Weaning Off Dilaudid (Page 2)
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I have been taking 8 mgs. of Dilaudid 4 times a day for the last 6 months for a chronic illness. 3 months ago I had surgery to give some relief to my illness, and I have since found some stabilization to my symptoms. As such, my doctors want to wean me off of the Dilaudid. I am very nervous about the idea because I have noticed in the mornings (after not having the Dilaudid for 12 hours), I feel a bit anxious and I have joint and muscle aches and pains. Therefore, the first thing I do is take my Dilaudid. Currently to wean me off my doctor is suggesting that I taper back one pill a day (around lunchtime) each week so that I go from taking 8 4mg. tablets a day to taking one 4 mg. tablet a day. This process should take about one month to complete, and it truly frightens me. Do you have any advice?

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You're the first I've seen mention the slow release? I'm was on 2x6mg/day with about 3mg regular for breakthrough. So I'm down to 3x3mg slow release and will stay on it for a couple more days, then start dropping by 1 mg. I am hoping to be weaned to 0 by end of September. Prayers, best wishes and positive thoughts to you all...

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I had been taking 8mg of Dilaudid, 4 times a day, (for break through pain) PLUS 24mg of the slow release form 3 times a day for chronic back pain & four surgeries to try to fix the problem for at least 5+ years. When I was told that I also needed a Total Knee Replacement surgery, I, not my Dr, wanted to get off the 8mg dosage of the Dilaudid as soon as possible. I wanted it to be completely out of my system for at least 4-6 months prior to this surgery. I was concerned about "going under" with that much Dilaudid in my system as well as pain control post op. Every three days I would reduce one dosage by 4mg until I was only taking 4mg 4x/day. I was there for two full weeks before I started reducing more. I had no problems of any kind whatsoever regarding withdrawal therefore I continued on. I next reduced my dose by 4mg each day & remained there for one week until I reduced it by another 4mg each day every week for the next three weeks until I was off it completely. I don't know, nor does my Dr really, if it seemed to be an easier process for me than most others experience because of my will power to get off it completely before my TKR or that I still had some in my system in the form of the Extended Release format. How I managed isn't the important thing for me anyway. I wanted to be off it for a minimum of 4 months prior to surgery & I accomplished that & more... 5 3/4 months actually!!! Sadly, I'm back on it now at an even higher dose (12mg every 4 hours) but it's only been 12 days since my knee replacement so as it draws closer to the 6 week post op mark, and barring any unforeseen complications, I will just repeat the process all over again.

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Also wondering about a realistic tapering schedule? Can I drop by 1 mg/day or should I ride the change for a few days first? Help pls...

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But isn't Tramadol also an opiod? I have some still, but afraid to wean off that too. I'm in agony with sore joints trying to get off hydromorphone. I have dropped from 15mg to 8mg per day in a week, but suffering!!

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Drs...in my opinion, seem to not understand proper weaning techniques...sorry to say. It should be given a minimum of 2 months by going 4mgs a WEEK...This IS NOT a process that needs to be rushed..by NO MEANS. Tell him your comfortable going down 4 mgs a week, to both insure you wean properly, while insuring your checking your pain issues also, to make sure you don't rush things. Seriously, this is no race, and you should do it correctly. Hydromorphone is a strong opiate, and it needs to be done properly!!! I used to Counsel Opioid Addicts before I got back into Bail Bonding, and find I still do with all the addicts I bail out. If you have ANY questions...get back with me. Hope you do GREAT...

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Was dropped by doc. U/A results said I am not taking my dilaudid (impossible) and says I had 2500 mg of fentanyl in my body (also impossible...not even a med I take). I have chronic kidney disease and am a cancer survivor and have lost a lot of weight. Down to skin and bones. Could this have something to do with mistakes in the U/A?

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I was taking the same dosage as you were & had no problem whatsoever coming off it after three years. It took about five weeks & I feel clear headed with no more aches & pains & sweating & nervousness. You can do it too. Just believe in yourself & really really want it

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I have been on hydro morphing for three years. After having a knee replacement and continued after breaking my wrist last year. I am prescribed 4mg four times a day.
At first I noticed that I had more energy to do things, but had to take two at a time, then three and finally I'd take them more and more to do my housework and get moving,
I had to lower the dose as the time for my prescription appointment, but was very lazy and has no energy. I have tried to slowly take less and not go back to the pain management doctor but always do and get two months supply, I have got a week or more for the appointment and have deliberately just taken the last,three which means four today I am now out. What can I take over the counter to help?

