Morphine Withdrawl Symptomps Bad ??

Question

Hey All - About a Year ago or so - I was on Methadone for chronic back pain, and became Dependant and Abusive.
Since then, I had admitted this to my Doctor, and Tapered off...But it was definately no picnic. Was one of the worst Experiences in my life.
Now - For the past few months - Ive been on the 10/325 mg Vicodin for my back, Which helps, but only for a Short while. 
Most of my Pain is when I sleep - and I cant get more than a couple of decent hours of sleep without having to get up and take a couple more Vic's.
So Now - My doctor has suggested that I take something a bit more Long Lasting like the Methadone.

My major Question is this: I have No Problem Starting and Stopping Vicodin or Perococet without any Withdrawl Symptoms. But the Methadone Withdrawls made me feel Like I was gonna die or something.

How much different is Morphine going to be to come off of in the Future  -  Compared to Methadone?.
Im currrently taking 15-30mg of Morphine a day every 8 hours. Should I alter Days and only take the Morphine ever couple of days so I dont have such a reaction if I decide to stop the Morphine All together?

My methadone withdrawl almost ended my Marriage, and Im not wanting to go through anything like that again...But if I dont take anything at all for pain, Then I get no sleep and Life is miserable anyway? Hope what all I said made sense.

Thanks for your Info...

Iknowitsnotme · Answer

I know this is an old post but for anyone else this might help. 
About 8 years ago my back pain laying down was unbearable. Much worse than when I was active. I always was told you need a firm mattress.
So that's what I had. Back kept getting worse. I got feather bed on top, still hurt. Couldn't lay down more than 4 hours at a time ,it was unbearable. 
Moved to couch, propped up. Was better but not easy to sleep half sitting up either. Finally saw Sleep number bed on QVC and ordered even though it was expensive for me. That Bed has made my life so much better.
My sleep number varies 30-35.  So much for needing a firm mattress.
Now about the only time my back doesn't hurt is when I'm in bed.
Hope this info might help someone out there.

Ballgame · Answer

Vegaskid you might want to start a new thread. This is from 2011 and those people probably won't reply. Plus it's easier to follow history with you're own thread

Vegaskid11 · Answer

I have been on oxicontin and soma - which had great results. When I stopped going to the Doctor for my back and neck pain - coming off Oxicontin was no problem. Neither was Soma. But - I have tried Narco - it just did not work. Tried going without Soma - that really did not work either. When you first take this combination - you will be flying and want to sleep. Morphine sulfate seems to be the pill of choice for Docs that do not want to get into prescribing Oxicontin/Percocet due to heat from Boards and those wanting to ban the pill. Go one day without Morphine - you can live, but will have runny noses. Day 2 - horrible - your body just wants to get rid of everything in it - there is no control of it either. Pretty much uncontrollable and you do not want to eat anything. Day 3 is still the same. Flushing this out of your system is a horrible experience - while what is so called the bad pills - Oxicontin - you can go off with no side effects. It is like you need to be in a hotel room to do this - as you will be tied to the bathroom, barfing, releasing everything without any manner to control it. I can not imagine Day 4 or 5 or doing this while at work. It just raises the question about why patients are punished by those who abuse Percocet by using this as a substitute? I would love to know about Days 4 and beyond. The other issue is $$. For years I have spent money on massage, acupuncture, Chiropractors and Active release Chiros - it has to be thousands of dollars. In a month - $300 or more. Being on the road - finding a massage that gets to your issues can be impossible - let alone finding one in your home town. So taking pills with insurance that cost $40 or less for Soma and a pain med - it really is a no brainer. The pain management people have marketed themselves as the solution and clearinghouse for Docs who do not want to get in trouble for prescribing. But - their solutions are to inject with botox, surgery, go to their MRI place - again with solutions that do not appear safe in the long run and all about a money grab. They make themselves out to be the watchdogs of pain medicine - but many will prescribe the hard stuff on a first visit to get you to buy into their plans. The whole thing is a joke and I am in a state that gives out a lot of pain medicine. Spend thousands on other methods, be in pain if you work on the road with constant headaches, go to some pain med who only has given his cards to your Docs - with no real knowledge if they are good - more due to your Doc not wanting to give out pain meds to those who actually use them right or use pills to live your life fine. Sorry the pills work.

But, getting off morphine or missing more than a day is a horrible experience that just can not be controlled. Would love to get off the meds, to clean out my system and start a new - but wow it will really tie you to a bathroom for a couple days and heaven knows how long this goes on to the point you can not work thinking that you will not be able to control your bowel movements at any time. Anyone know what days 4 and beyond feel like and is there something that can be taken to control these withdrawls?

Xsane · Answer

I've been trying to be very careful with how often I take my dosages. The Doctor wants me to take the Morphine Every 8 hours...Well to Hell with that. The most I have been doing is, Taking it Nightly before bed...
Another thing is - I don't get a Euphoria from the Morphine either? Even at 45mg orally.
Which-is a Great thing. I dont want to Be high From it - to me, that makes it that much more easy to become an addict and have to worry about withdrawls.

So, to try and control this Narcotic  My Plan is to take it - no more than Once a day, and Only as Needed..So possibly even Less than Once a Day. The Morphine definiately doesnt give me the Same effect as Methadone - which Im thankful for, so the Morphine should be somewhat easy to control...

Thx for the Response Voxxx

voxxx · Answer

I never had withdrawals from morphine but ive been through many bouts of withdrawals from heroin, which in the blood is indistinguishable from morphine, so id assume they are pretty similar. I was sick for about a week, with the peak of withdrawals being days 2 and 3. By 1 week and 3 days most of my physical symptoms were gone. However it took a bit longer for the RLS and inability to sleep to subside.

gnarly_1 · Answer

coming off the morphine will be like coming off most pills mabe a bit more intense but it is a very short acting narcotic nothing like methadone......I remember telling you about methadone a few mo back its a real mofo to come off of it can take mo to feel better morphine will be nothing like that if you want to do it right taper your use down b/4 you jump it will soften the blow you will be sick for a week or 2 nothing like the methadone good luck and God bless.......Gnarly

Xsane · Answer

I've dealt with this Chronic back pain for over 2 years..and again, my real pain is when I lay down and try to sleep. When Im up and active, I function very well...At night, I have tied a Heating pad around my back with an ACE bandage,  Got monthly to a Chiropractor, as well as massage. None of that helps for Sleep. Ive bought different mattressess and sleep sitting up when I can. Occasionally I simply need pain medication. Atleast Morphine can be take As needed unlike Methadone which needs to be taken daily like an Anti Depressant.

atthebeach · Answer

all narcotics cause discomfort when detoxing, depends on many factors, length of use, your age, over all health, how much  and what you are using, first ,second or third detox. 
no one can give a specific length of time for detox.

atthebeach · Answer

have you tried alternatives to help with pain management besides drugs. chiropractor,acupuncture,exercise,physical therapy,massage.
the drugs have a rebound effect on the pain. they stop working and cause more pain. have you tried to completely detox from all drugs and re-evaluate your pain? many many have detoxed and been able to manage their pain without narcotics. 
the cycle is never ending and the doctors give more and stronger drugs. 
what causes your chronic back pain?
debie