Withdrawal while on meds - Pain Management Message Board

sharonn · 12-27-2006, 07:30 AM

I wake up each day freezing cold..yet sweaty(withdrawal) It goes away 1/2 hour after my first dose. I have not tapered lately. Anyone else? Thanks...Sharonn

coder · 12-27-2006, 08:09 AM

Hi Sharonn,
I deal with this issue every morning. For example, just this morning, the withdrawl feelings of chills and sweats along with stomach pains woke me up at 5:45am. I found myself getting out of bed to take a pain pill to be able to go back to sleep.
I have serious pain issues with my back and neck and take Darvocet and hydrocodone daily for the pain. These breakthru withdrawls at night have only been happening in the past few months and scare me because it makes me feel like an addict, taking pain meds to stop the withdrawl rather than for actual pain.
I don't know what to do about it...I guess it is just another manifestation from taking opiates long term.

--Lou

sharonn · 12-27-2006, 08:30 AM

They say it is the price we pay for pain control but it scares me too...I hate it..that is why I am tapering my dose down (slowly) I am terrified of the withdrawals...LOve, Sharonn

JeanneO · 12-27-2006, 12:20 PM

This is the reason that my Doc started me on long acting meds...Fentanyl patch. I was waking up every morning in extreme pain and then after I would take my vicoden it would get better. I thought it was just morning stiffness and pain but he said it was withdrawals.

I don't have the extreme pain in the morning anymore. I still have pain, yes, and no breakthrough meds if I happen to overdo things but at least I have consistant coverage throughout the day.

I'm sure it depends on your dx but it might be worth it to ask about longacting meds so that you don't have to go through the withdrawals every morning.

Take Care,

JeanneO

smackliet · 12-27-2006, 05:07 PM

It actually even happens on some of the long acting meds. I was on Methadone for a couple year and I had to take it every 8 hours because of that but sill i woke up every morning early feeling like i was kicked in the gut. I am just starting oxycontin 40mg 2x day I am almost through the diferential withdraw so i guess i will soon see if i have better coverage with it or if i will have to take it every 8 hours. I hope not. I want to feel somewhat normal again.