[Talista]

I was on a regime of Percocet with a 5mg:325mg ratio taking 8 a day. Basically 2 per meal with 2 at bedtime. I was taking it to control severe pain from arthritis in my hips and had been on it since Feb of 2007 (as an upgrade from Tylenol 3's).

May 30th I entered the hospital to have my hips replaced. I had my last dose of Percocet that morning as per the pre-admin nurses instructions. After surgery I was placed on a regime of 6 mg long acting hydromorphone 2 times a day with 4mg of quick acting for the more intense pain as I needed it. I had my left hip replaced May 30th and the right one June 5th.

I came home from the hospital with a weaning plan from the pain specialist...6 mg 2 times a day for 7 days then 3 mgs 2 times a day for 7 days and then nothing. I had a supply of 2mg quick acting tabs for when the pain was more than I could handle. I stopped taking those a couple of days ago because I didn't need them...the pain was easily controlled with Extra Strength Tylenol in tandem with the long acting hydromorphone.

Yesterday was my first day since Oct of 2006 that I haven't had anything stronger than Extra Strength Tylenol in my system and last night was so awful. I got maybe two hours sleep and I spent the whole night feeling weary but exhausted. I wanted to sleep until my head hit the pillow and then I would be unable to get comfortable. I have also been dealing feeling sick to my stomach on top of having to be in the bathroom repeatedly for rounds of diarreha and I am feeling really weepy and just plain yucky all over.

I don't need these meds because my surgery took away my pain....how long before I feel better? I know I was on the meds for a long time but right now my body needs to be able to rest so it can finish healing and I just feel stressed at not being able rest.

Tnx.

Tali

[Robert_325]

You are obviously going through W/Ds from the opiate pain medication. You have been taking it for a long time ... according to prescribed amounts, but still for a pretty long time. It's too bad that medication we need can cause us new problems even when not abused.

I would suggest that you call your surgeons office. Explain to the nurse that you are having extreme difficulty sleeping. You might ask for something to help for 4-5 days, a week maximum. They shouldn't have a problem with that and it will help make your recovery a little easier. Just don't go over a week with the sedative whatever they give you. Explain the situation.

You will find that Ammodium works great for the diarrhea. It also has an opiate base. It won't affect your recovery adversely but will definitely help with the stomach problem. Diarrhea dehydrates, Gatorade is loaded with electrolytes and helps some. Makes us feel better too. Hot baths help some with the restlessness. So does exercise, but I realize that it might be difficult for you to take a walk around the neighborhood right now. You should be past the worst of your W/D symptoms after a week or thereabouts. Some of us have trouble with sleep for some time longer. Hope this helps. Good luck and God bless.

[leowd]

Sleep has been a problem for me all of my life, however, I find it amazing how much easier a day of WDs can be after a good night's sleep. There are alot of different sleep rx meds. As Robert suggested, call the nurse and don't be afraid to ask for samples. I'm one of thos evil pharma reps(...at least until I find another job) that brings those samples in. Google l-tryptophan or melatonin; supplements that may help with sleep. Don't nap during the day...

I feel for you, kiddo, but don't give up. There is Life after Meds.

[Talista]

Thanks for the replies.

Today is better. I am still having stomach issues but I did sleep the last couple of nights and while it was a bit fitfull it was better than what I had been experiencing. I have been trying a cup of herbal tea before bed as a way to unwind and perhaps assist in going to sleep. I am seeing improvement everyday.

I did have a nurse coming to my home to check my incisions daily and I talked with her about it and she told me to make sure to contact my family dr if it gets to be too much. Since they declared my incisions closed and healed today I won't be seeing anyone after today.

My husband has been very supportive right down to making sure that I am getting plenty of fluids and getting up and moving regularly. It's just hard because this situation with my health has taken a toll on my family (husband and two kids) and now this is just like one more freaking thing that we have to go through. I thought recovery from two major surgeries would be more than enough to keep my hands full and while I expected some issues with not having meds I thought that my file was pretty darn clear about what kind of painkiller use I had and that the medical people in my life would be a bit more on the ball about preparing me for it.

Believe it or not a walk is much easier for me to get done than a bath. Baths are on the list of things I can't do right now. I swear my list of things I can't do right now is huge but walking is encouraged so I just slap on the iPod, crank the tunes, grab the walker and go as much as I can take.

I swear I can't wait to be past recovery....in more ways than one.

Like Robert said, you are going thru withdrawal. Everyone is different. I started my "quit" cold turkey last Monday and it lasted 28 hrs before I was about ready to jump out of my skin with the restless crazy leg thing!
I had 8 hydro's stashed, and took them to keep from going ape sh.t!
I went to my PCP the next day, spilled my guts to her, and she put me on a taper program, since its obvious that I can't W/D cold turkey. In four days I've gone from 16 10/500 hydro to 7 10/500 hydro with the help of 2 #10 valium for the crazy leg and anxiety thing, and 2 350 mg soma for sleep at night. The initial taper from 16 to 8 was pretty drastic, but It had to be done. I don't think I could have gone from 16 to 15 to 14 to 13, if you know what I mean. Maybe you can ask your Doctor to put you on a slow taper. I am a 50 year old man who has worked construction all his life. I consider myself to be a pretty tough guy.I stay in shape, I run 20 miles a week, but this hydro withdrawal brought me to my knees. My goal is to drop 1/2 a pill each day or so, until I hit zero. Maybe this is an option for you. If it doesn't work for me, then I will have to go some kind of suboxone treatment, because I am not ashamed to admit that W/D is hell, & I just can't do it. Good luck to you, and I wish you well.

Gary