I was taking three opioids a day 30mg, I've been tapering for three weeks now down to 1.5 mg a day... the tapering works and is not so hard on the body. The withdrawal symptoms hits me mostly at night with the leg cramps and insomnia. I'm going to start taking 10mg a day beginning this week. Wish me luck!
I am tapering slow on my own because I know it’s th right thing to do, especially since pharmacies are running out of stock and don’t want emergency to happen so I am doing this on my own. Dramamine helps with major headache pain and sleep right before bed, 1 Pill original Dramamine before bed helps me sleep and aleve headache for day time.
What an incredible resource this is. Very practical and credible information, as always. The tips for a successful taper are especially helpful and not discussed enough. Wonderful video!
Dependency and addiction are not the same. Everyone is unique and no two people with chronic pain are the same. Many people with chronic pain have a far better quality of life with adequate medication this does not mean every patient. Only a very small percentage of patients with chronic pain who are prescribed pain medication abuse this life saving drug. Many doctors are fearful to prescribed medication for pain for fear of consequences. Many pain experts are fully aware that prescribing medication will actually improve the quality of life for their patients. Mind over matter and CBT simply does not stop sever chronic pain. Many patients are bedridden and that is certainly no way to live nor is that fair to the patient when their quality of life can be improved drastically. It's very sad to know that many people who are truly suffering and have tried every possible alternative treatment have taken their own life because the medical community has looked the other way. Pain specialists are intelligent and are specialists in the management of pain as this is their expertise. If opioid medication were not in their toolbox for pain management to their patients then we certainly would not need these doctors at all. Exercise and mindfulness and don't think about your pain holds no water when your body cries out for help and no one answers you. Many patients might be drug seekers and try to fool the pain specialists community's however if we categories every patient as a drug seeker we lose hope in the proper and fair treatment for hundreds of millions of people the world over. With no disrespect to the great doctors who go to work each day in hope of improving the lives of their patient we must be very grateful to all if them. Doctors need to open their eyes to the people who are suffering so terribly sever constant pain and are teater tottering on taking their life in order to stop their suffering. No One should ever pass judgment on these very ill people who want nothing but to live a normal life without the need for any type of medication. I hope one day the medical community will be able to make their own decision over the interpretation of the law and who should suffer or not. Thank you for taking the time to read my comments. I do hope that I've somehow saved a life.
Thank you!! I agree 10000000%. I deal with 2 chronic pain conditions & most Dr's I've seen are a##holes to me... or their hands are tied by fear/politics/the powers that be. Especially at pain management. I've been on pain meds for 20yrs & last year the Dr said I am coming off (tapering).. his recommendation to fill the void of pain meds...... "light exercise "! Which makes MY pain worse. I did not abuse my meds. It's the only thing that's helped me take the edge off &, have some quality of life. I'm able to function enough to do household chores, yardwork, take care of my daughter/family, & even work a job. Now, the rug has been pulled from under me.
Spot on, I take 10 mg hydrocodone 5 times a day. I do not have an addiction but I am definitely dependent on them. As a test I have cut back to 3 times a day and tolerate it fine but my pain level becomes bad.
my dr. just cut me off, said she doesn't prescribe pain meds for chronic pain, so my messed up back surgery is just too bad I guess. I see why people go to the streets for pain relief
It’s crazy because the drs are attempting to help the opioid crisis but doing so causes people who need this medication to find it elsewhere so in fact what they are doing is making the crisis worse.
I take Rx opioids (Oxycodone). Been taking it for 20 years for various issues (injuries/diseases). I'm self employed so I needed to be working and on call 24/7, if not for that I wouldn't have continued taking it. I would love to stop having to take it since it's stigmatizing and I feel that when my grandkids get old enough to find out they'll think that it's okay to use drugs (legal or illegal) too. I go once a month to a doctor's office that takes urine tests to ensure that I'm using it correctly, not selling it illegally, and/or not using anything else such as Marijuana. I've tried tapering but there's no support program from my doctor's office. I tried CBD oil but they warned (threatened) me that they'll throw me out of the program if I do that again. One doctor said "you're too old to quit, you'll be on it for the rest of your life, you're hooked!" They offer no help in getting off of it though. They are my "pushers" since I have to go once monthly and pay a co-pay for the appointment, lab tests etc etc. Since I'm in my late 60s I will die if they cut me off from getting the monthly Rx cold turkey. This has been a nightmare. I've never ever been addicted to anything. Never used weed, drank, or used drugs my whole life until a doctor put me on it for a couple of severe injuries that I had. As I said, I also have a disease that affects me but the difficulty in getting my monthly Rx due to supply chain issues scares me. I would rather learn how to safely quit than have it thrust upon me if say the Drs office closes or goes out of business. If I ever quit, I would like to go around and talk to people about my experiences so that I may save others from this living nightmare. I feel so all alone.
