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Community > Expert Q & A > Medications > Stopping Narcotic Pain Medication
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Stopping Narcotic Pain Medication

Q: I’d like to stop taking my pain medication, but I’m worried about going through medication withdrawal. What will it do to my body? How long does it take to go through medication withdrawal, and what does it feel like?

A: Not all pain drugs cause medication withdrawal symptoms, so I assume you’re talking about stopping narcotics (also called opioids) such as OxyContin, Percoet, Tylenol #3 and Vicodin.

Stopping narcotics causes withdraw symptoms if you have been taking a high dose for a long period of time, and if you have been taking opioids regularly rather than intermittently.

Withdrawal from opioids most commonly leads to symptoms such as restlessness, sweating, runny nose or eyes, tremors, increased heart rate and increased blood pressure, but those effects stop within a few days.

Long-acting opioids, such as MS Contin and OxyContin, provide a steady level of medicine so that you don’t have peaks and valleys in the blood level. This means you can take a lower dose overall, so dependency on the medication is less likely to result. 

Therefore, long-acting opioids are better for functioning daily with chronic pain, such as that of arthritis or fibromyalgia. Withdrawal symptoms usually are much less of an issue for most people who want to stop using one these long-acting pain medications.

Medication withdrawal symptoms are far more pronounced and occur very quickly when short-acting opioids are stopped abruptly. Short-acting opioids make blood levels of the medication go up rapidly and come down rapidly. When the blood level of the acting medicine drops quickly, pain returns quickly, leading to the need for additional doses (and higher doses overall). Short-acting opioids, such as Percocet, Tylenol #3 or Vicodin, are used for acute pain.

Whenever you're stopping narcotics, be sure to taper the dose under your doctor’s supervision.

Daniel Clauw, MD, Rheumatologist

Toni
25 Aug 2010, 21:08
Than all of you for sharing your experiences and stories. I learned a great deal. I too suffer from chronic pain due to 2 herniated discs that I cannot get my insurance to pay for surgical options. I had a double lung transplant in May of 2006 and absolutely cannot take NSAIDS and am taking lots of other medications. I have a wonderful pain management specialist who takes very good care of me. This summer I had shingles and the nerve pain was terrible. He gave me pain blocks in my back and they helped tremendously. I am currently taking Oxycod/APAP 5-325 (up to 4 per day). I was also taking Morphine Sul 15 mg for break through pain, 2 tablets per day. I stopped taking the morphine by myself because it was causing major problems with my digestive system and caused gastroperisis. I feel better not taking the morphine. My back has been doing better and I am trying to taper myself down on the oxycod. I am down to 3 tablets per day, but would really like to get off of them, at least for awhile. I am tired all of the time and have problems with depression. On another topic, I had a friend who became horribly addicted to methadone and it was terrible. He is currently taking suboxone, but has been on it for 3yrs and is trying to taper of off it too, it is also addictive and causes bad withdrawal if stopped suddenly.

Not being able to breathe and getting a lung transplant was what I thought would be just about the hardest thing a person could go through and I am truly lucky to be alive. But, chronic pain is very difficult and certainly affects your entire quality of life. Good luck to all of you.
r sand
18 Jul 2010, 08:06
Well after reading all these I don't feel so bad. Let me tell u my story about 4 years ago I got in an accident and was given norco 10/325 at first I got sick by taking even 1 of them, but soon overcame that what I did to myself since then is a horrible story that even I look back and say how the hell did this happen.. From there I now take 130mg of methadone through a detox clinic and about 25 oxicotin 20 s a day. How my habit got here I don't know there was a time before I thought about stopping the pills that I was up to 60 pills a day that is oxicotin 20 s I was popping 8 at a time ever 4 hours solid even through the night I would set my alarm so I could wake up through out the night a use. I tried to kick cold turkey and it was so unbareable that I only made it 30 hours clean so I then made the mistake of going to a methadone clinic for all thoese out there wanting to detox methadone is not the way. I have been on 130 mg a day for over a year and last week I had a break down and thought I was ganna kick it cold turkey and let me tell u I never emagined a human can even experiance pain and suffering such as that the first day was easy really all just mental but by day 2 I was so sick and out of it I was dillusional and couldn't think straight I had only went 36 hours at this point and they say the real withdrawls don't kick in for 96 hours WOW how could it get worse is this possible I was throwing up and shaking uncontrolably my nose was runny and I cried all day I could sleep or eat for days my whole body felf as though I just got ran over and the mental state I was in was like I was living in a dream world I didn't know what reality was I had no choice I started using again to try and calm the withdrawls and within 1 hour I popped 17 oxys and was still sick over about 24 hours I blew through 78 pills and was so out of it I passed out and fell down my stairs my wife took me to the er and told them the story and they gave me a shoot o 100 mg methadone it was heaven isntant relief so the question is how do I get off the methadone I have kicked pills and heroin cold turkey and ill be honest its hell but bearable if u stay commited but when I tried cold turkey with methadone it is impossible how do I stopp I feel so lost and hopeless I have such a nasty habbit and no way out I want to be clean and live a normal life with my wife and kids but how do I get there methadone is the devil it is so much worse than any other opiot out there I just hope there is hope I am currently on 149 mg daily and when I wake up I'm fening and go to the clinic by 5 am everyday please if u know a way out I need it. Sometimes I want to cry I look back and ask how did I ever get here well thank u everyone and hope all is well just stay in there and decide what its worth to u!!!!!
David Merrell
29 Jun 2010, 12:28
Well I have read through every single persons story on here and its amazing how many people suffer from withdrawals. Although the reasons for them are different (some people have legitimate reason to be on narcotics and others abuse them purposely) all of our suffering is the same. I myself am of the later group. I do get my meds legitimately. I get 60 60mg morphine sulfate every month as well as 60 5/325mg of hydrocodone. My reason is because of a back injury but I personally dont think I need to be on them. The dr started me on hydrocodone for the injury over 2 years ago and at first I didnt take them. But a week later a took one and the feeling it gave me was great. At first I only had to take one or two in order to feel good. Keep in mind now that I wasnt even taking them for the pain, I was taking them for the euphoria. I have been on them for 2 years now. I completely ran out of morpine 2 weeks befor my script was up. If you do the math on that it means I was taking 240mg of morphine a day. Thats rediculous. And I took 60 hydrocodon in a matter of 4 days. Thats 15 a day. I would hate to see what my liver looks like. The sad part is I know Im slowly killing myself but I cant stop. Today is my 2nd day off everything. My first day was a nightmare, all the classic symptoms of withdrawal. I wouldnt wish it on my worst enemy. You just want to lay around but even that sucks. I couldnt eat, couldnt sleep much, and I thing the worst part was the hot and cold flashes. What a NIGHTMARE! With that said, today I feel much better. The pysical part is really not so bad. The mental part is a bitch though. I know if I had some in front of me I would take them. That makes me hate myself but Im just being honest. I can refil my script soon but I really hope I have the strenth to deter from that. I will say this, I know there is no way I should be feeling as well as I do today. The second day is usually way worse than the first. There are a few things I have been taking after doing some research, that may help people get through this. I got some amodium ad for the diahreah, some benedryl for the runny nose and teary eyes, some tyleno pm to help sleep, and also I have some flexiril that helps with the aches and sleep. I think this stuff helps but I honestly give most of this credit to GOD. I have no other way of explaining it. I know I read another story by a guy on here who says the same thing. So people maybe you should try saying a prayer. It cant hurt anything. Just know you are not suffering alone. I wish everyone luck with this aweful problem.
Ethel Medlock
29 Jun 2010, 09:44
I have been on LorTabs for 2-1/2 years (when I broke my hip the doctor put me on them) and I just recently found out that they were killing me. I had every side effect listed on the internet. I couldn't walk three steps without gasping for breath. I went to an allergist who could find nothing wrong.

I decided to go off LorTabs cold turkey. Ten days into the withdrawal, I suffered a severe pain in my stomach like no other I have ever experienced. I threw up and passed out and then slept for about an hour. I have felt much better since then. But I am still weak and am limited to what I can do, but I'm getting there. People - don't let the doctors kill you.
kenth
10 Jun 2010, 01:05
One of the biggest problems I've seen with my wife going through fibromyalgia is the fact that the most uncaring doctors are the ones who have never gone through chronic and extreme pain.

During our search to find a doctor who could tell us what was wrong with my wife, the majority of doctors we met were the type who would tell us that she just needed to "tough it out." They told us that she couldn't be in that much pain, without a visible injury. Some told us it was just in her head.

As bad as the doctors who do not care or understand pain are the doctors who buy in to the pharmacological push for non narcotics, especially tramadol. Tramadol, from our experience, is far more addictive and outright dangerous than any narcotic pain medication ever given my wife. The withdrawal is horrendous, and she suffers mercilessly trying to stop. Unfortunately, tramadol is about the only medication being pushed on my wife. So she really has no choice, mild pain relief with the associated seizure like symptoms, and hell coming off, or no pain relief at all.

If the government wants to fight a "war on drugs", they should do so and stop hurting real pain patients. The doctors are so scared that they're pushing an insidious drug on people.

My wife has almost been driven to utter despair and questioning the point of living due to pain, and America's refusal to treat it. We're adults. We understand that narcotic pain medications are addictive. It's a trade off that we should be allowed to make. Let her take an addictive drug, but be able to get up and be active, or lay in bed 24 hours a day because she is in too much pain to do anything at all. So far, she has only been given the option to suffer.
Mary
09 Jun 2010, 02:16
I'am so angry because my Doctor did not wien me off or try other meds. I was seeing him for 15 years and the opiods where introduced 5 years ago. Withdrawls is a bad place to be the symptoms I have are the pain is so intense and all I do is throw up, cramping , sweating, chills, fever, cold sweats, BAD mood swings high and low, lots of crying and restless legs syndrome so i pace the floor. No sleeping anymore so far. All I do is stay home and hide because of the pain and the embarsment of how I feel and look, very sick. Food does'nt excist to me anymore. So Know I think I found a Doctor in another town who provides me with the Percocets Its a miracle pain reliver that helps me move around and be productive. Its only a few pills to start until I see Pain management. But when I run out its right back to withdrawls from hell. You wonder why people commit to the extreme of the thought of saying good bye. I know someone should be accountable for this missrepensation of meds. Were is a Doctor who wants to help people in pain management? Also I just had a clavicle repaired one time and then a second time because the bone shrunk and the screws were close to the main vain in the neck. Its been 1 1/2 years and the insceion feels like Iam being stabbed through out the day. I get comments oh my god that is ugly and then i have to explain myself. So I have had a least 6 to 8 surgeries with in the last 4 years. Thee more to come. So I know I need my medications for know. WHAT DO I DO?
6weeksclean
22 May 2010, 17:41
i have questions and answers. i recently got out of the methadone program in april of2010 from a dose of 130mgs. happy to say its been 6 weeks! one question i have is do u guys know any other good posts for these subjects? two, i never really had a problem with physicl symptoms it was the mental stuff i had major issues with. confidence, depression, rapid mood changes can go from being normal to balling my eyes out just from watching a sad part of a movie and im a guy, loss of sleep from panic attacks, thoughts of suicide, tremors and anxiety in public its been hard to go out or keep balance in public, hard to focus feels like to much going on around me and my vision gets blurry or shakey. my question is has anyone else had symptoms this bad for this lonfg after detoxing or should i be worried about manic depression? my detox enhancing it. these symptoms really seemed to get bad at 60 mg and continue 6 weeks after last dose and my sleep loss has gotten worse. maybe cause i was so high up? havent really talked to anyone about this since i been loning after starting my dependency pretty much put myself through a 4 yr rehab program didnt do much except work. also i smoke pot maybe tht intensifies the effects. i dunno need help in seattle and not too many people to talk to about it. i try and tell myself its the drug but i dont know cause all my old friends still use! anyway here are my comments on methadone i started out eating oxies and such then methadone then started smoking and snorting oxies agai ( which burns liie heroin by the way) Then when i started stealing from parents it was time to get help i had always been a pothead and stopped smoking it all together at one poiht which is weird for me. so i joined the program cut off all contact with all my friends except the clean one and pretty much putting myself on house arrest except for work (no old friends is the only real way get away from it). it was very hard. lots of countless nights by myself playing vidz but i was determined. i finally got a great job at a bank but was very difficult to get close new people because of the addiction things WERE going great i was the best at my position in the region then when i got down to 60mgs istarted feeling weird at work i started f-ing up the simplest tasks and felt lots of pressure at work. then i got fired for a cash outage but got unemployment but i stayed busy started working out, meditating but the biggest help were zinc etc. mineral tablets they take the edge off. i guess minerals are what yer brain makes go juice and happy juice with ( dopamine and seratonin) but u still gotta deal with it. anyway what ive learned is methadone is very unpredictable and effects people differently. if u can try and find a clinic that offers "methadone" instead of "methadose" THE GENERIC VERSION ITS CHERRY FLAVORED, because it is only within 25% of the original patent's chemical composition and beinfg that its made with less quality it makes it more unpredictable and harder on u in my opinion. i had massive leg swelling from water and circulation issues that wouldnt go away even with aerobic excercise, as well as urination problems iwouldnt go at all during the day then 4 sometimes 7 times during sleep i later found out from my doc that methadose especially will mess with the electrical impulses of your heart and cause enlarged hearts, and circulation issues so take it from me find the "methadone" CLINICS IF U CAN just dont be stupid cause u can actually shoot it up if u freeze and seperate it but u wont get as many nasty side effects. well i think thats about it youll have to excuse my rambling but havent really slept for more than an hour two at a time the last seven days and dont forget the questions i asked! sincerely, zestfully clean
Hobo Joe
19 May 2010, 18:55
Withdrawls from long-term, chronic opiod analgesics use associated with chronic pain pateints is a part of our life. It's an unfortunate side effect of medication use used to mitigate pain, and to better our quality of life.

