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switching from Vicodin to Dilaudid - will I go through withdrawal???

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Posted 5/14/2016 11:04 PM (GMT 0)
I'm switching from Vicodin (about 80mgs a day or so) to Dilaudid. Will I go through withdrawal? I know it's actually a stronger opiate, but I'm very concerned about withdrawal because I'm getting ready to go out of town for work. Ultimately I want to get off opiates all together if possible and am considering switching to medical marijuana. For now I need to know if this switch to diaudid will be a smooth transition since they are in the same family of medication. I'm hoping so and am scared.
Posted 5/15/2016 8:21 AM (GMT 0)
Melissa, I understand your concern. Last year I was hospitalized due to an infection in my gall bladder brought on by a biologic I was taking. I had to have my gall bladder removed with an emergency surgery and had been taking vicodin 10 mg 4x a day for two years at that point. The hospital substituted Dilaudid in place of it after the surgery and I had no issues at all.

After I was released I transitioned back to the vicodin with no problem.

I also tried MM at the suggestion of my Doctor to look at an alternative to the vicodin. I have RA and what I found was that it actually increased my pain levels of all things. Not a little either, a lot. Also, I still work and I could not perform my job while on it because it made me more mentally fuzzy than the vicodin.

I hope this isn't the case for you but I just wanted to throw it out there. I know many people are able to find relief using it and not having to deal with the side effects of opiates is certainly a plus. Take care.
Posted 5/15/2016 1:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Melissa.Welcome to Healing well.

I can't imagine you having any withdrawals.

Before a surgery I was switched from Morphine IR 30 mg x4 to Dilaudid 4 mg x 4.It was a smooth transition.

Best of luck
Posted 5/15/2016 3:16 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you. That's really helpful. I'm nervous about going out of town. I'm not sure if MM will work for me during the day or not either, but there are options that have very little THC so it doesn't cause the high feeling when you use it. Hopefully that will work during the day. Very nervous because once I make the jump I'm afraid I'll get kicked out of pain management, and then if the MM doesn't work for me I'll have a real problem!!! So confused.
Posted 5/15/2016 4:39 PM (GMT 0)
Well whatever you choose I would be very open and forthright with you PM Doc. I would not jeopardize your agreement with them in any way.

Your mileage may vary with the supposed low THC MM but in my case it did not help and still left me fuzy feeling. Granted, I have zero tolerance for it. Personally, until products are being made by reputable companies from MM that are prescribed from my Doctor I will remain skeptical as to their effectiveness.
Posted 5/15/2016 4:40 PM (GMT 0)
Melissa,please don't risk getting dismissed from your Pain Management.

If you think worrying about switching from one pain med to another may cause withdrawals.Think about what shape you'd be in with no Pain Management.

If you're in a MM State your PMD may be OK with it.Ask first.

IMO,there's no way MM could take the place of an Opiate Pain Med.Used with Pain Meds MM works.

Something to consider.

Good luck with whichever course you go.
Posted 5/17/2016 4:05 AM (GMT 0)
Yeah, I am nervous and unsure about it. I'm honestly afraid to even ask. From what I understand 99% of PM doctors are against MM even though studies show that there are fewer overdose deaths in states that have legal MM and they ARE supposed to work well together (with pain meds), causing a lot of people to need much fewer pills.
Posted 5/17/2016 5:57 AM (GMT 0)
I personally have felt stronger relief with Dilaudid than Vicodin. The only thing I would be concerned about is if you have to drive. Be sure you are okay with the Dilaudid before driving. You might ask your pharmacist how much difference they would expect between the dosages of the two medications.

I also am interested in how MM would work. I have been fortunate to stay on low doses of pain meds for relatively short periods of time after surgeries, but with all of the publicity on overdoses these days, I think it would be worth talking to someone about - maybe not the doctor you receive your pain medicine from.

After reading this, I realized I made it sound like I only took pain med with surgery. I take them occasionally with my chronic pain, but I have been fortunate to not have to take them all of the time. I use them PRN as rarely as once or twice a month, so have not really ever been concerned about addiction or overdose.

Post Edited (Lucy777) : 5/17/2016 12:01:42 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/17/2016 2:02 PM (GMT 0)
Melissa, the above posters are correct about having your PM dr on board with the MM. In todays environment if a patient gets kicked to the curb by their dr, the odds are not very good a new dr would be willing to see you. If a new dr is found he most likely would cut your vicodin way down. I am really surprised the current dr is rxing 80mg a day.

Take care.
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