I'm scheduled to begin Mayo's pain rehab program next month and wanted to get a head start on tapering off the opiates. This is Day 5 of zero opiates and withdrawal symptoms have set in. My right hamstring is on fire with nerve pain. Diarrhea began 3 days ago. Can't sleep through the night (wake up at 4:00 or 4:30 and can't fall back asleep). Today I called Mayo Pain Rehab and also my local pain MD. Received no call backs from either. Without the benefit of talking to a doctor or nurse, I'm really tempted to just go back to 40mg Kadian/day. When I was at that dosage, the pain wasn't overwhelming and I was much, much, more calm. I'm really feeling low tonight. Live alone. Feel like I'm imprisoned. Sitting in recliner for 3 hours. Pain isn't under control and it's making me crazy.
If you are having alot of trouble tapering I would like to suggest that you wait until you get to rehab to do it. They will bring you down gently and it will be monitored. Safer for you that way.
I'm scheduled to begin Mayo's pain rehab program next month and wanted to get a head start on tapering off the opiates. This is Day 5 of zero opiates and withdrawal symptoms have set in. My right hamstring is on fire with nerve pain. Diarrhea began 3 days ago. Can't sleep through the night (wake up at 4:00 or 4:30 and can't fall back asleep). Today I called Mayo Pain Rehab and also my local pain MD. Received no call backs from either. Without the benefit of talking to a doctor or nurse, I'm really tempted to just go back to 40mg Kadian/day. When I was at that dosage, the pain wasn't overwhelming and I was much, much, more calm. I'm really feeling low tonight. Live alone. Feel like I'm imprisoned. Sitting in recliner for 3 hours. Pain isn't under control and it's making me crazy.
Thank you for replying. I think I will take your suggestion. Of course, after being completely off the Kadian (morphine) for 5 days, the question is how many capsules do I go back to. My local pain doctor had me drop in 20mg intervals: i.e., 60mg to 40mg to 20mg to off. The last time pain wasn't a big problem was at 40mg. I'm tempted to take one 20mg capsule tonight at bedtime and another in the am. Would be really helpful if Mayo of my pain MD called me back first thing in the morning!! Cripes. I wish I had waited till I got to Mayo to do this. I'll take 20 mg. tonight and call them in the morning. My pain doc is used to prescribing opiates, and is not very experienced in helping his patients come off of them. I suspect that's the case in most pain clinics that don't have pain rehab programs per se.
I'm scheduled to begin Mayo's pain rehab program next month and wanted to get a head start on tapering off the opiates. This is Day 5 of zero opiates and withdrawal symptoms have set in. My right hamstring is on fire with nerve pain. Diarrhea began 3 days ago. Can't sleep through the night (wake up at 4:00 or 4:30 and can't fall back asleep). Today I called Mayo Pain Rehab and also my local pain MD. Received no call backs from either. Without the benefit of talking to a doctor or nurse, I'm really tempted to just go back to 40mg Kadian/day. When I was at that dosage, the pain wasn't overwhelming and I was much, much, more calm. I'm really feeling low tonight. Live alone. Feel like I'm imprisoned. Sitting in recliner for 3 hours. Pain isn't under control and it's making me crazy.
Maybe. Although I was noticeably more comfortable at 40mg as compared to 20mg. 2 years ago I had "dry needling" done and I responded to it very well. At that time I dropped from 120mg/day to 60mg/day. Maintained at 60mg for last 2 years. I've also not taken any hydrocodone in 5 weeks now and I was previously taking 3-4 per day. Don't miss those. As everybody on this discussion group knows, if the pain's too high, it's super difficult psychologically. When the pain's too high, the tears come and I despair. I just need to get to a better place where I have more pain relief and more peace of mind.
I'm scheduled to begin Mayo's pain rehab program next month and wanted to get a head start on tapering off the opiates. This is Day 5 of zero opiates and withdrawal symptoms have set in. My right hamstring is on fire with nerve pain. Diarrhea began 3 days ago. Can't sleep through the night (wake up at 4:00 or 4:30 and can't fall back asleep). Today I called Mayo Pain Rehab and also my local pain MD. Received no call backs from either. Without the benefit of talking to a doctor or nurse, I'm really tempted to just go back to 40mg Kadian/day. When I was at that dosage, the pain wasn't overwhelming and I was much, much, more calm. I'm really feeling low tonight. Live alone. Feel like I'm imprisoned. Sitting in recliner for 3 hours. Pain isn't under control and it's making me crazy.
Just wanted to give you an update. Decided to not take ANY Kadian this morning. So far pain hasn't been overwhelming. Am STILL waiting for a call back from my local pain MD and/or a nurse from Mayo Pain Rehab. It's extremely frustrating that's it's been >24 hours since I placed calls, stating that it was "urgent", and I haven't received a call back. I did succeed in driving 10 minutes to my gym this morning and working with my trainer on upper body strength. Can't tolerate much strain on the lower right-side of my body at this point (lots of scar tissue surrounding L5/S1 and compressing the R sciatic nerve). Suspect part of my pain is also "central sensitization".
I appreciate your remarks! I'll keep you posted on what advice/help I get.
