Hey guys!

I am posting this for my husband. He's just passed the 1 year mark from his 1st surgery and is still on pain meds (hydrocodone and opium). He's getting really frustrated because every time he tries to taper off, he gets really sick. He's afraid that he's getting addicted and doen NOT want that.

He takes the Hydrocodone and it'll make things good for about four hours. Then he starts feeling really bad. He takes the opium with meals and it helps a lot too. But if he doesn't take the hydrocodone every four hours and the opium with meals, he just feels like poop!

Anyone got some ideas for us. He so wants to feel better without the meds. He's wondering if he's going to have to be on these meds forever or if there will come a point where he can get off of them!

Thanks for your help!

Patti

I am sure that he knows that these symptoms are withdrawal symptoms and the only way to avoid them is to very gradually withdraw. He can start by reducing his dose before frequency, and in small increments. He will probably find that his bowel movements will increase. Hopefully he can use Imodium or Lomotil for that. I would suggest that after this length of time, he should withdraw with medical supervision so he does not have to suffer with the symptoms.

Jan

Thanks Jan. You always have valuable advice to offer. It's reassuring to be able to read some other's experiences also and realize that we're not alone. Roland was just saying to my father the other night how wonderful this site is. Before, he thought he must the only person being prescribed opium! Now he realizes that what he is going through is something that someone else has also gone through. Thanks to everyone for sharing all you do here!
Patti

Hey Patti....

I was worried about Vicoden right after my 2nd surgery. I just hurt all the time. I started to get migranes when I didn't take it. That scared me. I quit cold turkey, and got pretty sick, a 3 day migrane, that lingered about another week. I didn't take any for about a month. Then I was able to take it again. I limited myself to one a day, usually at night. I was finally just diagnosed with pouchtitis, (which could have been part of the problem the whole time) started Cipro, and feel way better.

I would just say to be sure he keeps in contact with his GI or surgeon. Voice your concerns. I know its scary, I thought if I told them I thought I was getting dependent, they would take away my pain meds, that didn't happen.

Take care...you guys are not alone.