Aa
Reading material: another artical I found which may answer some questions
Here goes: (and again, just stumbled across this, not intended to 'answer all questions', but I figured it would help.. :D
The National Pain Foundation, American Academy of Pain Medicine and American Pain Foundation are very concerned about all of the victims of Hurricane Katrina. We are especially concerned about those who may be experiencing abrupt withdrawal from their pain medicines. We offer the following information piece (Word or PDF) for distribution to help individuals understand withdrawal symptoms, warnings, and tips about how to deal with withdrawal. The information attached has been peer reviewed by foremost and recognized authorities in pain medicine and can be considered credible and reliable. It is our sincere hope you will disseminate this information to triage centers, shelters and other organizations and persons. Thank you and know we are praying for all affected by this disaster.
Withdrawing from Medications — Information and Caution
If you are a person with chronic pain who is physically dependent on opioids or other medications and are unable to refill or get your medications, you probably will experience withdrawal symptoms. Symptoms of withdrawal will vary depending on how long you were on a medication and what type of medications you were taking.
Withdrawal is a result of physical dependence. Physical dependence occurs when your body becomes accustomed to regular use of a medication (for example, if you’ve been taking opioids for more than two weeks around the clock, your body becomes physically dependent on the medication). You body has become used to the medication and has made changes in how it works because of the medication.
Just like a person with multiple sclerosis who takes steroids undergoes changes physically because of the steroids, so does a person taking opioids on a regular basis. In each case, the body becomes used to the medication and even functions differently because of the medication. Your body needs time to adjust to the withdrawal of the medication. Physical dependence is a normal bodily response. It is not a sign of addiction, which is a biological brain disease.
There are many different types of medications that cause your body to become physically dependent, including opioids, benzodiazepines such as Ativan, diazepam and lorazepam, and antidepressants.
IMPORTANT WARNING —
The document below discusses reducing the dose of the medication you are taking as a way to manage your withdrawal symptoms in instances where you no longer have access to your medications. If you are taking any of the extended-release versions of opioids, such as Oxycontin or Kadian, or fentanyl patches, do not tamper with them in any way. NEVER break tablets, open capsules or cut patches as a way to reduce the dosage because such damage or tampering can release the whole dose at once, causing overdose and death. If you are taking an extended-release medication and need to reduce your dose, take the whole pill or capsule or use the whole patch. Take or use the medication less often to reduce the dosage. In an ideal situation, you would do this under a doctor’s care and advice.
What is opioid withdrawal syndrome?
If you suddenly stop taking opioids after taking them regularly for an extended period of time, you will experience opioid withdrawal syndrome. Signs and symptoms of opioid withdrawal syndrome include:
• Yawning
• Sweating
• Tearing of the eyes
• Runny nose
• Abdominal cramps
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Weakness
• Dilated pupils
• Goose bumps
• Muscle twitching and muscle aches and pains
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Increased pulse
• Increased respiratory rate
• Elevated blood pressure
Opioid withdrawal is not life threatening, but it is not pleasant, to say the least. When you experience withdrawal symptoms depends on the type of opioid you are taking and on how long the opioid stays in the body. For example, people taking morphine, hydromorphone, or oxycodone may experience withdrawal symptoms within 6 to 12 hours of the last dose while people taking methadone will experience symptoms 3 to 4 days after the last dose. How many symptoms you experience, how long you experience them, and how severe your symptoms are depends on your body’s individual response, how long you’ve been taking the medications and the dose and type of opioid. Typically, withdrawal from morphine takes five to 10 days while withdrawal from methadone takes longer.
What can you do to minimize symptoms of withdrawal?
In an ideal situation, a person who wishes to discontinue use of opioids or who must discontinue use because of issues outside of their control would taper their medications under the care of his or her doctor. In other words, the person would slowly and deliberately begin taking less of the medication over an extended period of time so that the body slowly adapts to the reduced dose.
If you are unable to withdraw with the help and advice of your doctor, it’s important to make an effort to slowly reduce your dose on your own, called tapering. Reducing your dose about 25% every day or so generally prevents symptoms of withdrawal.
