Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
How Long Do The Withdrawal Symptoms Of Morphine Last?
Question: Have been off morphine for 4 days the panic attacks i am experiencing are quite frightening cannot get to sleep at night i was experiencing this kind of thing when i was on it.plus many other things.I was only taking 10 mg twice a day with 400mg ibrophen and 2 paracetamol! Since being off i have had many side affects!! But these panic attacks are awful!! I have only ever had something like it only when i have taken some strong pain painkillers!! I get very anxious heart beats faster have to open doors never experienced this much of it before. I have started taking "kalms" to try and help it i am still on the paracetamol and ibrophen. Due to see a spinal consultant in 7 days been on painkillers etc for 4weeks had many blood tests all negetive my consultant physio referred me back to the hospital!! After assessing me with pain in left leg ankle i have already got a nerve trapped in the right leg was't severe enough to warrant surgical treatment!! Now waiting to see the outcome of it since my left leg and ankle have left me unable to get about with pain!! So these horrible attacks are they linked with the morphine? How much longer do you think this will go on happening!! I do have a high sensitivity to drugs with alot of side effects!! Spoken to my own GP I have to rest more until i get to the hospital!! As i have had to many side effects to drugs that were given in that month!! I asked the pharmasite what he thought of "kalms" with what i am now taking!! As i no longer want any other drugs as it seems to be making things worse!!
Brief Answer:
A very interesting question!
Detailed Answer:
The scale for narcotic withdrawal is a 40 point scale. It is generally used for people on really 10 times or more than the amount you are mentioning. The signs of narcotic withdrawal have anxiety and panic attacks as one of the main ones and one of the ones that occur with the least amount of narcotics.
Ironically, people not only get used to the narcotics, they get used to the side effects of them including the withdrawal. You are 1) not an addict 2) you are not crazy nor imagining it nor overstating it 3) not on a lot of narcotics ever 4) not used to the side effects which 5) do NOT include the usual ones that wind people up into the ER (intractable vomiting and pain).
So.... you are having these truly horrible side effects because you are not having worse ones that would take your attentions away from the panic attacks.
Then, what to do:
1) they are due to a drug withdrawal partly or totally and drug withdrawal is 1 to 3 weeks not months. And, peaks early in that period not late. So, sometimes just waiting it out.
2) all of the antidepressants but better are sedating ones will work on this. Remeron or paxil would likely be the drugs of choice for panic
Don't rule out some talk therapy like this.
http://www.nerdpocalypse.net/cbt.html
There is NOT a serious underlying medical nor psychological condition in all likelihood. But it sure can feel like it!
A very interesting question!
Detailed Answer:
The scale for narcotic withdrawal is a 40 point scale. It is generally used for people on really 10 times or more than the amount you are mentioning. The signs of narcotic withdrawal have anxiety and panic attacks as one of the main ones and one of the ones that occur with the least amount of narcotics.
Ironically, people not only get used to the narcotics, they get used to the side effects of them including the withdrawal. You are 1) not an addict 2) you are not crazy nor imagining it nor overstating it 3) not on a lot of narcotics ever 4) not used to the side effects which 5) do NOT include the usual ones that wind people up into the ER (intractable vomiting and pain).
So.... you are having these truly horrible side effects because you are not having worse ones that would take your attentions away from the panic attacks.
Then, what to do:
1) they are due to a drug withdrawal partly or totally and drug withdrawal is 1 to 3 weeks not months. And, peaks early in that period not late. So, sometimes just waiting it out.
2) all of the antidepressants but better are sedating ones will work on this. Remeron or paxil would likely be the drugs of choice for panic
Don't rule out some talk therapy like this.
http://www.nerdpocalypse.net/cbt.html
There is NOT a serious underlying medical nor psychological condition in all likelihood. But it sure can feel like it!
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
