Hospitalized For 50 Days On Painkillers And Need Advice
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I was hospitalized when I couldn't walk and found it was a MRSA infection that spread to my heart, lungs and both hips. I am still here leaving in five days. I must use a walker because it's too painful to walk. I was on IV Dilaudid up to 2mg per hour, weaned down to 2 mg every 3-4 hours; then three weeks ago they switched to 37.5 mcg Fentanyl every 72 hrs and 20mg Oxycodone a day. I'm going home in five days and no longer have a family doctor... Is the hospital going to send me home on something or am I going to suffer till I get a doctor at home? Will there be withdrawals? It's been 50 days of painkillers supervised.

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Re: Jon (# 3)

I think you’re incorrect about being able to stop and not have withdrawals at your dose. That was the old Purdue sales pitch that people on less than 60 mg a day will not have withdrawals, and that’s absolutely not true. When I quit taking pain medication after couple years of daily use I went to myself down to 5 mg a day, weaning over a month period, and I still had withdrawals when I stopped taking the 5mg. They weren’t a big deal, I just needed something for sleep and some anti-diarrhea medication, the third night is the worst and then after that it gets much better, they were fully gone after a week. But I would bet you money but if you suddenly stopped taking your medication right now you would have a lot of trouble sleeping and you would probably get really sweaty

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Re: ABA (# 19)

Ridiculous! You most definitely are going to have horrific withdrawals and want to die. Get to a pain specialist or to a substitute clinic for dependency of opiates due to your situation.

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Re: Mason (# 34)

Herb did attempt to scare the poor guy to death! I have taken opioids and been able to come off them pretty easy. Didn't feel high or abuse. I took them to get through pain and then eased off. You do miss them if you have chronic pain but not nearly as much as alcohol.

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Re: Herb (# 33)

Why would he go to N.A. (narcotics anonymous)? He's been administered these drugs under medical supervision, not abusing them. While he may be physically and psychologically "dependent" upon these drugs he is by no means "addicted" to them or an "addict".

You're way off base here. As a matter of fact, you're in the upper deck way out in left field!

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I don’t think they’ll just let you walk outta’ there with no pain Meds. after what you’ve been through, but you need to find a Dr that is willing to cut you back gradually on whatever you’re taking...Even if you do experience some withdrawls, It’s not like they’ll be horrible...I’d say if a Dr will help you cut back, you should be fine...Addiction is no joke...Get to the point where you would like to do a little of whatever, but you must be stronger than the Drug & talk yourself out of it...There’s no shame in going to N.A. (Narcotics Anonymous) Addicts are people of all kinds...Drs., Lawyers, Judges, & guy’s that live under a bridge...Goin’ to NA will definitely help you. Rather than take a pill, call an NA member or go to a meeting...They have meetings 24/7 & they help ‘cause you’re with a bunch of people that are goin’ through the same thing you are, If not worse...Hang in there, you can beat this stuff...If not it’s either Hell or Death.!.!.! GOOD LICK MY FRIEND.!.!.!

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They will give u one more script to go home on and yes the withdrawals can be absolutely hellacious. I've had all that medicine before.

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I wish I saw this post earlier. You need a pain management doctor. The best thing is to slowly wean down the dosages to absolute minimum to help control pain-that doesn't mean be pain free. As you heal, the meds can be reduced more and hopefully you can get off of them. After 50 days you will have withdrawal. I don't think a facility would release you without follow-up care so they may recommend a pain management doctor. Go slowly; not cold turkey. Good luck.

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Re: Katbird101 (# 7)

And going off Fentanyl patch is dangerous. Definitely have to wean yourself. You should start looking for another dr and not count on case managers always. Insist that you a want a referral to dr prior to discharge. It would be very irresponsible of them not to help with your continuity of care....take care.

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Re: K Dubya (# 28)

Clarification. The foot surgery got me trying oxycodone. My pain is from neuropathy.
My legs ache and sharp pain runs down my nerves to my feet. Sometimes my feet and hands go numb while trying to sleep. The Xanax is to handle my stress. It makes me drowsy the later I take it so I have a chance of getting some rest without the pain interrupting. I am not a diabetic either.

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Re: K Dubya (# 26)

Hell! If you're already taking Xanax & still not sleeping idk... Ambien may not help. What does the surgeon say? Is it normal to still have pain this far removed from the surgery? Have you had a new MRI to see if everything went as it was supposed to?

You threw me when you said "minor foot surgery" as I hate to see anyone go on long term opioids that can "tough it out" in other ways. It truly is a slippery slope. Even if you don't have an addictive personality. Your body will start to require it after a while, even if your brain is strong enough to quit when it wants to.

It's up to you obviously if you decide to seek a pain management doctor, but just know that it's a big decision.

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Re: K Dubya (# 26)

Nothing sounds crazy to me anymore. I'll try anything. Quality of life is a big issue.
I take Xanax twice a day just to keep calm about my pain.

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Re: Jim (# 25)

I know this is going to sound crazy, but have you tried Tylenol Arthritis Formula? If you take it every 12 hours like it suggests, it may help. You'd be really suprised how well Tylenol works once you take it on a schedule.