What can you do to ease withdrawal symptoms if you are unable to slowly reduce your medications?
Drink a lot of fluid, try to stay calm, focus your attention on something distant from you, and keep reassuring yourself that the withdrawal reaction will pass and you will eventually feel better.
Where can I get help?
Go to a hospital emergency room and let them know what medication and what dosage of it you were taking. Call FEMA at 202-646-2452 or the American Red Cross at 866-438-4636 for a location of a field hospital near you, if your local hospital is shut down.
What about the pain?
One of the key symptoms during opioid withdrawal is a state of sensitized pain, meaning your pain may feel more intense or severe. This also will pass with time, and your pain should reduce, after the withdrawal reaction is over.
What about withdrawing from benzodiazepines?
Withdrawing from benzodiazepines can be more difficult than withdrawing from opioids. The symptoms are similar, but are more intense and last longer.
Benzodiazepine withdrawal — like opioid withdrawal — depends on the amount of the medication taken, the length of time a person has been taking the medication, and which benzodiazepine the person is taking. People taking short-acting benzodiazepines will have withdrawal symptoms sooner than people taking the longer acting ones.
The best way to avoid serious withdrawal symptoms is to reduce the amount of medication you are taking or how often you are taking them before you run out. Cutting the amount by 25% per day or an additional 25% every other day is fairly rapid and may result in some withdrawal symptoms, but it is better than suddenly stopping them when you run out.
I never really knew THIS either.. (came from the American Pain Foundation)
The National Pain Foundation, American Academy of Pain Medicine and American Pain Foundation are very concerned about all of the victims of Hurricane Katrina. We are especially concerned about those who may be experiencing abrupt withdrawal from their pain medicines. We offer the following information piece (Word or PDF) for distribution to help individuals understand withdrawal symptoms, warnings, and tips about how to deal with withdrawal. The information attached has been peer reviewed by foremost and recognized authorities in pain medicine and can be considered credible and reliable. It is our sincere hope you will disseminate this information to triage centers, shelters and other organizations and persons. Thank you and know we are praying for all affected by this disaster.
Withdrawing from Medications — Information and Caution
If you are a person with chronic pain who is physically dependent on opioids or other medications and are unable to refill or get your medications, you probably will experience withdrawal symptoms. Symptoms of withdrawal will vary depending on how long you were on a medication and what type of medications you were taking.
Withdrawal is a result of physical dependence. Physical dependence occurs when your body becomes accustomed to regular use of a medication (for example, if you’ve been taking opioids for more than two weeks around the clock, your body becomes physically dependent on the medication). You body has become used to the medication and has made changes in how it works because of the medication.
Just like a person with multiple sclerosis who takes steroids undergoes changes physically because of the steroids, so does a person taking opioids on a regular basis. In each case, the body becomes used to the medication and even functions differently because of the medication. Your body needs time to adjust to the withdrawal of the medication. Physical dependence is a normal bodily response. It is not a sign of addiction, which is a biological brain disease.
There are many different types of medications that cause your body to become physically dependent, including opioids, benzodiazepines such as Ativan, diazepam and lorazepam, and antidepressants.
IMPORTANT WARNING —
The document below discusses reducing the dose of the medication you are taking as a way to manage your withdrawal symptoms in instances where you no longer have access to your medications. If you are taking any of the extended-release versions of opioids, such as Oxycontin or Kadian, or fentanyl patches, do not tamper with them in any way. NEVER break tablets, open capsules or cut patches as a way to reduce the dosage because such damage or tampering can release the whole dose at once, causing overdose and death. If you are taking an extended-release medication and need to reduce your dose, take the whole pill or capsule or use the whole patch. Take or use the medication less often to reduce the dosage. In an ideal situation, you would do this under a doctor’s care and advice.
What is opioid withdrawal syndrome?
