Withdrawl from long term use of narcotic pain killers

[shelby]

I am thankful to have found this site, as I find this a very difficult subject to talk to anyone about. Reading eveyones stories helps me feel not so alone. Here's mine. I was diagnosed with a life threatening cancer about five years ago. I was treated aggressively and apparently successfully, but the treatment left me with some chronic pain. I have been taking ms contin and oxycodone for breakthrough ever since. In addition to controlling the pain, I liked the feeling it gave me. Rather than feeling tired all the time ,I seemed to have more energy, plus a feeling of wellbeing when facing a very difficult time. Well, it looks as though the cancer is not going to get me and I want to finally put that chapter behind me and get on with life. Through it all I have maintained a busy professional life as well as being a wife and mother of school age children. So, about three days ago I cut my dosages in half, and its been rough. I think what I am experiencing is textbook withdrawl; leg cramps, diarrhea, feeling cold all the time, and inability to sleep. I think that is the worst, when the whole house is asleep and I am up and down, in the bed, on the couch etc, etc. I suppose I should ask my Doc about this but I have to admit I am ashamed to. My docs and the nurses have been great and have never made me bad, so I guess it is just my hang-up. I had to laugh when I read on one of the postings that this tendency to try and do it yourself is often part of the problem! Thats me, hard headed. Thanks for listening.

[Dav125]

This is an old thread your posting in..It would be to your advantage to post your own question on the main forum page..Look at the topof the subject threads and you will see "post a question"..That way people will notice you more and be able to keep up with you and offer support as you go thru this..

As to your question? The good news is you are ablut over the worst of the physical symptoms..As to the stomach and diarrehea? Get some immodium for that. It does wonders for making things a bit more comfortable..The not so good news is you are going to have some lingering effects stay with you for a couple more weeks..Anxiousness, lack of energy and insomnia issues. Getting one's sleep back to somewhat normal can take inbetween 2 and 4 weeks..In the right hand column there are some health pages with suggestions on vitamins etc that will aid in the recovery process. The Thomas recipe for one. You may want to check out that information..Fluids..You want to drink lots of fluids to stay hydrated. I mainly went for gatorade as it has electrolye's in it..

Try not to get tooanxious about feeling better faster and frustrating yourself with a "when will it end "type thought. Many do and all that does is make the mental aspect of this harder. The next two weeks will test your endurance to get thru the days and does get mentally draining wanting to feel better than you do faster..Just go with the flow. You may like,lets say, have a really good 8th or 9th day with lots of energy only to have the 10th make you feel you've fallen back..This cycle lasts a couple weeks. When to bad day swings back in, try to accept it for what it is and set your sights on the next. Once past the three week mark, sleep,energy, and mood start improving fast...

Keep counting days now. Don't back up. You are over the first major hurtle in this process...Dav

[noname123998]

I have been doing roxys for about three months now and quit cold turkey 4 days ago...I have slept maybe 12-15 hours since and have severe diarrhea and constantly feel tired...are these normal side effects and how long does it typically last...is there any way to combat these side effects because even sleeping pills havent helped

[teresa239]

my name is teresa ihave beem taking 160mg of morpine 4 7 years my doc cut me of 3 weeeks ago

[addictedtochaos]

I was on my 3rd day and I ended up giving in and taking some roxy's. I was just sitting here and the next thing you know I ended up takeing 4 30mg roxy's. Really dont know why, I mean ai do I was going through withdrawals and had the money and time so I took em. Now I'm back to square 1 the 1st day again all over and this morning was really bad. My body was in complete pain from legs all the way up to my neck. I stayed in bed all the way up until 1:00 p.m. I took my son to daycare but after that I came home and just laid there. That was the worse thing to do cause I felt even worse when I tried to get up and go on with the day. Taking a hot bath helped tremendously. Then I took my klonopin that is perscribed by the doctor and drank a energy shot and felt some what better. So, now I'm just chilling with my son and wife just praying that tomorrow morning will not be like this morning. That was F U C K I N G HORRIBLE I wouldn't wish that on anybody. Well take care everyone and I will keep you guys posted and leave me any comments that you think might help me out. I am opened to any suggestions or advice. Thanks

[addictedtochaos]

Well it's been one day and so far OK. Stomach has been giving me problems at first but the immodiam ad has really helped. I have taken 3 1.0 mg's of klonopin and been trying to stay busy buy hanging with my son and wife and doing some yard work. Now we will see if I can sleep tonight. May have to resort to some over the counter sleep aid or melatonin. Melatonin works pretty good it just gives me some wild A S S dreams so I would rather take something like tylenol pm or advil pm. I have been drinking a lot of water to stay hydrated and to replace the energy I use to get off the pain meds I have drank two 5 hour energy shots. One this morning and one around 4:00 p.m. cst. It's not like a good old pain pill rush but it does give you some energy to get your A S S off the couch and actually function and do something besides lay in the bed or just sitting on the lazy boy. So we will see how tonight goes as far as sleeping and as for tomorrow I just hope the cravings aren't worse then today, Since it has been 24 hours since my last roxy. I'll keep you guys posted and GOOD LUCK ALL. I know I need it. You might get a post later on tonight if there is no sleeping. So take care ALL and be safe..................

[addictedtochaos]

Hello all!!!! Let's just say my name is Hayden. I have DDD ( Digenerate Disk Disease ) in 3 of my lower disc in my back. I was perscribed 3 percocet 10's a day. At first they helped and then I needed more for the pain. Then I fell 24 feet out of a tree and was placed on more pain meds. Eventually I was hooked. Now my tolerance is really HIGH. I can take up to 350 mg's of roxycontin or any pain med. I have tried to kick the habit a few times but withdrawals were so bad, I just give up and would go buy more off the black market. Now I'm back to the point where I have to get off the ****. I have a wife a son thats about to be 2 and they are way more important then a drug. So for all who are trying to kick the habit by yourself there are a few things you will need. 1st immodiam ad for your stomach, 2nd any over the counter sleep aid or meletonin, 3rd some nerve pills like valium, klonopin, or xanax for your aggression and to fight the cravings, but becareful so you don't get addicted to them but they will help a lot, 4th keep yourself hydrated and 5th keep yourself busy as possible. I hope this helps someone because I know what you are going through cause I'm going through the samething. GOOD LUCK and I HOPE this HELPS