TMI Question?

[KBear]

I was just going to send this to Justin, because it is definitely TMI; but decided someone else may have the same question, so I'd post public.
So, in 4 years of the spinal pain journey, I don't think I have had diarrhea; but maybe once or twice max. I was always regular before, but that all stopped with pain management. Since being off the narcotics, mainly since my last and final narcotic drop, I have had diarrhea like crazy. At first, I felt it was a blessing (mind you, 4 years of constant constipation, so yay, I was excited at first.... sad but true). Now, 48+ hours later, I am taking everything I can think of to stop it. I literally did not sleep last night, not even for 10 minutes, because my stomach hurt soo bad. Is this common? Has anyone else had this happen with narcotic withdrawal?

Thanks for answering my crappy question!

[Justin]

I was just going to send this to Justin, because it is definitely TMI; but decided someone else may have the same question, so I'd post public.
So, in 4 years of the spinal pain journey, I don't think I have had diarrhea; but maybe once or twice max. I was always regular before, but that all stopped with pain management. Since being off the narcotics, mainly since my last and final narcotic drop, I have had diarrhea like crazy. At first, I felt it was a blessing (mind you, 4 years of constant constipation, so yay, I was excited at first.... sad but true). Now, 48+ hours later, I am taking everything I can think of to stop it. I literally did not sleep last night, not even for 10 minutes, because my stomach hurt soo bad. Is this common? Has anyone else had this happen with narcotic withdrawal?

Thanks for answering my crappy question!

Kathy,

This is actually a very good question / topic. Diarrhea is a common compliant of patients going through narcotic (opioid) withdrawal.

Below is from eMedicine:

Opioid withdrawal

• Patients experiencing opioid withdrawal can usually provide an accurate history of their usual dose, of the timing of their last dose, and of any other current symptoms. The clinical problem is in differentiating symptoms associated with opiate withdrawal from symptoms that may reflect an underlying medical illness.
• In general, opioid withdrawal does not directly cause life-threatening symptoms, seizures, or delirium.
• Opioid withdrawal syndrome may resemble a severe flu-like illness. The syndrome is characterized by rhinorrhea, sneezing, yawning, lacrimation, abdominal cramping, leg cramping, piloerection (gooseflesh), nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and dilated pupils.
• Altered mental status, disorientation, hallucinations, and seizures, which are characteristic of DT, are not seen in opioid withdrawal.
• The half-life of the opioid causing withdrawal syndrome determines the onset and duration of symptoms. For example, heroin and methadone withdrawal symptoms peak in 36-72 hours and 72-96 hours, respectively, and may last for 7-10 days and at least 14 days, respectively.
• Persons with long-term intravenous (IV) drug abuse are susceptible to a host of infectious problems, including but not limited to the following; endocarditis, septic emboli, osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, abscesses (ie, psoas, brain, and epidural), and viral hepatitis.

Hang in there...I experienced something similar to you in 2003 when I stopped my narcotics cold turkey.

[Katie]

So I can add this to the list of shakes, chills and nausea? That's what my PM doc said to expect when it's time to taper off the morphine. Oh yeah!

Honestly though, Kathy, thanks for sharing this. And here I thought it was going to be the same topic of your last TMI.... , yes, THAT TMI ;-)

[Dave]

Kathy,

This is normal after stopping narcotics. Happened to me once, and I'm sure it will again.

[Cindylou]

Good topic really. Thanks for running your question by us all Kathy! Sorry, I couldn't let that one go!! Seriously, opiate withdrawal is no picnic, that's for sure. I can't say I experienced this when I tapered off my Hydrocodone, but I sure had the leg cramping, jitzy feeling, and flu like symptoms. Yuck.

[Katie]

Justin or maybe Terry, do you think we would experience the same issues if we weaned ourselves off the narcotics with the help of Suboxone?

[Rebecca]

I just had this problem last week! I am trying to get through more days with out the pain meds. Terrible headakes and then a sleepless night of stomach cramping and bathroom visits! We are such lucky people!

[Justin]

Justin or maybe Terry, do you think we would experience the same issues if we weaned ourselves off the narcotics with the help of Suboxone?

I did not experience diarrhea while weaning off of Suboxone. Short-acting opioids tend to demonstrate more severe gastrointestinal issues once you stop taking them.

[KBear]

Thanks guys! I had been staying at home and avoiding people, fearing I had the flu or something. Glad to know this is normal. My legs are crazy achy and I NEVER had leg problems with my spine problems, so this has been new to me. I guess I didn't experience this when I was weaning the hydrocodone, b/c I was still taking Kadian. I guess that's why it's happening now, since there is nothing left to help with it in my system.

Katie- Your hilarious, funny how I have no problem asking about sex; but poopy problems are embarassing! LOL

[Katie]

You'd think after two kids, you'd be fine with just about everything! ;-)

Justin, did you mean that if I used Suboxone when I am ready to get off the narcotics, that I can avoid all these problems? That would be ever so nice ;-)