Once a week opiate withdrawal?

[Intrinsic man]

Hello all, first time poster long time reader here. I have searched the internet for information on my specific situation but as you all probably already know, what I found was unreliable, and was seemingly full of misinformation.

I have been using opiates for about three years now. It started when I was in 10th grade, using 15 - 20 mg of hydrocodone maybe once every 2 months... sometimes longer. It remained that way until about six months ago. I began to use 2 - 3 times a month of hydrocodone, 20 - 25 mg. About 1 and a half, maybe 2 months ago I began to use once a week. I had done extensive research, much of which came from this site, that supported the idea of it being safe to only use once a week. I have only used oxycontin twice, taking 20 mg the first time and 25 the second within this 1 - 2 month period of weekly use. I only broke the once a week ritual once, using 30 - 35 mg. of hydrocodone two days in a row. My tolerance is now 35 - 40 mg of hydrocodone. Two weeks ago, after taking 35 mg of hydrocodone, I had headaches that reminded me of the withdrawals I get from cigarettes and alcohol. This lasted for about 5-6 days. Then I got my hands on 4mg hydromorphone, which I snorted. It has now been 2 days since the hydromorphone and the headaches are back. I really cannot believe these are WD from opiates, but I cant think of anything else it could be. The headaches are mild and I have no cravings. Headaches are really my only symptom. I am prone to anxiety, and I have mild hypochondria (for those familiar with the term) so maybe I am just worried about my opiate use therefor I am imagining or self fulfilling these headaches. I do, however, consider the latter unlikely. I have decided to stop using opiates for months, or longer if anyone with superior knowledge feels I should.

My question is this: Is it even possible for me to have withdrawals given my situation? If so, what should I do? Wait a long time or never touch them again?

 

[Opaner]

Hello all, first time poster long time reader here. I have searched the internet for information on my specific situation but as you all probably already know, what I found was unreliable, and was seemingly full of misinformation.

I have been using opiates for about three years now. It started when I was in 10th grade, using 15 - 20 mg of hydrocodone maybe once every 2 months... sometimes longer. It remained that way until about six months ago. I began to use 2 - 3 times a month of hydrocodone, 20 - 25 mg. About 1 and a half, maybe 2 months ago I began to use once a week. I had done extensive research, much of which came from this site, that supported the idea of it being safe to only use once a week. I have only used oxycontin twice, taking 20 mg the first time and 25 the second within this 1 - 2 month period of weekly use. I only broke the once a week ritual once, using 30 - 35 mg. of hydrocodone two days in a row. My tolerance is now 35 - 40 mg of hydrocodone. Two weeks ago, after taking 35 mg of hydrocodone, I had headaches that reminded me of the withdrawals I get from cigarettes and alcohol. This lasted for about 5-6 days. Then I got my hands on 4mg hydromorphone, which I snorted. It has now been 2 days since the hydromorphone and the headaches are back. I really cannot believe these are WD from opiates, but I cant think of anything else it could be. The headaches are mild and I have no cravings. Headaches are really my only symptom. I am prone to anxiety, and I have mild hypochondria (for those familiar with the term) so maybe I am just worried about my opiate use therefor I am imagining or self fulfilling these headaches. I do, however, consider the latter unlikely. I have decided to stop using opiates for months, or longer if anyone with superior knowledge feels I should.

My question is this: Is it even possible for me to have withdrawals given my situation? If so, what should I do? Wait a long time or never touch them again?

I mean it is very possible when you use opiates a few days in a row. A headache can be caused from all different sorts of reasons. With opiate withdraw it is most common to get; chills, hot flashes, nausea, body aches and pains, headaches. I know sometimes when I do pills for a few days straight I suffer from withdraw. So, I do believe you are suffering from mild withdraw symptoms. Luckily they are very mild and not severe!

 

[cj]

You would know it if you had withdrawls.

 

[Intrinsic man]

I mean it is very possible when you use opiates a few days in a row. A headache can be caused from all different sorts of reasons. With opiate withdraw it is most common to get; chills, hot flashes, nausea, body aches and pains, headaches. I know sometimes when I do pills for a few days straight I suffer from withdraw. So, I do believe you are suffering from mild withdraw symptoms. Luckily they are very mild and not severe!

I only used it multiple days in a row once, and that was only 2 days. Also, that was almost two months ago that I did that and I am just now having these headaches. That is certainly not true, Crimson. I think what I've said can attest to that.

 

[Glitched]

I don't doubt that you are having the headaches but I genuinly don't think that is you WDing.

I think because you are thinking this is the reason it is being triggered the day after you use. To WD from something your body has to get used to having it there and you are not using it regularly enough for that to be the case.

It could be a sort of comedown I suppose. Sometimes when I use H (I don't use daily, my use is kind of like yours in that I try not to use regularly anymore) I will get a headache the next day. I would say to just drink plenty of clear fluids or fruit juice and see how you get on. If you get frequet headaches when you are not using the hydro then go and see a doctor but if it is just the next day it's probably just like a hangover so drinking will make you feel better.