If you suddenly stop taking opioids after taking them regularly for an extended period of time, you will experience opioid withdrawal syndrome. Signs and symptoms of opioid withdrawal syndrome include:
• Yawning
• Sweating
• Tearing of the eyes
• Runny nose
• Abdominal cramps
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Weakness
• Dilated pupils
• Goose bumps
• Muscle twitching and muscle aches and pains
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Increased pulse
• Increased respiratory rate
• Elevated blood pressure
Opioid withdrawal is not life threatening, but it is not pleasant, to say the least. When you experience withdrawal symptoms depends on the type of opioid you are taking and on how long the opioid stays in the body. For example, people taking morphine, hydromorphone, or oxycodone may experience withdrawal symptoms within 6 to 12 hours of the last dose while people taking methadone will experience symptoms 3 to 4 days after the last dose. How many symptoms you experience, how long you experience them, and how severe your symptoms are depends on your body’s individual response, how long you’ve been taking the medications and the dose and type of opioid. Typically, withdrawal from morphine takes five to 10 days while withdrawal from methadone takes longer.
What can you do to minimize symptoms of withdrawal?
In an ideal situation, a person who wishes to discontinue use of opioids or who must discontinue use because of issues outside of their control would taper their medications under the care of his or her doctor. In other words, the person would slowly and deliberately begin taking less of the medication over an extended period of time so that the body slowly adapts to the reduced dose.
If you are unable to withdraw with the help and advice of your doctor, it’s important to make an effort to slowly reduce your dose on your own, called tapering. Reducing your dose about 25% every day or so generally prevents symptoms of withdrawal.
What can you do to ease withdrawal symptoms if you are unable to slowly reduce your medications?
Drink a lot of fluid, try to stay calm, focus your attention on something distant from you, and keep reassuring yourself that the withdrawal reaction will pass and you will eventually feel better.
Where can I get help?
Go to a hospital emergency room and let them know what medication and what dosage of it you were taking. Call FEMA at 202-646-2452 or the American Red Cross at 866-438-4636 for a location of a field hospital near you, if your local hospital is shut down.
What about the pain?
One of the key symptoms during opioid withdrawal is a state of sensitized pain, meaning your pain may feel more intense or severe. This also will pass with time, and your pain should reduce, after the withdrawal reaction is over.
What about withdrawing from benzodiazepines?
Withdrawing from benzodiazepines can be more difficult than withdrawing from opioids. The symptoms are similar, but are more intense and last longer.
Benzodiazepine withdrawal — like opioid withdrawal — depends on the amount of the medication taken, the length of time a person has been taking the medication, and which benzodiazepine the person is taking. People taking short-acting benzodiazepines will have withdrawal symptoms sooner than people taking the longer acting ones.
The best way to avoid serious withdrawal symptoms is to reduce the amount of medication you are taking or how often you are taking them before you run out. Cutting the amount by 25% per day or an additional 25% every other day is fairly rapid and may result in some withdrawal symptoms, but it is better than suddenly stopping them when you run out.
I never really knew THIS either.. (came from the American Pain Foundation)
COMMUNITY LEADER
This is one of the most accurate articles I've seen on this topic. I've lived in new Orleans my whole life, of course evacuated for katrina, but it definately was a ***** b/c my pharmacy was closed for 3 weeks. It was exactly like that article read. Good post!
Ive been swallowed up by my pain meds/4 major operations on neck/disk disease..On kadian was given 240 millograms /down to 120 millagrams ...then I must endure the 6...or 7 dilaudid num 4...strenghth ...to kick all this on top of vicoden 750 millograms 21/2 aday just writing this scares the sh.t out of me...But Ill make it ...somehow dr.s no use just says do it slowly/then theres the chronic pain I must live with /but at this point Id rather some pain then all this crap in my system.Its got me so fk.up I dont have ANY memory short term at ALL....PRAY FOR ME Im so alone in this cept for this site..
Great info... very informative. Unbelievable! Thank you so much for sharing this!
Exactly! Which is why I am currently tapering as we speak! lol.. I'm finally down to 3/4 of a pill right now, ready to go off altogether any day now- discovering my step-dad just passed away, though, the depression and anxiety kicked back in instantly after I found out..
