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Has anyone had trouble getting off pain meds?

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  • Has anyone had trouble getting off pain meds?

    I have to say that I am embarassed bringing this question here. My surgery was Oct 15th. I came home taking 14 pain pills per day, as prescribed. I've slowly cut back, and am not on 2 short-acting pain pills per day, oxycodone 5mg. Actually, I take one every 13 or 14 hours at this point. Each time, I try to push it a little further, even if only 30 minutes. I've been trying for a week to get myself off completely, and I just can't do it. I'm getting withdrawl side effects like hot/cold chills, muscle aches, insomnia, and just generally feeling 'lousey'. After I take a pill, within an hour or so I feel perfect. It took me a while to figure out what this was, at first I had no idea.

    So today I called the Dr.'s office and they're calling in a prescription for Clonidine. Has anyone taken this? The Nurse Practitioner told me that it lowers your blood pressure, which I'm a little concerned with since my BP is on the low side of normal anyway. My next door neightbor nurse will come over this afternoon and take my BP before I take a dose, just so I can know where I started.

    The NP also said this doesn't happen very often, but when it does, this is what they do. I can't believe I'm addicted--me who hates to take any meds whatsoever. HOnestly, I feel like a junkie. I don't know how drug addicts do it.

    Thanks,
    Debbe,
    Your Neighborhood Junkie
    __________________________________________
    Debbe - 50 yrs old

    Milwalkee Brace 1976 - 79
    Told by Dr. my curve would never progress

    Surgery 10/15/08 in NYC by Dr. Michael Neuwirth
    Pre-Surgury Thorasic: 66 degrees
    Pre-Surgery Lumbar: 66 degrees

    Post-Surgery Thorasic: 34 degrees
    Post-Surgery Lumbar: 22 degrees

  • #2
    My doctor is very adamant about over-prescribing meds. His nurse told me he has seen too much addiction in patients who were formerly treated by other doctors. I came home taking four Percoset a day which was cut to two. After two months he would not prescribe narcotics and I was taking Tylenol 3. After three months I did not have a need for any type of pain med.

    Comment


    • #3
      hi Debbe, I'm something of an expert on this one, as I was on Oxycontin for almost 8 months. It is much harder to get off the short-acting Oxycontin than the long-acting (12-hour) dose, since your body has a much sharper up-and-down cycle with the short-acting drug.

      In my case, I was on the long-acting drug as well as the short-acting....so when I stopped the short-acting drug I was buffered a bit by the long-acting Oxy. Even then, it wasn't pleasant. Going off the 12-hour dosage was not as bad, even though I felt weird for about 3 days.

      Don't think you're addicted. You're dependent, and there's a difference. As long as you are following your doctor's orders and as long as you're not requiring larger and larger doses of the drug, you are not acting addictively.

      Dependence happens to a lot of us.
      Chris
      A/P fusion on June 19, 2007 at age 52; T10-L5
      Pre-op thoracolumbar curve: 70 degrees
      Post-op curve: 12 degrees
      Dr. Boachie-adjei, HSS, New York

      Comment


      • #4
        Originally posted by Singer View Post
        hi Debbe, I'm something of an expert on this one, as I was on Oxycontin for almost 8 months. It is much harder to get off the short-acting Oxycontin than the long-acting (12-hour) dose, since your body has a much sharper up-and-down cycle with the short-acting drug.

        In my case, I was on the long-acting drug as well as the short-acting....so when I stopped the short-acting drug I was buffered a bit by the long-acting Oxy. Even then, it wasn't pleasant. Going off the 12-hour dosage was not as bad, even though I felt weird for about 3 days.

        Don't think you're addicted. You're dependent, and there's a difference. As long as you are following your doctor's orders and as long as you're not requiring larger and larger doses of the drug, you are not acting addictively.

        Dependence happens to a lot of us.

        Hi Chris,

        Thanks for your note. Yes, I was on the long-acting as well (1 pill, 2x a day) and I weaned off them a few weeks ago. That's when I started having these side effects that weren't fun at all. I know, I definitely don't have the 'addictive' type personality, but it just bothers me that my body thinks it needs these meds. I"m going to pick up my new RX now.

        Thanks,
        __________________________________________
        Debbe - 50 yrs old

        Milwalkee Brace 1976 - 79
        Told by Dr. my curve would never progress

        Surgery 10/15/08 in NYC by Dr. Michael Neuwirth
        Pre-Surgury Thorasic: 66 degrees
        Pre-Surgery Lumbar: 66 degrees

