I wish someone would give me some advice. I have been taking oxycotin for over 5 years now. I am up to three 80's a day and some 5mg. of oxy IR's in between for pain. I have Lupus. I am really getting scared of this stuff. I am not sure anymore where the Lupus pain starts or the pain for the need of the pills.How do I ween myself off of this stuff. Please help. I have to quit for several reasons!
Thumper, Hey and Welcome to the board! You've definitly come to the right place, we have many here who have use that much Oxy daily and stopped successfully. Although I am not one of them. My DOC was hydro, and I understand it is much easier to quit than OXY.
All i can tell you is this, being addicited to pain pills is a hell none of us should have to live in. I had no real pain, I just liked the feeling of the pills. In your case, there may be other things you can take to manage the pain. Many have said the pain is less than you think once you actually stop feeding it. Maybe you find that out, too.
I am not the one to give you advice today, but someone will come along soon to help you. Hang on!
Hey Thumper
I never took oxys, but I was addicted to hydros and somas. I know from what I hear on the board that oxys are pretty powerful stuff. Can you talk to your doctor. My girlfriend has lupus and she has always been afraid of getting addicted to narcotics (I think she may have some addiction in her family) at any rate her doctor gave her something else) Can you see if there are other alternatives. Also you may want to talk to your doctor about seeing a suboxone doctor (sp) you can read more about that on other post Im sure someone would be willing to explain. This medication helps you with the addiction, however I don't know what your pain is like. Do you truly need the medication? Can you get by with less? The fact that you are on this board tells me that you know you have a problem, Hang in there and stay on line here you will get the advice of some awesome people. I have to leave now but please stay on line you have taken the first step I'll check back with you tonight.
Ro
I never took oxys, but I was addicted to hydros and somas. I know from what I hear on the board that oxys are pretty powerful stuff. Can you talk to your doctor. My girlfriend has lupus and she has always been afraid of getting addicted to narcotics (I think she may have some addiction in her family) at any rate her doctor gave her something else) Can you see if there are other alternatives. Also you may want to talk to your doctor about seeing a suboxone doctor (sp) you can read more about that on other post Im sure someone would be willing to explain. This medication helps you with the addiction, however I don't know what your pain is like. Do you truly need the medication? Can you get by with less? The fact that you are on this board tells me that you know you have a problem, Hang in there and stay on line here you will get the advice of some awesome people. I have to leave now but please stay on line you have taken the first step I'll check back with you tonight.
Ro
thumper,
welcome, and i too like carol am a recovering hydro,xanax and soma addict. i have used oxy's briefly but not for pain either. i have no experience wiening i went cold turkey. i just wanted to pop in and show some support and give you hope that you are not alone and there are others on this board who have been where you are.
i would suggest though that you might talk to your dr. about how your feeling and how he would suggest to wien down comfortably. or possably even prescribe something less potent. if in fact you are getting them from a dr. i wish i had more to offer but someone will be along soon with better info on this one. my thoughts and prayers are with you.
terrianne
welcome, and i too like carol am a recovering hydro,xanax and soma addict. i have used oxy's briefly but not for pain either. i have no experience wiening i went cold turkey. i just wanted to pop in and show some support and give you hope that you are not alone and there are others on this board who have been where you are.
i would suggest though that you might talk to your dr. about how your feeling and how he would suggest to wien down comfortably. or possably even prescribe something less potent. if in fact you are getting them from a dr. i wish i had more to offer but someone will be along soon with better info on this one. my thoughts and prayers are with you.
terrianne
Welcome to the board. I will try and make this short and to the point. If you are taking at least 250 mgs of oxy's or more a day than you need serious help. I am not meaning that to be harsh, I am serious. You have a long road ahead of you. It will take you a while to wean and it is going to be very difficult lets be honest here. You need to talk to the doctor that is writing all this to you and be honest with him about wanting to quit. You are going to need some blood pressure medication to help you, something for sleep etc.
