Long term opiod use

[Gingernut1989]

I've created this account purely to ask for advice on this topic. Apologies for the username it was the closest thing to me and my birth year haha.

My OH has been taking oxy for over 10 years now and after numerous attempts we have not been able to get the dose down. He has bowel problems, breathing difficulties at night to the point I'm worried sometimes he has stopped breathing altogether , and the most recent concern is his kidneys.

He has crippling pain around his kidneys every day the past fortnight and can taste either metal or garlic in his mouth most of these days. He is always tired and actually fell asleep at work last week; his work mates took a photo thinking it was funny but I am actually really concerned. I've called the GP this morning and we can get him in on Monday afternoon.

Has anyone experienced these issues and had it not be Kidney failure? I can't tell if I am being over dramatic thinking the worst.

Sorry, trying to understand. Was he originally prescribed it for something else (bowels) that is causing the kidney issues?

My DH has needed to take oxycodone a few times due to a chronic condition, but takes morphine more frequently (maybe a course of few slow release and fast acting tablets once every three months, but has done so over the past 10+ years). The morphine makes him tired but once the pain is gone, he is able to stop and there's no lasting effects. He was instructed to take Senna with it, due to constipation.

He is monitored very closely due to his condition and the meds, and my advice to you is to get your OH seen today if possible.

I personally haven't had any experience with opioid withdrawal (though do with addictions more generally), but is his detox being overseen by health care professionals? He will need medical support with this and you should not be attempting to do this on your own. Honestly, I'd be inclined to go to A & E if he is having kidney pain - especially if you are worried about kidney failure, that's very serious.

He is prescribed by the GP we pick up the prescription fortnightly. It's from a really serious car accident over a decade ago. He had to learn to walk again was in hospital for months had facial reconstruction, has a metal plate in his leg etc. No, the bowel and breathing issues have come from the medication.
Every couple of years he contacts the doctor for referral to counselling so we can at least reduce the dose and move onto different pain relief (which he does still need , he struggles to get out of bed with the pain most mornings until tablets have kicked in) but then he panics at the thought of not having the medication so we never get anywhere.
I called this morning and they didn't seem too phased by my concern , they just said they can get him in on Monday or Wednesday.

I am a worrier. If something is wrong with the kids I always assume the worst so I'm trying to not behave like that because both he and the surgery are fine with waiting for the appointment.

I don't know , I just wondered if anyone had experienced these side effects and it turned out to be OK ?