First, good for you for trying to lose the morphine. And, yes, opiate withdrawal is hell. Titrating down eases it, but also lengthens the process.I'm changing pain meds and was feeling frustrated with my doc that she wasn't lowering the old one fast enough, so I thought I'd end up on too much of the new one. She said that even goin from an opiate to another, it wasn't safe to stop the old one too fast. Man, was she right. This is my third night without sleep and I'm about half crazy. And only half way down on the oxy.
Still, I think you would feel even worse someplace where they just disconti ued all you meds at once.
I hope this gets easier for you soon. I've been meaning to ask on the site if anyone ever gets to a point of losering or even stopping pain meds.
Good luck.

See,I am tired. I forgot, of course you can E-mail.

im so sorry you are going thru w/d's..ive been there by the hands of my doc taking me off one med and replacing with another ,,,,,it was a nightmare....maybe going to the mental hospital where they can care for your symptoms would be a good thing

here if youy need me!!!!!!!

I was on Methadone for pain for a couple months. When I needed to be in hospital, a nurse decided that med is ONLY FOR ADDICTS and she decided not to order it for me "to help me".

By the time I signed out AMA, I was in withdrawal really bad. I found a new Pain mgmt.

The worst was the radio playing in my head all the time.
I never took another of those ever!!!

I would not go to hospital and tell them I was trying what you are. They will stop all meds. Then your record will show you as an addict.

I went t*rou** it wit* Met*adone. Doc did it fast. Ripped me off t*e stuff. I *ad t*e "flu" times ten. I cried, pounded counters, walked in circles, and sweat sweat sweat. I wanted to be dead. T*e depression and anxiety were *orrible. I really wis* you muc* luck. T*is too s*all pass.

I've never had to deal with that but from what others are saying, it's no picnic, so my suggestion would be to try to get a friend or family member to be with you for at least part of the day. I don't see how anyone can do it alone. Or have people call you on the phone regularly to check up on you.

Keep posting on here for support and we'll help you too.
Hugs,
Ama

For a medical professional to tell you that you will only have "psychological" effects is ridiculous and outrageous! If thats what they TRULY believe ( with I DOUBT HIGHLY) they should have their med license YANKED! I think they told you that to appease you- because I don't think they think that for a minute! They KNOW exactly what will happen as far as W/D symptoms etc!! LIARS!

I know what you are feeling and unless you have been thru it you would never EVER know how horrible it is!

Anyway Im sorry you are dealing with this and the only hope I think you may have at this point would be to keep the focus on the fact that the more time that goes by ( hour by hour) you will start feeling better. By day 4 (sometimes 3) you will feel much better!

Hang in there!

What kind of medical professional says that? Of course you'll feel the physical symptoms! And I wouldn't do it alone. I don't think I'd head to a mental hospital and have THAT hanging over your head, but do what is safe.

If you feel you can do this on your own, have a friend or family member with you at all times. From my 36 hours of withdrawal (when I found out I was pregnant I stupidly quit all meds and almost died.) I did find a few things to help in that short period. Not cures, not medical advice, just some helpful hints.
1)long hot baths, as much as you can take
2)hydrate yourself but don't eat a lot in case you vomit
3)IF you take anything like diazepam for muscle relaxants, use those as normal to help relax those muscles. The legs are the worst.
4) make sure your home or apt. is clean- the smells can drive you to vomit!
5)don't overdo it! Lay in bed and watch tv- preferably something that holds your attention. Read some books if you can but since you MIGHT not sleep, keep your mind occupied
6)take otc meds if possible. Tylenol and Motrin are great for pain and the extra pain you'll experience
7)DO NOT go cold turkey. Cut down slowly, as your doc recommends.
8) did I mention lots of baths? I remember laying in there and draining the tub, then refilling it. That tub saved me.
9) Be SURE this is what you want b/c if you're already past the halfway point and you can manage the pain, you're doing great!

MOST important is to stay in contact with your doctor. This is usually done under medical supervision. Good luck and let us know how it goes! :)

Just checking in to see how you're doing. I hope a little better.

Thank you, EVERYONE!
Since my Chronic Migraines are STILL OUT-OF-CONTROL AND DAILY, I've decided NOT go off the Morphine UNTIL I can find ANOTHER MED that takes away my Chronic Migraines! Nothing works except the Morphine! I'm SO stuck!
I feel like a failure but I can't live my life IN PAIN EVERYDAY and that is WHY I'VE BEEN TAKING THIS FRIKKEN MORPHINE IN THE FIRST PLACE!
I wanted to "feel good ABOUT MYSELF" & "prove I wasn't an addict!" That I got off a narcotic MYSELF ( that helps me) but has such a bad reputation!
Hopefully, I can try again to get off it WHEN AND ONLY WHEN I FIND ANOTHER MEDICATION TO TAKE IT'S PLACE!
I STILL FEEL GUILTY THOUGH...

your not an addict, addicts take drugs to get high, it doesnt sound like you are doing that, dont be so hard on yourself, your body has become dependent on meds, that happens, and who is saying to stop your anxiety depression meds, thats dangerous.

When i went off all my pain meds i had been titrating down for almost 2 years and it was still ruff, having been on narcotics for 13 years for CP.
It can be done, BUT it must be done slowly and deliberitly. Having said this i should also say that what i did was aginst medical advice.
If you are not ready to stop, DON'T. Your body needs the drug even though the Drs say you are not addicted.

In the end I needed help and went to a psy hospital for help. I was beside myself with anxiety and depression which now after a year
has come under control most days.
dealing with the pain on the other hand is a constatent challange and i am learning to do other things for myself, however i would not be being honest if i did not say that on occation i do take an oxycodone, perkaset (sp) when the beast roars long and loud enough
You are not an addict, you are a reasonable person with a medical problem. Be careful Please

Be Well Friend
Michael

Have you bee fully evaluated by a good ENT?
I had migraines for years that turned into chronic sinus infection.
THe ENT determined that I had severe allergies that caused so much swelling that the pain came from those. Once the allergies were under control the migraines eased up.
I have only infrequent headaches now.

You may feel like an addict. That is because our society is so narcotic phobic that everyone is dumped into the same basket regardless of reality. If you are not trying to get high, if you are not stealing money to take ever increasing amounts, if you are not running from PM to PM askihng for meds because of some vague pains, I doubt that you are an addict.

Good luck.