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Posted 3/13/2013 4:00 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, been a long time since I have been on.

I have been on prescribed Vicodin 10 for 6 years...ranging from 4 - to 8 half doses per day

I decided a couple weeks ago I had enough and started tapering.

Yesterday was my first day with 0

I am holding together pretty OK but am wondering if there are any out there who can tell me when I will feel normal again.  I cant focus, I have no drive, or desire to get anything done.

I have plenty of the medication sitting here and have no desire to take it I am withdrawing by choice not out of necessity.

Any feedback?

Thanks !!!!!

Su

 

Posted 3/13/2013 4:55 PM (GMT 0)
If you did the tapering properly, then it should be a few days to a week before you start feeling better, and then after that it can take a bit of time before you get your own endorphins to kick back in and you start to feel a bit more energetic.
It really depends on the individual, the medications involved and the normal amount of meds you were taking and how long.
Hang in there, physical activity does help speed up your body's ability to kick start the endorphins again.
Posted 3/13/2013 5:02 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for chiming in....I don't know what is tapering proper, I just reduced by as much as I could as fast as I could and did not go back up. When I hit my first 0 day I felt as though Id been rolled over by a steam roller.

I thought about exercising and I have a reall nice elliptical sitting right here but I cant get on it....no drive :(

Oh and then there is the pain....its back, not sure how I am gonna deal with it.  Ignoring it so far not so helpful I think. Don't know what happen to my signature....severely crushed right foot....CRPS right foot and leg, mirrored pain left foot.

Su

Post Edited (pieceOfCRPS) : 3/13/2013 11:06:23 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 3/13/2013 5:14 PM (GMT 0)
Are you doing this under your Dr's supervision?

It's one of those things with exercise that we just have to push ourselves and then we will feel better in the long run. Start small by just telling yourself that you will get on the elliptical or go for a walk for 10 minutes....that's it.

Then do that for a few days and then add another 5 minutes....etc.

I don't think there are a lot of people who just LOVE exercise...LOL...I mean, I like the feeling afterwards but I definitely have to push myself each day. Thankfully I have a dog who gives me "the look" which helps me:)

Also make sure you are staying well hydrated, especially as many people have more bowel movements when going off opiates.

Keep to eating complex carbs mixed with a protein at each meal and it's even best to eat smaller meals/snacks throughout the day to keep your metabolism up.

Take a multivitamin and one that has extra B in it.

This is why I recommend doing this with your Dr's knowledge and making sure that you are monitored properly.

As well as they can help you find other non narcotic ways to help your pain. This is something that most of us do anyway so that we never rely solely on our opiate to get the pain down to a decent level.

Good luck!
Posted 3/13/2013 5:35 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks! I will start a B vitamin.

No I didn't contact my doc. His answer Im sure would have been Methadone and I just didn't want to go there.

I was approved fro a SCS but don't know if I wan to go there either. I think I can control my pain by managing my time on the foot. I hope any how.

Thanks so much.....Please keep it coming.

Su
Posted 3/13/2013 5:44 PM (GMT 0)
I have been taking 1500mg of calcium and d3,as well as 1000mg of magnesium, and a multivitamin. I have been tampering off of targin (long release), and I feel great so far. No withdraw so far. This weekend I will be cutting down on my breakthrough med (oxycodone), so I will see how that goes for me. I started taking the butrans patch 5-10mcg, and don't forget have a need for all my pain pills now.

I did some research on the magnesium and calcium supplements, and found that the magnesium helps with anxiety and other withdraw symptoms. My mom takes magnesium, and she says without it. She would not be able to function.

Something to think about. I wish you all the best.
Posted 3/13/2013 5:49 PM (GMT 0)
I guess I would say that I would be seeking another Dr. if they would force you to go on a much stronger medication when you are telling them you want to be off all opiates! That is just awful...Isn't your Dr. going to wonder when you never come back for appts. or going to fill your medication?

Most PMs (or other Drs.) would be happy to try and help their patients deal with their pain by taking the least amount of medications as they can.

