Anyone else take 8 mg dilauded? Do I have to be hospitalized to get off of it?

Hello. I'm new so please be kind:) have bad plate in my neck and chronic pain, fibromyalgia..have been in physical hell for 10 years. I don't want another surgery. They would have to cut from c-2 all the way down to c-7. I'm scared of this surgery. It isn't urgent that the plate be replaced but I have two herniated discs above the existing plate. Stabbing nerve pain....One can imagine the agony. Mentally I am well, have loving understanding teenage boys and a husband who is patient with me. I am a happy person just got a messed up body that frustrates me. I hide my pain well. My dilauded has increased from 4 mg to 8 mg. I take it when I need it and winter, rainy weather...ugh...makes the pain go way high. I believe my Lord is a better doctor and I'm expecting a miracle and want to avoid surgery, so I'm thinking of when it's time to get off dilauded, will I have to be in a hospital? Someone told me that I would have to withdraw in a hospital. Does anyone know if this is the case?

Dilaudid or Morphine, the short-acting drugs, (although potent), can be rotated to Buprenorphine as "Subutex" or "Suboxone" as long as the dose of Dilaudid you last had is run it's course and you almost feel the start of physical withdrawal like discomfort, mild nausea, sweaty palms, or just the feeling that the time to take your dose has come, (then wait a few hours to be safe). then begin the taper schedule maybe with extras like clonidine by patch or tablet, Vistaril or Phenergan as nausea and nerve agents. many people do this without any uncomfortable feelings at all. if you were dealing with Methadone or Fentanyl patch it is tough. in my opinion doctors that want you to go 3 days and have no opioid in your system prior to starting the Suboxone taper is crazy. in my area mental health doctors who offer detox for addicts do that. you are a pain patient who needs a different type of plan, pain and addiction specialist may be better. if you are still having pain don't feel pressure to get off the meds because you will open yourself to the possibilty of rusting and hardwiring of pain on the brain. also endocrine exhaustion. you will be shocked at how the Dilaudid can be discontinued without toture and at home.

Welcome Jeannette to the CP forum and I also would hold off that surgery for as long as possible. We see far too many people who suffer more post-op then ever before with the extensive procedures and the rehab road back will be long and difficult. You sound as if you are managing well as is and living life in spite of the pain and thats what we try to do here,give folks the tools through support and advice and experience to do that.

As Susie and SS said you have been given some bad info and many here have come off far greater doses of opiates at home,working with a Dr just make sure he is onboard and willing to help you or find one who is. There's no need to suffer withdrawals with the meds out there now to prevent that should you not be able to back down off on your own. It will take some time and patience from your family and you but remember you didn't get to that dose in a day. Good luck and welcome.

Hey Jeanette.
Welcome to HW.I limp with a bad knee that will have to be replaced one day.My Lumbar is going to require surgery one day also.

I'm putting those off as long as I can.

I used to take Opana ER and 2 mg Dilaudid 4 x a day.I told my PMD that I could hear myself breathing and she switched me to MSContin 30 mg x 2 and Morphine IR 15 mg x 4.

It provides pretty good pain relief but I'd probably rather take the Dilaudid.

I've accepted that I'm probably going to be in Pain Management for the rest of my life.And that's OK.

I hope you don't allow yourself to be in pain.If you need to take pain medicine to have a better quality of life,that's fine.

Glad you're here and make yourself at home.

Take care,

Rick

Thank you both so much. Having a rough time today. Still awake! What is oPana? Sometimes the dilauded makes me itch. Did either of you have that side affect and what did you take? I take benadryl it since I went from 4 to 8 I'm itching.i would take as prescribed and have a lot less pain except for itching. Thanks for the warm welcome!