Pain Medicine Withdrawal

Has anyone had pain medicine withdrawal? Yesterday I stopped my pain meds (for the first time in three months) because I no longer have any pain 10 days post op. However, last night I got jittery, some muscle spasms and this morning had an emotional rollercoster ride. My DH suggested the w/drawal and when I took 1/2 of a pain pill I leveled back out. Any tips from the sisters as to how you dealt with this? I am going to try 1/2 dose today at 4 hr increments and then move it to 6 hr increments tomorrow to slowly wean off of it. This was just something I did not expect. Thanks ladies.

I would talk to your doctor about tapering off. There are a lot of factors to consider - the type of medication, how long you have been taking it and how much etc.

I do know that many medications (pain and otherwise) can be hard to get off of without some type of "withdrawl" symptoms. Also, stopping medication without the support of your doctor can be dangerous - it really is an individual thing. Some people have problems/dangers - others do not.

It is best to discuss this with your doctor. the doc may taper you off - or do something else.

Please talk to your doc about this, and I congratulate you for wanting to get off them meds!

Let me know how it goes!

s
Julia

Called the doctors and they gave me a schedule to reduce the pain meds over the next 5 days. If that doesn't work they said to call them back and well attack it with another plan. Never expected this to happen. Thanks for your reply.

Glad to hear it Jackie -

I hope this 5 day plan works for you. We never expect it to happen, but it is good when we realise it and address the issue and get off the meds before we get more health problems!!

I am sure your doc told you about the possibility of "pains" while you wean yourself off the meds? Don't let it get you down, you will get off the medication!

YOU GO GIRL!!!
Julia

The doctor didn't mention anything about the "pains". I have had a headache and stomach hurts once and a while. What kinda pains are we talking about? Just so I have a heads up. Thanks.

It is actually more common than people realize. It is just like going cold turkey from caffeine. The body is looking for its "fix". My DH is a long-time pain med user. (In his case it is a GOOD thing - it means he is still around alive and kicking - Cancer survivor)

Most Docs don't mention it because alot of us may be closet hypochondriacs or we won't use the pain meds in fear of the "addiction".

Weaning off usually does the trick. Good luck.

Hi JackieD
I'm a newbie and this is my very first post. My surgery was on the 19th also. I too have been on pain meds prior to surgery due to debilatating pain. I want to start weaning myself off the meds and was wondering how the 5 day tapering plan works. Do you cut the meds in half or gradually? I would really appreciate any info you might have. Thanks.

Well for me- being a cancer survivor, as well as currently suffering Fibromyalgia/Neuropathy - it was hard to stop taking narcotic pain meds. The headache and mild stomach upset are common - as long as they do not get out of hand, I would not worry. As one of the other sisters said - the body is used to the meds - and caffiene is a GREAT example. It feels almost the same, but the headache is not so great as caffiene withdrawl headache. As long as you follow your docs suggestions, you should do fine. Within 72hrs the body starts to adjust - the first 3 days is the hardest. If you get severe headaches (more than a mild annoyance) and something simple like Tylenol or Advil do not help - call your doc (dont take more of the narcotic!!! call doc first!). You may be easing off too quickly. As to the tummy - gaviscon chew tablets helped me. They do wonders!

It was my choice to stop the meds, (I was on heavy morphine like medication for about 9 months - the most recent time). I have been "narcotic med free" since November - my TAH was in Sept. As altho it eased the pain, I needed more and more and my quality of life was the pits. Even tho I still have "pain" i feel I have a better quality of life now, I can think clearer and work on getting my body back in shape all around. I also now take Lyrica for the Fibro/neuro probs. It is an anti-epilepsy med.

You may also experience "phantom" general aches and pains - kinda like a flu coming on in your muscles and joints - it should be mild and not severe or debilitating. Just a generalised feeling of "blah" for the first 3 days (after you are completely off) but if you taper off gently and slowly - perhaps 5 days is too soon? depends on how long you were on it and what med and what dose - if you go slow and listen to your body (mild exercise helps the aches) you should be med free soon without too many symptoms!

Keep me posted - and I hope this helps? feel free to PM me if you want to.

s
Julia

It is actually more common than people realize. It is just like going cold turkey from caffeine. The body is looking for its "fix".

the body is used to the meds - and caffiene is a GREAT example. It feels almost the same, but the headache is not so great as caffiene withdrawl headache.

heads up girls,if you are taking tylenol #3 you are on caffiene! There is caffiene in tylenol #3 to potentiate the codeine in the tablet. Betcha your Dr nor your pharmasist told you that. If you have been on pain meds for a while you may need to taper down, but if you have only been on for a week or so, you may have a withdrawl headache....take plain tylenol and perhaps a small cup of coffee to ease the symptoms.

Kelly

I'm just curious on how to start tapering down. Do you start by taking half of what you used to or a third, etc.? I don't want to go cold turkey and have serious withdrawls. Any info would be helpful. Thanks and hugs!