Opiate withdrawal and stopping ADs

[Lost_Girl]

Hi,

I have been on opiate medication for chronic tension headache for over a year and have just weaned off them. I am in week 2 of withdrawal. I am stopping the pain meds because my specialist believes the underlying root cause of my headache has been addressed and any residual pain is likely to be chronic daily headache caused by the opiates.

I was taking a low dose of ADs to manage my moods prior to stopping the opiates. As part of my withdrawal I am experiencing severe vomitting etc and have not been able to sustain taking the ADs. In addition I have had a severe chest infection that I am only just starting to get over. I have been having to go to my GP to get injections to stop the vomitting just so I can stomach the antibiotics.

My body is in a lot of pain with no relief other than sleep. In addition to the headache I also have back pain, chest pain from coughing and being sick, my stomach is constantly cramped and I have restless limb syndrome in my arms (all withdrawal symptoms).

What I am hoping for help with is ideas on how to improve my mood. I think I know all the answers having been on the forum for some time but I just need some guidance. Due to my physical limitations a number of options like getting out for a walk and even what I can eat (or keep down) are not viable right now. However, I am crying all the time again and most days I just don't want to wake up.

Please hit me with suggestions. I feel like I am losing hope again.

[SourceShield]

Hi LostGirl.

You really do have a lot going on, and you're doing so well...considering.

Its important to remember that you are going through the 'withdrawal' phase - and that can be rather uncomfortable, as you're learning.

Stay hydrated and also alkalised - Lemon water, melon juice...will aid the body to keep the acidity down.

This in turn will keep the gut etc happy, and in turn cause less nausea.

Start watching as much comedy movies and t.v shows, as you can...may sound a bit kooky but getting in as much laughter will rewire the brain and release more of the naturally occurring feel-good opiates in the body.

We are all hooked on these opiates...we just didnt know that 10 years ago, but now we do.

Also, did you know that 20mins of smiling...has to be a big smile that meets the eyes, will also rewire the neural-pathways and release the natural opiates as well?.

Listen often to your favourite music...same deal, will release all the feel-goods into the body.

And, as best as you can, simply accepting that this time is all part of the healing process, will release a big natural dose of dopamine.

The happy chem that we produce when we make our mind up to do something.

There is a lot of ways that we can produce all the natural feel-goods, that heal the body from the inside out because thats what you need now.

Your external body must rest and recuperate but whilst its doing its thing, you can be helping it by producing these chems, that aid the body internally at this time, naturally.

If you need anymore ideas about this stuff...let me know.

Take Good Care Of You.

MuchLove

[Nikkir]

Hi Lost Girl,

Thank you for your post. I am sorry to hear that you are not feeling well and thank you for reaching out and sharing:) I really feel for you, its awful to feel sick and then to feel sad as well. Maybe you could send a message to our DR KIM on this site, there is a special forum I think she might have some advice. Either way it doesn't sound good. If I were you I would see another DR, I am not sure what you were on but I am not sure that you should be feeling sad and vomitting from headache medication for so long. It almost sounds like a chemical imbalance of some sort. I know there would be some withdrawal but this seems to me extreme. Again, I am not a Doctor though. Yes, getting out in the fresh air in nature and eating natural foods and cut down on caffeine and alcohol if that applys. Maybe you could see a Naturopath. I wish you all the best and hope that you are feeling better soon. Best wishes Nikkir x

[Lost_Girl]

Thanks for replying SourceShield,

You have some great suggestions there. I have been watching things to distract from the pain but not with the intent of releasing the feel good chemicals as you have mentioned. It makes sense, I shall give it a go as well as try to soak up some smiles from the kids when they get home.

I think I better invest in a juicer too. People have mentioned a few times about it. I am going to do that too. I haven't tried melon juice but had been eating it as I read it could help with withdrawal.

Thank you so much.

[SourceShield]

You're very welcome!

Take Good Care Of You Now.

MuchLove

p.s. Melon juice is great for the gut, and really refreshing too!

[Lost_Girl]

Hi Nikkir,

Thanks for replying. The vomitting etc seems in line with what I have read about withdrawal. Depression is often associated with this as well from what I have read. My GP is away at the moment on leave and it is hard to catch other GPs up on my history. I think they would likely say to start ADs again. I am not completely ruling that out as an option but I am very keen to try and get through this without any medication. It is in the interest of being able to best diagnose where my body is at with my pain (after withdrawal) that I am choosing this.

I just need some better ways to try and lift myself out of this place while my brain rewires the neural pathways as SourceShield mentioned.

I will keep in mind about Dr Kim. Thanks for reminding me of her availability.

I have naturopath as my next in line person to see too along with doing functional medicine testing. The big problem I have there is getting myself anywhere at the moment and after a year of hubby taking 2 days a week out of work to shuffle me around, I can't bear to ask for more.

Thanks for listening.

[Kazzl]

Hi Carol hun - wow, you are really under the pump. But it's good you're getting off the medication. I just wanted to put in a gentle reminder that stopping antidepressants suddenly can take people right down, very quickly. You're on a low dose so hopefully you'll be OK but ideally you should be cutting back gradually. I'm sure you know this stuff but I just wanted to remind you in case you plummet. If you do go down take your ADs again and do all you can to keep them in you. If it gets too bad and you can't see your doc call the hospital for advice.

As for ways to keep your mood up, I'd add to the ones you've got try to find something absorbing - whether a book, a project, music - just something that really engages your mind and lets you lose yourself. Maybe set yourself the task of learning about something you've always wanted to know about and get into it as deep as you can. Another possibility is to write (I know you write well). Whatever it is, it has to be enjoyable, not a task.

Hope that helps, and please keep a watch on your mood, maybe enlist hubby's help there. I know the focus is the pain medication but don't underestimate the power of even low doses of ADs.

Cheers hun

Kaz

[SourceShield]

Great advice Kaz!

[Nikkir]

Hi Lost Girl,

Thanks for your reply:) It sounds like you know what you want and have done your research and have a plan so that is good. Yes I would ask DR Kim or contact your GP and you are right as SourceShield mentioned AD does change the chemicals and structure of your brain through the receptors so it is no wonder you feel sick and have headaches depending on what you were on and how much. Personally I don't find medication a problem if its the right does and works for your life but it doesn't sound like this was the case for you. My daughter has had similar experiences except she is shocking with weaning she will be on a high does of Seroquel ( antipsychotic) very strong and then she will say " no more " and just stop, its really hard to watch as her brain and body tries to adapt. Best Wishes it looks like you have some good advice from all xxx

[wantalife]

Lost Girl

First and fore most keep your specialist well informed of everything your feeling.

Unfortunately due to acute pancreatitis, due to trying to drink my depressive state away was pretty much a position of self administered morphine drip line over a period of weeks. X 3 about 3 months a bit self destructive then but return to home had no idea of the detox factor.

Everything hurt in my body could not sleep AD's (Cant comment) relaxant not pain killer or sleep aid. but.... just go with your Doc on this.

Did slowly though frustrating seem to all balance again.

We do things, the body adjusts - we think things- the mind adjusts - we change this, there is a lag within our body and mind to catch up. Patience is the KEY