Addiction/pain help

[Tesserae]

Hello,
I have a chronic illness called Crohns disease and have has it for years. For those of u who don't know what that is, it's where your immune system attaches your body mainly in your digestive tract causing ulcers, diarrhea, etc. it can also cause bad arthritis pain as well ( as in my case ). I started to have a flair up ago a year and a half ago and was prescribed right of the bat 140 lortab 5s a month. She said I really needed to get my pain under control and that they would help with diarrhea as well. Ok great. Well today I am up to 10s and was even at one point taking 10 a day. I weaned my self down to 5 a day comfortably and the realized my prescription is gonna run out early and no back up. So sat. I took 4, yesterday 3 and today I haven't taken any and don't feel so bad. Actually less pain then normal. My questions are should I continue my wean by a pill a day to none or just stop taking them now. It has been 16 hrs since last pill. I have some symptoms like hot and cold, chills, cold extremities, no energy, but all in all better than the last two days as those were hell with the mental anxiety and fear. also I do have chronic pain and because of my illness are not able to take NSAIDs. Is there any option for pain reduction without causing a relapse?

[lulu747]

Hi Tess

I was thinking about you...It's going to take awhile for your pain sensors to stop firing (caused by the opiates) and for you to figure out where your pain levels are really at...I was in a lot of pain for the first week or so, and now my pain levels are totally tolerable...I use Tylenol arthritis for my joint/pelvic pain.  Heat is my best friend...Saunas, baths, heating pads, etc...You will feel good again...I promise.  Are you doing the vitamins etc?  Trying to get out and move your body?  It takes awhile for the brain/body to heal after detox and patience is key....A lesson I learn daily(:

Talk to your doctors and see what they think...Have you tried alternative pain therapy?  Massage, acupuncture, energy work, etc?  I am finding a holistic approach much more successful body and soul....This is just me, and I can only share my own experience.  I hope you get some relief....Please let me know how you make out....Sending support....Lu

[Tesserae]

Hi Lu, well still not feeling real well, better I guess but just a lot of pain and bms. Tylenol won't take the pain away at all and I'm starting to wonder if I'll ever feel good. I contacted the dr. And made an appt with neurologist ( can't get in til march) I told my pcp about the pain now and asked about driving and he said I can't drive til I'm 60 seizure free and I should go to quick care for the pain. Also asked him if I should be seeing a pain dr but with no response. Any advise would help, thanks! Hope u r well!

[lulu747]

Hi Tess...  

Have been thinking about you and wondering how you are....I am glad you got some help from the doc and congratulations on 2 days (almost)  Yes I got the stomach pain...You aren't going to feel well for a few days....Try to think of it as a flare and treat it as such.  HYDRATE>  you know how important this is!
Did you ask your doctor about clonidine?  The BP med commonly used in opiate detox.  I've detoxed with it and without it and found it cut my gastro symptoms by half...Also-Immodium.  Double dose if you have to.  Try to eat small amounts of food (toast,PB, and crackers, chicken soup, bananas)  That diet worked for me-I had hardly any nausea or vomiting.

The lortab wasn't keeping your disease in check in any other way other than it constipates...For me, and many others with Crohns this is a problem because it causes obstructions (many ER visits for me with these)  Did I mention Probiotics?  They help replace the normal healthy bacteria in your bowel....Really worked for me.  Anyways...I am here if you need me you can always send a PM if you don't feel like posting.  Hang in there-I'm proud of you.....Lu

[Tesserae]

Hi there, just wanted to give u an update. I saw the doctor and they put me on an anti-seizure med ( lorazepam). He also wants me to see a neurologist to make sure everything is ok. Well I am 36+ hours completely tab free. My stomach has been killing me, did u get that when u first stopped too? I'm hoping it goes away and it wasn't the lortab that was keeping my disease in check. Well I hope u r doing well. Have a great day and ttyl. :)

[Tesserae]

Hi Lu,
I had no idea either, but didn't  real know what was going on til the parametics got there. I have been taking some doses of xanax but don't remember stopping it at all. Well, I meet my doc. Friday and well see what he says? I'll keep ya posted. hope u and everyone are doing well!

