Expert: Jurriaan Plesman, Nutritional Psychotherapist - 1/14/2009

Question
I had a back injury on 24th July 2007.  I was prescribed DHC continuous by my GP, initially 60mg twice a day but gradually increased to 360mg per day from beginning August through to mid November.  I saw a specialist who said surgery was the only option, and my medication was changed to Oxycontin 80mg per day.  I had surgery on December 3rd, and from that day I weaned myself (with difficulty) off the opiates and took my last one on 1st January 09.  Unfortunately I now have extremely painful joints in my right thumb at the base and the middle bend, which also clicks as I bend it. so much so that I cannot do much with my right hand at all.  I have asked my GP if this could be part of the opiate withdrawal symptoms but he is very flippant about the whole thing.  I just want to know if this could be the case, as I have never had a problem with my thumb prior to taking the opiates.  I have read countless papers on the internet indicating that muscle/joint soreness could be associated with drug withdrawal.  I just want to know how long this could last.  I have an appointment to see my specialist on February 6th for post op consultation, and will discuss with him.  No one seems to want to tell me that it could be a result of the opiates and I'm not sure why???  Can you please help me.

Answer
Hi Ally,

Not knowing the details of the injury ad surgery I am not in a position to give answers to this. It is best to consult your doctor. I can refer you to articles about addiction and pain relief that could possibly be of some assistance.

They are:

Drug Addiction is a Nutritional Disorder at:
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/drug_addictions_nutritional_disorder.htm...

Treatment of Drug Addiction at:
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/treatment_drug_addiction.html

Management of Chronic Pain at:
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/pain_management.html

If you have any more questions please contact me again. Also you could ask questions at our discussion board at:

Discussion Board on Clinical Nutrition at:
http://forums.delphiforums.com/clinutrition/start

_______________________________________________
Jurriaan Plesman
Hon. Editor of
The Hypoglycemic Health Association of Australia.
www.hypoglycemia.asn.au
Author of "Getting off the Hook"
Freely available at Google Book Search
Skype: jurplesman