Physicians wrangle and often struggle with the issue of narcotic based pain medication. In the United States, and within certain states, the States Department of Justice are utilizing a PMP- or prescription monitoring programs. These record any and every time any citizen in their respective state is prescribed any scheduled medication, be it SII, SIII, SIV, and SV. Certain States also monitor non scheduled drugs as well. This system is designed to tackle persons who "Dr. shop", as well as used in criminal proceedings against physicians who prescribe potentially addictive and potentially abusable medication to persons with no medical need for such drugs. The systems are also used civilly to revoke a potentially violating Dr.s license to practice medicine. To get to the point- Dr.'s are becoming both timid and paranoid with regards to prescribing these medications. In recent times, doctors have begun to underprescribe due to the fear of both criminal sanctions as well as civil proceedings filed against the him/her by the patient and by the government. Physicians are aware of the PMPs, and they don't like the Department of Justice monitering what and who they are prescribing to. This has created a sense of fear in the medical community. Clinicians will often admit to colleagues that they fear being penalized by the PMP systems for treating legitimate patients. These systems record how often, and how many patients are being prescribed what medication, in what dose by the specific doctor.

As a rsult of prescription monitering programs, physicians would prefer a patient find alternative ways to manage pain rather than prescribe opiate based analgesics. It's dependant on the individual physician. Some physicians operate under the assumption that anyone using any type of opiate based medication had better be in stage IV termnal cancer. They prescribe NSAIDS as well as opiate antagonists such as Tramadol to patients in need of medication to mitigate chronic pain. These drugs are not nearly as effective (some contemporary research suggests the efficacey of Tramadol/narcotic Antags with respect to pain mitigation to be 0%), nor do they have nearly as high an abuse potential and a much lower potential for dependance. As such, legitimate patients often suffer in pain due to underpresibing, or non-prescribing physicians, who are afraid of loosing their livlihood as physicians.

Patients need to understand that the various laws and the varioius monitering systems are in place by virtue of abusers (both patients and physician), specifically high profile persons (celebrities, politicians, athletes) who have either died from an overdose, or have made public statements implicating the physician for their arrest/poor decision making and "addicaiton", rather than taking any personal ownership or for their actions. As such, society, the courts, and the government have become reactive by putting in place these various systems to both remind and to some degree intimidate physicians to be dilligent/honest with prescribing, as well as to catch and deter drug abusers who chase different physicians for multiple prescriptions. Unfortunately, along the way, many many people who are in legitimate pain and suffering have become victims of this process.

In certain States, the laws are more restrictive than others. A great example is California. California has one of the most comprehensive prescription monitoring programs in the United States, which was started ahead of other states because of moron celebrities and high profile persons who were involved with prescription drug abuse. However, in California, you can walk into a storefront office, in which a licensed physician writes Medical Marijuana "referrals" to nearly any patient, so long as they have the $125, and the $75 renewal fees. Marijuana is entirely unregulated in California. A patient can buy, and subsequently use any amount he chooses. The laws regarding Medical Marijuana are very liberal (however may begin to change in the near future) in California, while the laws in place to monitor legitimate pain based medications are very restrictive.

Withdrawl from many medications, opiate or otherwise is common in any patient who's been using those lawfully prescribed medications for any extended period of time. Physicians have an obligation to treat a patients pain respobsibly, which often involved the use of opiate medication, as well as a comprehensive pain management program utilizing other treatements such as PT, Yoga, medical massage and so on. As such, when the time comes for a patient to begin titrating his/her dose, the physician needs to see to it that the process is administered respobsibly and will have minimal impact on the patient. The patient should never suffer. If the patient is suffering, the Dr. did not meet his legal "duty" as the patients health care provider.

Physicians should never withold medication from a legitimate patient, be it a pain patient, a psychiatric patient, a hypertensive patient, whatever. They are obligated to treat a patient respectfully and respobsibly. If pain meds are appropriate, then the patient should be prescribed the meds accordingly. There are exceptions however. Persons with a prior history of illicit substance abuse typically have a very difficult time finding a physician who will prescribe them any controlled substance. It's unfortunate that these patients receive substandard care, but in those cases, the liability placed on the physician is much higher than it would be with an "ordinary" patient. It will be nearly impossible for those specific patients with former illict drug habits to be prescribed any amount of any scheduled, controlled substance.

If your physician is not treating your pain pursuant to AMA guilines, I would IMMEDIATELY find a new physician. A patient has the right to effective, competent health care. In the discussion above, it involves the treatment of both chronic and short term pain. There are many great "alternative" (although still opiate agonists) pain medications which are long acting and have lower abuse potential. Methadone is currently receiving attention again for it's beneficial properties when used accordingly to treat chronic pain. Other long acting medications like Oxycontin are very effective, though the drug has a terrible stigma because of the various high profile cases with celebrities, and due to the civil suit brought against Purdue and other manufacturers regarding improper labeling and distortion of clinical data. However, long acting pain medications WERE and still ARE the most effective treatment options for CHRONIC pain patients. These drugs would not be appropriate for the 19 year old student who suffered a stress fracture of the foot. In those cases involving a traumatic injury/pathology and/or post-op treatment, an IR released med is appropriate. Short acting drugs like Hydrocodone 10s,5 and/or Oxycodone 5s or 10s are typically used in these instances. As stated in the body of the article, these drugs create a spike in plasma levels, but fall quite rapidly. After the duration of treatment, those patients will generally be taken off all narcotic pain medications. At that time, the clinician may or may not utilize a drug like suboxone to minimize and discomfort associated with withdrawl.

