Opiate withdrawal.

[Sonsafc]

Evening everyone, just before the England game begins. I have a question. As anyone withdrew from Zomorph and oramopth. I'm now on my second week of withdrawal at the moment. What side effects did you get, also, how long did the side effects last. TIA.

[Crafty-Al]

Hi Tia

I am going through it now, and it's not easy. I have come off the Zomorph by myself just by asking for 5mg tablets so I could gradually break the 30mg dose down. I did so on my own without any help or support from my Doctors, I will just add, isn't amazing when a GP puts you on Morphine telling you that because of your illness you won't get addicted. I moved and after being on Morphine for 8 years my new GP says I must come off it immediately. All the new GP did was nag and treat me like a drug addict. Now I have a proper GP in another practice and they support me in everything including my withdrawal.

So I was on 30mg Zomorph twice a day and 20ml Morphine 4 times a day. I am only part way but off the oramorph taking 15ml Morphine twice a day. Occasionally I have a bad day and may need to use a spare 5mg Zomorph but that may only happen every 6 to 8 weeks, so rarely. I think it helps to know I have them there as a safety net.

As for symptoms, I get a really strong tummy ache, short-tempered, and a desperate feeling, however, the idea is to do it so slowly you don't have full-blown side effects.

How are you doing? I am sorry for ranting about Doctors but it's been a real nightmare, the coming off the drugs isn't as bad as you think it may be, although having said that I am struggling a little now with the Oramorph, only I am in a lot of pain too.

I am happy to help you if there is anything I can do for you. Good luck, Ali xxx

[Sonsafc in reply to Crafty-Al]

Hi Tia, I'm just reading your reply today. I'm so sorry. First, thank you for your reply and honesty. I have had a couple of very painful days since I put the question on the site. I am surprised that only you replied. My GP ( who I visited yesterday) tells me that everyone that is on opiates for pain management is going to be withdrawn from it, as it's the new guidelines. Maybe we can lead the way to how this may effect other people who will sooner or later have to withdraw, on this site. Glad to hear you started withdrawal yourself Tia. I'm not taking any oramorph at all Tia. I handed it all back to the chemist ( I only ever took it for breakthrough pain) along with my Zomorph. I have nothing to fall back on. The two main things that as happened is, my blood pressure as rocketed, and the pain as increased. My GP as added more Gabapentin to my regime. Yesterday I was a little spaced( for use of a better word) . Had a great night's sleep though, eventually. This morning I have some pain but bearible. This week coming, from Tuesday I will be taking no opiates at all. Let's see what happens. It would be great if we can compare what's happening to us with withdrawal, as we are doing different ways, over different time spells. It will I hope, be valuable to the rest of the members. Everyone is different and as different coping strategies, but to have help and support from us that have managed this( as we will Tia) I feel will be of some good. Hope to here from you soon is, keep up the good work Hun.

[Sonsafc in reply to Sonsafc]

sorry Al, I've called you Tia throughout my reply. Morphine brin. A side effect of taking these b....Dy opiates.

[Crafty-Al in reply to Sonsafc]

Please don't worry, I called you Tia as my opiate soaked brain didn't get the fact that you meant Thanks in advance!!!! What a pair we are...

One point I wanted to make is the fact that yes the guidelines are such that we are all meant to give it up when taking it for pain, however we are given no alternatives to help with the pain we originally started taking the morphine for, so basically its said to us pain sufferers come off the opiates and cope with the extra pain and tough if your hurting or struggling. Sorry if I sound bitter but I have had a really bad GP who made my life hell, luckily now I have a great GP who has warned me not to go cold turkey as suddenly stopping high doses of opiates can lead to fits, not something any of us want to add to our troubles. So yes for me it is a slow drawn out affair, but yes I will get there as I don't have control on many things in my life but this is one thing I can take control of and do!

I am happy to post my efforts on here, and I will take strength from reading your posts too.

I have been changed over to Pregabalin, which helps with my sleep and my pain only side effect is I have this rather odd twitch, well I think you would call it a twitch, I can be typing when suddenly my right hand will double press a key, of I will be sat relaxing and my leg will jump, quite visibly, I have been told this is due to the pregabalin, have you had any side effects from your Gabapentin, I was OK on that. What other pain relief do you take and if you don't mind what do you take it for? I have PSA and Fibromyalgia, Chronic pain and fatigue, Slipped Disc and other issues, I also take Tramadol and have done for 20 years now. I can't imagine coming off of that.

Tummy in a knot and toes curled pain is bad too, time for my lunchtime dose, 15ml still down from 20ml, struggling to go to less, anybody with any hints and tips? Take care and keep up your good work Sonsafc xx

[Sonsafc in reply to Crafty-Al]

Hi Crafty Al, I've had a really good day today. I'm taking 900mg of gabepentin 3 times a day. I was previously taking 300mg per day. Apart from early morning pain, when I got out of bed, I've had no pain. I do take paracetamol also. I have many meds, but if this works I'll half the amount of pills that I take. Some of the pills I take are to counter act the side effects of the morphine. I like you are happy to write up what happens over the next few weeks, so others can make their own minds up as which way to come off he opiates. I'm glad you've found a good to. I have 2 amazing GPS at my surgery. Keep up the good work Al.