 

[stalkwalk]

I will get headaches when I come down from being high but it in no way is withdrawal its more like a comedown. You got a comedown headache just like me and glitched

 

[highhooked]

^Yep thats what i was going to say. Its most likely a come down. Some people get an afterglow the day after using opiates and then some (unlucky) people feel like shit the day after using opiates. But yea its a comedown def not withdrawl.

Like glitched said for you to actually have physical withdrawl symtoms your body has to be dependent on it and your not using enough for that to be the case. The headaches are most likely from dehydration which opiates can cause. Drink some water and take some ibuprophen.

 

[Intrinsic man]

Thanks for all the replies. I pretty much agree with you guys, I didn't think it could be WD's. It is still a very curious thing to me though. I have never had any bad feelings the day(s) after taking opiates. Opiates actually make me feel better the next day usually! Waking up after having the most peaceful opiate sleep/dream just puts me inthe best mood and feeling. God damn do I love opiates. Maybe my chemistry has changed, or maybe it is because I am taking so much now.


I do still intend to wait a while before taking them again (to my dismay!) so that I can lower my tolerance. I never want to go over 40 mg but even 40 doesn't get me to where I want to be anymore. How long do you guys think I will have to abstain until my tolerance goes down to say... 20, 25 mg again?

 

[SPC123]

You have a headache, you take a strong opioid analgesic and it goes away. Ever consider you are suffering from headaches and should see a doctor?

 

[xsilentsinx]

You would know it if you had withdrawls.

This says it ALL....

 

[Glitched]

The longer you can leave it the better. It's very hard to guess, having never meeting you and knowing nothing about your medical, or general history, how fast or slow your tolerence may or may not fall. The only thing we can say is leave it as long as you can, I'm not talking weeks here, I'm talking months.

It sounds like you are just getting a bit of a comedown from your body getting rid of the chemicals that you put in which makes sense if you have been increasing the amount ingested. The more mg you put in the more water is needed to clean it out of you so you wake up with a head ache. This is not to say that if you drink an extra pint of water with the higher dose the head ache won't be there, it is actually a combination of many different vitamins and minerals etc along with the water but you get what I'm saying if I just use water in the example.

As said, the best thing you can do is have a LONG break to get your useage down to a level that your body can cope with. Having a break will only be good for you so enjoy the time off and extra money in your bank! Also, make use of the time to assess wether you get headaches or not without the opiates. From what you have explained I don't think you will and I really think you'll be fine. Saying that though, I am not a doctor and not qualified to diagnose anything like this so if you do continue to get regular head aches you should get yourself to the doctor and be honest with them.

@SPC123, I think he gets high from the opiates and gets the head ache the next day, as a come down type thing as opposed to taking the opiates for the headache in the first place. If I am wrong though then get to the doctor mate.

 

[Jabberwocky]

headaches and opioids simultaneously can be relative to overdosing. or i think of my unpleasant side-effects from norspan patches (buprenorphine, a somewhat common side effect) where i suffered migraines for months on end until i finally got of the bupe and was satisfied pointing the finger - they disappeared immediately.

if you choose to take a break and they persist then i'd consult a doctor.

as for what path you take that's really your choice. fwiw it's very unlikely for you to be suffering from any withdrawal other than a psychological draw to the opioids with that kind of dosing regime.

 

[tolerantmind]

This is exactly how my pain treatment from my doctor started out. I was allowed two days a week of up to 60mg of hydrocodone each day. I've been at this for about 3 years only I'm way further in the hole than you are. I would KILL to be where you are right now. I was always told that even using 10mg of hydrocodone a week would cause "analgesic headaches" more commonly referred to as "rebound headaches". Although withdrawal can be very different from individual to individual I am 99% sure that is not what is happening. I have anxiety just like yours too and I can tell you that my mood and anxiety GREATLY affects my headache pain. A small stressor causes my headache pain to sky rocket. I think you're experiencing some rebound pain from the headaches. Especially because of the dose you take at once. Sometimes too much of a narcotic can make the headache worse upon taking it rather than helping. It also provides a great shock to your receptors. They're suddenly flooded and then it's removed rather quickly from your body. Over time opiate usage causes the lowering of serotonin and the brain's release of its natural painkiller the endorphin. My view on the matter is that you're experiencing that to some degree plus some rebound headache pain plus pain caused by your emotional state. Do some things to start helping your endorphin production. Exercise is the best of these and I understand that exercise can really make a headache worse. I would suggest if you have access to an indoor pool somewhere (now that it's getting colder) that you swim for 15-20 a day. Swimming is a wonderful thing to do because there's no impact on your joints and because you're not impacting it helps the headache to not worsen. It also exercises so many muscles. That's why you want to start out slow and build up so you're not overwhelmed by the pain from sore muscles. If you can't swim I'd suggest walking not running or jogging but simply walking at a quick pace. There's other ways to cause endorphin release exercise is just most likely the best way. It also will help with your anxiety. It's always good to go without using the medication for as long as you possibly can. Give your body some time to just return to normal and see what happens.

