Opiate addiction advice please

[Peggy76]

Help opiate reduction symptoms how to cope x

[SheffieldJane]

I think this needs to be carefully managed by a doctor Peggy. Others may have some direct experiences to share with you.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Did you mean to post here Peggy? You usually post on other forums so I just wondered.

Very few of us on this forum have experience with opiods for pain-relief as they don't work for polymyalgia rheumatica pain and our experience is of reducing prednisolone which isn't addictive in the same way.

It is something to discuss with your pain clinic - and maybe use Google to find some helpful advice? Such as this

nationalpaincentre.mcmaster...

helpguide.org/harvard/opioi...

both of which emphasise the need for the help of your doctor.

[Peggy76 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you so much for replying I’m trying to cut back on my own . I’m 81 &need to do this .once again thank you peggy x

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Peggy76]

You need support from someone. Do ask your doctor.

[Hidden]

Morning Peggy

As Jane says this is very much something that needs to be dealt with via your GP or a Specialist Team, as it’s a long process & other Pain Controlling Methods have to be used.

We all wish you the Best of Luck 🍀

Kind Regards

MrsN

[Peggy76 in reply to Hidden]

❤️🙏🏻❤️

[Blearyeyed]

I don't think any one can really give you specific advice about whether you are suffering from Opioid Withdrawal symptoms or something else , without having further information of what you have been experiencing , what you are on , and how much you have been reducing your dose.

Many of us may take some form of Opioid Medication for other Health Conditions , but generally speaking , the guidelines to reduce off opioids is the same as reducing from steroids.

You should only start after discussing it with your Doctor and getting their advice on how much to taper your dose each month.

They need to be aware that you are reducing your medication , on the record , in case you have any future health issues that could be caused by reducing your medications.

You should also speak to other people on health sites or do a little research on recommended Opioids Taper Plans used by others on recommended Health or Health Charity websites , then choose what might work for you in communication with your GP.

You shouldn't start a new dose reduction on a week that may involve Stress , an infection or injury, or alot of Physical Activity , and always rest and pace yourself more in the first week of a new dose so that you can cope with any withdrawal side effects.

If the symptoms of withdrawal last more than a week , or your general symptoms continue to increase after a reduction , you go back on the previous dose and go to see the GP again to discuss this change. Slow and steady still brings more success.

Having a high nutrient diet , good fluid intake , good sleep, light exercise that you can cope with , and practising Pacing and Relaxation Techniques all help making a slow , taper reduction of any Medication that you have been taking long term easier to cope with.

Resting when you need not when you think you should is vital to cope with any Fatigue or Extreme Tiredness as your body uses all of its Energy Reserves to rebalance on a new dose.

Good luck with things , but do take Medical Advice and support and don't try to cope on your own .

[Peggy76]

Thank you for your advice,I’m doing it myself it’s not easy but I have to as I will run out before my next prescription. I was in utter turmoil & such stress at the beginning of the month ,I took 1 extra for some say 5 days 5mg each day ,& now have to cut it down every day because I was so stupid ,I am on 25mg a day <but have to take 15 mg a day for this week ,it’s so hard I cannot take any antiflamitory tabs because of my kidneys ,& my family don’t know they would be so mad ,not worth the agro ,the osteoporosis is everywhere my spine ribs shoulders .&artheritis in my knees& hip Much love & thanks

Peggy ❤️

[Hidden in reply to Peggy76]

Peggy, l think you need to go to see your Doctor as soon as possible & show him what you have written in this post.

When we are in constant pain, it overtakes everything in our life & taking a little extra here or there soon becomes ‘the norm’

Your Doctor can prescribe you different Meds to go along side to make the Medication you have work more effectively or give you slow release Opioids that you take night & morning or Slow Release Patches.

Pain Management is a Skill & you deserve to have the best that is available to you.

What Opioid Medication are you on now?

If you ring the Surgery, explain you want to be seen today but l think your GP may want to see you for a longer appointment & he can organise that when he see you.