        Post-Surgery Thorasic: 34 degrees
        Post-Surgery Lumbar: 22 degrees

        Comment


        • #5
          Hey Debbe - this is another of my fears....my family does have addictive personalities in it...w/alcohol & drugs,so naturally, Im a little concerned w/having to take them. I myself, do not have any issues like this, but its still freightening. Im sure you will be ok. You're wise enough to realize that you are dependent on it, which is excellent. Now you know what you have to do. You are a strong women and I have all the faith in the world that you will do just fine getting off of them all together. Good luck Debbe!
          Lynn -30.... something
          DxD @ 8 yrs old: 10* curve-no brace-no nothin'!
          At age 26: Thorasic 48*/Lumbar 50*
          At age 34: Thorasic 58*/Lumbar 60*
          Posterior T5-L4 Fusion Jan 14th, 2009 w/Dr Tribus
          UW Madison, WI Hospital
          **AFTER: less than 10* Thorasic/15* Lumbar**

          Comment


          • #6
            Lynn,

            Thanks for your kind words. I haven't decided if I'm going to take that medicine I picked up today. I'm a little nervous because I have naturally low BP. My neighbor (nurse) took it this afternoon and it was 98/68. The pharmacist said it just might make me a little dizzy if the BP goes too low. I don't know...I might just try to do this on my own after all. I went 14.5 hrs between my last 2 doses and I didn't feel too terrible. I would have gone longer, but I had to take my son to a college meeting tonight and I didn't want to break out in a cold sweat at the meeting. SHEESH. At least I'll be able to sleep tonight because I won't start feeling crappy till some time tomorrow morning.
            __________________________________________
            Debbe - 50 yrs old

            Milwalkee Brace 1976 - 79
            Told by Dr. my curve would never progress

            Surgery 10/15/08 in NYC by Dr. Michael Neuwirth
            Pre-Surgury Thorasic: 66 degrees
            Pre-Surgery Lumbar: 66 degrees

            Post-Surgery Thorasic: 34 degrees
            Post-Surgery Lumbar: 22 degrees

            Comment


            • #7
              Hi, Debbe,

              I agree, you're not addicted, it's just that your body has gotten used to having these medicines. At 5 weeks I tried to go from 20 mg oxycodone extended release (every 8 to 12 hours) to 10 mg and then to nothing in a few days, because I thought I was feeling so well. I started feeling jittery after a couple of days and even started crying uncontrollably one night. It was really weird--felt like I was going through some sort of detox program. I was miserable!!!

              My friend who's a doctor said I had come down too fast. So I went back to 10 mg every 8 hours for a couple of days, then every 12 hours, and now I've been off for 5 days. In the evening, I sometimes get achy and take a 5 mg oxycodone (those are instant release and only last 4 to 6 hours), but not every night. This seems to be working. I'm 7 weeks out now, and driving and even working a little.

              I sure hope that you can get past this quickly--judging from my "withdrawal" experience, it's not fun!

              Hugs,
              Lisa
              Lisa MS
              age 46

              Braced 1976 - 1980, corrected to 19" then
              Spinal fusion, a/p, 8 vertebrae, 11/17/08
              Lumbar curve was 57 degrees, now 24 degrees
              Dr. Doug Wong, Panorama Ortho, Golden, Colo.

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by LisaMS View Post
                Hi, Debbe,

                I agree, you're not addicted, it's just that your body has gotten used to having these medicines. At 5 weeks I tried to go from 20 mg oxycodone extended release (every 8 to 12 hours) to 10 mg and then to nothing in a few days, because I thought I was feeling so well. I started feeling jittery after a couple of days and even started crying uncontrollably one night. It was really weird--felt like I was going through some sort of detox program. I was miserable!!!

                My friend who's a doctor said I had come down too fast. So I went back to 10 mg every 8 hours for a couple of days, then every 12 hours, and now I've been off for 5 days. In the evening, I sometimes get achy and take a 5 mg oxycodone (those are instant release and only last 4 to 6 hours), but not every night. This seems to be working. I'm 7 weeks out now, and driving and even working a little.

                I sure hope that you can get past this quickly--judging from my "withdrawal" experience, it's not fun!

                Hugs,
                Lisa

                Thanks Lisa,

                I'm down to a short-acting pill every 17 hours. Today I'll go for 19. That last hour or so every time, I feel as you described. I'm hoping to be done in a week or so.
                __________________________________________
                Debbe - 50 yrs old

                Milwalkee Brace 1976 - 79
                Told by Dr. my curve would never progress

                Surgery 10/15/08 in NYC by Dr. Michael Neuwirth
                Pre-Surgury Thorasic: 66 degrees
                Pre-Surgery Lumbar: 66 degrees

                Post-Surgery Thorasic: 34 degrees
                Post-Surgery Lumbar: 22 degrees

                Comment


                • #9
                  I'm really glad you are aware and working on this. A woman in my family was on Oxycontin for chronic pain. She ended up taking more and more until she got kicked off the medical insurance for prescription abuse. She then started getting oxycontin on the street, and eventually ended up in a heroin/crack cycle. She passed away 3-1/2 years ago of a heroin overdose, on her daughter's 15th birthday. This is not something to take lightly. I will keep you in my prayers as you try to get off your meds, and please don't be embarrassed to ask for help. If my family member had asked for help at that point I really believe she would be alive and well today!
                  35 years old. Boston braced from age 11-16. S curve 37* thoracic, 29* lumbar. Right arm, right sided thorax pain.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    LeeJo...I'm so sorry for your relative's suffering and your loss. It's uncommon, but definitely a good reason for doctors to be reluctant to hand-out a lot of meds at once. I'm so sorry your family went through this tragedy....