You must slowly wheen off. A little less every week. I've been on hydromorphone for 2 years. Heavy dose, and I have wheened myself almost completely off. One more week, and I'm going to stop taking. May withdrawal but it shouldn't be to bad at all now that I'm on a small dose. Good luck. And also take ibuprofen to control the body temperature 🌡 remember, slowly take less every week.
Agreed about the monthly supply. It always sounds so easy at first to set aside four or five extra days worth for these pharmacies shortages but it’s really hard to actually make that happen. Does your PM doctor allow you to use a Kratom or is that also prohibited? Yeah being on call 24 seven makes it quite a bit harder along with the number of years you’ve been taking. But even cutting back will be a huge amount of freedom - best wishes!
Look at the mind fog it brings.. I hate that I got them from my doctor for an accident at 26 now I’m 39 battling to get off . I noticed a lot! I was off for the entire year! Now I’m getting off again! I hate these side affects on my life! Money & not remembering things!
#84👍👏🤔start low and go slow. Tapping is very time consuming and most physicians do not have the patience to work through it! It is a sad reality that chronic use of narcotic pain meds is a trap. Except for terminal patients. Exercise is essential to success!!
Your so right. And even for heroin addicts that have relapsed for a month or 2, just wait until you're really sick, dose enough just to feel ok not high. Then repeat, go as long as possible without it, repeat. Eventually you'll level out ;-)
Hi Maria Teresa. You are welcome. Please share my channel with your friends. If you use social media you may post this link to your friends: www.youtube.com/@DrAndreaFurlan
How are you supposed to break down three 4 mg hydromorphone tablets by 10%? Want to start tapering but not sure how to cut tablets to a 10% dose reduction.
What happens is that chronic pain patients do not have rights like other patients. We have no choice, we are threatened, bullied, ordered, abandoned, forgotten.I am so angry that safe and effective pain medications like oxycodone, used by competent, responsible pain patients who are not seeking a high, just pain relief are treated like scum. Addicts get more compassion. The CDC have a lot to answer for, the 2016 and 2022 guidelines are disastrous with opiate scripts halved but opiate deaths increased by 900 PER CENT. This is medical malpractice and no one will take accountability.From Australia, in pain.
Agreed! Yep people can buy alcohol almost 24 seven and drink themselves to oblivion legally. Well, I’m not sure what the alcohol laws are in Australia, but in the United States, alcohol is unrestricted, and it is not counted how many ounces a person buys, ever. In the United States, there’s an advocate his name is Richard Lawhern who has detailed an itemized how the CDC and FDA are Misrepresenting causes regarding the opioid deaths.
Some people like myself with chronic pain just have to have opiates. I tried acupuncture, chiropractic, shots in back, Tens unit, facet nerves burned off. Into numerous pain clinics that won’t prescribe opiates
They don't prescribe opiates because they want to prescribe you the chemical drugs they've created, such as gabapentin, which hurt your SOUL when trying to ween off of that (and gabapentin is MUCH more addictive than opiates, by the way)! A certain group of people were behind affirmative action, which kept white christians out of medicine, which medicine is a white christian thing! They took over, as in WAR, the medical field in order to destroy it. Keeping you in pain is the devil's choice. Why do you think they're over there in the M.E. burning down poppy fields? They're at war with God and His people, and God's medicines that help people. This is an opportunity for you to use it as a tool to wake up! And do not EVER take the chemical drugs made by them; it is far better to stay in physical pain than to take any of that. Do not expect antichrist people to be Christian-like; it's just not going to happen, as they are the very opposite. If you can't get a hold of God's opiates, do NOT take theirs no matter what! The reason you are suffering, is because you're Christian. In the afterlife, they will inherit your pain with interest, just as the interest given you through usury of their Federal Reserve homeland.
I am exactly the same… I have central sensitization pain … and many chronic conditions. My mental health is at a all time low… I am literally at my end :(
Thank you for this video, Dr. Furlan. I am currently tapering down with the goal of stopping opioids completely as my original injury has healed. In general terms, what can a person expect when they have slowly tapered down and finally take their last dose? Will the withdrawal symptoms be similar to what was experienced during the taper or more severe? I can't seem to find any information on this. I once tried to taper too fast and had a bad pain flare up. This time I am going much more slowly and so far so good.
@@DrAndreaFurlan I have one more question if it's not too much trouble. How does the body adapt to the decreasing dose over time? Is there a way to describe this in simple terms? Thanks again for this video!