If you really want to wean, I say start decreasing 5 mgs every week. If you are in a lot of pain you could always cut down by 2 1/2 mgs a week. The point is cut down. I think you are probably in more pain due to the pain meds than the lupus. Have you heard of suboxone? Well it's a drug that stops withdrawls. You'll have to read up on it, you may be at too high of a dose to start it. Many people here are on it and can tell you more. You really need to consider rehab and treatment... Good luck~ Rae
If you really want to wean, I say start decreasing 5 mgs every week. If you are in a lot of pain you could always cut down by 2 1/2 mgs a week. The point is cut down. I think you are probably in more pain due to the pain meds than the lupus. Have you heard of suboxone? Well it's a drug that stops withdrawls. You'll have to read up on it, you may be at too high of a dose to start it. Many people here are on it and can tell you more. You really need to consider rehab and treatment... Good luck~ Rae
Thanks so much for the people that have answered me. I am really scared. I do have a lot of pain from the lupus. And I have severe fatigue. The oxy helps with both. However, I never feel high. I did at the very beginning but when you have pain and take oxy it is a little different than taking it with no pain. I am getting the meds from a doctor but there is a problem there. Seems like he has made someone mad and now the feds are taking a closer look at him. HE is a great man who really cares about people and I feel that things will work out for him but as for now all my files are with the FBI. Great huh! He is a pain management doctor and pain management doctors are always looked at real close because of the amount of meds they prescribe.Right now his office is closed. I run out of meds next wedl that is the 13th of April. I am scared bad. What do I do after five years of oxy and250 mg. a day. I can not go off all at once! Since I have heard about this situation with the doc I have cut down to 2 eighties a day. 160mg. I don't feel great, that is for sure, but I am making it. I have about 30 pills left. If I break them in half that won't be so good either. How do you cut down on time release pills. Please help. The stress is throwing me into a Lupus flare. Now I am breaking out all over. It is like two demons at once. Help, thumper
I would find a suboxone doctor in your area. If you have the cash to get it, I would. The sub would at least stop your withdrawls while you have the opportunity to find another doctor that will treat you! At least have an appt. lined up in case your pain management doctor won't see you...It can't hurt to call around and tell your story to sub doctor's and get their opinion. Also another option is if you have insurance you could always try and find a rehab in your area that would help you. I would be making some calls. You really don't have to much you can do at this point but wait... Wait and see what happens but I would be prepared to have a back up plan. You are on a lot of medication a day and you are going to have a hard detox at home. Let's pray your doctor is able to keep seeing you. Best of luck!! Rae
Hi Thumper, I'm a fellow oxy user and while I wasn't prescribed as much (120 mg's per day) I'd use more then you and then have to cut way back. So the w/d would go on for 2 weeks or so. I was on for 3 years with other breakthrough meds as well. The 3rd time I ran out I made up my mind I wouldn't suffer again needlessly. It's hell...I'm at day 15 and still not done. But every day for 3 years...it's gonna take time. The good people here have sound advice. I chose cold turkey. Necessary in my life. And I think I'll make it. I cut it at the course, i.e. the doc. HE said he'd give it to me anytime, but I told him no. I want and will be free of them. But it's a long road. On other boards it's sometimes 4-6 weeks before you beign to sleep and feel somewhat normal. Had a b*&^% of a time last night. I'm so tired of the chills and goosebumps. WHile I sound negative, I'm trying to encourage you. You're right to fear. My doc said why can't yo be on this for thie rest of your life? And I thought cuz that's not living.
Tracy, haven't found a way to respond to you, but I htank yo for sharing. I know I was heading where you are...losing everything. If you're on day 2 or 3 I know you're hurting in a way no one can understand unless they've been there. Hang on, for dear life. No matter what, listen to your advice to me...you struck a major chord and I thank you. The suffering sort becomes normal. You get used to it after a week or so. God Bless yo Tracy. I'll pray for you. I've been in your shoes recently!!!
Tracy, haven't found a way to respond to you, but I htank yo for sharing. I know I was heading where you are...losing everything. If you're on day 2 or 3 I know you're hurting in a way no one can understand unless they've been there. Hang on, for dear life. No matter what, listen to your advice to me...you struck a major chord and I thank you. The suffering sort becomes normal. You get used to it after a week or so. God Bless yo Tracy. I'll pray for you. I've been in your shoes recently!!!
Hi Thumper!
That sure is a lot of oxy's, but I can sure see how you got that high of dosage after five years.
I live in Canada, and can only speak for what is available here, but I just tapered 10 mgs each week, and it was uncomfortable, but do-able. What I found helped, was reducing the amount, but increasing the frequency. For example, when reducing to 60 mgs, I took 20mg-3 times a day, instead of 30mgs-twice.