 

[Intrinsic man]

The longer you can leave it the better. It's very hard to guess, having never meeting you and knowing nothing about your medical, or general history, how fast or slow your tolerence may or may not fall. The only thing we can say is leave it as long as you can, I'm not talking weeks here, I'm talking months.

It sounds like you are just getting a bit of a comedown from your body getting rid of the chemicals that you put in which makes sense if you have been increasing the amount ingested. The more mg you put in the more water is needed to clean it out of you so you wake up with a head ache. This is not to say that if you drink an extra pint of water with the higher dose the head ache won't be there, it is actually a combination of many different vitamins and minerals etc along with the water but you get what I'm saying if I just use water in the example.

As said, the best thing you can do is have a LONG break to get your useage down to a level that your body can cope with. Having a break will only be good for you so enjoy the time off and extra money in your bank! Also, make use of the time to assess wether you get headaches or not without the opiates. From what you have explained I don't think you will and I really think you'll be fine. Saying that though, I am not a doctor and not qualified to diagnose anything like this so if you do continue to get regular head aches you should get yourself to the doctor and be honest with them.

@SPC123, I think he gets high from the opiates and gets the head ache the next day, as a come down type thing as opposed to taking the opiates for the headache in the first place. If I am wrong though then get to the doctor mate.

I was thinking I would take a complete month off and then see how much it has been lowered. And yes, I get headaches AFTER I take the opiates... haha I thought that was pretty clear! It will be interesting to see whether I get headaches after I dose again with the lower tolerance. If I don't, then I suppose the headaches would in fact be from the large dose.

 

[Intrinsic man]

This is exactly how my pain treatment from my doctor started out. I was allowed two days a week of up to 60mg of hydrocodone each day. I've been at this for about 3 years only I'm way further in the hole than you are. I would KILL to be where you are right now. I was always told that even using 10mg of hydrocodone a week would cause "analgesic headaches" more commonly referred to as "rebound headaches". Although withdrawal can be very different from individual to individual I am 99% sure that is not what is happening. I have anxiety just like yours too and I can tell you that my mood and anxiety GREATLY affects my headache pain. A small stressor causes my headache pain to sky rocket. I think you're experiencing some rebound pain from the headaches. Especially because of the dose you take at once. Sometimes too much of a narcotic can make the headache worse upon taking it rather than helping. It also provides a great shock to your receptors. They're suddenly flooded and then it's removed rather quickly from your body. Over time opiate usage causes the lowering of serotonin and the brain's release of its natural painkiller the endorphin. My view on the matter is that you're experiencing that to some degree plus some rebound headache pain plus pain caused by your emotional state. Do some things to start helping your endorphin production. Exercise is the best of these and I understand that exercise can really make a headache worse. I would suggest if you have access to an indoor pool somewhere (now that it's getting colder) that you swim for 15-20 a day. Swimming is a wonderful thing to do because there's no impact on your joints and because you're not impacting it helps the headache to not worsen. It also exercises so many muscles. That's why you want to start out slow and build up so you're not overwhelmed by the pain from sore muscles. If you can't swim I'd suggest walking not running or jogging but simply walking at a quick pace. There's other ways to cause endorphin release exercise is just most likely the best way. It also will help with your anxiety. It's always good to go without using the medication for as long as you possibly can. Give your body some time to just return to normal and see what happens.

Hmm I had never heard about it lowering serotonin and endorphins... I feel like my usage would not be enough for it to effect me like that but like I said, I've never heard of that! I am confused about the first thing you said, though. Was the treatment your doctor set up for you for opiate withdrawals? And he told you to take 60 mg twice a week? I've also never heard of treatment like that! How's it going?

@ disposition, thanks for the advice that's why I think taking time off to lower my tolerance will "kill two birds with one stone".

 

[effie]

Analgesic-related headaches are pretty common with opioids, I'd bet that's what you've been getting too. Hopefully taking a break sorts it out

 

[Intrinsic man]

Analgesic-related headaches are pretty common with opioids, I'd bet that's what you've been getting too. Hopefully taking a break sorts it out

Yeah hopefully! I was not liking the idea of never doing them again . There's plenty of people like me who swear to prestige of opiates... clean, safe, and above all therapeutic (If used correctly, of course). Can't say the same for many of the crazy drugs out there.

 

[effie]

It's the "used correctly" bit that tends to catch people out

Good luck with your break!

 

[Glitched]

Yeh I thought you were getting them after use.

Good luck with your break, let me know how you get on with the head aches. Even if it's with a PM.

 

[Intrinsic man]

Alright will do Glitched. I will post information on the amount of tolerance lost during my break as well, should be valuable to those in a similar situation.