The body adapts to the opioid dose reduction by producing its own endogenous opioids. When the person takes external opioids, this supresses the ability of the body to produce its own. The endogenous opioids are very potent, released in small quantities by the brain stem, only when they are needed. They are endorphins, enkephalins and dynorphins.
After 18 years on opioids, I'm self tapering. Although the original reason for the pain is still constant, I don't like being on it anymore. It's causing rebound headaches daily upon waking. And many other reasons to quit. I'm not going through any withdrawals after 3 weeks. I've decreased my amount 60% so far. I actually expected it to be much worse. But then again, I'm not addicted to them. I've been on the same dose since 2005. I was very careful to not go above prescribed amounts. I also had about 8 hours where I didn't take any.
@@shaniehenry8861I’m here trying to figure out a proper plan . I’m jealous of the few folks that say they do not go through withdrawals . I just went through 3 days of hell . No I have to figure out a better plan .
I was on norco for 5 years and quit cold turkey and by day 10/11 I was back to feeling normal and exercising, I was later on Percocets (oxy) and tapered down to about 8 mg then stopped and the withdrawal from the oxy was not as bad but it was much longer. By day 10/11 I was still having mild withdrawals and insomnia. Not sure if it’s the difference between hydro vs oxycodone
I have been on tramadol for 15 plus years, I tried to quit but its impossible, I get really bad withdrawals and I just can't quit it. My life is so miserable.
Its insane, i was prescribed tramadol for a minor spider bite. I went to an urgent care not a practice or true personalized “doctor”. 60 tablets, i believe 100mg was the dosage, by the end i was slightly physically dependent but totally mentally hooked. I of course abused the prescription and am still battling.
When you're really sick, dose enough just to feel ok. And go as long as possible without it until you're sick again, repeat and keep trying to take less and less. Eventually your body will adjust to the lower dose and you can go lower than that. Tapering could save millions of lives heroin addicts too, but self control & anxiety are the enemy that prevents it :(
Thank you for this comment. Have you seen my website yet? All of my videos are organized by topics and you can download all handouts, worksheets and booklets that I made. You will need to sign up for a membership to access all of my materials. It is FREE to become a member. Check it out: www.doctorandreafurlan.com And please remember that I do not give individual medical advice via email, social media or website. My channel and my website are for educational purposes only. For any individual medical advice, please talk to your doctor.
This is what I am currently trying to do. I don't want to spend more months on end to stop this addiction. I'm trying to get more hours in between the doses and it seems to work (although it's very uncomfortable at times).
Dear dr Furlan,can you explain to me why is it then that some People with opioid use disorder stay forever on maintainance therapy? Is it possible that body in some People cannot start producing byitself endorphins after years of opioid use!thank you
Hi Ivo, there might be too many explanations for that. Opioid use disorder is a chronic disease. Like diabetes, why some people need to use insulin for the rest of their lives? Opioid use disorder is associated with many psychological trauma, and if these traumas are not resolved, the person will continue being vulnerable to many stressors in their lives.
Dr.I have been on morphine for about 5 years for scoliosis. I have never had a problem with the morphine. But doctor has decided that as I am looking good now. I have been 60mg per day. She has suddenly stopped my morphine. Ouch! I am not feeling good.i in
Dr sb i m from pakistan i m taking tramadol 300mg daily since last one month now i want to quit it?what is the tapering dose and how many days please reply?
Thank you for watching the video and writing this comment. Please share this video with your friends. I have lots of videos about chronic pain on my channel th-cam.com/users/DrAndreaFurlan And don't forget to turn on the notifications 🔔 And please remember, I do not give individual medical advice via social media or email.
Tapering is best. Just treating symptoms is almost useless being the insomnia does NOT stop and the anxiety, cravings. Taper taper taper, heroin fentanyl w.e. t a p e r!
Dramamine helps before bed for sleep and major headaches. Dramamine motion sickness medicine also helps with vertigo and nausea so it helps with sleep better then most sleep aids and helps with nausea better then prescription zofran
Chronic sufferer with adequate pain relief works, raises kids and contributes to their communities. Take pain relief away and that same person will be left lying on a couch praying for death to come quickly. We NEED adequate pain relief! Refusing to ease intolerable pain makes you a Dr without empathy or compassion . Shameful.
I'll post this to about 10k people on socials. Surely someone (many) will make use of it. On behalf of society I send thanks. Some may nay-say, those are the likely hooked future addicts. 😉
That is a dangerous amount of acetaminophen (paracetamol) in a day. No more than 4,000 mg in a day, acute use. Is your liver OK? I would want to taper if for that reason alone.