I felt relief more often since I was due for my next pill in 8 hrs instead of 12 (so there was some overlap) My next cut meant 20-10-then 20 and so on....does this make sense?? It took several weeks, and the first 3 or 4 days are the worst, then I would start to feel better, then begin again. The worst was going from 20mgs to none, then I used clonidine. (recommended to me on this board!!)
I had to do my own research and plead with my dr. but it saved me.
I am not sure how the drug is sold in the USA, but here, it's only available in 10mg and since it's time released, my dr. recommended against cutting it in half, or I would have. (But then again, my Doctor knows very little about this drug except to write the scripts!!)
Do you have pain specialists where you live?
I live in Ottawa, and after 10 months, I just got an appt.
Sad to think that I would never have needed this drug if I had seen this Dr. from the time of my car accident!
Maybe, it is an option for you.
They deal in other areas of pain management, and although I don't know anything about Lupus, maybe it's worth looking into.
Anything is better than the oxycontin trap!!
On the worst days, when I was tempted to take a pill for comfort (just one! Ha!) I reminded myself that all the discomfort and pain I had endured to that point would have been for nothing!
On my VERY worst days, my dear, patient husband, would offer me a pill because he couldn't stand to see me so sick, and I would tell him that I wasn't going to waste what progress I had made so far.
What I mean is this....There is power in beginning the process, and each hour, each day, is achievement. You will find strength and power in this because you are strong.
Be proud of yourself for each new day that you have even a little less in your system than the day before.
Sorry for the long message, I tend to go on.
There are the nicest, most caring people on this board.
Even if you don't feel like posting, read the past messages because they are full of kind, supportive words, from very beautiful people.
God Bless,
Jennellle
That sure is a lot of oxy's, but I can sure see how you got that high of dosage after five years.
I live in Canada, and can only speak for what is available here, but I just tapered 10 mgs each week, and it was uncomfortable, but do-able. What I found helped, was reducing the amount, but increasing the frequency. For example, when reducing to 60 mgs, I took 20mg-3 times a day, instead of 30mgs-twice.
I felt relief more often since I was due for my next pill in 8 hrs instead of 12 (so there was some overlap) My next cut meant 20-10-then 20 and so on....does this make sense?? It took several weeks, and the first 3 or 4 days are the worst, then I would start to feel better, then begin again. The worst was going from 20mgs to none, then I used clonidine. (recommended to me on this board!!)
I had to do my own research and plead with my dr. but it saved me.
I am not sure how the drug is sold in the USA, but here, it's only available in 10mg and since it's time released, my dr. recommended against cutting it in half, or I would have. (But then again, my Doctor knows very little about this drug except to write the scripts!!)
Do you have pain specialists where you live?
I live in Ottawa, and after 10 months, I just got an appt.
Sad to think that I would never have needed this drug if I had seen this Dr. from the time of my car accident!
Maybe, it is an option for you.
They deal in other areas of pain management, and although I don't know anything about Lupus, maybe it's worth looking into.
Anything is better than the oxycontin trap!!
On the worst days, when I was tempted to take a pill for comfort (just one! Ha!) I reminded myself that all the discomfort and pain I had endured to that point would have been for nothing!
On my VERY worst days, my dear, patient husband, would offer me a pill because he couldn't stand to see me so sick, and I would tell him that I wasn't going to waste what progress I had made so far.
What I mean is this....There is power in beginning the process, and each hour, each day, is achievement. You will find strength and power in this because you are strong.
Be proud of yourself for each new day that you have even a little less in your system than the day before.
Sorry for the long message, I tend to go on.
There are the nicest, most caring people on this board.
Even if you don't feel like posting, read the past messages because they are full of kind, supportive words, from very beautiful people.
God Bless,
Jennellle
First time for me here too...
I am so mixed up here with all of this but I too am dealing with withdrawl from morphine and gosh i am so depressed and so scared of getting off i guess ... HELP needed here too...but I hope thumper gets her help.. God bless all on this nasty stuff...... God bless all1 Tig
I am so mixed up here with all of this but I too am dealing with withdrawl from morphine and gosh i am so depressed and so scared of getting off i guess ... HELP needed here too...but I hope thumper gets her help.. God bless all on this nasty stuff...... God bless all1 Tig
