Question about how long withdrawals last

[bgjb51802]

Hi there,
I am currently 3 weeks into stopping cold turkey from dilaudid 16mg every 8 hours for severe migraines for almost a year. My dr gave me clonidine and klonopin for the w/d symptoms. I would say the worst w/d days lasted about 7 days. My question is, is now I'm 3 weeks in and I'm having some good days and some bad days. Not cravings at all, just physical. Extreme fatigue, weakness, hot/cold sweats, shivering, low grade ever, anxiety, muscle/bone aches, my body hurts so bad. This will last for 1 day and go away and I will have like 2 good days and then another bad day then I will have a good day then another bad day, etc and this has been going for 2 weeks. Is this still related to my w/d? Should I really still be feeling like this? When I have days like this the clonidine and klonopin does not help so it makes me think its not. This is all new to me I've never gone through this before and my dr says yes its possible this could be from the w/d. Please help!! These days I have are so bad I consider going to the er. Thank you!!

[bgjb51802]

48mg in 1 day of dilaudid

[bgjb51802]

Hi there!!

Thank you!!

Let me clarify I am 29 to be 30 in 1 week. Also I am not on clonidine and klonopin everyday around the clock. I take 1 clonidine pill when I start to have these chills/sweats/cold/hot feelings etc. Then 1 klonopin with the anxiety and that's it so I honestly don't think enough to be addicted in these 3 weeks. I'm just scared and trying to see if there is anyone out there that can give me any info or hope that these lingering crappy feeling days are because of the w/d. That happen every couple of days like for instance yesterday I felt awful and today I feel ok. Doesn't make sense no fever, a little fatigued, a little weak, but other then that I am out running errands that I couldn't since Friday. Thank you for your kind uplifting words!! :)

[bgjb51802]

Hi there!!

Thank you!!

Let me clarify I am 29 to be 30 in 1 week. Also I am not on clonidine and klonopin everyday around the clock. I take 1 clonidine pill when I start to have these chills/sweats/cold/hot feelings etc. Then 1 klonopin with the anxiety and that's it so I honestly don't think enough to be addicted in these 3 weeks. I'm just scared and trying to see if there is anyone out there that can give me any info or hope that these lingering crappy feeling days are because of the w/d. That happen every couple of days like for instance yesterday I felt awful and today I feel ok. Doesn't make sense no fever, a little fatigued, a little weak, but other then that I am out running errands that I couldn't since Friday. Thank you for your kind uplifting words!! :)

[clean_in_ks]

Hi there and welcome~

If I read this right, you were taking 16 mg of dilaudid every 8 hrs (so like how much in one waking day?) for a period of one year?  And you have been totally clean for 3 weeks, right?

Several things came to mind as I read your post.....the clonidine AND the klonopin could be causing you extreme fatigue.  Does you dr still feel you need to be taking both of these now that you are 3 weeks off?  

Not only could these meds be contributing to your continued symptoms, but our age affects how quickly our brains and nervous systems bounce back.  The other thing about recovery from opiates that makes it somewhat different than recovery from other drugs is that our improvement comes in WAVES.....not a straight line curve UP.

I think you would feel noticeably better if you got off the clonidine and klonopin now......you certainly don't want to get addicted to the benzo after all this hard work getting off the Dilaudid.  Congrats on your 3 WEEKS!!

[bgjb51802]

Hi and thank you for the warm welcome!

I don't think its the flu. Its on and off some days x2 weeks. I found a website that says dilaudid can cause months of exhaustion. I'm going out today to get a multivitamin. It has just been so hard to leave the house this weekend. I have felt so awful. I've also read that that long term use can wreak havoc on bodies/brains and your brain has to heal and it can take months. I just really hope that this is the case. I work for a dr office my pcp office and they know what is going on and are fully 2000% supportive. The dr is like our 2nd dad its a small office and its him and his wife practice and they are wonderful people. He was not the prescriber of the dilaudid it was prescribed my my neuro/migraine specialist. Thank you for answering my question and the uplifting words of support!! :)

[lulu747]

Hi and welcome-

Hmmmmm.  I'm not really sure.  I've come off of much higher doses than that of dialuadid and yes, 7 days was bad with recurring symptoms here or there, but not to that extreme.  The low grade fever makes me think that it's something else like maybe a flu virus?  The aches and anxiety take awhile to go away.  Are you able to get out and get any exercise?  It is unusual that the clonidine and klonipin would not alleviate these symptoms.  I know everyone is different so I wouldn't panic too much.  If your doc says it's still related to w/d then I would go with that and just ride it out.
Try not to worry.  Just take good care, drink plenty of fluids, and rest.  Get outside and get fresh air and sunshine.  Are you on any kind of vitamin/supplement regime?  Long term opiate use wreaks havoc on our bodies/brains and it takes time for all of our systems to heal and begin functioning like normal again.
I know it's hard but time and patience are really they key to this recovery thing.  Did you quit cold turkey because you feel you are an addict?  If so are you involved in any kind of aftercare?
If this continues say, into next week, definitely go back to the doctor and maybe get some blood work run to put your mind at ease.
Congrats on 3 weeks (:
Wishing you peace...
Lu