Ultram is indeed addictive, and anyone who tries to go cold turkey- could face seizures, etc etc.. I've heard of people going c/t but oh my- they're lives were a living hell for days and days.. Which is why tapering is so crucial- to give your body the ability to adjust to the levels!
I would start weaning from the ultram right away! Don't need another heartache on your plate- you've already been through enough!
Love you all!
Alli
Ultram is indeed addictive, and anyone who tries to go cold turkey- could face seizures, etc etc.. I've heard of people going c/t but oh my- they're lives were a living hell for days and days.. Which is why tapering is so crucial- to give your body the ability to adjust to the levels!
I would start weaning from the ultram right away! Don't need another heartache on your plate- you've already been through enough!
Love you all!
Alli
No honey...NO..the Ultram is so dangerous. For whatever reason, doctors are down right ignorant about this medication. It is so dangerous. You will need to taper to get off of it, and you run the risk of seizures if you don't. Not trying to scare you, just want you to know...it is NOT a good substitute or whatever the doctor told you it was.
I just got off vicodine after 4 yrs and it has been about a month and a half. My doc gave me Ultram to take and she and the pharmacist both said that Ultram was not addictting. I have been taking it everyday since I have been off, but it doesn't seem as addictting. But now that I realize it I have to take it at a certain time everyday to help me get going. I guess it is better than taking the vics though. But thanks for your info I just started posting about a half hour ago.
Huh. If you look further, you'll find a study that has become the guideline on how to deal with opaite/methadone patients in a Katrina type emergency.
Essentially, they cut your dose in half over three days than boot you out the door. So...if you were on 200, that's 100 the second day, then 50, then 25, then nothing. It's an absolute crime how they aren't addressing the issue.
They also suggest that doctors in the area set up "emergency dosing stations" in advance of a disaster. Which sounds good on paper, but is unrealistic. Try explaining to DEA that you're stock piling narcotics "In case of an emergency" and see how it goes for you, doctor or not. It's not like any doctor's are leaping to do this, as well. so that's a non-helpful suggestion as well.
Essentially, they cut your dose in half over three days than boot you out the door. So...if you were on 200, that's 100 the second day, then 50, then 25, then nothing. It's an absolute crime how they aren't addressing the issue.
They also suggest that doctors in the area set up "emergency dosing stations" in advance of a disaster. Which sounds good on paper, but is unrealistic. Try explaining to DEA that you're stock piling narcotics "In case of an emergency" and see how it goes for you, doctor or not. It's not like any doctor's are leaping to do this, as well. so that's a non-helpful suggestion as well.
yes there was really no way out, and there were no gas ...All gas stations were down so you only had whatever was in your car...It was terrible...I am glad i did not go through detox then, with no electricity, no stores, over 100 degrees....I so understand what these people went through now, and thats not counting the ones who really had true pain....Definetly a life changing experience..
My gosh, I wouldn't even imagine it- weren't most of the population trapped to where they couldn't even FLY out of there? Oh my- that is awful! And you wonder, REALLY wonder why things happen the way they do! What's extremely messed up, is that we don't realize things until AFTER we see someone ELSE go through, or have to endure it ourselves..
U are right...The cajun dome was terrible...There were so many feces everywhere because the bathrooms stopped working....I have a cousin who work in the army and he was there...He said never in his life had he seen so many addicts in one place...And not saying some didn't have real pain, but that doesn' matter...They were out of meds, and taking peoples purses, robbing everything...Alot of peope thought it was just money etc, they didn't say on the news most were addicts looking for anything to help....I can't imagine!!!!
I had to put a alarm system in my house, i was so scared...My husband works away for 2 weeks at a time, and i don't think i slept at all...Althought when i would look outside all i saw were cops( even some with DEA written across their backs)
I didn't get it, until i became an addict!!'