This is really insulting. My dad can barely move without his synthetic opioid. No Meditation, thinking happy thoughts or exercise will help. How dare you make blanket recommendations. It’s the same message chronic pain sufferers are getting because of the people who got hooked on Oxy and caused a caused so many problems. No ma’am. I’d rather people have hydrocodone habituation than not able to move. Shame
Hi “A man with no hands”. It sounds you are really concerned about your father. You must be a very good and caring son to your father. Maybe this video is not for your father. The video is for people who are trying to reduce their opioid dose. I’m sorry if you felt insulted. I hope your father will find the relief he needs. What is your real name?
@@stephaniek8141 It took three years to convince my dads doctor that an opioid was needed. In the meantime he was told to take dangerous amounts of Ibuprofen that started messing with his stomach had i not intervened. In this age it is hard to distinguish between opioid panic and true opioid problems. Younger doctors have been sold on the notion that opioids should be avoided at all costs. A dear friend just went through liver cancer surgery and was told he would not get morphine straight out of surgery because the doctor didn’t believe in it. Only because my friend woke up in agony that he was given ONE hydrocodone. No ma’am- if you are a doctor and you don’t specify the reasons, and situations where tapering may be necessary AND EXPLICITLY state that all cases are different then you are most definitely adding to the hysteria that is causing a pain epidemic. Otherwise the young medical establishment who has not gone through this cyclical pain medication situation will not question their behaviors. AND those people with chronic pain are yet again having to deal with more bullshit from doctors who have bought into the current zeitgeist. This generation of doctors will come to regret what they are doing
The doctor is speaking to ppl who WANT to get off opioids, such as myself. I don't want to take these drugs anymore as I no longer need them for pain. I hate the side effects but I am physically dependent on them. Thanks to the Dr. for providing this much needed information.
@@amanwithnohands I believe that these younger doctors will change their minds in a few years after they get more experience with people in pain. They will figure out that most don't get addicted. They were taught to hate opioids in a time of opioid hysteria but they will find out what the reality is. In the meantime, I feel bad for people who are suffering and can't get needed pain meds. It is horrible.
What helped me was to go on neltrexone; it really reduced the craving. Most times it's difficult to get off even after your done with the withdrawal symptoms and successfully come clean off of the opiod; for me I still had the craving after for it. Even low dose naltrexone is what i used; it works in the way that even you go back on it; you won't feel the euphoria that gets people addicted then for me I found myself not needing it anymore and then for pain ask your doctor about non addictive medication for pain.
Dependent for ongoing severe chronic pain to function and have some quality of life vs addiction. You can be dependent and addicted but some are just the first and don’t get a high. Not easy for either but they are diff situations. Best of luck.
I was taking three opioids a day 30mg, I've been tapering for three weeks now down to 1.5 mg a day... the tapering works and is not so hard on the body. The withdrawal symptoms hits me mostly at night with the leg cramps and insomnia. I'm going to start taking 10mg a day beginning this week. Wish me luck!
Your doing great! Insomnia is the worst!
I am tapering slow on my own because I know it’s th right thing to do, especially since pharmacies are running out of stock and don’t want emergency to happen so I am doing this on my own.
Dramamine helps with major headache pain and sleep right before bed, 1 Pill original Dramamine before bed helps me sleep and aleve headache for day time.
Hell,I take ambian for sleep and can only sleep about 5 hrs.Im down to 1 10mg hydro,but take mine for energy and mindset.
I took 1600mg a day and
Now I can reduce to 250mg
@randyragland9218 they make 10mg hydro? I thought just 2mg, 4mg, and 8mg?
Empowering patients is so important. Educating their caregivers is so important too. Thanks for publishing these videos.
This the absolute best information on reducing this type of medication. Easy to understand but to the point. Thank you.
What an incredible resource this is. Very practical and credible information, as always. The tips for a successful taper are especially helpful and not discussed enough. Wonderful video!
Thank you for your comments!
