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What Causes Sleeplessness Post Codeine/Acetaminophen Patch Removal?
Question: On the very hot last Wednesday my husband's patch 20 microgram per hour slid off and would not stay on his body, then it split in half. As he usually puts a new one on on a Tuesday, he did not replace it. Now he cannot sleep for extreme twitchiong of his right arm and leg. Could it be because he has left this off? he is not a well person anyway and is 82 years old? Is there anything we can do? I have put a new patch on tonight?
Brief Answer:
Codeine withdrawal
Detailed Answer:
Hi there.
Welcome to Healthcare Magic.
Thanks for the query.
I have read your query and understood your problem.
I hope you could answer a few questions about your husband, for me to be in a better position to help you.
What problem does your husband suffer from ? Is it a stroke ?
According to the information provided by you, I can understand that your husband is on a Codeine/Acetaminophen patch for chronic pain. Due to the hot weather and the sweating, the patch is not staying on his body.He hasn't replaced the patch which fell off and now having sleep disturbance and involuntary movements of the one half of his body.
If he hasn't been using patch since Wednesday, he could be suffering from Codeine withdrawal syndrome. Symptoms would be loss of sleep or insomnia, muscle aches, sweating, diarrhoea, muscle spasms, body cramps, irritability, running nose.
I would recommend you to consult his Doctor immediately to manage this suspected withdrawal syndrome. You must make sure he is well hydrated with about 1-2 litres of water daily. Give him ORS dissolved in 1 litre of drinking water daily if he has diarrhoea. The muscle twitching can be relieved only if he is back on Codeine or Buprenorphine by his Doctor.
Due to the extreme heat weather, there are alternatives you can consider for pain management by long acting injections or home based therapies.
I hope I have answered your query.
I will be available for follow up queries.
Thanking you.
Regards,
Dr. Aashish Raghu
Codeine withdrawal
Detailed Answer:
Hi there.
Welcome to Healthcare Magic.
Thanks for the query.
I have read your query and understood your problem.
I hope you could answer a few questions about your husband, for me to be in a better position to help you.
What problem does your husband suffer from ? Is it a stroke ?
According to the information provided by you, I can understand that your husband is on a Codeine/Acetaminophen patch for chronic pain. Due to the hot weather and the sweating, the patch is not staying on his body.He hasn't replaced the patch which fell off and now having sleep disturbance and involuntary movements of the one half of his body.
If he hasn't been using patch since Wednesday, he could be suffering from Codeine withdrawal syndrome. Symptoms would be loss of sleep or insomnia, muscle aches, sweating, diarrhoea, muscle spasms, body cramps, irritability, running nose.
I would recommend you to consult his Doctor immediately to manage this suspected withdrawal syndrome. You must make sure he is well hydrated with about 1-2 litres of water daily. Give him ORS dissolved in 1 litre of drinking water daily if he has diarrhoea. The muscle twitching can be relieved only if he is back on Codeine or Buprenorphine by his Doctor.
Due to the extreme heat weather, there are alternatives you can consider for pain management by long acting injections or home based therapies.
I hope I have answered your query.
I will be available for follow up queries.
Thanking you.
Regards,
Dr. Aashish Raghu
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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