Maybe. Although I was noticeably more comfortable at 40mg as compared to 20mg. 2 years ago I had "dry needling" done and I responded to it very well. At that time I dropped from 120mg/day to 60mg/day. Maintained at 60mg for last 2 years. I've also not taken any hydrocodone in 5 weeks now and I was previously taking 3-4 per day. Don't miss those. As everybody on this discussion group knows, if the pain's too high, it's super difficult psychologically. When the pain's too high, the tears come and I despair. I just need to get to a better place where I have more pain relief and more peace of mind.
Boy, do I understand what you're saying. Depression is very much tied into pain when you have chronic pain. When pain makes you shut down, it can have a significant effect on mental health, as well as our spiritual health.
I went through Mayo's Pain Mgmt. Clinic in May of 2015. I have mixed feelings about my experience. The program attempts to teach you how to "manage" your pain without opioids. It also shows you how to find alternate ways of doing things to minimize your pain. They were able to get me off Opioids the first week with minimal discomfort, which for others was traumatic. I have maintained an Opioid-free life since the class. Their approach proved to be too much to remember and maintain successfully. Although I do not take opioids for pain, I have found a lifesaving way to minimize my pain. About 2 months ago my doctor asked if I would consider Medical Marijuana as a treatment for my pain as it is available in Minnesota since August. I agreed and and after a brief visit with a state-approved MD who referred me to a state approved pharmacy to decide what form and dose would be best for me. It was advised I take a 50/50 mixture of THC and HBD orally twice daily and a 100% THC SL spray for breakthrough pain which I rarely need. I have seen MANY posts regarding their "experiences" with otc or mail order forms of low quality marijuana and have this advice.......if you haven't tried the real stuff as directed, don't knock it. No, it may not perform as satisfactorily for everyone, but that does not mean it is a bad thing.
As for cost.....in Minnesota you are to pay the doctor $250 in cash or debit card as well as another $250 for the pharmacy PLUS, for me, for both solutions I pay $250/month. the 50/50 solution alone costs $180 per month. As a deal breaker for me, I cut back on the Lyrica I take which for me was $650/month so I am actually saving money.
Geez this is 3 1/2 years ago, so you probably won't see.. but my Dr. never told me about this! I have GI pain and there is NOTHING for me, except people often get relief with medical marijuana. So, you go to the pharmacy and they help you figure out dose, form ,etc? What department is your doctor in?
Geez this is 3 1/2 years ago, so you probably won't see.. but my Dr. never told me about this! I have GI pain and there is NOTHING for me, except people often get relief with medical marijuana. So, you go to the pharmacy and they help you figure out dose, form ,etc? What department is your doctor in?
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If you are having alot of trouble tapering I would like to suggest that you wait until you get to rehab to do it. They will bring you down gently and it will be monitored. Safer for you that way.
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1 ReactionThank you for replying. I think I will take your suggestion. Of course, after being completely off the Kadian (morphine) for 5 days, the question is how many capsules do I go back to. My local pain doctor had me drop in 20mg intervals: i.e., 60mg to 40mg to 20mg to off. The last time pain wasn't a big problem was at 40mg. I'm tempted to take one 20mg capsule tonight at bedtime and another in the am. Would be really helpful if Mayo of my pain MD called me back first thing in the morning!! Cripes. I wish I had waited till I got to Mayo to do this. I'll take 20 mg. tonight and call them in the morning. My pain doc is used to prescribing opiates, and is not very experienced in helping his patients come off of them. I suspect that's the case in most pain clinics that don't have pain rehab programs per se.
Maybe you can stay at the lowest dose for awhile and get by.
Maybe. Although I was noticeably more comfortable at 40mg as compared to 20mg. 2 years ago I had "dry needling" done and I responded to it very well. At that time I dropped from 120mg/day to 60mg/day. Maintained at 60mg for last 2 years. I've also not taken any hydrocodone in 5 weeks now and I was previously taking 3-4 per day. Don't miss those. As everybody on this discussion group knows, if the pain's too high, it's super difficult psychologically. When the pain's too high, the tears come and I despair. I just need to get to a better place where I have more pain relief and more peace of mind.
Just wanted to give you an update. Decided to not take ANY Kadian this morning. So far pain hasn't been overwhelming. Am STILL waiting for a call back from my local pain MD and/or a nurse from Mayo Pain Rehab. It's extremely frustrating that's it's been >24 hours since I placed calls, stating that it was "urgent", and I haven't received a call back. I did succeed in driving 10 minutes to my gym this morning and working with my trainer on upper body strength. Can't tolerate much strain on the lower right-side of my body at this point (lots of scar tissue surrounding L5/S1 and compressing the R sciatic nerve). Suspect part of my pain is also "central sensitization".
I appreciate your remarks! I'll keep you posted on what advice/help I get.
--Elsa
@elsa
Boy, do I understand what you're saying. Depression is very much tied into pain when you have chronic pain. When pain makes you shut down, it can have a significant effect on mental health, as well as our spiritual health.
Any changes in the past couple of days?
Jim
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1 ReactionGeez this is 3 1/2 years ago, so you probably won't see.. but my Dr. never told me about this! I have GI pain and there is NOTHING for me, except people often get relief with medical marijuana. So, you go to the pharmacy and they help you figure out dose, form ,etc? What department is your doctor in?
elle1233,
https://cannabis.web.health.state.mn.us/Here is the link to the MN med cannabis program registration.
Your pain management clinic/Dr. Needs to refer you.
I tried but any systemic use caused severeside effects. I can and do use the topical cream which helps some of the localized pain.
I hope this helps.