My PM has known this about me and this is why I've stayed at the same dosages for over 3 and 1/2 years now...as I know that if I am going to have truly "chronic" pain...that I want to use as many modalities as possible to help my pain so I don't just reach for my meds.

And if you are doing great in the long run without the meds and really don't have a lot of nerve pain...then the SCS doesn't seem to make sense. However, if nerve pain is the true source/majority of your pain, opiates like Vicodin don't do much for that anyway.

It's medications like Cymbalta, Lyrica and Neurontin. Or, the SCS unit really does help those with that type of pai but it's usually a choice after trying the meds mentioned and not having them work.

I certainly hope that you are successful in all this and can manage your pain naturally!
Posted 3/13/2013 6:06 PM (GMT 0)
Well, its about half in half Id say, half nerve pain (sometimes more depending on circumstances) and half just due severe muscle and soft tissue damage from the injury. Probably much like chronic arthritis.

I though to it was a big jump to Methadone last year when my PM doc suggested that route. I scared me and I went straight to my pharmacist who I trust and he said, wow, that's a big jump. Then he said, people that go on this never go off, and I knew it was not for me.

I did try Lyrica and Neurontin, and did not tolerate them well, too many side affects, so I started on the Vicodin with the plan that I could take it for short term pan relief only and that's the way it started but it never controlled the pain enough to get my work done at work but when I kept a good even keel of it in my system, I found it to control it pretty darn good as long as I didn't try to stand in one place too long.

So here I am 6+ years later and I know I am not myself any more. And it is frustrating.

Su
Posted 3/13/2013 6:20 PM (GMT 0)
I don't agree with his comment about "those who go on Methadone never go off it"...It's not any different than someone taking many of the stronger pain meds, it would just take a longer tapering down period if/when someone wants to go off the med. It just has a longer "half-life" which means that it stays in your system longer. This is what makes it such a good pain reliever for those with chronic pain....but it's definitely not the next step after Vicodin, that's for sure!

Many people have side effects with the nerve pain meds but they usually go away after a month or so....So not sure how long you stayed on them. I was on Cymbalta for about 3 years and it did a great job on my nerve pain. Thankfully my last fusion helped take care of the majority of that type of pain so I went off the medication. That is another one that takes time to taper down safely.

Anyway, I would look into getting a new PM Dr. and telling them what your plan is for wanting to try and make it without any medication because I just think not having a Dr. you have trust in that actually "hears" you is not good. They should be able to provide you with a good, comprehensive, plan that works for you.
Posted 3/13/2013 9:33 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much everyone, you have given me a lot to think about and a bit of direction.

Grateful,
Su
Posted 3/13/2013 9:34 PM (GMT 0)
SB is right. My wife was on methadone for over a year and she was able to get off it rather easily. She just tapered down.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 3/13/2013 11:46 PM (GMT 0)
Many Drs use methadone in a 21 day take down for people who need to be weaned off other opiates that have been on them for many years..

It can be challenging for someone who has been on say morphine at high doses for 7 -8 yrs to wean off the morphine.You can be switched to methadone immediately and taken off the morphine and will experience no withdrawals whatever then taken down in 21 days to no methadone and then started on whatever new med you will be using.

It's alot more comfortable to do it this way and no pain to suffer from. Many Drs use methadone this way and to say you can never get off is simply untrue.

There are however many profit methadone clinics charging cash only at $20 a day for an addict to stay clean and I'm sure that you might be encouraged by them to stay on forever.

