30 Days Opiod free after 18 months

[FentanylFree]

I Shattered my humerous and ripped my rotator cuff in half in a nasty accident.   My shoulder was put back together with a titanium plate and 9 screws, and after 3 months of agonizing pain, my surgeon sent me to a pain clinic, who put me on Fentanyl.   6 months later, I went to go see a second surgeon who went in with a scope and found (and fixed) what was causing my pain.  Two bone spurs, arthritis, and missing cartalidge. I tapered from 100 mics to 50 mics, and then instead of going to 25 told him I wanted it done.   He suggested Methadone, which if you can talk your doctor into doing I suggest it,  because you can taper much easier.   Hardest thing I've ever done.   I'm now opiod free, and manage the pain as best I can.

The problem is, after being on pain medicine for SO long, now that I'm not on it, I'm suffering from severe headaches, and severe insomnia.   I'll be 40 this year, and the aches and pains of being human were completly forgotten.. My back never hurt, my knee never hurt, ankles, etc....   You can only take so much tylenol, ibuprofin, alieve, etc.   The irony is my shoulder isn't that bad.. Sure, it hurts, and there are stupid things I do to make it hurt worse...   But I cant sleep... And my headaches are horrid.   My doctor suggested a neurologist saying the Fentanyl could have been masking something else, and I have an appointment tomorrow.   I guess I'm just scared.   I never get headaches.   I'm having a hard time at work concentrating, and they have been SO understanding over the last year I worry that I'm pushing my luck.

Fentanyl withdrawl is 5-10 days, anyone else run into anything like this?   Thanks

[FentanylFree]

I've been off Fentanyl for 1 month, not 18.  Sorry if I was not clear

[Tuckamore]

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Pain-Management/New-Diagnosis/show/1196612

The above is a link to a headache issue. I'm not sure I have the members name correct but it's close, Yodi.  I suggest that you read her posts for more headache information. By navigating to her profile page you will be able to easy track her posts regarding her husband's headaches. It's a great story with a resolution. She began with a post titled, "Wife of a Chronic Pain Sufferer."

I hope this will help.

~Tuck

[Tuckamore]

Hello and Welcome to the Pain Mangement Forum.

Since you have been off the Fentanyl for 18 months it would seem any headaches caused from the Fentanyl would have ceased by this time. I am not a physician so that's just my personal opinion.

Headaches can be caused from so many different things. Most are benign. I know it's easy for me to say not to be overly concerned as I don't have your headaches. However I would not think the worse. I simply cannot concentrate either when I have a headache and I admire your ability to remain employed.

I am glad that you are going to have some imagining done. This will rule out any brain abnormalities. When it is negative I suggest you request a referral to a clinic that specializes in headaches. If you check an on-going post regarding another members headaches you may gather so me better information. I'll check the name of the post and get back to you.

I am sorry that you have had such a tough time and are still having headaches. Congratulations on your withdrawal from Fentanyl. You found the right solution that worked for you. Some ppl struggle with it for months. It proves that we are all individuals and our systems are all different.  

I hope you will keep in touch and let us know the results of your tests. We will look forward to hearing from you again. Best of luck.

Take Care,
Tuck

[Mollyrae]

Since I have been using the Fentanyl, I have had re-occuring headaches that never seem to end. If you ask me, It is the Fentanyl itself causing these headaches.

I was never one to have them until the Fentanyl came into play. I'll be interested to learn fo what is actually causing your headaches.

Take care,
Molly