![]() ![]() Physicians and patients should work together to develop a treatment plan to manage withdrawal symptoms.įast tapering is the process of stopping all opioids or reducing opioids quickly over a few days to a week, decreasing the total daily dose by 20% to 25% every few days to minimize withdrawal symptoms. Patients who have been taking opioids long-term (more than six months) should discuss with their physician their desire to decrease their opioid use. How does long-term opioid use affect tapering? Some patients that have been on high-dose opioids may experience generalized tiredness or feel unwell for a few weeks. For some patients, withdrawal may last longer. They will then improve from between 5 to 7 days after the last opioid dose. Usually, it is during the 24- to 96-hour period after stopping opioids that the worst of these symptoms occur. Withdrawal symptoms typically start 12 to 48 hours after the last dose of opioids. Increased heart rate and blood pressure (which may also feel like a headache).Nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and/or diarrhea.Fatigue, restlessness, anxiety, trouble sleeping, hallucination and/or tremors.Flu-like symptoms (sweating, chills, goose bumps, headache, generalized muscle and/or joint aches).While these symptoms can be uncomfortable, they are generally not life-threatening. Some patients may feel withdrawal symptoms if they taper off of opioids too quickly, depending on their history of opioid use and their pain. This puts them at a higher risk of developing opioid-related side effects and may lead to longer hospital stays or even negatively influence their surgical outcomes. Patients who are already using opioids to treat their pain before coming into surgery tend to require much higher doses of opioids after surgery. ![]() Low estrogen in women, which can lead to osteoporosis, low energy, and change in menstruation.Lowered testosterone in men, which can lead to lower sex drive, osteoporosis, depressed mood and loss of muscle. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |