Pain Meds Stolen - in withdrawal
 

Hi there. I've been on 325/10 Hydrocodone & 30mg Kadian for a number of months. Kadian dose 1x daily & the Norco as needed - sometimes 3 a day & sometimes none for 2 or 3 days depending on activity/pain level.

Well.......my meds were stolen last Saturday (only the Kadian & Norco) and it's my PM doctor's policy not to replace lost or stolen medicine.
Luckily I had (15) 20mg Kadian from an earlier prescription and my Cymbalta & Nuerotin. Dr said I need to rely on these until my next RX is due on 4/2.

I'm not really having any pschycological withdrawals but am experiencing headaches, weakness, heart palpitations, sweating, insomnia and pain (though not as bad as I thought but I'm laying around alot.)

An article on Livestrong.com :Middle Symptoms of Withdrawal says...
"The sympathetic nervous system is known for its ability to rouse an individual in the face of danger--a response that is sometimes called the "fight or flight" reaction. Drug withdrawal causes a progressive increase in sympathetic activity, leading to middle withdrawal symptoms. These include irritability, shakiness, restlessness, insomnia, poor appetite, dilated pupils, chills and goosebumps."
Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/20...#ixzz1p85amUZt

1. Will this create any long term problems related to CRPS?

2. I reported the theft to the pharmacy/police on Sunday & my PM Doc's nurse on Monday morning. The nurse called me back with message from the Doc "You just have to use the 20mg; no med replacement."
Shouldn't they have advised me on the symptoms I would experience and how to home treat them. What do you think???

3. Any advice on easing symptoms? Especially the palpitations? This is a little scary for me.



I guess the bright lining to this is I will get to reaccess where I am and what meds I really need at the end of it all.

Sorry so wordy....Hope everyone out there is having a reaaly good day. :)

Sorry to hear about your situation. Yes, the pain management clinic should certainly have been more informative and compassionate about your situation....By the tone of your post, it does seem like you are handling things as best you can.

I weaned myself off of percocet about a year ago and it wasn't much fun! I had many of the symptoms you describe, but no palpitations.

I won't be much help in what you might be able to do to ease the symptoms; I just barreled through it as best I could. Be sure to tell people around you what you are going through so they understand because it does change you a bit...

Have you googled "withdrawal symptoms" to see if you might find some tips? There has to be some advice somewhere on the web.

Yes the good thing is that it allows you to reassess your actual need. I found I no longer needed percocet. And life has been just fine without it as long as I use my other drug cocktail of neurontin, naproxen, amitriptyline, trazadone.

You'll get through this. Hang in there! Keep us updated on how you are doing!

I am so sorry to hear what you are having to go through. I had a really nasty flare over a year ago (which led to spread and a whole lot of not fun stuff) when I ran out of meds because work comp would not approve a doctor's appt with a new doc when mine decided to retire. It wasn't any narcotics or anything either...just suddenly stopping meds that I had been taking for a year to help control my RSD. So I can sympathize even though I have never been in your exact situation. Not sure how much I can help with your questions but I can certainly try to give you my opinion.

1. I would imagine that going through withdrawal will put you through a lot of stress...both physical and emotional. I think most of us know from experience that this can cause flares in our RSD...which can sometime have long term effect. Hopefully not...it sounds like you are dealing with it the best you can. Just keep this in mind and remember to take it easy.

2. I certainly think the doctor's office should have advised you on what to expect with withdrawal and what maybe you could do to minimize the effects of it. At the very least advise you about when to seek medical attention if it got really bad. It doesn't surprise me that they didn't because I am a bit negative about the medical profession in general after my own experiences...but I certainly feel like they SHOULD.

3. I have no idea...but I agree that doing a web search might come up with some ideas.

Take care. You are so right to at least use this situation to reassess your meds and what you really NEED.

I hope you are doing OK.

Have you taken steps so that no meds will get stolen again?
I hope it wasn't a family member or friend that did it...:(

There are medication safes, or maybe even a more secure hiding place in your home?

Plus- not telling anyone you are taking such rx'd meds is a very good idea.

Sorry to hear your meds were stolen. It is hard to go through withdrawls. I would say it will take about 7 days to go through. I have to agree with everyone else that the dr. should have explained this to you. I would definetley find a better hiding place for your pills or a lock box. Take the time to reassess your medications while you can.:eek:

Hi Alisha
 

I have been weened down from morphine also. What you are experiencing is part of it. I am sorry your doctor was not ageeable to re-fill the scripts. However I understand why. The doctors themselves are being watched to see what they prescribe. Every pill has to be accounted for, or they loose their licence. It is because of the abuse that has occured. I felt pretty rough from the lowering of medication, and the sweating and feeling very stressed and grouchy did occur. This does get better with time. Try to be good to yourself while you go through this. Reading helps to make the time pass. If your symptoms get unbearable, that would be the time to go to the ER. I have not wanted to increase any meds I am on because of these symptoms. Hope you are OK and that the uncomfortable part goes away quickly. ginnie

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thanks i did not know that, great ideal. roxie

Hi Roxy
 

What Jo mar said to do, "hide" your medications is a good idea. I do have a safe location. In our area, there were people followed from the drug store, and then robbed at their homes. Be careful when you go to the store to refill your scripts, and don't take a chance. And Jo Mar was right, don't tell anyone at all you have meds. to take. I hope you are feeling better today. ginnie

I am really sorry that someone did that to you...those people who stole them are the readon why so many doctors are not as willing to prescribe pain pills to those of us who really need them. There is an herbal medicine that you can take to help you with the withdrawls. My friend is a neuro-herbalist and told me about this herb when they were "experimenting" with my pain meds. It's called Kratom and many drug rehabs use it to calm the withdrawls. Here is a link...it does have a disclaimer that it's not for human comsumption, but there is no side effects by taking it orally. It will give you a nice calming effect and relieve your cramping and nausea, so much so, that you may like taking the Kratom over going back on the opiates. I have been using it for almost 3 weeks now and I love it! http://kratomusa.com/

Good luck!:hug:

Hi Cindi
 

Hi Cindi, I would have to do alot more research into this Kratom. I would not recommend it to anyone, unless a doctor OK's it. Not meant for human consumption is quite a statement to be taken seriously. There is this stuff called Bullet, that cautions the same thing, not meant for human intake. If this was just an aroma, that would be different. I would ask Doc Smith about this. ginnie