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I'm on 8Mg for chronic pain from 4 back surgeries and Lupus. I was taking every 4 hour not exceeding 6 a day, but I was admitted for hypoxia an now I'm on oxygen. My primary care dr said it could be From dilaudid so I weaned myself down to 3 a day so far breathing still not good an er visit nurse said same.thing. My pain dr said he doesn't believe meds are to blame for low oxygen levels. But I got to try to continue decreasing I've been on pain med since 2011.

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Did it work? I would love some info on how to get off of them

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Suboxone sucks! Best way to taper is go down dose by dose. It's very hard but I did it. Some days I had severe panic attacks Thank God for BEER!

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I was put on Hydromorphone 4 mgs about 5-7 yrs ago for chronic back and neck pain and peripheral Neuropathy bi-laterally. I am in so much pain 24/7. I made a move out of state to help an auto immune problem. I had to move to the cold climate. Now I am being treated like a terrible person here in CO. I have never done street drugs, just had 50 some surgeries in my life and want to get out of pain. In my day that is what you went to the doc for pain or sick?? No one will be my doc here at all?? I went started to taper and got frustrated with these new laws and labels, makes me feel dirty. So I just stopped taking it all together! I am two weeks out now and I am in a ton of pain but it seems to be my normal back pain, neck and migraines. Right today I am having severe stomach cramps omg! But, again, I have had 2 surgeries for Marked Diverticulosis & IBS for 20 yrs and I have an ostomy from it I lost all my large GI tract and there is more scar tissue in my tummy over a 30 period and I am having some problems. I am 61 now. A lot of leg pain bad! I have tried a flexural a couple of times but it doesn't help much and I can't sleep all night. I toss and turn. I am going to finish what I started but wether I can live with the chronic pain I have at my age, we shall see. I want some quality of life. Personally, at my age I think all this not having my pain meds so I can go to the grocery store and not be in a wheelchair or flat in bed, a little quality of life is no ones business but between my doctor and me. Just my opinion.

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I was taking 8mg:3xdaily for eight years & stopped cold turkey. I was a bit uncomfortable with chills & sweating but they kept me on my Hydromorph Contin 24mg/3x daily. Maybe still being on something made it easier for me. I must say though that I was DETERMINED to get off the stuff no matter what. Now I'm working on getting off the Hydromorph Contin as well. Neither were helping with my chronic pain. I was addicted to them, period!!

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Stop the train!!!! Dilaudid and Valium or any benzodiazepeine are have a history of deadly drug interactions.

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But it is not cold turkey if you are given other medications that are either painkillers or benzos. Cold turkey is quitting ALL narcotics 100% at one time. And it is scary and hard. I have epilepsy so it puts me at serious risk for more dangerous seizures so I can't do that. I am weaning. Still a little scary but I am more motivated now than I have ever been and I know I can now handle the decreased pain after having recovered from major surgery to help correct my chronic pancreatitis which had me on very high doses of dilaudid.

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Try clonidine , any Dr should prescribe it, it lowers your blood pressure and helps immensely with withdrawal

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That's a good friend. If you use opiates every day your body will get physically addicted. I suggest you try to abstain from using them every day. And recommend that you take them relatively at the same time when you do take them. This will keep you on a regimen rather than just popping them whenever you feel like it. Also dilaudid 4s are not very strong when taken orally. If you know someone that is willing to trade some of the 4s for a long acting opiate. I would recommend it. Hope this helps. Good luck

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Wow you must have needed extra prayers to come off 130mg of methadone cold turkey!

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I feel the same way too. I take 4mg every 4 to 6 hours. I have to take it or I will WD. Shakes aches, feel sick. Then when I take mine , I'm ok. I'm hooked.

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THE HARDEST PART OF WITHDRAWING FROM OPIATES IS THE LOSS OF SLEEP AND THE RESTLESSNESS. IT REALLY TAKES A TOLL ON YOU MENTALLY. MAKE SURE THAT YOU REQUEST SOMETHING FOR MUSCLE RELAXERS (only help minimally for restlessness but helps none the less). MORE IMPORTANTLY MAKE SURE THAT YOU RECEIVE SOMETHING STRONG TO KNOCK YOU OUT AT NIGHT. SYMPTOMS OF WITHDRAWING ONLY SEEM TO GET WORSE WHEN UP ALOT AT NIGHT AND CANNOT SLEEP. IF YOU GET SOMETHING FOR SLEEP YOUR WITHDRAWAL EXPERIENCE WILL BE OVER BEFORE YOU KNOW IT.

The meds I took to help me through it were.... Subutex (taper), clondadine (blood pressure, also helped me sleep) , Roboxone (muscle relaxant). And I also had Xanax to help but very little. Only took 7 days of strong withdrawals the rest was mostly mental.

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