24 hrs into med change. Ugh!!

I'd like to send a shout out to everyone that has given me "real", compassionate encouragement and advice that has come from all of your personal fiery trials and experience. You all have been so awesome to take the time to chime in (esp. those in present pain). I have "never" used a forum before and came upon you all by googling questions about my condition. You became a supportive answer to my agonizing cry for help, and "How long!!!!!" Its been the worst ordeal in my life and your support has meant a lot. Was transitioning from 10yr methadone to percs (don't recommend ever). Something about my system and well-entrenched methadone monster was making me resistant to expected benefits of benzos and other w/d aids, had adverse effect, they made the rocking, kicking, restlessness, body spasms extremely worse and made my mind racy. Because of your input I was able to be more well informed about my condition and get on Opana ER (my 2nd day and feeling better, appetite returning). Without that info my "doc" was going to put me back on methadone which was insane after all the torment I had gone through, ER visit, vomiting, pain, etc. I am genuinely thankful to you all and humbled by the sacrifice of time you put into this forum. Bless you all.

-Mike

Thank you Sean your information and expertise has been invaluable in this thread as well.

Im sure I've not seen the end to this battle yet since I'm currently still on the Butrans with Norco as a rescue med. Butrans is not the best of choices in a pain relieving med and after the holidays and everything returns to normal at my PM Doc I will set upon my search for a better pain relief. I've always had a hard time with meds that have a CNS effect and to extremes others dont experience. They think the fact I had encephalitis may play some role in that but it's anybody's guess?

We dont want to play too long on the hydrocodone as I tend to build tolerance to it really fast. I would however like to try the Zohydro if my Dr agrees to it.

Mike, KT, we all have went to war her and it looks as though we lived to tell the tale! I however dont wish to ever do that again!! I'm still having nightmares that I wake and think my legs are going to start jumping again, then remember I dont do that anymore! I know you know?? Right?

Kt I hope your Dr helped you out today so you can enjoy the holidays a little better.

The thing about the forum is everything we post is archived so years from now if someone whose in the same boat we just got off of "Google's " methadone /withdrawal they will find this thread and so it keeps on helping!

I've been at HW since 07 and have met and made many awesome ppl. All filled with compassion, empathy, all around generally care when someone is hurting. Each of us have worn those shoes. Sharing our experiences,and trials and tribulations is therapy for us and as much a part of our healing process as our therapy, meds, injections, and surgeries.

Without healingwell many of us wouldn't be as functional and and progressive as we are.

This is our home, a safe place to come when the world around us has turned dark. This is the place filled with people who understand when I say "this is a crazy life ". These are the folks who will pray for me, hope for me and have faith in me.

They fill my pain, so they know first hand my joys.

I'm glad we were here for you Mike, Kt, and look forward to spending many more times with you when we can share laughter and hope instead of empathy for your hump in the road.

I've always stolen Motel 6's motto, This is CP, where we leave the light on for you!!

i am not sure if i am calling Mike Vickie and/or Vickie by name of Mike. i feel bad about that but i am so happy that today the tide is starting to turn. i have looked ahead all night with the hope that not only the abstinence syndrome came to an end but that you are starting to have pain free/managed hours, even if one hour a day that is an amazing advance. you are tougher than i. like i said in that "state of being" i could not and would not type my name or answer the phone. you have inspired me and what a perfect day to give thanks. NICK PS: i believe now your brain is firing on all cylinders you may enjoy reading one or two legit clinical documents addressed to physicians and patients/patient families by Forest Tennant MD, one of the strongest advocates on our team. "The Intractable Pain Patient's Handbook For Survival" even: JFK's and Howard Hughes chronic pain tales and the hero physicians that made the difference in their life. Dr. Janet Paschall (sp?) treated JFK and brought him from a pain ridden shell of a Senator to 1000days in the White House without a sick day during times of stress. again so happy for you!

Ok now that we know whose who here! Lol Pretty sure we all had days we didn't know our own names??

This thread as great as its been has run over into 4 pages, goes to show the kind of support CP folks are willing to offer! When threads get this long it bogs down the forum and causes pages to load slow, or not at all.

That being said I will lock this one for archives and we will move to start a new one.

Looking forward to seeing you all in the next chapter of this saga!