It's difficult to be a chronic pain patient. Finding adequate treatment is often a battle. These battles take a toll on the physical as well as the spiritual wellbeing of the patient. I know all to well because I've been a chronic pain patient for 6 years now. Fortunately for me, I have access to quality physicians and quality health care, as well as professional background in medicine.

Good luck to everyoone out there.
Margo
19 May 2010, 11:51
I have fibromyalgia, arthritis, & degenerative disc disease- cervical, thoracic & lumbar. I have 2 bad knees and am in constant discomfort even with pain medicine. My doctor retired recently and since then my life has been hell. I have a new doctor from her office who suggests that it would be a great flipping idea to wean me off of everything and "see what my pain truly is" since she feels pain medicine masks it. I routinely took 15mg Oxycodone IR every 4 hrs and 2 vicodin every 6 hours for break through pain, which made me a functional human being. Since then she has removed all but oxy 15mg every 6 hours with nothing for break through pain. I feel like I am going to die...I may actually want to die. Because of complications I cannot take NSAIDS and am not a candiate for epiderals or anything surgical. I do not understand why any physician would want you to suffer when they know chronic pain is always going to be there.She says its because when I am 30 years older I may need something stronger...duh! I am going to see a pain management doctor but now I am worried this is going to be a theme they all follow. Has anyone been to a pain manangement doc that made you detox?
Jacky
19 May 2010, 10:43
I don't think there is n e thing wrong with taking pain killers if you are truely in a lot of pain. If you r taking more than your rx says then you need to re-evaluate the reason you r taking the drug. If you r taking more, because of your tolerance, because of taking it for too long then that is a tough one. It depends on the doctor and the circumstance. Whether or not they will be understanding is questionable. I've gone through withdrawels a lot, because i've ran out early due to my tolerance level. it sucks and it's tough. The fact is this medication is man made and it is just not natural. So our bodies become tolerant to this drug we get dependent on, because of the pharmaceutical companies and who ever else out there makes it. I tend to believe everything is corrupt and that the reason it is there is for doctors, etc to make money off these drugs legally. I probably shouldn't of written that. But if they did not want us to utilize this for pain then it shouldn't be justifiable for n e one to take period. In my situation it helps me a lot, because I have arthritis, severe fibro myalgia and degenerative disk disease and other bone related problems. I would be in severe pain every day some days worse than others if i didn't have these pain drugs to take. i'm kinda off and on about it. I don't want to be taking them, because there is something soothing about feeling normal all the time. On the other hand it makes it so that i can function in less pain. So i'm torn about the whole situation and fully aware of the side effects it has. So as you can tell i'm pretty much a realist. We shouldn't have to be afraid to speak out about our pain or be intimidated by docters, but the fact remains we have to follow our docoters rules or we will not be able to get help with our pain. I just wish there is a more natural feel good method out there to help our bodies feel in less pain besides exercise, diet, etc. For some of us that doesn't make it all better or not even close. I don't want to have to depend on pain meds n e more, but feel it is the only way to feel better at least part of the time. So i think the answer is different for everyone. Is this narcotic going to help me? Did the docter perscribe the right drug to me for my type of pain with me in mind or how much money they will be making off of me? Will this actually help me have a better quality of life? If the docter cares, because there are those out there that do no matter what your income level is hopefully they can help you figure out what your personal plan will be that will fit you best. For some that means taking nothing and utilizing other help out there that will help your pain like physical therapy. for others it might mean that you take over the counter stuff (still man made), and etc the list goes on. The point is nobody can say what is right for you. Only you and your docter can determine what it is that will ensure the best quality of life. And for those of you out there abusing the drug. It is ruining it for those of us that truely have high pain levels to deal with. So stop it please....You will have a better life off of the medication if you don't need it. just trying to keep it real. I know it is a little too real for some, buts sometimes the truth hurts. It is worth it to take the time to examine what it is you r personally dealing with, because this is your life and how you will be dealing with it and living it that we r talking about. Nothing to mess around with. Sometimes i think certain drugs r over used or diseases r over diagnosed. The fact is if we decide to take medication nobody can stop what we put in our bodies. it's up to us to keep it as healthy as possible.

Just a couple of questions...

