Heart Palpitations Dilaudid

I was diagnosed with spinal stenosis nine years ago. I've had a lamectomy, a spinal fusion, and numerous outpatient surgeries since then without success. I've been prescribed methadone HCL (30 mg every 12 hours); Valium (5 mg every 8 hours); Butalbital ((APAP-CAFF 50-300-40 every 8 hours for headaches complicated by these opiate combinations); and dilaudid (16 mg every 8 hours) since then. It is important to know that I have a high level of tolerance to these opiates. In fact, even with these prescriptions my pain score is consistently 7-8/10. As of late, surprisingly, within 15-20 minutes of taking dilaudid I experience strong heart palpitations, which go away within 20-30 minutes of deep breathing and lying down with my legs elevated. However, I'm now really worried and afraid to take the full dosage. I'm scheduled to meet with my physician for our monthly appointment in the next three days. Is it possible that I've become too sensitive to this particular dose of dilaudid? And beyond calling 911 should I actually have a heart attack is there anything I can do while the paramedics arrive? Lastly, I've cut the dosage in half (one pill instead of two) of my own accord until I meet with my doctor, which has prevented the heart palpitations, but has significantly increased my level of pain and seems to cause some level of withdrawal. My only concern is the severe, debilitating pain I experience as well as the onset of moderate withdrawal symptoms I've been having since cutting the dilaudid dosage in half on my own over the past four days. Of course, I'll bring this up to my physician on Friday. Thank you!

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Hello, Coy! How are you doing? Anymore palpitations?

Yes, it may be best for you to switch to a different medication.

As to the palpitations, they are usually benign and harmless, just frightening. They rarely signify or cause a heart attack. Their very definition is just an unusual awareness of your own heartbeat, when you usually don't notice it.

And if you do have to call 911, the operator will instruct you what procedure you should follow, depending on your symptoms.

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