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oxycodone withdrawal

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Posted 10/20/2007 4:07 PM (GMT 0)
My boyfriend has stage 4 throat cancer. He is in constant pain from all of the surgeries/treatments and takes 60 mg in the morning and then maybe 30mg in the afternoon. Two days ago he ran out and we couldn't get to the dr. to refill the prescription in time. He went without it for a little over 24 hours. Yesterday morning, we refilled the scrip, but by the time he took it, he was already feeling sick...sweating, lightheaded, etc. We went to the ER and they gave him 2 bags of fluids and anti-nausea medicine. After we got home he started vomiting. I called the hospital and they said that this was normal. Since he has throat cancer, his throat is very small from the radiation and scar tissue build up. He has vomited only twice since I have known him (3 yrs+) and it is a scary experience, since he could start choking very easily. He has also been without oxycodone for 24 hours before, and the vomiting did not happen. Sorry for the long explanation, but my question is, do most people vomit and have flu like symptoms from not having oxy for 24 hours? Should I try to have him take his normal dose this morning to get it back in his system? Is it bad for him to take it with nothing in his stomach? I should also mention that he can not swallow pills and everything he eats needs to be in liquid form and mild in flavor/texture. Thanks for your help.
erin
Posted 10/20/2007 6:06 PM (GMT 0)

Erin, yeah going without the oxy could have caused the nausea, if he has been on it for awhile. I don't mean to butt in, but with stage 4 cancer, I would think his doc would have him on different pain meds, like a long acting and something for breakthrough.  It's terrible that he had to wait and go without his meds.  I'm so sorry you guys had to go through that.  If he was on a long acting pain med, he would keep a more even level of meds in his system and then when the pain breaks through that, he would take a short acting pain med. It might give him much better control of his pain.  Of course I am assuming here so if his pain is controlled, forget I said anything.

Also while I've already given unsolicited advice :-) does his doc prescribe him something for nausea? That way you might not have to have runs to the ER.

By the way, I have had cancer (stage 3) as well, so I know how hard it is.

Take care

Melissa

Posted 10/20/2007 11:11 PM (GMT 0)

Hello Erin,

I'm so sorry to hear that your boyfriend has cancer. 

I've been taking slow-release Morphine 30 mg twice daily since mid-2005 for chronic pain, and I have been told by both doctors and my pharmacist that it is unwise to miss even one dose because I may experience withdrawal effects.  I was also told by my pharmacist that the withdrawal effects can depend on what dose you are taking, as well as how long you have been taking it.

I also agree with Melissa, regarding the long-acting pain medication, and that it would be a good idea to have a prescription anti-nauseant on hand.  I have tried Zofran for nausea, and it worked well with no side effects (although it is expensive).

Posted 10/21/2007 12:44 AM (GMT 0)
Erp,Hi and welcome to the forum.I am so sorry to hear that your boyfriend has cancer.We all react differently to meds and I my self see a few time's that I went a couple of day's before getting my pain meds and for me each time was different.My advise is to make sure that he get's his pain meds filled the day befor he runs out so he will not have to go though this again.LIke he others have said that it would be a good thing if he can get his doctor to script something for nausea.I have used Zofran but it is expensive though so I use phenergan (I have Crohns)and I have been on this for over four years and it sure does help.I hope that he get's to feeling better and please let us know how he is doing from time to time.
Posted 10/22/2007 3:06 PM (GMT 0)
erp..... It's very normal for all the symptoms you described when your body comes off of opiates after being use to having them for so long. IT's an addiction both physically and mentally. It would help to get some back in his system ASAP. I know for me anyway, other than fighting off the pain i get relief from the Flu like stuff within 15 minutes of taking my meds after being out for a couple days.

Like mentioned above, try and scheduall to get in a day or 2 early so that he will not have to deal with the withdrawals. Especially with the throat cancer, i'm sure that vomiting and the acids from his stomach are probably more dangerous to him than other people like myself who suffer from things in other parts of the body ( knee, hip and back in my case)

You said he's on Oxycodone, oxy is water soluable so you could easily crush the pills up and mix them in with some water (or better yet a carbonated beverage like coke if he can drink it) The coke or pepsi will help the meds act faster or so i've read on the web.

I wish you both the best, cancer runs rampid in my family and i've delt with it from every angle including a cancerous cyst that i had removed and then had to go through 6 months of chemo to stop any chance of spreading even after the cyst was removed. The chemo is hell and i wouldn't wish that on anyone.... take care of him as i'm sure he needs and apreciates it, but don't forget to look after yoruself as well so you don't start to resent him from spending too much time looking after him and letting your needs be fullfilled.
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