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Suggest Remedy For Pain, Chronic Fatigue And Nausea While On Xanax And Vicodin
Question: I had a complete knee replacement in Feb of 2015. I had put it off for 5 years and I was prescribed vicodin/ hydromorphone / norco with acetamenafin. Over the years it gradually increased. At the time of the surgery I was at 50mg daily (5 pills @ 10/325). I have been being reduced by my chronic pain physician. I am down to 15 mg per day (3 x 5/325) and have another appointment coming up where I am supposed to be weened off some more. I have a wife on complete disability and a son with autism. My psychiatrist took me off wellbutrin (300mg) and extended relief klonopin and put me on fast-acting Xanax due to panic attacks. He also put me on Cimbalta to help with the vicodin withdrawal. I am also on Paxil (60mg) daily.
Now, chronic fatigue and nausea, which I was dealing with before, is now at the point where these side effects seem like they have increased 300%. I get extreme nausea when the Vicodin is wearing off. Eating helps, but it really gives me intense abdominal pain until I make a bowel movement which happens app 30 minutes after every single meal. The worst thing, which I can no longer tolerate, is that when I get home from work, I immediately go to bed, and can barely get out of bed on the weekends. I have even missed work several times because I went back to bed and slept all day. All I am doing is sleeping. I am 58, and I need to take care of my family and I am losing my mind.
I've been told it is depression, but I have had it all of my adult life. This is beyond that. Simply, I cannot function unless I take more Vicodin. I understand that after 5 yrs of taking the Vicodin I am addicted, but I've been weening off for 9 months now. The PA says that she cannot believe I am still suffering from Vicodin withdrawal after all this. I want to believe I am not, but as I just mentioned, I cannot function. My psychiatrist and pain doctor are both fully informed on my history. Is this cocktail of medications making me unconscious? Please give me your take on this...I cannot keep going on like this. This constant sleeping has been occuring for several months now, which is about the time I went on the Cimbalta. The Cimbalta seems to be helping and I want to get off the Vicodin but right now these physical side effects are causing ever growing problems at home with my family and they are also affecting my job. Just by my rambling here, you must see I am losing my mind. Please help. Please...
Now I
Now, chronic fatigue and nausea, which I was dealing with before, is now at the point where these side effects seem like they have increased 300%. I get extreme nausea when the Vicodin is wearing off. Eating helps, but it really gives me intense abdominal pain until I make a bowel movement which happens app 30 minutes after every single meal. The worst thing, which I can no longer tolerate, is that when I get home from work, I immediately go to bed, and can barely get out of bed on the weekends. I have even missed work several times because I went back to bed and slept all day. All I am doing is sleeping. I am 58, and I need to take care of my family and I am losing my mind.
I've been told it is depression, but I have had it all of my adult life. This is beyond that. Simply, I cannot function unless I take more Vicodin. I understand that after 5 yrs of taking the Vicodin I am addicted, but I've been weening off for 9 months now. The PA says that she cannot believe I am still suffering from Vicodin withdrawal after all this. I want to believe I am not, but as I just mentioned, I cannot function. My psychiatrist and pain doctor are both fully informed on my history. Is this cocktail of medications making me unconscious? Please give me your take on this...I cannot keep going on like this. This constant sleeping has been occuring for several months now, which is about the time I went on the Cimbalta. The Cimbalta seems to be helping and I want to get off the Vicodin but right now these physical side effects are causing ever growing problems at home with my family and they are also affecting my job. Just by my rambling here, you must see I am losing my mind. Please help. Please...
Now I
Brief Answer:
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.
I'm sorry you're not feeling well. Let me give you my thoughts.
I think the primary problem here is likely depression. Vicodin withdrawal typically causes anxiety and insomnia, rather than too much sleep. I think your body is certainly having trouble getting used to lower Vicodin doses, and I would probably slow down the weaning process -- however, I think addressing depression is of primary concern.
Is it true you are on both Paxil and Cymbalta? The combination of these medications should be effective. Sometimes it can take up to 2 months for a new medicine to start having antidepressant effects, so you may simply need to wait.
Given your fatigue, I wonder if Xanax is the right medication for you. This can contribute to sleepiness. How much are you taking?
Perhaps a stimulant such as Adderall might be needed. Have you ever been on a stimulant?
This is a very complicated issue. I encourage you to reach out to my at my private link, described below, for a more comprehensive evaluation.
I encourage you to contact me at my direct link below. We receive a significantly higher payment from this website for direct questions, so I prefer this venue in which to work with you. It would be my pleasure to be your personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, or individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.
I'm sorry you're not feeling well. Let me give you my thoughts.
I think the primary problem here is likely depression. Vicodin withdrawal typically causes anxiety and insomnia, rather than too much sleep. I think your body is certainly having trouble getting used to lower Vicodin doses, and I would probably slow down the weaning process -- however, I think addressing depression is of primary concern.
Is it true you are on both Paxil and Cymbalta? The combination of these medications should be effective. Sometimes it can take up to 2 months for a new medicine to start having antidepressant effects, so you may simply need to wait.
Given your fatigue, I wonder if Xanax is the right medication for you. This can contribute to sleepiness. How much are you taking?
Perhaps a stimulant such as Adderall might be needed. Have you ever been on a stimulant?
This is a very complicated issue. I encourage you to reach out to my at my private link, described below, for a more comprehensive evaluation.
I encourage you to contact me at my direct link below. We receive a significantly higher payment from this website for direct questions, so I prefer this venue in which to work with you. It would be my pleasure to be your personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, or individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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