I wouldn't go back on opioids if I were you. Maybe try a sleep aid like Ambien if you can't sleep through the night.

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Re: K Dubya (# 21)

I have been prescribed gabapentin, neurontin, lyrica, and diclofenac. Nothing works. After minor foot surgery, I was given oxycodone. It was great to get almost 6 hours of pain-free sleep. I did not crave it, or get a rush. When I was about to run out I broke them in half so I would have a few more almost pain free nights. After, no withdrawal or cravings, the pain just returns and some nights my legs hurt so bad I just get up and watch tv or get on the computer. Isn't there anything out there that is stronger and not an opioid? I would not abuse hydrocodone or whatever, but society has made it seem like if you seek it you are just wanting to feel high or sell it on the side.

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hospitals tend to either slowly lower your drugs to avoid withdrawls and release you once your pain is managed without opioid medications and if they plan to discharge you while your using the meds every 4 hrs they will provide maby 3 days worth of the regiment your on with the expectation you will follow up with family doc since you dont have one they will most likely find one for you book you an appointment and provide you with enough meds to make it to the appointment but dont worry unless your a drunk pain in the ass or have been caught abusing drugs in hospital they will work with you and make a plan stopping opioids cold turkey is extremly dangerous and cruel good luck

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First off, I truly hope you get to feeling better fast! And as far as when you leave the hospital YES they will send you home with meds. Not sure what but I think they will probably give you the 20mgs & maybe a few fentanyl patches (maybe) but they know your hurting & will not let you do without. Just talk with the Dr. And when you do run out of meds you will withdrawal. But I believe your Dr from the hospital will give you the 20mgs. But if he does you must take them as prescribed cuz he will not fill them if you run out early then he will think you're over medicating yourself- you don't want any Dr to think that. Hope this helps.

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Re: ABA (# 19)

You are DEFINITELY in the minority of NOT getting sick after almost a decade of oxycodone!!!! I have been doing this PM thing for 10 yrs n I got sick when my doctor just uped and called it quits without telling anyone he was doing so. I was sick for a week or two before I found a nrw place to go to it was horrible. Now EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT but its not fair to say this gentleman will not b sick if he stops all opioids. I did and was sick so to each his own!!!

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Re: Jim (# 20)

Just curious, what exactly is your issue that is preventing you from sleeping? If you have an easily verifiable malady like a bulging disc, you should seek out a pain management specialist. I can't guarantee they will prescribe opioids. In fact, they will most likely try other less aggressive treatments first; unless your medical records clearly notate several failed attempts with these.

However, jumping through these hoops is necessary both ethically, & (imho) morally to weed out drug seekers. Be prepared to take a drug panel on your initial visit & at every office visit thereafter. If you're truly in as much agony as I was, it's not that big a deal to follow a few simple rules.

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Re: ABA (# 19)

Hello, I was wondering what kind of pain you have had for so long and how you manage to still get a RX for so many years since they are cracking down like crazy and drs. are getting so reluctant an scared to write them. How do you convince a dr. that you will not abuse and truly could get by on 1 before bedtime to just be able to sleep. Nothing works for me and I have been prescribed every alternative. Lyrica was a joke. I do not feel like I would abuse and am not trying to get a recreational high. Just be able to sleep pain free every night. I can stand it during the day, though it gets uncomfortable but being up hours at night is almost suicidal. Thanks

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Re: Jesse (# 14)

I'm confused with your response you say you were on "heavy meds" 30 migs every 3 days 30 migs of anything every 3 days is nothing. Of course everybody's different and every situation is unique.He was on 2 mig's of Dilaudid every hour! he's not going to withdraw! He was on it for 50 days, weened down to a conservative regiment I completely disagree with you I think you're giving bad advice saying that he's going to go through withdrawals. I've been using opioids (30-50 mgs.oxycodone daily) for years. Recently I went 7 days without any and I had no withdrawal symptoms whatsoever!! Everybody is different. No disrespect to you.

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You need to talk to your physician honestly about your concerns. Make sure they understand that you do not want to develop, or worsen, dependence, but at the same time you do not want to have to worry about dealing with unnecessary pain. Don't leave the hospital without having a clear pain management plan in place that has been reviewed and approved by every physician involved in your care, and by your insurance company and/or your pharmacy. The government, mainly the CDC, FDA, and DEA are cracking down & implementing policies that have been shown to fail, at the expense of tens of thousands of chronic pain patients everywhere. States, pharmacies, and insurance companies have started implementing their own restrictions, and the whole situation has physicians retiring in never before seen numbers, with the remaining physicians refusing to write any new opioid prescriptions. The sooner you can get a plan in place the better as new policies are being implemented by the day. IF YOU CAN'T BE ASSURED PROPER PAIN MANAGEMENT, REFUSE TO LEAVE THE HOSPITAL. IF YOU HAVE ISSUES AFTER LEAVING, SIMPLY RETURN TO THE ED AS NECESSARY. Remember this is not what doctors want and not their fault.

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