AboutDr Alan Galbraith Expertise I can answer most questions on most drugs. Answers can be given in either technical or layperson terminology. My main areas of interest are psychiatric, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular drugs.
Experience I have been a university lecturer/head of department for almost thirty years, but am now retired. My research interests were alcohol, smoking and cardiovascular disease.
Organizations Institute of Biology, London.
Publications Author of "Fundamentals of Pharmacology" 5th Edition published in November 2007 by Pearson Education, Australia.
Question Hi Dr. Galbraith... Trish again. Had a question for you regarding oxycodone withdrawal. My husband was on some form of oxycodone for the last two years (first percosets, than oxycodone) due to severe lower back pain. After his second (successful!) back surgery, he decided to quit the pills cold turkey. He was up to 120mg/day. He only took pills, nothing ridiculous like shooting or snorting it. Today is 2 weeks since he has taken a pill and he still has diarrhea and stomach cramps as well as an occasional elevated body temperature (100.1). Is this normal? How much longer can it last? He's also still battling the fatigue and weakness as well as insomnia. I've been giving him L-Tyrosine, which I read will help boost his energy and trying to keep him motivated to get through it but he's having a hard time staying positive. How much of the L-Tyrosine can he take daily? He does get a little better every day but not at the rate he had hope for. Any suggestions?? ANy ideas for sleep? We tried all the herbs (valarian root,melatonin,l-tryptophan and kava kava) but all they did was make him restless. I appreciate any input you have on the situation.
Answer Dear Trish
No danger in upping the tyrosine at and hope it helps. These gastric symptoms can continue for a while. Try loperamide (OTC) it usually works well here. Tell him to take plenty B vitamins they may help his energy levels and ask his doctor fro short term use of zopliclone or zolpidem for his sleep problems.
No telling how long this will last for as it is very variable but should not take more than 4-6 weeks but usually much shorter.
