Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
124 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Are Swollen Hands And Feet, Along With Pain, Normal Withdrawal Symptoms After Quitting Methamphetamine?

I have quit using methamphetamine, I was good about a week and I was in so much pain I smoked 2 days ago but was upset with myself I told my friend to block me to stay away from me so I can’t get it, my hands and feet feel swollen but don’t appear it, they hurt so bad. I took Ibuprofen. And muscle relaxer is prescribed to me, it helps but doesn’t work for long is this normal symptoms of withdraw what can I do for the pain 39/f/diabetic/ 5 month user
posted on Tue, 14 May 2024
Twitter Wed, 20 Aug 2025 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 1 Sep 2025 Last reviewed on
Report Abuse
General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello,

You are very young, quit methamphetamine gradually (you can take the help of a detox center) and you will be fine. Do not be hard on yourself but be gentle with yourself. Allow yourself time to recover. Muscle aches, tension, or general body pain along with fatigue, depression is normal symptoms of Methamphetamine withdrawal.

However, swelling in the hands and feet is not a common withdrawal symptom. Since you mentioned you’re diabetic, swollen and painful extremities can be indicative of diabetic neuropathy (nerve pain, burning, tingling). Swelling can be suggestive of kidney, heart, or circulation problems that are causing water retention.

You are advised to get clinically examined by a local GP, get routine tests done for blood sugar (F/PP), get kidney function tests, nerve conduction tests and other required tests done at the earliest, so that if pathology is detected treatment can be started. You may be referred to a neurologist if required.

Meanwhile, you are advised to monitor your blood sugar closely, do gentle stretching exercises, take warm baths, heating pads may help to relieve muscle discomfort. Keep yourself adequately hydrated as dehydration will cause muscle cramps. Do not take Ibuprofen if you have kidney issues. Stop taking NSAIDs. They can reduce blood flow to the kidneys and this will increase the risk of kidney damage.

Paracetamol is the safest first choice for pain relief while having diabetes and kidney disease. You can take Acetaminophen for relieve from pain. You can apply topical pain relief creams/gels/patches with lidocaine, or capsaicin, it works locally on painful areas with less effect on kidneys. If the pain is neuropathic in origin causing burning and tingling from diabetes, then your treating Neurologist will prescribe you nerve pain medications (like gabapentin, pregabalin, or duloxetine).

Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr Nupur K., General & Family Physician
I find this answer helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 
Loading Online Doctors....
Are Swollen Hands And Feet, Along With Pain, Normal Withdrawal Symptoms After Quitting Methamphetamine?

Hello, You are very young, quit methamphetamine gradually (you can take the help of a detox center) and you will be fine. Do not be hard on yourself but be gentle with yourself. Allow yourself time to recover. Muscle aches, tension, or general body pain along with fatigue, depression is normal symptoms of Methamphetamine withdrawal. However, swelling in the hands and feet is not a common withdrawal symptom. Since you mentioned you’re diabetic, swollen and painful extremities can be indicative of diabetic neuropathy (nerve pain, burning, tingling). Swelling can be suggestive of kidney, heart, or circulation problems that are causing water retention. You are advised to get clinically examined by a local GP, get routine tests done for blood sugar (F/PP), get kidney function tests, nerve conduction tests and other required tests done at the earliest, so that if pathology is detected treatment can be started. You may be referred to a neurologist if required. Meanwhile, you are advised to monitor your blood sugar closely, do gentle stretching exercises, take warm baths, heating pads may help to relieve muscle discomfort. Keep yourself adequately hydrated as dehydration will cause muscle cramps. Do not take Ibuprofen if you have kidney issues. Stop taking NSAIDs. They can reduce blood flow to the kidneys and this will increase the risk of kidney damage. Paracetamol is the safest first choice for pain relief while having diabetes and kidney disease. You can take Acetaminophen for relieve from pain. You can apply topical pain relief creams/gels/patches with lidocaine, or capsaicin, it works locally on painful areas with less effect on kidneys. If the pain is neuropathic in origin causing burning and tingling from diabetes, then your treating Neurologist will prescribe you nerve pain medications (like gabapentin, pregabalin, or duloxetine). Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr Nupur K., General & Family Physician