Dependency and addiction are not the same. Everyone is unique and no two people with chronic pain are the same. Many people with chronic pain have a far better quality of life with adequate medication this does not mean every patient. Only a very small percentage of patients with chronic pain who are prescribed pain medication abuse this life saving drug. Many doctors are fearful to prescribed medication for pain for fear of consequences. Many pain experts are fully aware that prescribing medication will actually improve the quality of life for their patients. Mind over matter and CBT simply does not stop sever chronic pain. Many patients are bedridden and that is certainly no way to live nor is that fair to the patient when their quality of life can be improved drastically. It's very sad to know that many people who are truly suffering and have tried every possible alternative treatment have taken their own life because the medical community has looked the other way. Pain specialists are intelligent and are specialists in the management of pain as this is their expertise. If opioid medication were not in their toolbox for pain management to their patients then we certainly would not need these doctors at all. Exercise and mindfulness and don't think about your pain holds no water when your body cries out for help and no one answers you. Many patients might be drug seekers and try to fool the pain specialists community's however if we categories every patient as a drug seeker we lose hope in the proper and fair treatment for hundreds of millions of people the world over. With no disrespect to the great doctors who go to work each day in hope of improving the lives of their patient we must be very grateful to all if them. Doctors need to open their eyes to the people who are suffering so terribly sever constant pain and are teater tottering on taking their life in order to stop their suffering. No One should ever pass judgment on these very ill people who want nothing but to live a normal life without the need for any type of medication. I hope one day the medical community will be able to make their own decision over the interpretation of the law and who should suffer or not. Thank you for taking the time to read my comments. I do hope that I've somehow saved a life.
Judgement is real. I witnessed it for 35 years in my career. Many people in severe unnecessary pain.
Thank you!! I agree 10000000%. I deal with 2 chronic pain conditions & most Dr's I've seen are a##holes to me... or their hands are tied by fear/politics/the powers that be. Especially at pain management. I've been on pain meds for 20yrs & last year the Dr said I am coming off (tapering).. his recommendation to fill the void of pain meds...... "light exercise "! Which makes MY pain worse. I did not abuse my meds. It's the only thing that's helped me take the edge off &, have some quality of life. I'm able to function enough to do household chores, yardwork, take care of my daughter/family, & even work a job. Now, the rug has been pulled from under me.
Spot on, I take 10 mg hydrocodone 5 times a day. I do not have an addiction but I am definitely dependent on them. As a test I have cut back to 3 times a day and tolerate it fine but my pain level becomes bad.
my dr. just cut me off, said she doesn't prescribe pain meds for chronic pain, so my messed up back surgery is just too bad I guess. I see why people go to the streets for pain relief
The same has just happened to me.
That’s crazy for success!
It’s crazy because the drs are attempting to help the opioid crisis but doing so causes people who need this medication to find it elsewhere so in fact what they are doing is making the crisis worse.
I take Rx opioids (Oxycodone). Been taking it for 20 years for various issues (injuries/diseases). I'm self employed so I needed to be working and on call 24/7, if not for that I wouldn't have continued taking it. I would love to stop having to take it since it's stigmatizing and I feel that when my grandkids get old enough to find out they'll think that it's okay to use drugs (legal or illegal) too. I go once a month to a doctor's office that takes urine tests to ensure that I'm using it correctly, not selling it illegally, and/or not using anything else such as Marijuana. I've tried tapering but there's no support program from my doctor's office. I tried CBD oil but they warned (threatened) me that they'll throw me out of the program if I do that again. One doctor said "you're too old to quit, you'll be on it for the rest of your life, you're hooked!"
They offer no help in getting off of it though. They are my "pushers" since I have to go once monthly and pay a co-pay for the appointment, lab tests etc etc.
Since I'm in my late 60s I will die if they cut me off from getting the monthly Rx cold turkey. This has been a nightmare. I've never ever been addicted to anything. Never used weed, drank, or used drugs my whole life until a doctor put me on it for a couple of severe injuries that I had. As I said, I also have a disease that affects me but the difficulty in getting my monthly Rx due to supply chain issues scares me. I would rather learn how to safely quit than have it thrust upon me if say the Drs office closes or goes out of business. If I ever quit, I would like to go around and talk to people about my experiences so that I may save others from this living nightmare. I feel so all alone.
You must slowly wheen off. A little less every week. I've been on hydromorphone for 2 years. Heavy dose, and I have wheened myself almost completely off. One more week, and I'm going to stop taking. May withdrawal but it shouldn't be to bad at all now that I'm on a small dose. Good luck. And also take ibuprofen to control the body temperature 🌡 remember, slowly take less every week.
Agreed about the monthly supply. It always sounds so easy at first to set aside four or five extra days worth for these pharmacies shortages but it’s really hard to actually make that happen. Does your PM doctor allow you to use a Kratom or is that also prohibited? Yeah being on call 24 seven makes it quite a bit harder along with the number of years you’ve been taking. But even cutting back will be a huge amount of freedom - best wishes!
Look at the mind fog it brings.. I hate that I got them from my doctor for an accident at 26 now I’m 39 battling to get off . I noticed a lot! I was off for the entire year! Now I’m getting off again! I hate these side affects on my life! Money & not remembering things!
#84👍👏🤔start low and go slow. Tapping is very time consuming and most physicians do not have the patience to work through it!
