Morphine withdrawal

@jseabass if your doctor cannot offer you assistance contact a hospital with a psychiatric department for further assistance in finding the right place. Considering that you’ve got dual diagnosis issues there are special treatment centers that deal with this. Specifically detoxification hospitals or u it’s with8n a hospital. They can also treat your depression and anxiety in addition to helping you detox safely.

@jseabass, you have gotten great feedback already from members of the community; @heyjoe415, @frouke, and @jenatsky. Both mental health symptoms and physical withdrawal can lead to periods of distorted thinking. As you move through this, remember to treat yourself with kindness and compassion.

Here is another resource for your toolbox,

Tapering off opioids: When and how - https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prescription-drug-abuse/in-depth/tapering-off-opioids-when-and-how/art-20386036

@jseabass, what are some of the ways you are addressing your anxiety and depression symptoms while you are going through this?

@jenatsky
Thank you so much for your time and empathy! Besides several weeks of being sick from morphine withdrawal my depression and anxiety has escalated. Out of desperation I just started TMS treatment for my depression which is being made worse by my acute post op complication pain...And I was told its even harder and longer coming of " extended release morphine "! Even though I'm trying to come of the morphine I still have to continue taking my second opioid oxycodine...
Ughh just wana stop always feeling lifeless, in pain, and wanting to just hide...
Thank you for listening to my long winded ramble....

Hi Kelsey,

Thanks for this article on tapering off opioids. About 15 years ago, I was prescribed Suboxone to avoid w/d symptoms from oxycodone abuse. It worked.

Unfortunately, it's still working....... Suboxone is itself an opioid, but does not provide the usual opiate "high". Problem is, getting off Suboxone can be just as problematic as stopping opioids and the resultant w/d symptoms.

I take the lowest dose of Suboxone possible. Only once did I stop taking the drug, and on the 3rd day had vicious w/d symptoms. Suboxone has a long half-life, and so stays in your system longer.

My advice to anyone considering using Suboxone to avoid opiate w/d, think through the trade offs.

Yes, Suboxone all bet eliminates the w/d symptoms from opiate abuse.

Second, Suboxone itself is addictive. Suboxone also blocks the pain-relieving effects of opiates. I've had to use Rx NSAIDs

If I could do it over, I'd probably do a supervised opiate detox, inpatient/outpatient.

It takes about one week to get over the physical craving for alcohol and w/d symptoms. The risk of seizure is high and should be treated by a medical professional.

Getting off opiates, from what I have heard over many years in sobriety, is that the first month is hard, sometimes very hard.

I hope this helps someone. Questions are always welcome!

Joe

@heyjoe415
Thank you so much for your thoughts and empathy. On day 22 of withdrawal. Ughh, feel horrible physically and mentally!!!

@jseabass

Good for you my friend! Day 22. My understanding is that the first 30 days of opiate w/d are tough. I took the easy way out and was prescribed Suboxone. Problem(s) is - 1) the w/d from Suboxone is similar to the w/d from opiates - long and a tough road and 2) opiates don't work for legit things like post-op pain relief.

I went off Subx once and in prep for back surgery. My PCP thought that he could simply put me back on oxy and I would avoid w/d. First thought wrong! Three days after I stopped Subx I went into horrible w/d - the thing you have been going through for 22 days. I went right back on Subx but was still sick for a week.

Please stay strong and get past this addiction. You are a role model for me - taking the hit and getting offf the drug. Good for you!

Joe

@heyjoe415
Thank you for commenting, and sharing your story!
Last June I had complicated nerve replacement surgery. Unfortunately it left me with severe chronic post op pain. My pain management Dr. first put me on oxy three times a day. That wasn't enough and I hadn't slept for a week. He then had to add long acting morphine x2 a day for 24hr coverage. I was on both of these opioids for several months but had to stop the morphine because the amount and combination was causing severe confusion, exhaustion, dizziness etc. I still need to take the oxy alone and deal w continued pain but couldn't continue with the added morphine. That's why with my escalated anxiety I just stopped the morphine without consulting my dr and thinking it through! Day 25 off the morph...

Thanks for the clarification jseabass.

Even though it's been 22 plus days, I would let your Dr know you stopped taking the morphine. It's best to keep your Dr. informed.

I have experienced chronic pain, but always with an end in sight. Last year, my left shoulder was in a lot of pain, every day. I got a cortisone shot in early May, and it did nothing (it was my 3rd or 4th shot in that joint).

I called my surgeon's office to schedule a replacement surgery, and was told I had to wait three months from the date of the last cortisone shot. So the next three months were miserable, but I knew it would end.

Truly chronic pain, as you have, is so very difficult to deal with. Opiates work for a while, but eventually larger and larger doses are required, and getting off the drug usually requires going through w/d.

I wish you all the best, friend. Your spirit is certainly strong!

Joe