerve blocks, radio frequency ablations, nothing was working more than a couple of weeks and the hudrocodone was raised again to 10/500 3 times a day.  Skipped right passed the 7.5.  Well the 10/500 did nothing for me.  It relieves the pain for about 2 hours and this was supposed to last 8.  HA!!  So back I went and I was put on Norco 10/325 5-6 times a day.  That helped for a short while.  Next step a disco gram!!!!  If you haven't had the pleasant pleasure of a disco gram, I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy!  Legal torture.  Bit it proves where the damage really is in your spine.  PIN POINTS THE PAIN!!   My neurosurgeon told me I have 3 options, continue with pain management for the rest of my life, a neurotransmitter implanted in my back or a spinal fusion that would leave me a stick at the grand ole age of 46.  Well the only option I would consider was the neurotransmitter since the drugs weren't doing the job.  So I went searching for another option, a different surgeon.  I found one 150 miles away from home.  I had to change my insurance coverage and everything just to go to a consultation with him.  I met with him we went through everything I had been through.  He read my MRI reports, told me I didn't need a fusion, I needed 3 minimally invasive procedures and he said he cod guarantee me a 95% reduction in pain.  You could only imagine my thoughts.  I started to cry, he said cry when I fix you!!  I had his surgery two weeks ago this Thursday.  I would say my pain has been reduced between 95-99 percent!!!!!!  I started weening myself this last Friday, off of the pain meds again 1/2 the dose of the pain med and then Xanax to offset (try to tame) the horrible shaking, diarrhea, sweating yet freezing at the same time, irritability.   Is there anything else I can do besides institutionalize myself to ease these side affects?  I do know it will get worse before it gets better (not my first go round) but I don't want my family to suffer along with myself.  Advice please!!!!!!!
3 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
6063300 tn?1430430571
Congratulations on the pain relief and stopping the pain pills! I went C/T 68 days ago using the Thomas Recipe found at the bottom of this page. Drink lots of fluids and eat. Getting outside and getting some exercise will help a lot! I found that having a positive attitude and leaving it in Gods hands helped me a great deal! Having a great support team will also help get you threw this! You are probably threw the worst part and now having to deal with the mental issues! just keep busy listen to music, watch a funny movie, just go outside....stay on this site when I felt down I would come here and get so much support just say how you feel and there is always someone here to lift you up!
Wishing you the best of luck and remember you got this!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Sounds like you have been down this road before, if weening works for you than go with it, this is all doable and you can do this especially if you can get through pain free days you won't need these meds anymore. Keep going things can only get better for you.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi there-   I'm happy about your successful surgery!   As far as weaning off the pain meds goes...you,need,to,go,slowly if,you,want to have minimal withdrawal symptoms. You also need to cut back by SMALL amounts...cutting the dose in half is too much, as you're finding out.

We aren't allowed to give taper schedules but I think you can figure it out from here...Hope this helps!
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Addiction: Substance Abuse Community

Top Addiction Answerers
495284 tn?1333894042
City of Dominatrix, MN
Avatar universal
phoenix, AZ
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Is treating glaucoma with marijuana all hype, or can hemp actually help?
If you think marijuana has no ill effects on your health, this article from Missouri Medicine may make you think again.
Julia Aharonov, DO, reveals the quickest way to beat drug withdrawal.
Tricks to help you quit for good.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.