It is a sad reality that chronic use of narcotic pain meds is a trap. Except for terminal patients. Exercise is essential to success!!
Your so right. And even for heroin addicts that have relapsed for a month or 2, just wait until you're really sick, dose enough just to feel ok not high. Then repeat, go as long as possible without it, repeat. Eventually you'll level out ;-)
Ottimi consigli 👍👏... grazie dottoressa Furlan x i suoi video sempre molto interessante e utili. Buon lavoro 🤗🙋🏼♥️🥰
Hi Maria Teresa. You are welcome. Please share my channel with your friends. If you use social media you may post this link to your friends: www.youtube.com/@DrAndreaFurlan
How are you supposed to break down three 4 mg hydromorphone tablets by 10%? Want to start tapering but not sure how to cut tablets to a 10% dose reduction.
What happens is that chronic pain patients do not have rights like other patients. We have no choice, we are threatened, bullied, ordered, abandoned, forgotten.I am so angry that safe and effective pain medications like oxycodone, used by competent, responsible pain patients who are not seeking a high, just pain relief are treated like scum. Addicts get more compassion. The CDC have a lot to answer for, the 2016 and 2022 guidelines are disastrous with opiate scripts halved but opiate deaths increased by 900 PER CENT. This is medical malpractice and no one will take accountability.From Australia, in pain.
Agreed! Yep people can buy alcohol almost 24 seven and drink themselves to oblivion legally. Well, I’m not sure what the alcohol laws are in Australia, but in the United States, alcohol is unrestricted, and it is not counted how many ounces a person buys, ever.
In the United States, there’s an advocate his name is Richard Lawhern who has detailed an itemized how the CDC and FDA are Misrepresenting causes regarding the opioid deaths.
Some people like myself with chronic pain just have to have opiates. I tried acupuncture, chiropractic, shots in back, Tens unit, facet nerves burned off. Into numerous pain clinics that won’t prescribe opiates
Sometimes the pain makes me scream. Time I’ve had them I never got addicted
Hi Leslie. Thank you for sharing your experience.
They don't prescribe opiates because they want to prescribe you the chemical drugs they've created, such as gabapentin, which hurt your SOUL when trying to ween off of that (and gabapentin is MUCH more addictive than opiates, by the way)! A certain group of people were behind affirmative action, which kept white christians out of medicine, which medicine is a white christian thing! They took over, as in WAR, the medical field in order to destroy it. Keeping you in pain is the devil's choice. Why do you think they're over there in the M.E. burning down poppy fields? They're at war with God and His people, and God's medicines that help people. This is an opportunity for you to use it as a tool to wake up! And do not EVER take the chemical drugs made by them; it is far better to stay in physical pain than to take any of that. Do not expect antichrist people to be Christian-like; it's just not going to happen, as they are the very opposite. If you can't get a hold of God's opiates, do NOT take theirs no matter what! The reason you are suffering, is because you're Christian. In the afterlife, they will inherit your pain with interest, just as the interest given you through usury of their Federal Reserve homeland.
I am exactly the same… I have central sensitization pain … and many chronic conditions. My mental health is at a all time low… I am literally at my end :(
Thank you for this video, Dr. Furlan. I am currently tapering down with the goal of stopping opioids completely as my original injury has healed. In general terms, what can a person expect when they have slowly tapered down and finally take their last dose? Will the withdrawal symptoms be similar to what was experienced during the taper or more severe? I can't seem to find any information on this. I once tried to taper too fast and had a bad pain flare up. This time I am going much more slowly and so far so good.
Hi Mindy, Thank you for writing this comment. Slow tapers are easier on the body than rapid tapers.
@@DrAndreaFurlan I have one more question if it's not too much trouble. How does the body adapt to the decreasing dose over time? Is there a way to describe this in simple terms? Thanks again for this video!
The body adapts to the opioid dose reduction by producing its own endogenous opioids. When the person takes external opioids, this supresses the ability of the body to produce its own. The endogenous opioids are very potent, released in small quantities by the brain stem, only when they are needed. They are endorphins, enkephalins and dynorphins.
@@DrAndreaFurlan Thank you so much, Doctor! I so appreciate you taking the time to put together this video and answer questions. God bless you!
Some people say that dropping by 10% is too fast for them. Is tapering 5% at a time okay?
5% tapering is also a good idea. We always ajudst depending on the patient's wishes.
After 18 years on opioids, I'm self tapering. Although the original reason for the pain is still constant, I don't like being on it anymore. It's causing rebound headaches daily upon waking. And many other reasons to quit. I'm not going through any withdrawals after 3 weeks. I've decreased my amount 60% so far. I actually expected it to be much worse. But then again, I'm not addicted to them. I've been on the same dose since 2005. I was very careful to not go above prescribed amounts. I also had about 8 hours where I didn't take any.
