Still struggling with med taper

melodyl · #1 (**permalink**) 04-27-2009, 04:53 AM

I'm really happy for those of you who have recently had ADR surgery and are on your way to a pain free life. I would have posted more positive comments to each of you individually .....but I am still struggling with withdrawal issues that are causing me to feel miserable more than I am comfortable with. I am now almost 4 months from my 3 level cervical ADR surgery and am already relatively pain free.....except for the withdrawal problems. I took off my last (12mcg) fentanyl patch a few days ago. Since I still have oxycodone, I didn't anticipate having such a problem. Unfortunately...even using extra oxy (and some clonidine and lorazapam....recently added to the mix to help with withdrawal symptoms), I still spent the better part of two day sweating (had to change 3 x one night), chills, as well as extreme fatigue and anxiety and depression. I finally pulled myself out of bed and into the shower today and managed to accomplish a few household chores and even got outside into the sun for a little while. I would like to hear from others out there about there tapering or withdrawal stories after surgery....especially from people who have made it to the other side of narcotics and are free from the control they had on you and your life. To anyone who is relatively pain free and no longer having to see a dr. for pain management issues every month....I could use some encouragement. Thanks to everyone here! This group is such a huge source of support for me! Melody

Terry Allen Blackburn · #2 (**permalink**) 04-27-2009, 05:00 AM

Melody:

I would encourage you to see if you can find a physician to put you on Suboxone. Try Suboxone.com - Office-Based Treatment for Opioid Dependence, put in your zip code to find a physician close to you, advise him/her what you are going through and that you want the Suboxone for two reasons, one is for continued pain and the other is to make the withdrawals easier. Hang in there and you can do it.

Terry Newton

Katie · #3 (**permalink**) 04-27-2009, 05:37 AM

Terry, is that the one that my PM doctor told me about? I forgot the name. She really was excited to have access to it up here finally, and had really good things to say about it in regards to reducing or eliminating withdrawal symptoms.

I wish you much luck in getting this under control, Melody. It was one of my concerns until I talked to my doctor about it. I'm glad to know that there is help when my turn comes.

Maria · #4 (**permalink**) 04-27-2009, 04:26 PM

I cannot offer you stories of my successful withdrawl but I can only state that my PM mentioned the same medication Terry did for withdrawls if and when that time comes and I have known of persons with successful opioid ceasation utilizing Suboxone.

Glad to hear your cervical surgery is such a success and sorry the drug withdrawl is so icky.. I know when I've tried to take myself down from an already low dose it's been really nasty for me.

melodyl · #5 (**permalink**) 04-28-2009, 04:03 AM

Thanks Terry, Kate and Maria! Today is a little/lot better! I went to work and other than a little headache, fatigue and loss of appetite, the day seemed like a fairly normal work day. I'm hoping the worst is behind me I DID make an appt.a with a UWMC pain management dr. who specializes in narcotic tapering. I can't get in until May 18....but that is ok...it will give my body that much more time to adjust to no more fentanyl. The closest major pain management center to where I live is over 80 miles away which means a day off of work, but I'm hoping the consultation will be worth it. I'm not sure why, but I feel resistant to going from fentanyl and oxycodone to suboxone. Worried, I guess about trading one problem for another. Maybe I'm naive to think I can do this without using suboxone or methadone or inpatient help....but I've made it this far and if I can do the rest without getting dependent on another medication, I think I'll be happier in the long run. I really dislike having to go to the dr. to get my scripts every month. I'd like to do some more traveling.....and don't like the idea of planning vacations around picking up pills every month. I know there are lots of people here who take pain medication daily....and that has been the story of my life for the last 5 years....but I'm ready for a change. Just not sure my body is going to agree with me on this decision. I'll try to keep everyone updated on my taper (or decision to try an alternative is that is what the specialist and I agree on). I appreciate all of you! By for now! Melody

Katie · #6 (**permalink**) 04-28-2009, 06:20 PM

From everything I know and have seen from others trying to get off the heavy meds without help, it is very hard on your body. Please be careful and ask your doctor about the 'in between' drug, which I've been told is not addictive, just helps your body adjust to the reduction in narcotics. If he doesn't know about it, then find someone who does.

We depend on our bodies for so much...I tend to be kind to mine, or at least not abuse it if possible

I want it to last as long as possible, because I have experienced what happens when I treat it badly

I'm glad you are feeling better and hope you continue on the uphill climb!