                    Debbe - hate to hear you've come up against such an obstacle! But you sound like you're doing great, going that little bit longer between each dose. I'm sorry it's been rougher than we all hoped for you, but I hope you'll be off the pills & feeling well very soon now. And I'm with the others - addiction & physiological dependence are very different things. This is a mass of chemical reactions in your brain & body that you are not in control of, & you're doing great with what's been thrown your way. Please keep us posted - & please don't feel embarrassed about this - I'll bet it's more common than we'd think, & I have no doubt that your post has helped others who didn't want to post about having a similar problem.

                    Best wishes to you. Take care.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Addition least of my worries

                      I wish I could find something to relieve the pain I am having. I have posted before, so the background is there. Tried the injections, did not work. Tried the slow release morphine - helped some, but could not keep my eyes open when I got home from work, sometimes caught my self asleep at the computer at work. My pain management doctor tried to prescribe a drug that wouldx help keep me awake, don't recall the name right now, but the insurance company flat denied it and wanted me to go to a sleep clinic. The doctor and I both tried to explain that we know why I am falling asleep, to no avail.

                      Anyway, sort of in a hurry, but wanted to reply. Since I cannot take the morphine, I am taking ultram and percucet (excuse spelling). I am always in pain from my neck down to my legs. If the pain does subside some, I feel so exhausted I do not want to do anything. Still trying to work, but it is getting more and more difficult and I keep asking myself "why am I doing this?"

                      I am taking drugs so that I can work and go home and collapse. The scoliosis specialist did not recommend revision surgery.

                      Gotta get on the clock for now.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Update

                        again, thanks everyone for your replies. I'm down to one short-acting pill per day, as of today. Although this morning I didn't too much of the physical side effects, I was ready to rip anyone's head off who got in my way. Or even if they didn't. I was just CRANKY CRANKY CRANKY!!! Hubby thought I was PMS'ing, but I wasn't.

                        Hopefully within a week I can be totally done! I'm tired of feeling crazy.
                        __________________________________________
                        Debbe - 50 yrs old

                        Milwalkee Brace 1976 - 79
                        Told by Dr. my curve would never progress

                        Surgery 10/15/08 in NYC by Dr. Michael Neuwirth
                        Pre-Surgury Thorasic: 66 degrees
                        Pre-Surgery Lumbar: 66 degrees

                        Post-Surgery Thorasic: 34 degrees
                        Post-Surgery Lumbar: 22 degrees

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          You've done marvellously, Deb!

                          Glad you haven't needed the other med - it might have given you something else to deal with.
                          Surgery March 3, 2009 at almost 58, now 63.
                          Dr. Askin, Brisbane, Australia
                          T4-Pelvis, Posterior only
                          Osteotomies and Laminectomies
                          Was 68 degrees, now 22 and pain free

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            I'm so glad it's going better for you now, Debbe. Hooray! Just so some won't worry too much about the drug thing, everyone is different and some may need those meds longer. I took hydrocodone (Norco) for several months, along with gabapentin (Neurontin) and I didn't have any problems weaning off them. But my surgeon's nurse had me taper down on both strength as well as length of time between over several weeks.
                            71 and plugging along... but having some problems
                            2007 52° w/ severe lumbar stenosis & L2L3 lateral listhesis (side shift)
                            5/4/07 posterior fusion T2-L4 w/ laminectomies and osteotomies @L2L3, L3L4
                            Dr. Kim Hammerberg, Rush Univ. Medical Center in Chicago

                            Corrected to 15°
                            CMT (type 2) DX in 2014, progressing
                            10/2018 x-rays - spondylolisthesis at L4/L5 - Dr. DeWald is monitoring

                            Click to view my pics: pics of scoli x-rays digital x-rays, and pics of me

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              I think I did it!

                              today will be 3 days since my last pain pill. I was able to sleep through the whole night last night without waking up achy and restless. The chills are gone. Thank GOD! And I did it without that nasty blood pressure drug. Last week I was starting to think I was nuts and I thought I'd never be able to quit on my own. I can't believe that how far I came in just one week.

                              Oh--and I met my informal goal of being done by my 3 month post op date.

                              Thanks again,
                              __________________________________________
                              Debbe - 50 yrs old

                              Milwalkee Brace 1976 - 79
                              Told by Dr. my curve would never progress

                              Surgery 10/15/08 in NYC by Dr. Michael Neuwirth
                              Pre-Surgury Thorasic: 66 degrees
                              Pre-Surgery Lumbar: 66 degrees

                              Post-Surgery Thorasic: 34 degrees
                              Post-Surgery Lumbar: 22 degrees

                              Comment

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