If u are still taking any that's why u not feeling it if u not takin any it will hit u hard
YOU ARE LUCKY 🍀
@@shaniehenry8861I’m here trying to figure out a proper plan . I’m jealous of the few folks that say they do not go through withdrawals . I just went through 3 days of hell . No I have to figure out a better plan .
Very helpful info. I have downloaded the help sheet for later review.
I understand it has to be long and slow for reducing the meds.
Thanks Doctor.
Glad it was helpful!
I was on norco for 5 years and quit cold turkey and by day 10/11 I was back to feeling normal and exercising, I was later on Percocets (oxy) and tapered down to about 8 mg then stopped and the withdrawal from the oxy was not as bad but it was much longer. By day 10/11 I was still having mild withdrawals and insomnia. Not sure if it’s the difference between hydro vs oxycodone
I have been on tramadol for 15 plus years, I tried to quit but its impossible, I get really bad withdrawals and I just can't quit it. My life is so miserable.
You have to taper off. Wheen off. It can be done.
Thank you so much for sharing
Much appreciated ❤
You are welcome.
You are making it confusing. Can you do a video on oxy co and one about norco. Seperate?
Its insane, i was prescribed tramadol for a minor spider bite. I went to an urgent care not a practice or true personalized “doctor”. 60 tablets, i believe 100mg was the dosage, by the end i was slightly physically dependent but totally mentally hooked. I of course abused the prescription and am still battling.
When you're really sick, dose enough just to feel ok. And go as long as possible without it until you're sick again, repeat and keep trying to take less and less. Eventually your body will adjust to the lower dose and you can go lower than that. Tapering could save millions of lives heroin addicts too, but self control & anxiety are the enemy that prevents it :(
Thank you for this comment. Have you seen my website yet? All of my videos are organized by topics and you can download all handouts, worksheets and booklets that I made. You will need to sign up for a membership to access all of my materials. It is FREE to become a member. Check it out: www.doctorandreafurlan.com
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@@DrAndreaFurlan ;-)
This is what I am currently trying to do. I don't want to spend more months on end to stop this addiction. I'm trying to get more hours in between the doses and it seems to work (although it's very uncomfortable at times).
Dear dr Furlan,can you explain to me why is it then that some People with opioid use disorder stay forever on maintainance therapy?
Is it possible that body in some People cannot start producing byitself endorphins after years of opioid use!thank you
Hi Ivo, there might be too many explanations for that. Opioid use disorder is a chronic disease. Like diabetes, why some people need to use insulin for the rest of their lives? Opioid use disorder is associated with many psychological trauma, and if these traumas are not resolved, the person will continue being vulnerable to many stressors in their lives.
Thanks a lot.
May you succeed in life.
❤🙏
Most welcome 😊
Dr.I have been on morphine for about 5 years for scoliosis.
I have never had a problem with the morphine. But doctor has decided that as I am looking good now.
I have been 60mg per day.
She has suddenly stopped my morphine.
Ouch! I am not feeling good.i in
She should have tapered. I'm sorry this happened to you.
I’m taking 7.5 mg twice a day want to stop .
Very nice information God bless u
Hi Toheed, God bless you too.
i’m on fetty. the withdrawls are horrible. i’m trying to take methadone to combat withdrawls, it’s not helping
I asked my pharmacist who said he cannot advise me because it is against the law.
I wish ppl who make these videos would just stick to the title
Where is the download button she mention ?
Please go to the "more" in the description of the video.
Dr sb i m from pakistan i m taking tramadol 300mg daily since last one month now i want to quit it?what is the tapering dose and how many days please reply?
Good information.👍🙏🌹
Thank you Sharmistha
Thank you so much!!
You are very welcome
4:15 Pharmacist advice on sleep positions?
Dr.Furlan how to do in your opioid?
Good video
Thank you for watching the video and writing this comment. Please share this video with your friends. I have lots of videos about chronic pain on my channel th-cam.com/users/DrAndreaFurlan And don't forget to turn on the notifications 🔔
And please remember, I do not give individual medical advice via social media or email.
Tapering is best. Just treating symptoms is almost useless being the insomnia does NOT stop and the anxiety, cravings. Taper taper taper, heroin fentanyl w.e. t a p e r!
Thanks for sharing Dan.
