Opioids Getting Clean and GI Tract Issues

[A Weird Glow]

Around 20 days ago, I stopped a 60-120 mg daily oxycodone habit that lasted 6 months. I used suboxone for the first 9 days at a total of 12 mg. 4 days after the last sub, I started getting GI issues, which mainly consist of loose stool and a burning sensation in my stomach. I'm wondering about how long it takes for the GI issues to clear up.

 

[Captain.Heroin]

I'd guesstimate a few days.

You could try using loperamide which should help.

 

[A Weird Glow]

Seems like my gut wants the drug more than my brain.

 

[DubNaut]

the stomach is the second brain

speedy recovery to you, happy thoughts your way

 

[sneakdiss]

Thats crazy. I haven't logged into this forum in FOREVER but I decided to just to ask this question. I finally kicked all opiates including a 4 year (approx.) stint with Suboxone. I tapered down to .5 mg a day at the most before I got off and the withdrawals lasted at least a good month. I feel ok now, accept It's been a little over 2 months with no suboxone and I still have diarea and loose stools and when I finish a bowel movement I have a pain in my intestine it feels like, where the feces was sitting or something.

I'm beginning to worry that it's not withdrawal symptoms anymore and that I have done permanent damage to something. I've searched all over the internet but it seems like not very many people have all the information I'm looking for. =\

 

[sneakdiss]

Btw, loperamide slows the process of having a bowel movement down, but ultimately does nothing to help. The only thing that helps is if I take a single lortab 5, 7.5, or a 10. Whatever the mg it doesn't really matter. I don't aim to abuse opiates anymore, but I'll sure as hell take a lortab a day if I have any around to make myself feel like a normal person. It really makes a huge difference in how I feel. I used to laugh at the fact of even taking lortabs, especially just one. Feels good to not be abusing drugs anymore.

 

[Swimmingdancer]

If you have been using opioids for a long time it can take a long time for your digestive system to recover, as opioids slow the digestive system and the body has adapted to constantly having the opioids, so the digestive system no longer functions properly without opioids. Another aspect to add on top of that is that anxiety can cause (or exacerbate) digestive issues, such as IBS, and anxiety is very prevalent in people recovering from opioid addiction, both because withdrawal/PAWS causes anxiety and because many people addicted to opioids were self-medicating for anxiety, which was being partially masked by the opioids. What you can do is try to work on your mental health and improve your diet. Make sure you eat healthy and appropriately for your own individual body, get lots of fiber, and drink lots of water. Look into therapies for treating your mental health issues and any hormal imbalances. And I don't just mean Western medicine or medications - counseling, self-help books and various "alternative" and traditional therapies can all be very helpful. Best of luck

 

[tricomb]

the stomach is the second brain

speedy recovery to you, happy thoughts your way

^This, and SD's post is also spot on.

I'm not qualified to estimate days til recovery but I think if you keep at it I think the symptoms will improve. See a doctor about it, and keep off your drug of choice, because chances are (IMO) that you're paying the price for the duration of your drug abuse, and I highly agree that anxiety may play a part in this, possibly aggravating your digestion. YMMV

 

[Swimmingdancer]

^This, and SD's post is also spot on.

I'm not qualified to estimate days til recovery but I think if you keep at it I think the symptoms will improve. See a doctor about it, and keep off your drug of choice, because chances are (IMO) that you're paying the price for the duration of your drug abuse, and I highly agree that anxiety may play a part in this, possibly aggravating your digestion. YMMV

Yeah, the Lortab (hydrocodone) is not treating anything either, all it's doing is the same thing the Oxy did to your digestive system, the problems will still be there as soon as you stop taking it.

 

[sneakdiss]

My theory is that since I'm detoxing off of suboxone (a much stronger and different chemical) I'm just masking the problem by taking a single tab and the reward is almost a full days worth of relief. Say I take one in the morning, by night time the runs will be back, or sometimes I have a bowel movement that resembles an almost normal crap, but the ones that follow afterwards are the same as any ol' day.

I totally get not using an opiate to mask the problem, but having diarrea all day is very hindering to a lifestyle. By just taking one I haven't felt any withdrawal effect or anything of that nature. I'd love to try some tramadol and see if that works.

I've tried all the other suggestions and it seems like I'm going to just have to go to the doctor or try excercising more. Thanks for the input guys and if anyone has been through the same struggle and came out fine please let me know!

 

[A Weird Glow]

Anywho, this hasn't cleared up. Have I given myself IBS? Please, someone shed some light, because this aspect of withdrawal is extremely debilitating.

 

[Diloadid]

Anywho, this hasn't cleared up. Have I given myself IBS? Please, someone shed some light, because this aspect of withdrawal is extremely debilitating.

I don't think anybody here at bluelight could tell you if you have IBS. I would suggest going to see a doctor. Sixth months isn't a horribly long time, and 60-120mg isn't a horribly large dose of oxycodone daily, so it may be something more pressing than oxycodone withdrawal that you didn't notice whilst you were using.

 

[Swimmingdancer]

Anywho, this hasn't cleared up. Have I given myself IBS? Please, someone shed some light, because this aspect of withdrawal is extremely debilitating.

I still have the same response/advice as before

Go to a doctor and try some "alternative" therapies as well. It could be IBS and it could be caused by long-time opioid use and/or anxiety. Or it's possible that it is something else. See a good medical professional or naturopath. Now you need to try to heal it or treat it. Hoping it will go away on its own does not seem to be helping.