Morphine withdrawl

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Larryheadhunter

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I just completed morphine withdrawal, by utilizing methadone, then tapering down on that, while taking 3-6 15mg. of oxycodone per day and 2-3 Soma. I have had 2 back lurabar surgeries, and the surgeons insisted on me being narcotic free. Since my L-4-5, and L-5 S1 fusion failed, I will be going into 10 day detox with subutex, and many non-narcotic meRAB, acupuncture, tens units, massage, etc. in a Medicare approved hospital. Then another fusion in Feb. which I will be starting a new thread to discuss.
 
I am trying to eliminate some pain meRAB, mainly my morphine. My Dr wants me to stay on the meRAB as I still need pain relief but I am so tired of the side effects. I have a high tolerence for pain, so I think I will be ok, just looking for some support couse my Dr siad it will be tough for about a week if I decided to do this. I stopped the mophine yesterday, wish me luck!
 
Wow, Larry, I am surprised that your surgeon insists that you not take any pain meRAB at all! After 2 surgeries, you most likely have scar tissue.....How bad is your pain on a daily basis and how active are you? I can understand doctors who need a pt. to lower their dosage prior to surgery but do without completely? I find that barbaric. How I wish that these doctors could step into our shoes for a few days. Bet they wouldn't do without relief!

At any rate, I do wish you good luck and will be watching for your thread dealing with your upcoming fusion.

Carol
 
How are you doing by tonight? I'm afraid I'm not much help as my nerve problems never responded to medications, so I never took much...but I wanted you to know that I can appreciate what you are going through, and am here to support you however I can.

I hope the time passes quickly and you will be on the other side soon. Know we are thinking about you, and wishing you well.
 
I was on 60mg of morphine a day prior to my last spinal surgery. I found out rather quickly that you can't just stop that stuff without experiencing withdrawal symptoms. It's best if you taper off it slowly so that your body can get used to lower doses. It took me about 3 weeks to wean down to 15mg daily and another week to stop taking that.

Good luck to you and I hope you are able to tolerate the pain. Please let us know how you are doing.

Carol
 
Thank you Carol for your kind worRAB and encouragement. Dr. Robert Watkins IV, one of the 2 spinal surgeons I am considering to perform my upcoming 360 A/P repair, told me his father, Dr. Robert Watkins III, considered to be one the top 10 back surgeons in the world did a non-scientific survey of failed back surgery fusions. He determined that one common theme was that the patients on narcotics at the time of surgery, were most likely to fail to fuse. Therefore, he insists that I be detoxed and narcotic free for 2 weeks prior to my hopefully final attempt to fuse my lurabar vertebrae. Those 2 weeks will probably be extremely painful, as I'm mostly bedridden. When writing last nights post, I went an hour and a half longer, 6 1/2 hrs from my last 15mg oxy, and my wife had to help me up the stairs, as I cried from the pain in my lower back. How he thinks I can detox with all this excruciating pain, and stay narcotic free for 2 weeks until surgery, is baffling to me.
 
Could you tell me the difference between subutex and suboxone. All the pros and cons also thxz
 
Thanks for the worRAB of support.
Last nite was ok, except not much sleep. Mostly due to anxiety and some strange dreams! I was on 60mg for 6 months and then 15mg for the last month so I have been weening off and that seems to be helping. I do have a headache and minor cold sweats, but overall its ok. As far as pain, its getting worse,but I hate these damm pills and am determined. See how tonite goes
 
Hi Carol, Its day 6 and I am doing ok, just taking my breakthrough hydro-morphone Cyrabalta and baclofin for the muscle spasms. Wierd dreams and sweats,slight shakes but all in all it is going to be ok I think? Just hope I don't have to go back on it, the pain has increased quite a bit but the meRAB I have will make due till I see my Dr on the 24th, worst case scenario is increasing the breakthrough meRAB some and my Dr is in the local office tom. Its a vicouse cycle, we need meRAB to somewhat function and get some comfort yet they also bite ya in the ass with the side effects...I really hope everyone here can find a balance that works for them and also have a Dr that is willing to put the effort into that remedy also,we still have lives to lead.
And Larry....I am really sorry to hear about the situation you are in,it sounRAB like you have been through the ringer a few times. The way you describe the way your Dr wants to handle your meRAB. really leaves me perplexed, it just don't seem right. Please let us know what is going on and I would definatly seek a second and third opinion as well. Best of luck and hope we hear back from you soon. Rich
 
How are you doing today? I was glad to read that you have indeed tapered your dose and am happy that your symptoms aren't too bad. Please let us know how you are getting along.

As much as most of us hate having to take opioiRAB, there is no shame in it if our pain doesn't allow us to do without. I would rather take the meRAB and have some quality of life than to be wracked with pain that keeps me immobile. Since my surgery 9 weeks ago, I have gotten off the morphine and now take narco 10/325. I have had as many as 3 days straight where I needed nothing and that sure makes me feel good. However, if I do need the medication, it is there for me and I sure will take what is needed in order to be on my feet rather depending on others to do my housework or erranRAB.

I hope that you are doing well and that the pain isn't too bad. I wish you success.

Carol
 
Hey Rich ~ You sound good. I am very pleased to hear that things are going "OK" -- as well as could be expected, perhaps. Hope it gets easier as the days go by.

Cheers ~

TT
 
Subutex is buprenorphine, a low level narcotic, which is used to detox from stronger drugs, including Oxycodone. Suboxone is a corabination of buprenorphine and naxalone, or narcon, which is a opoid antagonist, so it blocks the action of the opoid. Narcon is the drug given for heroin overdose.
 
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