Dilaudid Hydromorphone Withdrawal Stomach Pain

I am taking 4 mg every 4 hours total 24 mg daily for migraine treatment (yes Im aware this not ideal , but is only treatment that keeps me from daily migraines) ( I have been seen by 32 specialist and taken every treatment available and found this is only one that works for me).Anyways over the last 10 days I have been trying to lower my dose because I am so tired and afraid it may be causing damage to my body. I have been lowering dosage daily. I have been hapily suprised at my progress. It has been hard mentally and physically but I was able to take it UNTIL I suddenly got the most unbareable stomach cramping! It feels like I have a brick and a beach ball fighting in my gut and niether can get out! Nothing has helped and after about about 24 hours I had to go to hospital and get them to bring me some pain relief. Note I say some pain relief, I am still doubled over , even after raising my dose back up to what it was. By the way the amount I had gotten down to was half of my original dose or a bit more daily for last few days. Dose anyone know how to make my stomach stop hurting now and what to do to prepare better next time I try to ween. I already know I should ween MUCH slower. But any other help would be great especially from those who have done this. Thanks all!

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Don't (ween) as you say. Titrate your dose of hydromorphone as best you can then switch to Tylenol 3 or 4 for some basic withdrawal relief while you kick entirely. Good luck. You can do it.

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Are you sure the stomach pain was caused by trying to wean off the medication?

I'm not a doctor, but any time you have been taking a medication for a long period of time, there is a chance of developing gastritis.

Learn more gastritis details here.

It can be hard to diagnose, I suffered from it for several years, before it was finally correctly diagnosed. However, the solution is as simple as taking antacids for a few months, so your stomach has a chance to heal. Staying away from spicy foods and alcohol can also be of great benefit for awhile.

It can come on completely unexpectedly and is very miserable to deal with. I had quite a few days where I ended up miserable in bed, curled up in a fetal position.

It's a possibility to look into and discuss with your doctor.

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Thank you for you reply. I will look into this. I will post what has happened since my last post (long story). I will be asking my dr about this though, sounds possible for sure. Thanks! Ok long story is I went to e.r. later this night because pain became so severe was given pain meds and other meds. The next day my stomach went over the edge with pain, I could not past any gas or otherwise (sorry tmi) they sent me home with Golytely colonoscopy prep for severe constipation from the narcotics. I dont know if trying to withdrawal had an effect or coincedence. I feel it probably put my already constipated stomach into spasms and cramping. Now after doing laps to the bathroom and cleaning out I will see how it goes and try and keep myself going more regularly. As far as getting my dose lowered I will lower my dose more slowly and get my bowels softened up first. Thanks for your responses!

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Just wanted to update some info for others that may be going through similiar situation. I have had to return to e,r, several times fo this undiagnosed abdominal pain. They usually write it off to constipation, but...... eveytime they have told me my pottasium level was low (extreamly low on my last visit) and my nurse this last visit asked me if I knew that being low on pottasium can cause just this stomach issue, Wow did no one at any of my dr appt or e.r. visits not think about this before? so with further research I found that it was very possible that being low on pottasium was doing this to me and further more i found the only relief I had fom this pain was obtained after I got my pottasium level back in line. The funny thing is that it is almost immediate pain relief. I have been taking a pottasium suplement and have not had a reacurance since. Do be careful and talk to dr if you are going to take pottasium as taking to much pottasium can kill you! AS for getting off my dilaidid. I am now tapering off (had to start again after my pain management clinic dropped me when they figured out they wee not supose to be charging me whilst I was on medicaid, afte doing so for 4 years!) Dont ever belive they wont drop you, my clinic swore they would help me taper off no matter what and they dropped me and told me to find someone else even though I had been the "perfect patient" in thier words. They even claimed I hadnt told them i was on medicaid untill I found my intake paperwork and threatened a legal suit. Suddenly I was treated much better but still no help finding a dr that would continue my care in same way. I can not find another dr that agrees with my treatment plan so i now have to taper off with the medication i have. So exactly the thing we all fear, that they promise us wont happen! I resisted taking narcotics for just this reason even though this dr reccomended it for years befote I gave in after all other treatments failed and i had non stop migraines. I will let everyone know how it goes. Also i have a question... does anyone else feel like its hard to get enough air when they start to withdrawl or are late on thier dose?

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Re: getting enough air when withdrawals begin, God yes! Thank you for speaking up. Somehow for me, throwing open all the windows and spending more time outside makes me feel less depressed about feeling trapped during my detox. It's almost like a claustrophobic reaction in that you're not able to get relief from your body's horrible detox symptoms. Detoxing takes patience, moral strength and time.(Oh, a little sunshine and fresh air helps a hell of a lot also!)

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Withdrawal does not increase your constipation. Also your stomach does not get constipated. Your poop is in your intestines. This is where constipation occurs. Drinking plenty of fluids, getting adequate fiber and exercise can help decrease constipation

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I have terminal lung cancer. I was bothered badly by constipation. I took vegetable laxative. It worked ok. Now, I eat one cone of vanilla ice cream. Sounds crazy. But, works GREAT. I hope this helps.

{edited for privacy}

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Re: Woody (# 7)

Hi Woody, was just reading the threads and whining to my GF about my sciatica pain. Then came upon your post, i am so sorry to read this, i have no words :(
Sending you my prayers and hope you are free of pain. If you can, post updates my friend, cheers from Canada ,

Joe

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