[lulu747]

Oh My...I am sorry...I didn't know.  I know you can have seizures when going off benzos (had one last time) I am glad you are getting the medical support that you need and please let us know how you're doing.....Take good care...Lu

[Tesserae]

Hi, Lulu,
Sorry for the delayed response, I just got out of the hospital. I justed wanted to let u and everyone know that you can have grand mal seizures if u wean too fast. That's what happened to me by just weaning down by one pill a day. Had two seizures and my husband had to call ambulance. Scary stuff. I justed wanted to warn everyone if they didn't know it was possible. So I am back on a pill a day until I can see my dr. And let her tell me what to do.  Just waiting to hear back from her and taking anti-seizure Meds. Try to do the right thing and it ends up terrifying. Oh well, it's up to the drs now. I will keep you posted. Thanks again for your support! Ttyl

[lulu747]

How are you doing today?  Did you get any rest?  Email your doctor?  I am glad you're feeling better mentally/emotionally...I did too after the drugs were out of my system.  Smiling all the time now-even while in pain.  When I went C/T I was taking 100 mg of oxycontin and about 20 mg of dialaudid break through medication a day..I had been on high doses of fentanyl patches since my last surgery in September 2010 and had been try to come off of it.  I couldn't handle the taper-the slight withdrawals every day wore on my soul and my body.  I felt much better when I jumped off and got it over with....That's just me.  I hope you're doing okay today-if your husband is around get him to go out and get you all the 'supplies'.  Vitamins, potassium, magnesium, epsom salts, gatorade, Hylands Leg cramps (homeopathic with quinine) for the RLS and bananas....Hang in there let me know how it goes with your doctor....Lu

[Tesserae]

Hi Gnarly,
Thanks for the advise and support! What is lomotal? Is that the only medication/treatment u r on for crohns? Well, I'm getting ready for bed, feel pretty good, not taking anymore tonight. I took a sleep aid to help with the insomnia and well see how I feel in the morning. Last dose today was around 430 pm. See if I can tuff it out!  I know, that is so crazy the pain the tabs make u feel, and then u get used to them and have to take more to get rid of the pain or just feel normal. That's just a bad deal, wish I would have known that when they handed me that first huge bottle! I will keep u guys posted, thanks again for your support and help.

[gnarly_1]

HI welcome to the forum crones is a tuff disorder im missing 6ft of intestine and the illoceakal valve (the thing that controls how fast food goes threw you) so I live with a lot of the same symptom....lomotal works wonders for me  as for your situation I would just stop all together your not doing bad and tyour 2 days into it in another 2 you could be threw the worst of it and narcotic free you will experence reboud pain it will be worst then normal pain because your brain has no endorphins to help subside it it takes a few weeks to a month to build up so in your brain but you may find like myself and many of our members where more pain free without the narcotics.....the brain will actually create the pain to get the narcotic its a visions cycle but if you can hold out a few weeks you will be mutch better off in the long run keep posting for support good luckand God bless......Gnarly  

[Tesserae]

Ps I have also noticed ( in good moments when I'm not grumpy from the w/d) I actually have started to enjoy the things I used to and seem more relaxed and less edgy or impatient, did u notice that to and when?

[Tesserae]

Yeah I did tell my kids that mommy is sick and my husband has today and tomorrow off so I have been taking in easy. Wednesday he has to go back to work though and I'll be on my own. Today went pretty good, I had taken 3 pills yesterday and have taken 1 so far today, broken in half and it went ok. No diarrhea or vomiting, just the symptoms I said before. The emotional aspect was great today, no crying at all! Yesterday I had to blame mommy bawling on Bambi ( kids were watching it) lol. From now I think I can wean by a half a pill ever day or so and have a nice slow wean under 1.5 pills a day to 0. Hopefully the worse is behind me, fingers crossed. How many pills were u taking a day when u went ct? If u don't mind me asking. I noticed I had been having like 3 bad headaches a week on the tabs, but nothing now. I do have some crohns pain tonight, but it's probably my fault I got my appetite back tonight and had some pizza :) thanks again for ur help!

