Hydrocodone withdrawal

[MsThang625]

I'm not sure I'm in the right place but I've looked around for an hour and only found questions and answers about this from 2002.  I'm looking for help for withdrawal from Hydrocodone.  I don't want to stop taking it because it is controlling my pain but my husband will be retiring in April and we are loosing our health insurance.  He will get Medicare but I am not eligible.  We do have the VA as a health provider also since we are Veterans but the VA Dr. will not prescribe the Hydrocodone for me.  She (DR.) states that "we don't treat Fibromyalgia that way."  Fibyromyalgia is what I have dealt with since I was 9 years old.  In 2002 I was put on the Fentynal patch and in 2009 I was taken off that and put on Hydro. because the pain clinic I go to thought that the Fentynal was going to kill me.  Now, I'm not going to be able to go to the pain clinic anymore so I am going to have to stop the Hydro.  I am looking for the least painful way to do this withdrawing.  Can anyone help me with this?  Any suggestions as what to do, what to expect, what I could possibly ask my pain Dr. for before I take my last pill?  Any suggestions as what to ask for for pain that is not a narcotic?  I have tried many.  I'm currently on Gabapentin 2400mg a day, Hydrocodone 10mg 4 times a day and 2 different muscle relaxers.  They all help to keep the pain at bay.  I am 62 years old and also have diabetes, sleep problems and respiratory problems.   Thanks for any an all help in advance.
Liz

[SandyJ250]

I am sorry to hear about your situation.  This is one reason we so deparately need some type of health care for everyone.  Anyways, I have heard that Lyrica works better for Fribromyalgia than Neurotin/Gabapentin.  I just came off neurotin for neuropathy.  Still have some nerve pain in my legs and feet, but it is bearable now.  I also use meditation for my fribromyalgia and an anti-inflammatory (800mg ibuprophen).  Maybe this would help, please talk to your doctor about your plans....I am sure they will be able to help you.
Good luck. Sandy

[queenie11]

Dear MsThang,Is there any possibility that the drug company can help you with the cost?I see commercials on tv alot,saying that if you cannot afford medications that you need that they can help.It won't hurt to ask,all they can say is no.Also I am not sure  if Lyrica is avail in the USA but I think it has recently been approved for fibromyalgia.If all else fails,make sure you get your Dr. to set you up with your medication so that you are slowly reducing your dose until you are safely off it.Good Luck,God Bless

[KittyKat23_78]

I agree with the above two posts. Don't give up and I encourage you to explore further options! It would be unfair for you to live the rest of your life in pain...

I'm saying prayers for you!

Keep us posted...

[inga511]

I have Fybromyalgia. Doctors  in my opinion underestimate how bad the pain can be. If this is not a good enough diagnosis to get your vicodine by all means get an MRI-you might have degenerative disc disease too. Most FM patients do. That would get you your scripts. If not- you must go to another Doctor. Why suffer the rest of your life? Withdrawl is fine and dandy but after your done with it, where does it leave you? Still in pain from your disease. Keep advocating for yourself and don't give up. There is support here.

Inga

[namnam46]

Hi MsThang,

Hi MsThang,

First I want to welcome you to the Pain Management Forum and let you know that we are glad you found this Forum. I want to let you know that there are NO Doctors on this Forum only CP - Chronic Pain - Patients that help each other with our OWN expertise and experiences that we have developed through our OWN CP Issues.

I'm sorry that you are going to have to change EVERYTHING that you have been doing!!
Unfortunately, I don't know of ANYTHING that is going to replace what you have been on that is OTC {Over the Counter}.  There's NOTHING that is going to take care of your pain.  I KNOW that the VA gives out Pain Medication - is it that they REFUSE to give it out for a Diagnosis of Fibromyalgia?  Is there ANY way that you current Doctor can come up with a more Definitive diagnosis than Fibromyalgia.  When did they take the last x-rays OR MRI's of your back.  ANYTHING that MIGHT be of help to you.  Will they continue to give you the Gabapentin for your Nerve pain and the Muscle relaxers?

I'm VERY concerned for you!!!  Wait can't YOU take early Social Security?  I'm  TRYING to think of EVERYTHING I possibly can!!!  Can YOU take out an individual policy JUST for yourself to get you through UNTIL you can go on Medicare?  This just BREAKS my heart for what you will have to deal with pain wise!!

IF you MUST taper then you need to check with your Doctor TOMORROW and tell him/her what is going to happen and have them taper you SAFELY!!!  It CAN be done in the next 3 months {before he retires}.  

I'm just curious what mcg of Fentanyl were you on when the PM {Pain Management} Clinic told you that.  It must have been INCREDIBLY high.  I'm on Fentanyl and have been for a year and intend to be on it for the rest of my life.  I KNOW that it's NOT going to kill me and that's why I'm curious.  I HOPE you won't mind telling me. I'm wondering if they just didn't WANT you to have it. I'm on 87 mcg's.  I was on 125 mcg's after my hip Surgery in September and I'm tapering back down to, probably 50mcg's now that the Surgery is over. :)  By the way, I'm 64 years old.  

OMG - have you EVER considered going on Social Security Disability?  Sorry, I'm just throwing everything I can think of out there to you.  :)

I look forward to you update........Sherry  :}