What is the drug called to help you get off narcotics. Could it help with your pain if taken regularly? Can it help long term for pain? Because this could be an alternative to narcotics I've heard. Not sure if it is true, but would like to find out. I guess there r not many docters out there who can perscribe this. Why? Seems to me that it would be safer. Why do patients have to struggle not to go through withdrawels if this is the answer to it. R they withholding care for this do to money reasons. why do only specific patients have the right not to feel bad if they r about to come off pain meds. Ok enough questions. can somebody respond... Thanks Jacky
melissa
30 Apr 2010, 20:00
I had a really bad accident in 01 that caused me to break my lower back and had been taking vicodin and soma for muscle spasms and pain... I was able to get off within a couple of months... but in 07 i nearly lost my life when a pick up truck drove into me and caused me to break 14 bones in my body.. now i have 13 plates, screws and rods in my body from head to ankle... and because of all of this i am still on pain meds and i'm really trying to get off... but i'm so scared of withdrawls... i don't know what to do and how to deal with this... my parents say prayer and hope can help, but i do that and still i'm in pain... help i dont know what to do....
Angela Bates
24 Apr 2010, 14:49
I just want to say that I suffer from severe fibromyalgia and also severe neuropathy in my whole body and Trigheminal Neuralgia as well. I now pain that can not be touched by the pain meds but maybe the edge taken off the severe and almost suicidal pain. I hate the feelings of the drugs and want off them. Sometimes I wonder if the drugs may make the pain worse? The pain specialist changes me from Methadone to morphine etc. I have tried lidoacain in an iv last week and everything ilse you can think of. Other meds make me very ill like antidepressants and neurontin etc. I have cut back and have no stomach issues or headaches etc. but I am having really cold skin that baths only help. Is this a withdrawal issue? I am not sure due to the fibromyalgia. I also have allodynia so maybe this is a symptom as well. I just have never been so cold. May be from a recent medication change. I have never taken large amounts of these drugs but steady amount for many years. About 40 mg a day at most. Give or take. Please help? I do not judge anyone for trying anything for pain and being addicted is not a sin when you suffer with chronic pain. If that is the only way you can survive than you should not be hard on yourself. Only you know how much pain you can handle. And if you want off than I support you as well. Thank you, Angela
diana
06 Apr 2010, 11:28
i have been taking pain meds for19 yrs and now also have the pain pacth. i am so tried of taking meds. i have always tried to make my meds last but here the last 2-3 mos i have run out. i would love to stop taking any thing but my pain is very bad. and it is the only thing that helps me get thru the day i just want a normal life.i have been out of meds be for and went thrue all the withdrawal no fun.if it did not hurt so bad id would do it.
david c
05 Apr 2010, 16:22
i was on 100mg off methadone for over a yr and went through withfrawals for 3 months.Dont let anyone suggest methadone, its by far the longest most painful detox of any drug period....
sue
01 Mar 2010, 06:54
When, just when are we going to allow drs to take care of their patients without all this armchair doctoring. Take your pain meds the way they are perscribed, that would be the actual directions on the bottle. Do not ever change those yourself you aren't a doc either. Do not go to extra docs to get extra meds. Do not buy narcotics in other countries or from strange prople on the street.It really is simple and straight forward and keep your meds out of the hands of children and criminals and you will be just fine. I have a good functional life with severe arthritis of the spine. My oxycontin, allows me to do yoga, hike, snow shoe, ski, and walk 5 miles a lot of days.I have been taking VERY small soes of pain medication for 19 years.
sue
28 Feb 2010, 22:31
I found this site doing some checking for my son.I have read all the comments and it's sad to see that each and every one of US are a victom to the over precb of doctors who only catres about the money.I have been taking pain meds for 17 years like all of you start out on low doses then progess to more and more,I am currently taking 2 80mg oxycontin with 3 roxycondone for break through pain also I take half clonpian at night.The doctor at one point put me on 4 80 mg oxy a day with 5 perc 10 for break through also other pills for legg pain .I never took the 4 a day was to scared to I took my self off the perocet and down to 2 oxy a day I did not have the withdraws from the perocet but please never get on oxycontin the withdraws are a living nightmare.I have watched 2 people die from them I am scared to death to come off them completly.I am watching my only son {I lost a son 3 yrs ago} going through detox right now in a treatment center. I feel so very responsible for his addiction,I never gave him the pills but was so stupid to leave them in my purse never beliving he would get in them .that was yrs ago he was buying 7 to 900 dollars a month I had no clue. He was taking up to 30 or more at a time.I have only a very few times taken one or 2 more than I was suppose to.I to like all of you suffer a bad back with nuropthy in my legs my bones ache so severly, BUT I to am tired off this addiction taking control of my life.There is only one person in control of our life and that is GOD,we have to be stronger than the devil will allow our addiction to be.I have watched God deliver my son through many prayers he made a way and he to will make a way for each of us.All these doctors are doing is using each of us to make a profit they get you hooked so they no u will keep coming back each month to get the pills.I pray the day will come when the system changes I can't believe there is no way between the pharmacy and the ins comp they can not realize when someone is abusing the meds. It brings it o real life when you are a user of these pills and watch your child grow up to do the same thing only worse.We need to take a stand for ourselves and stop making these doc rich.My son I lost was becouse of a doctors stupid ingorance to have a corner tell you your 25 yr old son could have made it if only they would given him a steriod pack for his lungs but no they choose to give him oxycontin,so yes both my sons were hooked on pills. Through Gods help I have overcame alot of my greif,and through loosiing my son I found God, please everyone give it to GOD he is the GREAT PHYSCIAN not these doctors.I will pray for each of you that the addiction will leave your bodies and you will overcome.
Shauna
26 Feb 2010, 13:27
I am new to this. I have had a problem since I had my C-section with my twin babies.Then I went through post partum depression, withdrawls, since they have been born 2 years ago I have had an on going problem. I have a hysterectomy 6 weeks ago and since then I had taken 100 Percocets, 120 T3, 40 Lortab, 30 Pherenol with codiene. I know I have a problem I was taking sometimes 20 pills a day. I am on day 3 with no Narcotics.. I am on Ativan and Lexapro for my depression. My hardest time is not sleeping the sleep meds help me to go to sleep then I am back awake 2 hours later crying wondering whats wrong with me. Is this reallt withdrawals or something else. How long does it take to get a good nights sleep.
Pat
21 Feb 2010, 08:52
Withdrawl is tough. Tougher than alot of other things we go through in life. We caused it and now its time to face the music. These drugs in time will shut the body down. I've been taking narcotics for a bad back for 4 years. I'm an addict. My treatment is the 12 step program AA. When you get to a point where they don't seem to be working any longer and your taking them just to maintain your hooked!!! I'm there. Going cold is rough, but it can be done. I'm on day 4 and I am feeling better. You go through flu like for about 3 days and then it tends to go away. Drippy nose, can't eat much and diareherra for 4 or 5 days. After this life changes a bit. More clarity, and you begin to feel again. The best thing any individual can do for themselves is be honest with the Doc and if its real bad pain and only you know then work out a treatment program, for me drugging does not work for an addict absolutely not I've proven time and time again. Good luck everyone out there with your pain!1
Chris
16 Feb 2010, 19:42
Ok, I have been on these damned things for 6+ years now, I almost got off them and past it, then I broke my back for the second time, here i am going down the same road again. Is it fate, bad luck, karma what. I always start out first few months great take on time not running out, but I see it coming, I am running out earlier and earlier. THERE HAS TO BE A BETTER WAY.
Ryan
14 Feb 2010, 10:13
Hello everyone ! Pain medications are for people who have so much pain they would not consider getting off of them. If you are considering not taking your medication likely you do not need it. I have lived with chronic pain both on and off the pain medications. I have been put on them all but prefer hydro and oxycodone. The 20 mg Oxycodones are nice for a few days after that they will only make you feel normal and when you don't have them you get the flu times 3. Coming off pain medications you should use the general chart of demorall then codein then hydro then oxy and so on taking weaker drugs less and less will stop with drawls . A strick reduction will work great but do not go two fast if you are taking 3-4 then take 3- 3/12 for a few days then after a week take 3 and after another week 2 1/2 take it slow maybe stay at 2 1/2 for awhile before going to 2. Just like the flu withdrawls can be dangerous for your health. Take it slow your addiction did not grow that fast Rome was not built in a day.