[lulu747]

I am happy to hear you have the support of your family-that makes a big difference.  There are a lot of women on this site who have detoxed at home in front of their kids...I am not one of them (just two furry kids).  However-if you just tell them Mom is sick and your husband is there to help out...You have Crohns-detox is not that different physically...Emotionally..I know.  Emotions run high as the opiates leave your system because they have been numbing your feelings as well as your physical pain.  The last straw that made me go cold turkey was a migraine that lasted a month and had me in the ER twice coupled with crippling anxiety (I was tapering) within 24-36 hours of stopping all opiates my headache was gone and it never came back.  I also used to wake up in terrible pain-not any more.  I do have pain but it's usually later in the day when I've been active and I can manage it with hot baths, heating pads, and tylenol.  I would never have thought this possible before.

The liver function test is important because of the Imuran coupled with the opiate use.  Emailing is good-you are making brave choices...Be proud of yourself, rest well, and let me know how it goes....Lu

[Tesserae]

Thank you for your support, I just started the imuran about a month ago so I am now due for blood testing.  I don't have a pain dr but thought about being referred to one, is that a good idea? I have a great support team, my husband has been by my side the whole time and I have been honest with my parents and they understand. I also have the time off from work, but not my kids, to be sick. That's kinda hard taking care of a 2 and 4 year old while in withdrawals. I had to hide my emotions from them the last couple days but at least I'm up and around. I think I will email my dr tonight, kinda easier that way and see what she says. Yeah I also have noticed that I am having less crohns, back and headache pain while weaning.

[lulu747]

Okay..In my experience gastros never want to talk about pain relief.  Inflammatory Bowel Disease is really tricky with opiates and they prefer to refer you to pain docs. Do you have a pain doctor?  I just wanted to say that for me-tapering was much harder for me mentally/emotionally.  Once i made the decision I wanted off and got rid of my pills and told my doctor I felt better about myself.  I did a lot of research and spent a lot of time on here getting help and support...I thought when you were on Imuran you had to have your liver function tested monthly?

Either way-tapering or going CT-you're going to have to go through withdrawals...I would strongly suggest talking to any doctor tomorrow and getting clonidine for the detox process and then just getting the detox over with.  Do you have support at home to help you?  My family was amazing for me in my first week.  

Also-after the first couple of days my appetite came back with a vengeance-I've still lost weight due to sweating, and D...But I'm eating normal healthy portions without gastric pain which hasn't happened in years.  Opiates suppress appetite and cause nausea and pain....It takes a little while for your body and brain to normalize because they are wanting the drugs...But if you hang in there it does get better every day....Keep drinking fluids and try not to fret.  Be proud of yourself for taking steps to regain your life....Lu

[Tesserae]

I haven't been eating much, just lil bits and I will make sure to hydrate. Well I broke down and took a half. Made me feel a bit better but then not sure if it was the right decision. I have never had a resection or anything only surgery was for an abscess. I will be careful with the Xanax, don't want another addiction.  I did blood work about 3 months ago, liver is fine but kidneys aren't doing great. Havent been for as far as i can go back on my blood work (2+) I will probably break down and contact my doctor. I have a pcp that I barly know but she has been prescribing the Meds as my other dr left. Would like to talk to gastro but not sure, he seems not much interested in pain relief?  I think I have enough to wean down slow now that a half helps. Might try that and talk to dr this week, to keep me out of major withdrawals.

[lulu747]

I forgot to ask if you've had bowel surgery?  There are so many issues at play here....Take deep breaths and message me any time.

