What Causes Cold Chills While Having Opioids For Chronic Pain?

Posted on Fri, 20 Feb 2015

Question: "m a 60 yr old male had lung cancer in 2002 surgury in 2003 took out the right upper lobe had radation and two rounds of chemo befor surguyr after that went to a pain clinc and was told that i would be having pain for the rest of my life 12yrs of opids and was up to 145mg of morphine per day still had pain. doing resursh I found that I proply had OIH opid induiced hy" something so I took my self off the opids I have copd with emphzme as the worst. my question is why do I get cold chills all through my body and why is my body temp as low as 96.6 to 97.4 I no longer have as much pain as i had when i was on meds also the surgon said that i had been over radatid and killed the muscels in my shuolder she said that she had to use a hook to spred so she could work

Answered by Dr. Monish De (26 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Buprenorphine 5 mg transdermal patch

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Vicodin contains acetaminophen which may produce cold chills in body as well as low temperature as side effect.

I would advise you to replace vicodin with Buprenorphine 5 mg transdermal patch for controlling your pain.

You can apply one patch to a dry, non-irritated, non-hairy area of your skin on your upper body such as your chest, upper back, or the outside of your arms.

Leave it in place for seven days and then remove it and replace it with a new patch, but apply the replacement patch to a different area of skin on your upper body.

Avoid using the area from where you have removed the patch for at least three weeks.

Continue to replace your patches once a week, on the same day of the week.

You need a doctors precription for it.

Regards

DR DE

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Monish De (2 hours later)

I use the vicodin only as i need. the doctor gives me 20 tabs per month. I don't need to get back into having pain control 24x7. I failed to give you my vitials. I run temp 96.4 to 97.7 BP 104/67 to 127/73 pulus 97 to 120 O2% 77 to 93 at rest

Answered by Dr. Monish De (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
paracetamol

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Your vitals are normal.

You do not need to worry.

You can continue with vicodin.

If cold chills still persist then you can replace vicodin with paracetamol 500 mg tablets twice daily after food whenever you feel pain.

Regards

Dr DE

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Monish De (12 minutes later)

I'm soory I may not have explained myself complely I"m always cold unless I am in bed with the heating blanket temp at my chair is 67 to 70 at all times also the chills are constant how long after taking the vic's should the chills contune. Also they started shortly after I went thru withdrawal. Months before I found a primary doc. to perscribe the vic's.

Answered by Dr. Monish De (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Nothing to worry

Detailed Answer:
Hi

After taking Vicodin chills will continue for about 2 days after which you will be absolutely fine.

It is absolutely normal phenomenon and since your vitals are normal there is nothing to worry.

Regards

DR DE

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar