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I know it sounds like a daft question but does anyone know how long this lasts if someone quits strong pain  drugs cold turkey please.

Would really really appreciate the help.

XX Jeannine

Nothing personal to add but might be some useful information here?

http://www.mdjunction.com/forums/drug-addiction-discussions

Hiya Jeanine,

I think the first port of call should be your GP. My husband is coming off Gabapentin, which is used to treat epilepsy. But they also prescribe it for nerve pain. He doesn't like the side effects and has asked to come off it.

The GP has told him to withdraw slowly, by reducing one tablet every 3 days (he takes 9 a day). It can take a while, but it is better than suffering the awful effects of sudden 'cold turkey'. Which causes more problems.

I can vouch for this, as many years ago I was on a very strong anti depressant, I stoppedit suddenly and I wished I hadn't. I felt I was dying. I couldn't move ...even my eyes...without being sick. Sweating, chills, double vision.

Its really worth doing it properly ;)

My docter is appalled at the idea. he wants to up the  pain patches and add to the whole lot.

I know the epilepsy med, my Dr tried that one on me for pain too  ,alomg with all the other stuff,about 3 months ago, didn't work for me at all.He tried an antidepressant for a month as well for the same reason.

I thought it was comocal as I am not depressed or epileptic but apparently it works fro some.

Trouble is..I have already done it.. 1/2 days ago and am wondering how long the effects last.

What I stopped was a cocktail of...

2 500mg paracetomal  4 times a day  and..
100 mg of Tramadol 4 times a day and
50 mg of diclafenic 3 times a day and
100  fentanyl patch changed every three days

I also have Oxycodan as a top up for breakthrough pain

Then I have stopped 40 mg Simvastin for chol. as it causes muscle pain

I know it is daft to stop but I have, done it , the  side effects are terrible and the pain is increasing very fast.

I have been on meds so long and still in bad pain I was thinking they didn't work so what was the point in taking them but as my pain is getting worse and worse I will no doubt start to take them again. but I want to see just how bad it gets first.

XX Jeannine

Hi jeannine,My heart goes out to you, the pain you must be in.  And I can understand you wanting to stop taking so many pills but I really think it is your doctor you should be talking to no matter what any one Else's tells you to do.All drugs have side effects and most have withdrawal symptoms but I think you will find we all react in different ways to these drugs, so it is so important to talk with your GP, that's the person that should know you and how your body reacts to these drugs.  Explain you would just like to stop taking meds and take their advice maybe you can find a compromise.Take care Sinbad

Thanks Sinbad, he actually wants to add to them not cut them down and I want to find out just how much pain I would be in after two years of tablets.The only way I can do this is to stop and find out.

XX Jeannine

Jeannine it is still something you should talk to someone about, can't you be referred to a pain control clinic and explain how you feel and your fears.  I honestly feel you need to talk to someone who understands your cocktail of drugs.

Sinbad

You have 3 particularly nasty ones there, I strongly reccommend you don't give them up cold turkey. Talk to your doctor again, if you make it clear to him you are willing to stop them cold turkey if necessary he should give in & help you come off them gradually.

Tramadol - The length of time withdrawal symptoms occur can range from a couple of days to weeks depending on how high your dose was and how long you were on the drug.
Withdrawal effects may include
• shakes
• shivers
• diarrhea
• nausea
• possible flu-like symptoms.
Tramadol is more complex than other opiate and opiate-like medications because it also appears to have actions on the GABAergic, noradrenergic, and serotonergic systems in the brain. This may cause some people feel additional withdrawal symptoms or intensified psychological withdrawal symptoms when discontinuing tramadol.


Fentanyl - First 2 days are worst takes 2-4 weeks to get over it.
Withdrawal symptoms include:
• anxiety
• muscle aches
• back pain
• joint pain
• diarrhea
• rapid heartbeat
• rapid breathing
• fever
• tearing from your eyes
• runny nose
• sneezing fits
• chills
• sweating
• yawning
• anorexia
• nausea
• vomiting
• a feeling of your hair standing on end
• nervousness
• irritability
• shivering
• stomach cramps
• insomnia
• weakness

Oxycodan withdrawal symptoms can begin as soon as six hours after the last dose and can last up to one week. People who have gone through Oxycodan withdrawal compare the process to the intensity of heroin withdrawal.

Withdrawal Symptoms include:
• Diarrhea
• Insomnia
• Restlessness
• Involuntary leg movement
• Severe stomach cramps
• Tiredness or fatigue
• Constant yawning
• Hot/cold sweats
• Heart palpitations
• Joints and muscles ache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Uncontrollable coughing
• Watery eyes
• Depression

Jeannine, I was on the same dose of paracetamol and Tramadol when I was waiting for my knee replacement operation.  I was also on 400mg of Ibuprofen three times daily as I am sensitive to diclofenac.  

In addition to the painkillers I have been taking 1500mg of Glucosamine Sulphate for the past twelve years.  I came off them for a short while recently as I wanted to see if they were really doing any good.  My back pain returned with a vengence so I am taking them again.

I had no withdrawal symptoms coming off the Paracetamol, Tramadol and Ibuprofen after my knee operation.  I occasionally take Tramadol now though as it is the only pain killer that works for me when I get serious pain.  I probably only take about 4 a month as the pain in my back improved significantly after my knee replacement.

I think you should discuss the pain medication with your GP as Sinbad suggests.  

I don't think you should have come off your Simvastatin Jeannine without your GP's approval.  I didn't realise that it could cause muscle pain and it has given me something to think about.  I get a lot of muscle pain especially around my ribs but I just put it down to the osteoarthritis.  I am on 80mg of Simvastatin.  However, both my parents had Alzheimer's and it has been said that statins can reduce the risk of this disease developing so I am loathe to come off it.

I hope you get your pain sorted soon Jeannine.  

Jeannine, do go and have another chat with your Doctor.  I am so grateful that I don't suffer pain like you and a few others suffers in A4A.  My friend suffers from Fibromylgia but is not on so many pain killers as yourself.   I know my late Mother in Law was in a lot of pain with her knee at one point and on quite a cocktail of painkillers.  She was given a 'drug free' holiday but under the supervision of the Hospital where they took her for 2 weeks.  After the 2 weeks she came out and was on a limited amount of tablets and nothing like the amount she had been taken before her 'holiday'. 

Do see your Doctor as already mentioned.

Hi Jeannine - I am sorry to hear you have a pain problem;  have you been to a hospital pain clinic, if not, can you ask your GP for an urgent referral.  I have long term chronic pain (due to adhesions following lots of gynae ops) and have found the pain clinic excellent.  My pain clinic, in addition to having specialist pain consultant doctors have pain control nurses and clinical psycologists and once I'd had an initial appointment was given telephone numbers to contact them if I needed to at any time.
Have you tried a TENS machine for controlling pain?  My pain clinic loaned me one to try originally and I subsequently purchased one and find it really good, the modern TENS machines have multiple programmes and you can find one which suits you best.

Jeannine, I would  advise you to get expert opinion on this. I hope that you get the help you need A.S.P.

Jeannine, I think you should get your GP to refer you to your local 'pain management clinic'.  Sorry I don't know the real terminology, but there are clinics out there that are specifically designed to 'manage pain', and from what you say I think you would really benefit.

valmarg

Hi Valmarg, I have been with the pain clinic ofr almost 2 years now, they take care of my med level and want to up it as they feel all that can be done with other options has been done so med control is the only way now.

I have had

Physio
Acupuncture
Tens
Cortisone shots
Cauterisation of the nerve endings in my spine ,that went wrong and damaged some other nerves so has increased the problem.

Anyway I am on day 6 , cold turkey now, it is beyond belief awful but it has to start letting up a bit soon I hope.

Thanks all

XX Jeannine

Jeannine, have you ever tried an Interferential machine?  They are much stronger and go deeper than a TENS.  I was put on one at the physiotherapy department to ease my knee pain as the TENS was of no help at all.  They are expensive to buy and I was very tempted, but then I received a date for my operation so didn't need to buy one.  I'm not certain if they can be used on your spine but I would certainly think it worthwhile to chat to one of the professionals about it. 

If you "Google" Interferential you will find out more about it.  This is the one I was going to buy:

http://www.tens.co.uk/acatalog/Interferential.html

You are a brave lady Jeannine.  Its just so sad to hear you are in so much pain.  How on earth do you sleep or do you not??? I am sure you have been down all the available routes as you mentioned.  I bet you get desperate some days though to be pain free.   Thoughts are with you.