[lulu747]

It's hard to say when it's going to be the worst...It's different for everyone...but 4-7 days is usually the toughest part peaking at around day 3....Do you have Immodium?  Don't take it if you're constipated (that's the opiates hanging on)  I understand your fear of throwing up and having D more than you already do.  The natural things that I take for my Crohns are: Probiotics, Multivitamin (high grade), Vitamin C ascorbate, magnesium, potassium.  You MUST hydrate...Gatorade, tea (easier on the tummy-peppermint or chamomile worked best for me)  I took Gravol for nausea and didn't throw up at all...It wasn't nearly as bad as I feared it would be...Sometimes if you surrender to something and just accept that you're going to be really ill but you'll survive...it takes the mental stress out of the game.  Remember-stress is the biggest trigger for autoimmune illnesses.  Try to see this as something GOOD you're doing for your body (this is what worked for me)   Opiates can cause as many problems in Crohns patients as they can solve...For me they caused more.

Try to eat little amounts (carbs-crackers, toast and PB, noodles) and bananas for the restless legs...Did I mention HYDRATE?  This is critical...As you probably know dehydration makes you feel a million times worst.  I would seriously recommend you reconsider talking to your doctor-she will be proud of you for coming clean and will be able to help you more effectively.  I don't know what Cimzia is-but I've taken Imuran (had allergic reaction)  Have you had your liver function tested lately?

Be careful with the xanax-don't take it too much-that can cause other problems.  I understand you're tired and weary-and I'm not suggesting you do yoga or any other kind of exercise right now either.  I just suggested alternative pain management because the first time I detoxed off opiates I didn't have a plan and I suffered greatly until my next surgery and subsequent opiate use.  Again-Hydrate and think about talking to your doctor.  It's a tough process and your health is fragile.  You're worth it-make this as easy as possible on yourself....I will be around if you need me....Lu

[Tesserae]

Hi Lulu, it is such a relief to find someone in my position. I am in a flair now but seems to be getting better, they currently have me on cimzia and imuran and seems to work a bit but can't get rid of the runs! That's the weird thing since I have started weaning and today I am actually constipated. Crazy! I just know that if it is gonna get bad where I'm gonna have the runs and vomiting I dont know if my poor body can take it. I think I have already lost a couple pounds. To be honest I'm scared to ontact my dr. As she thinks I take four a day and should have a least 10 days left on my script. I did using exercise (yoga) and meditation before I got into this last bad flair and to be honest I just got so tired of feeling bad and the tabs made my feel so good and normal!  I have a prescription or atenolol, but not sure if hat would help and have been taking Xanax for anxiety, it seems to help. So if it's gonna get really bad it should be at 36 hours right?

[lulu747]

Hi and welcome....I too, have Crohn's Disease-and can relate very well to what you are saying.  I also have Rheumatoid Arthritis.  Are you in a flare now?  We can't give taper advice on here...I can tell you that I've been opiate free for 27 days (cold turkey off 100 mg oxycontin) and my pain levels are way lower than they were are on opiates..but that's just me.  Can you get a hold of your doctor?  Being honest about how you're feeling and using the medication can be liberating and the doctor can help you with non-narcotic options for handling your pain.  I know about not being able to take NSAIDS...It's really frustrating and why I ended up on the opiates in the first place.  Do you do any alternative therapies?  Massage, yoga, saunas, meditation have helped me tremendously to get my pain and illness under control.  
If you do decide to detox it is a rough ride for sure but to me-worth it.  It's like a really bad flu (or flare)  There are medications your doctor can prescribe to help you through it.  I was prescribed clonidine (BP medication commonly used for opiate w/d) and it helped my gastric issues a lot.  There are also natural supplements.  I use Tylenol arthritis for my joint pain and it actually works now!
There are other options-whether they're right for you is up to you.  Again-I strongly suggest seeing your doctor.  Sending support...Lu