By the way I have been on as much as 160mgs of methadone over the last ten years and am now on 40mgs a day and use no b/t meds at all. I will include my signature in this post so you can see my history,pretty low dose pain control from everything I deal with.
Posted 3/14/2013 7:36 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks again, all of you have offered great information. Which is why I come here when I am having trouble. :)

Su
Posted 3/14/2013 9:02 PM (GMT 0)
I know the hell of it I was on 100mcg fentanyl every 48 hrs , 30 mg oxy 3-4 times a day past 12 years, cut myself back to 50 mcg fentanyl every 72 and 10 mg perc 3 times aday then went off 100% after 3 weeks spent 2 weeks dry and couldn't take the pain went back to 50 fentanyl every 48 and 10 mg perc twice a day. Good luck. L5 L4 ect. 5 surgeries, incl. 2 fusions, and massive H.A. with CAB x2
Posted 3/14/2013 9:51 PM (GMT 0)
Well, I am feeling a bit better, I don't really feel like I am being rolled over any more, still some symptoms like running nose and eyes and confusion. Mostly now just absolutley no drive. AND HEADACHE !!  Tomorrow and next week will be the real test as I have to return to work, and actually do some.

Pain is already getting to me...I am determined though to find an alternative!

Su
Posted 3/14/2013 10:01 PM (GMT 0)
I know I mentioned it before but hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! It's critical...

One of the best drinks that I take when feeling awful is VitaCoCo....It has lots of postassium and electrolytes and natural coconut water. So much healthier and better than Gatorade.

And then even taking regular Tylenol to help, this along with hydration should help with the headaches.
Posted 3/14/2013 10:56 PM (GMT 0)
Where do you get VitaCoCo? I don't think I have ever saw that.
Posted 3/14/2013 11:02 PM (GMT 0)
I've found it at WholeFoods near me...but you can go to their website and see where else they sell them.
Posted 3/14/2013 11:06 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, I was hoping that was what you would say. I have one near the office, I will go find it tomorrow !

Thank you !

Su
Posted 3/15/2013 3:22 AM (GMT 0)
My advice may not be as popular. I believe its important to be under direct doctors supervision when trying to get off those types of drug. Self-tapering plans can be dangerous. I understand you desire to be off the meds, but would only do it with my doctor's advice and blessing so to speak. Lot of things can go wrong, I am not one to take chances on my own with meds.

I hope it continues to go well for you. You said the pain is coming back, so what is your answer for dealing with increasing pain levels?

david
Posted 3/15/2013 12:39 PM (GMT 0)
I had intended to go to the doc originally, but my insurance is such that I jst didn't want to waste a visit. What can go wrong at this point?


I am working my way through all symptoms,,,was starting to feel better yesterday a bit now today diarrhea. Hopefully this is the last one....

I am dealing OK with the pain at the moment.....although now I realize its fairly new again in full force, but I have plenty of remembrance of it early on so I am a bit concerned. Luckily my job is very flexible and I do not have to answer to anyone so I can limit my time on my feet. Luckily.

Thanks
Su
Posted 3/15/2013 5:03 PM (GMT 0)
got the VitaCoCo - not bad.....at least not horrible :)
Posted 3/15/2013 5:12 PM (GMT 0)
My favorite flavor is the Tangerine...I also dilute it with my regular water. Yeah...it's not like a soft drink or Kool-Aid...LOL.....But the hydration and health benefits from it is worth every sip:)
Posted 3/15/2013 8:02 PM (GMT 0)
I understand wanting to be med free, I think all of us wish we did not need so many meds to live our "as normal as possible" lives. I know I've had my moments of just wanting to get off everything and dang the consequences, because I convince myself I'm starting to feel better and could do without them.

But, then reality kicks in and I know the only reason I feel better IS the meds (in combo with everything else I do) and if I stopped them, it would be like doing a backslide down the mountain I can finally see the top of.

If you're concerned about the pain coming back full force, why are you stopping completely?

Has the reason for your pain been resolved?

I'd just hate to see you starting all over again on the pain roller coaster.
Posted 3/15/2013 9:40 PM (GMT 0)
No it has not been resolved. It never will be.

I just hate them, I hate that I am not myself. I hate that I look at things incorrectly when I am on them. I am a professional business woman and I cant keep screwing up.

I don't know what I will do about the pain. First step is to try to lose some weight, I could stand to lose quite a bit, that and exercise, perhaps will help.

There was a day when I was younger when I would have smoked snorted or taken anything I could get my hand on, but now, I am a different person and I just don't want this stuff in my body.

Crappy day :(

Su
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