Expert: Jacqui - 9/6/2009

Question
My husband has been taking oxycodone for the last year or so for severe lower back pain. He had a successful second surgery in June and quit taking the oxys (120mg/day) cold turkey 12 days ago. He is still having cramps and diarrhea (which i read from one of your previous posts is normal) but what concerns me most is that his body tempreature is still elevated. On the second day of wd it bounced btwn 100.4 and 100.8 (I used an ear thermometer) and I took it about a half hour ago and it was 100.1 (under the tounge) IS this normal? Should we be concerned?

Answer
Hi trish,

THIS IS NOT MEDICAL ADVICE

I need put that in, because I have no formal medical training.  

There is some information that body temperature can go up in opiate withdrawal, but it can also go up for other reasons, most commonly infection.  Twelve days is a long time to still be having the cramps, but oxycodone can come in long lasting forms, so it is not that uncommon.  Was your husband injecting the oxycontin?  I ask because if he was, he may have developed an infection and it would be imperative he get a medical assessment.

I think that there are risks involved in doing nothing, and if your partner's temp doesn't drop back below 100 you should seek a check up from a medical practitioner.  I know that it is often really difficult to find someone who will be tolerant of the situation.  Was he taking the Oxys legally?  If so, see the doctor who prescribed them.  If not, then it wouldn't hurt to get a check up (they might just run some standard blood tests and do a basic check up).  This just means that if something is wrong, you will find out about it.  If not, then no problems.  

If you really won't go to the doctor (or can't afford to), I have copied some info below from an Australian government web site.  You will have to convert to farenheit (there is a converter on the internet, just search farenheit to celsius conversion).

Fever   
 

Fever is a rise in body temperature above the normal temperature, usually caused by infection. Normal body temperature is around 37°C (give or take a degree, depending on individual differences). There may also be minor fluctuations over the course of the day and night. Contrary to popular belief, the severity of fever isn’t necessarily related to the seriousness of the illness - for example, life-threatening meningitis might only cause a small temperature rise.

The fever triggered by viral or bacterial infection is caused by chemicals produced by the immune system which reset the body’s thermostat to a higher level. Most cases of mild fever resolve by themselves within a couple of days. A mild fever (up to 39°C ) can actually help the immune system to get rid of the infection. In children between the ages of six months and six years, fever can trigger convulsions. A fever of 42.4°C or higher, particularly in the elderly, can permanently damage the brain.

Symptoms
The symptoms of fever can include:

Feeling unwell
Feeling hot and sweaty
Shivering
Chattering teeth
Flushed face.
Infection is usually the cause
The cause of fever is usually an infection of some kind. This could include:
Viruses - such as colds or upper respiratory tract infections.
Bacteria - such as tonsillitis, pneumonia or urinary tract infections.
Some chronic illnesses - such as rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis, which can cause fevers that last longer than two weeks.
Some tropical diseases - such as malaria, which can cause bouts of recurring fever or typhoid fever.
Heat stroke - which includes fever (without sweating) as one of its symptoms.
Drugs - some people may be susceptible to fever as a side effect of particular drugs.
Malignant tumours.
Self-treatment suggestions
Suggestions to treat fever include:
Take paracetamol or ibuprofen in appropriate doses to help bring your temperature down.
Drink plenty of fluids, particularly water.
Avoid alcohol, tea and coffee as these drinks can cause slight dehydration.
Sponge exposed skin with tepid water. To boost the cooling effect of evaporation, you could try standing in front of a fan.
Avoid taking cold baths or showers. Skin reacts to the cold by constricting its blood vessels, which will trap body heat. The cold may also cause shivering, which can generate more heat.
Make sure you have plenty of rest, including bed rest.
When to see your doctor
You should always consult with your doctor in the following cases:
You are still feverish after three days, despite home treatment.
Your temperature is over 40°C.
You are shivering and shaking involuntarily, or your teeth are chattering.
You are hot, but not sweating.
You seem to be getting sicker as time goes by.
You have unusual symptoms such as hallucinations, vomiting, neck stiffness, skin rash, rapid heart rate, chills or muscle spasms.
You feel confused and drowsy.
You have a severe headache that doesn’t respond to painkillers.
You have recently travelled overseas.

Good luck Trish, and please let me know if there is anything else I can do to help.

Take care and stay safe,

Jacqui