Expert: Crystal - 9/14/2007

Question
I had been takeing phentanyl 50 mgs for the past year. as well as narco for breakthrough pain. I had surgery for scoliosis which was a very extensive surgery. Do to the medication I had been on ( as above) They had to give me morophine I came home on 60mgs three times a day. I had reduced this on my own to 30 mgs two times a day. Then my surgon said to stop the phentanyl buy the time I went back to him. I had been on 50 mgs but I did get him to at lest decrease it to 25 mgs first. He was agreeable. But I am have having sever muscle pains and not sleeping. Not to mention very irritable to my family. I even increased the morophine back to 60 mgs 2x a day. I feel the progress I had made on my own has been shot. I not only feel terrible physically but emotionally as well. I do want off but I want to do it with least amt of discomfort as possible. I also have fibromyalgia which makes it even more difficult. Please send me any suggessions you may have. Linda

Answer
Linda,
Remember that I am not a doctor.

I have to first ask you if your doctor is aware that you are trying to come off of these meds and if he has offered any assistance? When we do this with clients it is done under the care of a physician and with meds to help with the discomfort. Plus you have to make sure you aren't coming off too fast and you are not having any adverse side effects.
That is a very difficult thing to do when you are taking such large amounts of the heavy duty pain meds and it is admirable that you want off of them and have taken little steps to do so. Don't beat yourself up. You will go through bouts of irritation and emotional roller coasters when you adjust the dose each time as it takes the body time to get used to it. Maybe come down slower and by less amounts and then make sure you take it at the same time each day. You can do that for a month and then lower it again by the same amount,and again maybe ask your doctor if there is anything to help with the discomfort and take up some kind of exercise that is tolerable with your back.
You need to raise the dopamine and seretonin in your brain naturally and can do so by exercising but I know that you are limited.
Realize to that you are aware of what you are doing to your family and just remember to try to step back a little bit and separate from them when you are feeling irritable and take a time out. A hot bath would probably help with the leg cramps and restlessness at night. Just take it one step at a time.