Please let us know how you get on & there is no shame in what’s happened, you just wanted to ease your pain.

Kind Regards 🌷🌷🌷

MrsN

[Peggy76 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your kind & caring advice ,but I weathered the storm so to speak,it was horrible experience not been able to share with family ,who absolutely detest them & dosent believe in any medication , but once again thank you .

Peggy x💕

[Hidden in reply to Peggy76]

Hello Peggy

I’m so pleased you ‘weathered the storm’ but as Kelly says you do need to book to see your Doctor to explain what’s you’ve been through, then you can come up together with a plan to tailor the Medication to suit you better.

There is no need for anyone to be in untreated pain as there are many options for dealing with it.

Please keep in touch with us on the Forum & as to your family not believing in Medication, l’m afraid it’s sometimes too high a price to pay.

We’ll be happy to support or guide you.

Kindest Regards 🌷🌷🌷

MrsN

[Peggy76 in reply to Hidden]

Hi mrs Nails.

Thank you for your kind & encouragement as regards to people on here been able to talk to,it’s reassuring,I never get so see no one or speak to anyone,out only visits to hospital. & my son takes me .im hoping to have a couple of ultra sound guided injections on the 20th. Sadly can only have them 2 x a year due to my ckd,stage4 .the last time I had them early in the year ooh it was heaven eased all my rib cage /spine & elbow for a few months .so fingers crossed this will do the same,I know I go on a bit but it’s so nice to have someone to talk to. Keep well & thank you once again .

Peggy💕

[KellyInTexas]

Peggy, you are to be commended . I do hope you will not have to go through that again.

Mrs. Nails wrote one of the wisest and most compassionate pieces of advice I can imagine.

Now that you have weathered this storm, as you say, I still encourage you to take what you have written, along with Mrs Nails sage advice, to your doctor so that a plan can be put in place to help you better manage pain in the future.

I’m concerned that you will find yourself in pain again and be too afraid to take anything at all.

Let your doctor go through options with you to help you manage anxious feelings you might have about this. ( tramadol for example might be one option ? I’m not sure but you doctor could offer alternatives.)

My doctor has told me that pain begets pain. It is important to manage pain, and if you stop pain before it take a strong hold, it takes less medication to stop it.

Again, I think it’s important to see your doctor and be very honest and open about this very brutal experience you’ve endured tragically all alone. That isn’t right... it isn’t safe... and it isn’t proactive for keeping you safe physically or emotionally.

You need to live your best life! Your doctor needs to be your partner, and when you are in pain- you and your partner must have a plan together to manage your pain.

Very fondly,

Kelly

[Peggy76 in reply to KellyInTexas]

Hi Kelly, how kind & beautiful your letter &advice is to me,I’m so used to managing on my own. Been housebound except for visits to hospital, it brings tears to my eyes just reading the reply’s keep safe & well Kelly &keep in touch once again thank you for your great kind advice .

Peggy 💕

[Hidden]

Hi peggy76, it's vital if you still have pain you get some treatment. I take slow release version of my opioid and find it works much better. Without pain relief you will seize up and as the muscles start to spadsm protecting you from pain they hurt too. You need to see a pain specialist to get pain to a manageable level without having to increase dosage.. They will give you techniques to manage pain.

I have a 84yr od friend who fell recently and had significantly bruising and nerve pain. She had nefopam as is not good with any opioids. Her daughter is a yoga teacher and uses complementary therapies. She said her mother didn't need pain killers. I will say the same to you as I said to her... Rubbish if you need pain relief you need it. I got her to the mobility shop and encouraged her to buy a zimmer, a stick and a rollator. Keeping mobile has aided her recovery but the pain relief got her tbrough the first 3 weeks. I hope you feel okay now.

[Peggy76 in reply to Hidden]

Hi. Thank you & you are so kind & genuinely caring with your encouragement.keep safe & well.

Peggy 💕