Dramamine helps before bed for sleep and major headaches. Dramamine motion sickness medicine also helps with vertigo and nausea so it helps with sleep better then most sleep aids and helps with nausea better then prescription zofran
Chronic sufferer with adequate pain relief works, raises kids and contributes to their communities. Take pain relief away and that same person will be left lying on a couch praying for death to come quickly. We NEED adequate pain relief! Refusing to ease intolerable pain makes you a Dr without empathy or compassion . Shameful.
We know the symptoms what is the solution.
Mam ligament damage prabam please help me
I'll post this to about 10k people on socials. Surely someone (many) will make use of it. On behalf of society I send thanks. Some may nay-say, those are the likely hooked future addicts. 😉
Thank you Terry.
@@DrAndreaFurlan this is what I mean.
Why aren’t you correcting him. There is a difference between addiction and habituation.
A Dr. says this is not medical advice, but go see a doctor.
I'm taking sixteen Norco 7.5-325mg a day can I taper
That is a dangerous amount of acetaminophen (paracetamol) in a day. No more than 4,000 mg in a day, acute use. Is your liver OK? I would want to taper if for that reason alone.
Incredibly it takes only 6 days of use for the body to want.
Since when is 10 mg 10% of 90mg?
Hi @richardcharleson3698 The tablets/capsules of opioids are usually 5, 10 or 20 mg. So we need to approximate to the nearest numbers for convenience.
She forgot to mention "nausea & vomiting" during the symptoms of opioid withdrawal.
What happens if you stop cold turkey? Why not just get it out-of-the-way and get on with your life
thanks for the vidoes. you are beautiful lady on vidoes, how many beautiful lady if we see you live. love you from Malta France
Thank you France!
❤❤❤
Make it simple. Ppl are not doctors.
Norco. Taking 14 years chronic pain. Up to 70 mg a day.
Tapper to ?? Taking 7 of 10 mg. Now. How to tapper.
Oh you said cooking i thought you said cocaine lolll
This is really insulting.
My dad can barely move without his synthetic opioid.
No Meditation, thinking happy thoughts or exercise will help.
How dare you make blanket recommendations.
It’s the same message chronic pain sufferers are getting because of the people who got hooked on Oxy and caused a caused so many problems.
No ma’am. I’d rather people have hydrocodone habituation than not able to move.
Shame
She is not saying your dad should go off his meds,
these are suggestions for someone who wants to do this.
You are projecting .
Shame on you!
Hi “A man with no hands”. It sounds you are really concerned about your father. You must be a very good and caring son to your father. Maybe this video is not for your father. The video is for people who are trying to reduce their opioid dose. I’m sorry if you felt insulted. I hope your father will find the relief he needs. What is your real name?
@@stephaniek8141
It took three years to convince my dads doctor that an opioid was needed. In the meantime he was told to take dangerous amounts of Ibuprofen that started messing with his stomach had i not intervened.
In this age it is hard to distinguish between opioid panic and true opioid problems.
Younger doctors have been sold on the notion that opioids should be avoided at all costs.
A dear friend just went through liver cancer surgery and was told he would not get morphine straight out of surgery because the doctor didn’t believe in it.
Only because my friend woke up in agony that he was given ONE hydrocodone.
No ma’am- if you are a doctor and you don’t specify the reasons, and situations where tapering may be necessary AND EXPLICITLY state that all cases are different then you are most definitely adding to the hysteria that is causing a pain epidemic.
Otherwise the young medical establishment who has not gone through this cyclical pain medication situation will not question their behaviors.
AND those people with chronic pain are yet again having to deal with more bullshit from doctors who have bought into the current zeitgeist.
This generation of doctors will come to regret what they are doing
The doctor is speaking to ppl who WANT to get off opioids, such as myself. I don't want to take these drugs anymore as I no longer need them for pain. I hate the side effects but I am physically dependent on them. Thanks to the Dr. for providing this much needed information.
@@amanwithnohands I believe that these younger doctors will change their minds in a few years after they get more experience with people in pain. They will figure out that most don't get addicted. They were taught to hate opioids in a time of opioid hysteria but they will find out what the reality is. In the meantime, I feel bad for people who are suffering and can't get needed pain meds. It is horrible.
What helped me was to go on neltrexone; it really reduced the craving. Most times it's difficult to get off even after your done with the withdrawal symptoms and successfully come clean off of the opiod; for me I still had the craving after for it. Even low dose naltrexone is what i used; it works in the way that even you go back on it; you won't feel the euphoria that gets people addicted then for me I found myself not needing it anymore and then for pain ask your doctor about
non addictive medication for pain.
Thank you for sharing your experience.
Dependent for ongoing severe chronic pain to function and have some quality of life vs addiction. You can be dependent and addicted but some are just the first and don’t get a high. Not easy for either but they are diff situations. Best of luck.