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.

[Lost_Girl]

Thanks Kaz,

I knew you guys would help me. I should know that the drop is a long way but I am not thinking very clearly. I have been in a bad way today. I told hubby that I've been crying all day so he knows and will keep an eye on me.

I will look at trying to do something tomorrow. It's strange but I feel like everything is a chore at the moment. Things that I know would normally cheer me don't appeal. I will try and push myself tomorrow. I might try writing.

I think I need to get out of the house but doing that means more time off work for hubby. I don't see it as a problem for him to take a day out to help me while I am like this but he doesn't see taking me out somewhere as a reason to take time off. He has had a lot of time away from work this year so it is a bit much asking for more.

Thanks Kaz, I needed the reminder. Sometimes I feel like all the common sense and knowledge I have is in a fog, just out of reach. The harder I try to reach it, the thicker the fog gets until I forget it is even there.

I hope things are going along ok for you too Kaz, it has been a while since we have spoken. Always lovely to see your beautiful smile.

[Kazzl]

Awww thanks lovely lady. You're right, it's been too long! xx

Now then, crying all day, feeling everything is a chore and losing interest in things sounds very much to me like a response to the lack of ADs. That's how it goes for me if I forget to take mine. So, caution urged hun. I don't know if you've been through this before, so sorry if I'm harping on what you already know, BUT withdrawal can be vicious - I've had to do it a couple of times.

So, doctor if it gets worse! Hang in there hun, you're an incredible fighter, I know that much.

Big hugs.

Kaz

[Lost_Girl]

Thanks Wantalife,

It is funny how much my mind is playing tricks on me. After reading your post it occurs to me that yes, of course this sadness will pass. I just have to wait it out through the withdrawal. I am trying to fight it instead of accept it.

I will see my GP in a few days on her return. I find my specialist in this very hard to get hold of.

When you say we think things the mind adjusts, this is true of the neural pathways. I will try positive thoughts.

I started to do one of my hobbies today. I got a little done. It is a start.

Thank you all

[Dr_Kim]

Hi Lost girl , you have got a lot of great advise from people and I see that you are also good at listening and trying things which is a great skill.

From a medical perspective, you are doing the right thing in breaking the cycle of dependance on opioids for pain relief. The theory is that we can develop a need for the opioid that initially relieved our pain, but then without it ,the pain is triggered.. a cruel twist indeed. So we become stuck in cycle.

To break the cycle is REALLY HARD ! Some people even need hospitalisation to do this. So the fact that you are doing it at home is amazing. Mostly the way to get through is with symptom control as much as you can, distraction, support and patience.

Symptom control means things like anti nausea medications - if you can’t hold down pills, get the wafers. Or take regular Ibuprofen for muscle pains..

Distraction means things like your hobbies or movies or writing or these posts!

Support means allowing your friends and family to care for you and take the load.

Patience means being kind to your self whilst you heal and allow your brain to get used to the “new normal“ . I’m not sure what your doctors told you .. but I’m thinking that the first 2 weeks are really rough, followed by another 6 weeks of kind of rough, followed by another 6 weeks of just ok … so its a big ask on your system ..

Restarting your antidepressant may very well be a good idea as they do not have the same issues of dependance and addiction that opioids have. However getting on and off them does have to be managed to minimise side effects so it is important to get clear instructions from your GP how to restart them.

[Lost_Girl]

Hi Dr Kim,

Thanks very much for taking the time to visit here and provide a response, it is really appreciated.

Thanks for explaining the possible time frame too. I didn't have that explained to me. My pain management specialist changed me from tablets to stronger patches for 5 weeks. Then halved the patches for 2 weeks then stopped altogether. He said I could expect an increase in my headache initially (when reducing to half) then it should "even out" over the next few weeks. That was it, no mention of other changes.

When I started having other withdrawal symptoms such as fever, sweats, anger, insomnia etc I saw my GP (not knowing they were withdrawal). My GP advised it was withdrawal and told me to stick it out and that it would be a few weeks. The rest I read up about myself. It helps to know even roughly how this might work in terms of time.

Some days I feel like my rational mind is out of service. Coming here is a godsend. Having the reminders about keeping distracted and the acceptance of the situation have helped motivate me.

My GP is back in a few days so I will check in around the ADs. I tend to have significant side effects on them even at low doses so I hope to try and manage without. However, I will start weekly check ins again with my GP and let her assess.

Thanks so much for your time.

[blondguy]

Hey Carol, I know Im out of my depth here on your topic and as you know I am not well versed on the pain you are and have had to go through.

I do know that beneath the fog the strong resilient Carol is still there.

She is a kind & beautiful person that has always been there for everyone else....

here for you....

Paulx

[james1]

Hey Carol,

That sounds really rough 😞 I'm sorry I don't really have many good suggestions and it sounds like this will be tough for a while, but in the meantime perhaps a little bit of structure, not overbearingly so, could also help. You could set time to do the hobbies you mentioned, if you feel like it. And just make sure you continue to let hubby know how you're feeling, and us too if you feel like it.

Big hugs from me

James

[Lost_Girl]

Thanks so much Paul and James.

Sometimes it is hard to feel resilient.

James, I have started doing that. I am trying to do a little each day so that I have something physical to show for my day and it is starting to help. I lack the motivation to do it but by forcing myself I do feel like my day is less of a waste.

Routine is key to my improvement but my body is so wracked by this withdrawal that I really struggle to get up. I wake only to start purging and my head feels like it has been hit with a sledge hammer. It is super hard to "wake up" but I am.

The last few days are super tough too. Today would have been my Dad's 92nd Birthday and 2 days ago marks 20 years since I lost him to cancer. Just bad timing.

On the upside, I officially started dating my hubby 20 years ago last Sunday too when he rescued me from my grief with Dad.

It is hard to tell hubby how I am feeling each day because it results in sorrow and helplessness in his eyes. Neither of us can do much. However, he has taken to smiling at me in a ridiculous way for 20mins a day hahaha, bless him.

Thankyou all for being here xx

[wantalife]

Very well said.... Neural pathways are re-enforced or gradually dissolved CTGA expression via RNA communication is an amazing thing but as a species we are amazing..... I say what is generally not acceptable because I live in the real world so I'll not comment on pharmaceutical spin such how great current Anti-Depressants work and accuracy of the target related neurons as release, block re-uptake etc can only say time is a great healer and the less the better (Within consultation) Autonomic neural fire can never be compromised however., It annoys me lots but cool forums such as this do not leave us alone regardless of our belief. We Stick Together!!!!!

[blondguy]

Dear Carol and Mr WAL

Being resilient is a difficult goal to achieve. I am still failing on that one....The trying is the hard part. You are a legend on the forums Carol and always will be.

Hey WAL......I have two words for you and they are not happy birthday :-).........You Rock!

(Hugs)

Paul