Coming off prescribed painkillers...

[frannie346]

I've been taking 150mg of diclofenac (split over 3 times a day), 600mg Tramadol ( again split up 3 times a day), 450mg Pregabalin (split up twice a day) & 60mg of dihydrocodine at night for about 5 months.  I stopped taking the Tramadol 1 week ago and am having problems sleeping.  I want to stop taking everything else., What symptoms am i likely to have if i just stop taking all these tablets in the morning.  I'm prepared to deal with the pain, if only I could tell what the pain was anymore!
My last doctor that I met with for only 45 minutes thinks I have Complex Regional Pain Syndrome which i think is a very big diagnosis for a very little amount of time spent with the specialist. However nobody else has  been able to give me a diagnosis

[nate14]

frannie, I know your looking for answers about your pain. I just wanted to let you know about my experience with coming off of tramadol. I have been a chronic pain patient for just over a year now and I am eighteen. I have too many problems with my back to list. I am now on Dialudid and soma. Very strong pain meds. My best advice, TAPER OFF OF TRAMADOL. I withdrawled from percocet once because of my doctor going on vacation. Coming off of the percocet was a walk in the park compared to coming off of tramadol. Everyone is different but tramadol gave me the worst depression of my life. I am a happy person! I couldnt even look at myself in the mirror without crying. It was AWFUL. talk to your doctor about coming off of it. He will taper you off correctly!! Best of luck with your condition!

[Tuckamore]

Hi Frannie

Welcome to the Pain Management Forum. I am sorry to hear about your pain and the problems you have had finding a diagnosis.

Obviously I cannot tell you if you have CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome), Fibromyalgia or something else. A 45 minute consult is a fairly long consult these days..... But it sounds like you aren't buying it.  Nerve conduction studies or thermography may be helpful in determining if you do have CRPS. You might want to request additional testing. Nothing is a true confirmation for either of these conditions. They are basically a clinical diagnosis arrived upon through the process of elimination and presenting symptoms.  

But your question is about medications. PLEASE don't stop any medications unless you are directed to do so by a physician. Not only will you induce some nasty withdrawal symptoms you will not be looked upon kindly by your prescribing physician. The correct way to approach this is to work through it with your physician.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you are doing. I'll look forward to hearing from you soon.

Take Care,
~Tuck

[Noelwolf]

It sound like you might have fibromylgia.  Were is your pain located at?