Just remember the rolling sensation will come back naturally once you are off the medication and the depression will stop.
If you can not get any more drugs I would take antacids keeping the acid chemicals released from your brain during withdraws will help the anxiety and keep you from going to the bathroom more then for times a day. Good luck just think how good your kidneys will feel and having normal shits before you shower will be great huh??
jean
05 Feb 2010, 19:19
I have been taking Narco 10-325 for over a year and half. I am out cause I forgot to call in my refill, so it's the weekend and I am gonna pray I don't go through to much hell. I have read the first two days are the worst but I just found out I have Hep c so I have to stop because I don't want to damage my liver anyworse than it may be. any helpful tib bits I sure would like to hear from anyone. Thanks J
Tara
24 Jan 2010, 07:28
My husband has been abusing pain medication for almost our entire five yera marriage. We now have a beautiful 15 month old and the threats to leave him are soon going to be a reality if he does not stop letting OXY, Morphine, and Percocet control his life as well as alcohol and cigarettes. I am fed up and now having to care for him through his 3rd bout of trying to get off these addictive substances. Who helps the loved ones who have to deal with the addicts erratic and crazy behavior? I may sound bitter-it has just been too many years and so many broken promises I don't know if we can ever get our marriage back! I will help him throigh this though. On a side note I am horrified at what happened to Aden being 9 months pregnant! My heart is absolutely broken for you and I am crying as I write this. That is so cruel and awful I cannot even fathom it so please accept my condolences and the wish that your life and health improves. Good luck to you all- please try to live life without those rosy drug-colored glasses. I too have been through a lot in my life that I will not bore you with now but I am committed to just getting through it and have never taken a drug in my life (other than wine or beer) not even marijuana. I am not sanctimonious nd I know you have pain but try not to let it dictate that you are constantly in a haze and take more and more of your meds- I have had a rough five years with a husband that continues to battle ALL of his addictions and I hope you will wish us well in our attempts to "kick it". Tara
ronda
17 Jan 2010, 23:12
I take ten mg of oxy every six hours and it dosnt eliminate the pain but it helps. I have weighed the risks and i came to the conclusion that its benefits out weigh it. I havent riden my horses in over a year and this is something i used to be able to do three times a week or more. It has taken persistance to tell my dr. that my dose needed adjusting now i feel like i might actually get back on my horse. Riding horses are all i need and they helped me cope with stresses in life. I have suffered extremely ever since my pain made it intolerable to ride. I am going to get back to where i can ride at least for an hour. Thanks to you all for listening i dont have a counselor or many friends that don't judge me for my prescribed medicine
TERESA PHILLIPS
08 Jan 2010, 13:51
please someone tell me how my dad who is 67 yrs old and has been taking hydrmorphone, percocet 10 mg and anything he can get his dr.to give him for his severe back pain, and taking over and above the amount! can say he is not having any withdrawls from not having them! he took 4 weeks worth in about 2 1/2 weeks so he is out until he can get his new prescription filled, we aargue with him that he is addicted! but since he hasnt had any he swears he has no withdrawl synptoms!..i dont believe him! help has anybody taken this much pain meds and not felt withdrawls!
Rich
30 Dec 2009, 09:22
Try Suboxone for the withdrawls.. I used it once and it takes the withdrawls away.. You must find a doctor that prescribes it.. I got off narcotics for about 8 months using suboxone, but im fine living with them now that I have a doctor who gives me the dose that works for me.. I have severe chronic back and neck pain and to me, I would rather live at least close to pain free with the meds, than be in so much pain I dont want to live anymore without it.. It can be a blessing and a curse depending on your self control..
But the suboxone works to get off as long as you have been in the withdrawls for at least 24 to 48 hours.
Jeremy
20 Dec 2009, 19:47
I have been taking Lortab now for 2 years due to chronic back pain. At first The Dr. prescribed me 30 every 2 weeks. I was instantly hooked I felt almost invincible I could get through my day like it was nothing in fact I loved ever day of work. The energy and the way this drug opens you're reward system in your brain is absolutely amazing. I then build a TOLERNCE to the drug within 5-6 months and began complaining of more pain so the Dr began to prescribe 30 every week. After awhile I began to run out by day 3 or 4 and was stuck going through withdraws until My next refill. this all happened within a 2 month period after the upgrade in my meds. By then I wanted more so I complained more The Dr. new at this point I was addicted and said no more.I then went to a specialist and complained about the pain and convinced him I was in so much pain he prescribed 90 every week of lortab 10/500. 1 month later I build another tolerance to the drug and asked for more I was getting 100 a week from this Dr and put me on Norco 10/325. You can guess what happened I ran out earlier and earlier I was now consumed with the drug taking 13-14 10's a day. I was scared for my life because of the Tylenol dosage but couldn't Stop.I then found people around me who sold it and started buying, Spending huge amounts of money for them and getting them from Dr. I upgraded to Perk and then Oxycottin. Although with the oxy I was only buying 1 here and there because I know what was going to happen IF i went down that road. Point being Ladies and Gentleman this drug may seem amazing at first but believe me along with everyone else who is saying this "ITS NOT WORTH IT" whoever is taking the drug I truly urge you all to stop and find something else because the truth is over half of you will become addicted. I made up my mind I was going to stop for good this time 2 days ago. I Hurt so bad day one it was ridicules and I cried in pain and prayed for GOD to help. The next mourning I woke up in a bed full of sweat and did not sleep well at all, I was restless, shaking, had a migraine, and every bone in my body hurt. I prayed again and took a flexaril and fell asleep for 2-3 hours. what happen next I will never understand I felt normal. The pain was gone the shaking the migraine everything. I did ache a bit of pain through the day but nothing like I Knew I should have gone through. I knew I was in for days of pain and torture but It was over. Its day 3 now and all I have is a little of depression but that's normal and will end in a couple of days. I urge you all to pray and have it made up in your head that you are really going to quit. I know God is helping me with my withdrawals there is no other way it can happen I have taken less then this before and gone through far worse. People Understand what your going through will get better I promise you all, It feels like it wont, it feels as if you will always feel like this and it will get worse I know. BUT IT WILL GET BETTER. If not in the next 24 hours the next couple of day's max. Going cold turkey is tuff but its not suppose to last longer then 5-6 days. I know with how you all feel it feels like longer but its not believe me you can do it. Pray and know things will get better and everything will be ok.
Sarah
18 Dec 2009, 14:56
Today is day two of withdrawls for me. It's horrible! Last night I couldn't sleep, my body kept twitching it wouldn't be still. Today I have no energy at all what so ever! And i have been to the bathroom at least 4 times today. I have been taking percocet, vicodin, tramadol, anything really for the past 2 yrs. I only stopped because I am out and have no choice. The pain in my back and foot is awful. Im so tired, I just want to be normal. I want to be able to wake up and have a ton of energy without the painmeds.....I hope I can get through tonight, hoping day three is alot better. When are you able to sleep again??
Chris
16 Dec 2009, 18:58
I am so glad to say it is day 3 off Lortab free life. I can honestly say it has been pure hell the last 2 days. I have been a Lortab user for 2 years, and decided to stop on Sunday. Can anyone tell me when I will not feel like I have H1N1? This drug has controlled my life for over a year, and I just don't want to lose my life. So I quit cold turkey. My goodness, why do they prescribe this to anyone. Heck, it was good, but seeing my life drug free is too important. Tomorrow is Thursday and I am so scared to talk to anyone about my problem. I just hope someone on here can help keep me focused. Your words truly have driven my the past 3 days to be strong when I was ready to quit.

Day 1: Head ache and tired
Day 2: Sever head ache, exhaused, running to the toilet every minute, hot and cold sweats, vomitting, and pure hell
Day 3: Exactly like day 2, but 10 times worse.
Day 4: Not sure what to expect.

To mention I have not slept for 3 days either. Please talk to me and help me get through the next 2 days. Heard 5 days is the key, and Friday is day 5. Who has quit cold turkey and found success? What were your days like?
wc
29 Nov 2009, 15:13
I was on 10/325 lortab for 5yrs. I was taking up to six at a time. I quit cold turkey at 10:00 11-25-09. I spent 2 days in bed with withdrawls. I think the worst is over, I knew I was messing up, but I didn;t want to stop, I;m now done with that DEVIL drug. Just stop, if I can do it SO CAN YOU,,Just stop. Good Luck!!!!!!!

PS You have to be ready to QUIT!!!



Matt
26 Nov 2009, 12:36
Comming here in desperation. I suffer from 5 hurneated lumbar disks, Lower Lumbar Disk Disease and Trigeminal Neuralgia (nicknamed The Suicide Disease). I've been on one kind of opiate or another for 15+ years. Currently taking 100mg daily of methadone and 8mg daily of dilaudid daily for breakthrough pain. Lately (past 3-4 months) my pain has been horrific! Like the dial got turned up to max. Today is November the 26th, my next appointment with my pain management doc is December the 9th. The problem is, due to the pain I've overtaken my meds and am out!!! I'm scarred to death and I don't know what to do. I'm equally afraid of both the pain and the withdrawals. I'm scarred my pain doc will simply drop me because I signed a 'contract' that basically says I won't do what I just did. Help!
jamesknob
15 Nov 2009, 12:57
(ADEN) I noticed your post and i have a suggestion. I have numerous back injuries and was on lortab 10s for about 10 yrs. when i tried to get off them i had horrible withdraws so i went to a doctor who prescribed me ((suboxen)) which i took for three months and i have been pain med free for 1 yr now.. I still live with cronich back pain but the pain is not as bad as the addiction was and i have learned to deal with it..
KIM
13 Nov 2009, 07:50
Hey I am a lifer and taking meds for the last 4 years due to chronic pain and a back injury. I am STILL on the meds and at the same time. I am having w/d on a daily basis but the pain still continues and the dose doesnt even stop the chills IT SUCKS don't take then unless you are sure there is no better way to cope with what ales you.
David
12 Nov 2009, 10:13
I have sever lower lumbar back pain and siatic nerve issues and along with this "Runners Knee" Patela Femoral Syndorme, sorry can't spell. I was seen a Ortho Dr for 2-3 yrs and nothing was ever done but give me pain med. I stared like everyone Hydro 5.5/500, then to Tramadol(which was worse than any Narcotic I ever took. Since no surgery can help me he dismissed me and told me to deal. Now, I have seen a Pain management dr for 1 yr now and I hate to say But I do take NArco 10/325 4xs a day, along with Anixty and depression that I have Lexapro and Xanax. I ran out of NArco on Sunday last week and I tell you what being on Hydro for so long going from 5.5 ,7.5 and now to 10..coming off it is horrible.. Cant eat,sleep,have upset stomach,take baths, swet all night. I went to my Family dr he gave me Ambien CR to sleep, it helps but my stomach is my worst enemy now.. I've been off the NArco now day 4 and well Still have upset stomach aches and you know.. But it can be done.. it is a bitch but Narcotics can run your life!
mitzi
21 Oct 2009, 18:46
I was put on vicodin 11 months ago for cramps. I began taking them and realizing they were helping me get through the rough day. Giving me the energy I needed. I then ran out and began to find them elsewhere spending endless dollars and meeting a store to get them. I then one day decided it was taken over my life. As of Sunday I took my last one at 2pm. It has been 72 hours. Day one was the worst. I had the sweats, chills, dirhea, insomnia, and thoughts of suicide. I could not eat or drink anything. With the help of a loved on on day 2 I went to the doc. He gave me iv fluids and a prescription for ativan and phenigan. Last night I came home and got a pretty good nights rest but not a whole lot. This morning going on the third day I felt a little better. I have taken the ativan only and a couple of tylenol to deal with aches. I ate 2 bananas to help with the leg cramps so wish me luck on sleep tonight. Today I actually got up washed clothes, tanned, and spent the day with my mom. I did have the shakes this morning but the ativan has helped calm my nerves. It has been over 72 hours and I am so glad I have been through the worst part. I hope. Does anyone know how long this will take to feel normal??
brenda lea
17 Oct 2009, 19:29
I have been on morphine for one year. I have RA and can not take any medication for it. The pain , fatige, and stiffness are unbearable at times. But with the morphine I do have some kind of life. Now I wouldn't be without it. I am only 54yrs old. It keepsme going.
franny
09 Oct 2009, 18:21
been on opiods 5yrs,just come out of detox worst withdrawls ever.i want off them forever.
ps.its not worth it in the long run.i mean i dint jsut start using i had back injury.
good luck.
angelia
23 Sep 2009, 11:28
I have been on (Norco)hydrocodone 10/325 for about 4 months for chronic back pain. I used to take percocet and oxycontine, but it was make me deathly ill, and that'w when the doctor switched me to Norco. I had the the epidural spine injection this past Friday and it really helped, so I went from taking AT LEAST 4.5 pills a day to .5 pill 4x's a day. I've been on an emotional roller coaster ride and feeling really anxious and jittery all at the same time for the last few days. I don't like this at all. My doctor says I could be experiencing withdrawals since I started taking less of the vidodin. I was told it'll only last a few days, but it's really hard. How long do withdrawals really last?
aden
22 Aug 2009, 22:03
i was 9 mths preg and in a bad 3 car pile up. lets say that i have been percribed methadone for pain sept 6 08 will be 1 year since i lost my son and been on this medication. i want off of it but every time i try the withdraws are un bareable. i have abused them some times. now i want off isn't there some thinfg out there to help the with drwas? i still am in chronic pain from the accident and i have to deal with 7 pins in legs and pelvic bone. i cant walk that much cause of the pain, but i don't care ny more i want off but i need something thats gonna help withdraws like sleeping legs hurting ect.....any suggestions?
Alvie
17 Aug 2009, 11:53
FWIW, here's my story:

I'd been taking close to the max dosage of Lortab 5/500 for about 3 months for treatment of chronic pain (max doage = 8 tablets in 24 hours due to acetaminophen toxicity). While initially it was extremely effective and allowed me to function better that I have in years, I found it required an increasing dosage and that dosage was less and less effective for the chronic pain. I knew that any further increase (or even continued use at that level) put me at risk of liver damage.

So I quit cold turkey -- but I would caution others against this approach. I spent 2 days in bed with classic withdrawal symptoms - severe sweats, increased pain, hot/cold, anxiety, dysphoria, shaking, etc.

The first 48 hours were by far the worst. Then things got slowly better. After 5 days, only minor symptoms remained. After 8 days, it was just my old friend, chronic pain, remaining.

My doctor later advised me that most, if not all, of these withdrawal symptoms could have been easily avoided by slowly tapering off and carefully timing my tapering dosages. At the time, I just wanted off the narcotics. But looking back now, I wished I'd been smarter about how I achieved that. Clearly, I did it the hard way. You don't have to.

But if you're already a day or two into a cold turkey withdrawal (from a similar drug and dosage), know that the worst will be over in a day or two.

If you haven't yet started, talk to your doc about a way to taper off that avoids the worst of these symptoms.

One last thing. I am now off of all narcotics and plan to remain so for the forseeable future. But my chronic pain remains a very serious problem that severely limits my activity. I'd tried many other treatment options over the years without success - both traditional and alternative. Exercise clearly helps - but only to a limited extent. So I have not closed the door to opiate treatments in the future. I am just not in a big hurry to travel that road again.

As always, YMMV.
Christine
17 Jul 2009, 13:50
Debbie- I take Klonopin, and had withdrawal reactions when I went off it in the past without tapering off. Panic attacks and restlessness. I'm back on Klonopin and still like it. But always taper off Klonopin! Always!!
The side effects getting off meds can be as bad as getting on them. But, they do pass. It's still worth it to try out meds if they may benefit you.
p.s. Everyone reacts to meds differently. We don't know what Michael was taking. Taken correctly, meds are probably not gonna kill you. Talk with your doctor, then follow his/her advice...
Debbie
17 Jul 2009, 00:31
I am currently on Darvocet,Flexeril, and and Klonopin and I want to come off of them because I don't want to wind up dead like Michael Jackson.My doctor had me on Elavil also and she said she would up it if I come off all the other sedatives.I went for three days without anything but my Elavil and I was shaking so bad and I was antsy,my heart rate went up,I couldn't think straight.I was afraid I would have a heart attack from withdrawals.My doc told me to taper down but it isn't working for me.My pharmacist said it is better to just quit cold turkey.I don't know what to ....please give me some insight on what is better to do. Losing my mind.......
RICHARD LOMBARD
02 Jul 2009, 08:10
I AM TAKING LOR TABS FOR 15 YRS I,M TRYING TO CUTDOWN AND GET OFF OF THEM I DO HAVE LIGETIMATE PAIN BUT THE WIHDRAWL SYMTEMS ARE A NIGHT MARE WHAT DO HOSPITALS USE FOR WITHDRAWL SYMTOMS I AM OUT OF CONTROL BUT THINK I CAN GET OFF OF THEM IF I DIDNT HAVE SO MUCH WITHDRAWL SYMTOMS THAT I CANT EVEN FUNCTION
THANKS RICHARD LOMBARD
tammy
27 Jun 2009, 22:37
My withdrawals started 8 days ago,Ive not only, so many emotions,it"s like nothing I ever expected. Why would Dr.s prescribe things like Duragesic patches ect. There is noone to help ,but to wait it out! There should be infomation about getting off! Before they give you the drug !
Paula
31 May 2009, 03:06
I have been taking pain pills for a long time and I ran out of my drug now I am feeling the withdrawall bad and I do not know what to do. Sick in AL
mike
18 May 2009, 11:17
go and get yourself a new prescription if you have chronic pain, tell your doctor that the pin meds he has given you are not woking. If your playing the doc and looking for something good or are addicted to piankillers such as alot of people i know and myself included, tell the doc the pain meds barel touh the pain and you want a referal to a specilist. If yo are taking them regularly you should have no problem of withdrawal as you say you have chronic pain and should be getting your next script when this one is done, if your scared of withdrawal because they are all gone and you took them to get high wich i have done tell the doc you lost em, someone stole them, im from canada so you can walk into an emergency room tell them you have pain an get a script of percocet no problem and pay 3.00 dollars to fill it at shoppers drug mart haha! cheap pills and good doctor up here. go to a detoxification tell them yo are coming off opiods hey may give you methadon its free here in canada for methadone... trying to help ya!
Dianna
05 May 2009, 10:29
if you want to stop taking your loratab then you sure as hell dont want to take oxys! thats the dumnest shit i have ever heard... thats a good idea if you are tryng to get "uped", or unless you are just trying to play your doc. and they are not going to do that... You think that you may have it bad now... jus take you some oxys for just a few days and let me know bad you feel! bad bad idea...........................unless you jus want a stromger pill, and a worse addiction and HELL withdrawals....been there and done it honey... you have to stop sometime and when you do, i hope you can do it.....
Linda
13 Mar 2009, 16:14
I currently take lortab, 2-3 times daily for chronic pain. I'd like to stop taking this, but fear I'll have withdrawal symptoms and the pain will increase. Should I ask my Dr. to change my prescription to one of the long acting drugs mentioned?

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