I was just telling ibkeen about my experience with this the other day, and how i only understood when i became an addict...How terrible what these people had to go through...
r2r
I had to put a alarm system in my house, i was so scared...My husband works away for 2 weeks at a time, and i don't think i slept at all...Althought when i would look outside all i saw were cops( even some with DEA written across their backs)
I didn't get it, until i became an addict!!'
I was just telling ibkeen about my experience with this the other day, and how i only understood when i became an addict...How terrible what these people had to go through...
r2r
This is unreal...I live where the hurricane hit and never saw this...Let me tell you what i saw...I had the National guards, Swat teams, FBI, in my driveway, all over the streets..At that time i was not an addict but could not understand why they people were breaking into houses, all of the drugstores didnt' have roofs and they were climbing in there, etc...They were addicts going through withdrawals, and every clinic was closed, all doctors had mostly evacuated...And if they stayed they were not concerned about an addiction...We had people dying from not having their breathing machines working because of no electricity...It ws very crazy and depressing...
BUT now i can see, if i were an addict then, going c/t would have been my only option..
thanks for the info
r2r
BUT now i can see, if i were an addict then, going c/t would have been my only option..
thanks for the info
r2r
Absolutely true indeed!
I totally agree with that, 100%
Thanks alot, allaboutmary! Blessings!
Alli
I totally agree with that, 100%
Thanks alot, allaboutmary! Blessings!
Alli
This is great info. You said a t the top it was done for Katrina victims. It just got me thinking how awful that must have been for addicts having to go thru detox in that huge, packed stadium. With no bathrooms to use etc. Withdrawal is so awful. I just can't imagine having to go through it at such an awful time and not in the comfort of your own home. So to everone going through withdrawal now, be thankful you can do it in the comfort of your home with family and friends. No matter how bad it feels , remember it could be worse.
hehe.. you have no idea how much I appreciate that! One of my posts were deleted, that had helpful info, and it was deleted- I also read a post on here about someone complaining of 'the troll' in the forums.. perhaps they were talking about Muah? lol
Oh well, always a wiener in the pack I guess.. hehe
I try very hard to help out any way I can, because I've received so much help here, it's amazing.. I'm just glad that someone appreciates it.. :D
I'll definitely do that- place that in my journal..thanks for the idea too! Blessings to you!
Alli
Oh well, always a wiener in the pack I guess.. hehe
I try very hard to help out any way I can, because I've received so much help here, it's amazing.. I'm just glad that someone appreciates it.. :D
I'll definitely do that- place that in my journal..thanks for the idea too! Blessings to you!
Alli
I really like reading your posts :) You've posted info I've never seen, even when I was withdrawing and searching google for any info I could find.
You might want to put these into your journal so another 'newbie'..(lol) has questions, we could direct them to your profile. If you haven't already, that is.
Thanks much :)
You might want to put these into your journal so another 'newbie'..(lol) has questions, we could direct them to your profile. If you haven't already, that is.
Thanks much :)
LOL.. Hey, this is pretty exciting for me! hehe.. I had no idea about any of this stuff, yet I've had millions of questions coming my way in the past few days- figured this should sum it all up.. (at least I hope so.. for those who are in deep question STILL to this day), and it'll also keep me from bugging ya with even MORE questions.. hehe...
But, I bet those questions will be popping up again soon, from someone who just joined.. Kinda' like ME when I first got here.. had tons of questions, only to find out that they pretty much were already answered in other posts before I got here..
This is indeed good info, AND good news for most- I just HAD to share it with everyone.. :D.. LOL
thanks for listening though.. I knew you'd be the first to respond.. :Q
But, I bet those questions will be popping up again soon, from someone who just joined.. Kinda' like ME when I first got here.. had tons of questions, only to find out that they pretty much were already answered in other posts before I got here..
This is indeed good info, AND good news for most- I just HAD to share it with everyone.. :D.. LOL
thanks for listening though.. I knew you'd be the first to respond.. :Q
Well aren't you miss Suzie Q of information.:-)
It is good to be armed with truth. You are doing good. Keep it up.
It is good to be armed with truth. You are doing good. Keep it up.
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