I have been on Opana for a chronic pain condition called RSD or CRPS. I was on Fentanyl patches for over a year before but could not keep my eyes open so my Dr switched me to Opana ER. I take 60mgs twice daily and I really want off of them. So I quit cold turkey and am having major withdrawals. Maybe I am just a wimp.....have never really taken meds for anything before all of this, but my seven yr old son died in my lap from cancer and he was on some major meds at the end. I just can't do this anymore I am miserable on it, and I want my life back....can't understand why anyone would do this to themselves on purpose I have felt awful since I started on any meds. I have been on the Opana since January and the withdrawals are killing me. Very fidgety, nauseated, severe severe headaches, very moody, upset stomache, want to sleep it off but can't sleep. Please help anyone i am soooo miserable and don't know what to do. I asked my Doc to take me off and he would not even hear of it, so I took matters upon myself. Mayn other side effects....does anyone know how long this crap lasts....I do have 10mg immediate relief but am trying desperately not to take them. I have been off the Opana for 57 hours and have taken 2 breakthroughs

Hi there..

I am not experienced with that drug, but if it seems to me that weaning yourself off any drug would be better for you than cold turkey cut off. Some drugs can make you have seizures when stopping them suddenly, some have even worse reaction... have you researched how to go off this med?

I wish there was something I could do to help you do this, I know withdrawl from opiates can be very bad for awhile but I wory about you doing it on your own.. someone who has experience with it may come along soon and have better advice for you. And I am so sory for your loss, the loss of a child is so.. theres no words.. Please know we feel for your loss and accept comforting cyber hugs that I am sending your way.

Painless hugz,
Sandra

Sandra,

Thank you so much....I truly do appreciate it. This med can cause seizures and I am trying to make sure someone is with me at all times, but WOW I feel so awful. Thank you for the hugs....my son was so amazing....never ever complained and I truly am blessed that I got to have him even if it was only for 7 yrs. I have some bad days but for the most part I feel sooooo amzingly lucky to have had him and would do it a million times over just to know him (except for the watching him suffer and not being able to stop it)

Avery

Avery,

I replied to you post in Desi's thread, as I saw it there first, but wanted to just post here again quickly to let you know that you are in my thoughts and I am so sorry to hear that you have been through so much. I have a son who is seven and cannot imagine facing anything like that with either of my boys. That you carry on is truly an inspiration to me. I hope you find the balance you are looking for with respect to your meds. Keep trying different things if you have to untill you find something that works for you. You may never like how they make you feel - I know I don't, but if you can find a balance you can live with it can be so helpful. I struggle with that myself, as I find meds can dull experiences for me and I want to be present and fully experience life with my children, but going off them is not an answer as I become so imprisoned in my body and in pain that then I can't really experience anything. Good luck finding that balance for yourself and please call on us if you have any questions. I am sending extra huggs your way, and know it must be a difficult time of year for you all around. If you ever need someone to talk to please reach out...there seem to be many wonderful people here to talk to.
I hope this reply finds you having a good day.
Kimberly

It took a long time but I think I'm finally on the right medication. At least the side effects are probably insignificant. It can be difficult to tell the side effects from the symtoms so I don't know for sure.

I had a long withdrawl from methadone but it wasn't that bad except for difficulty sleeping. The worst was over in about three days but it took nearly two weeks. I was on a low doasage.

Hi avery,

Back in Jan of this year my doctor decided not to take my insurance and just dropped me. I couldnt find another doctor that would prescribe the pain meds to me, so went cold turkey. Was taking 150 mg ms contin a day, with 5 to 6 norcos a day for breakthrough pain.

Well let me tell you, the withdrawals were tremendously unbearable for the first 2 weeks. DO NOT go cold turkey unless you are forced to. Please do try to ween yourself off. That way the withdrawals wont be so harsh on your body.

It has been nearly a year now without any pain meds at all, and the pain is worse. Also mobility, endurance, and quality of life has been a lot worse without pain meds.

Sure they make you feel weird, but it is a nice trade off for the above listed things to be improved. I think the medical people dont help things either, the way they try to make everyone feel like some kind of drug addict. Dont let them get into your brain, if you have pain, then you are not a druggie.

Only you can know if life is better with, or without meds. For me it is a no brainer now that I havent had them in a while. Soon as I find a doctor now that I have medicare, im asking for pain meds. Life wont be like normal, but will be a bit better than it is now.

Hope you figure out what is best for you.

Ya know, Allen.. your so right about some, or MOST doctors not giving pain meds out. My old Dr. I seen did this! I came right out and said;"I am not a drug addict, I am a pain relief seeker"! Did he give me something then?? Nope. I fired him, the Dr. I am now seeing is not afraid to give anyone pain meds. As he said he see's many patients a day, who KNOWS therey are in pain. He is a very dedicated RSD specialist and cares. We need more doc's like him.~Love, Desi