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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by tammylaree on May 10, 2004, at 1:04:42
My daughter has taken Lortab for the past nine months for pain due to an injury to her rotator cuff and the subsequent surgery she had. She is now seeing a pain management doctor and he says she will probably have some withdrawal symptoms from coming off the lortab. Unfortunately, he didn't give us much information about what to expect except to say she would act "weird". He gave her an antianxiety medication to take for the withdrawal symptoms. My problem is that the adverse side effects of the new medication are very similiar to the withdrawal symptoms and I don't know which is which. She is experiencing mood swings, irritability, and she says she feels "out of control". She is generally unpleasant to be around and that is very out of character for her. She reacted similiarly when she first began taking the Lortab in larger doses. She says that when she doesn't miss a dose of the antianxiety medication that she feels more normal, but if she say sleeps through a dose she doesn't feel "right". Are these symptoms of the withdrawal or is it an indication that the antianxiety medication isn't appropriate for her? I should also note that about the same time that she stopped the lortab and started the antianxiety medication, my brother (who lived with us) committed suicide. I know some of her emotional and psychological upset are partly tied to that as well. It was the first time she had experienced death in a personal way. If anyone has any suggestions or can help us in any way I would be most appreciative. I don't know whether to continue the antianxiety medication or stop it. Also, how long would it take for the withdrawal symptoms to disappear now that she is no longer taking the medication? I should note also that she was taking Lortab 7.5 every six hours around the clock for most of the nine months she was taking the medication, if that makes a difference in the length of withdrawal that we can expect. The doctor replaced the Lortab with Ultracet and she is also taking Neurotin. She is going to start nerve block injections in two weeks.
Posted by Festus on May 11, 2004, at 21:48:04
In reply to Lortab withdrawal, posted by tammylaree on May 10, 2004, at 1:04:42
It,s no doubt your daughter is not quite herself.When one stops a med and starts something else,or in her case,2-3 new meds,it will be a bit of a jolt to the body,mentally and physically.Going from 30mg of Hydrocodone to Propoxyphene(Ultracet),Neurontin,and(I don,t think you mentioned the anxiety med),she,s gonna feel some WD,but the Ultracet should help it from being too uncomfortable.Some people feel a bit odd at first from starting Neurontin.The other event,tragic as it is,could be making a big difference in her general well-being,as well.How old is she?Good-Luck to Ya,ll,I think it may help her to talk with a counselor if she gets to feeling really down.Take Care,Festus
Posted by arrie on May 11, 2004, at 22:31:40
In reply to Re: Lortab withdrawal, posted by Festus on May 11, 2004, at 21:48:04
Going off that drug does definitely CAUSE an uncontrolabe anxiety. It is probably breaking thru the new med, I would not suggest stopping it now, but maybe after a month or so start a taper off of the most likely Xanax. Good luck. I am four years into a habit of these two drugs and all I can tell you is get it behind you ASAP before it really gets its hooks into her. Good luck
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