OK quick story. I have been on Oxy for almost 2 yrs 2-40mg (time release) and 4-5mg (quick release) I decided enough was enough and I decided that I wanted my life back. Sunday I took 1-40 and the 4-5's, Monday I took 1-40 and 2-5's and yesterday I only took 2-5's. You can bet I am going thru WD pretty hard. Is this to fast a taper ? I feel nervous, restless legs, the WD's come in waves is this typical ? I feel better then WHAM it hits me again. On a scale of 1-10 its a 6-7 at worst. I ran out a few months ago, as doctor rescheduled my appt so I was totally out for 2 days, I had the worst day of my life then and almost had wife take me to the hospital.
I want to quit for many reasons. I believe I can deal with the pain, I want 100% of my life back. I am tired of counting pills and worring about running out, I am simply sick and tired of being sick and tired. I called the Dr. to get something for nausea and something to help me sleep. I am off work this week so that helps. Any comments, ideas, suggestions gladly accepted.
Hi Jim,
I think if you have made it this far, I wouldn't raise your dose again. So many people have quit cold turkey and lived to tell. You'll feel bad for a few days and then you will start to feel better. Withdrawal isn't likely to kill you, but continuing down this path just might. Plus, your doctor knows you are doing this, yes? if you get worried about how sick you are, check with him. Stay hydrated and try to eat, if only a little bit here and there.
If you choose to continue your taper, maybe try only taking 1/2 and only when you feel sick. Or, you could just quit, get the nausea meds from your doctor and get it over with and move on with your life. You may also want to ask about clonodine. It's a blood pressure med that can help soften some of those nasty withdrawal symptoms. There is no painless way to quit, but within a few days you will start to feel better, and you'll be glad you did it.
So, to answer your question, no I do no think you tapered too fast. Even when I was heavily using oxycodone, up to 200 mg a day, just 10 mg would bring me out of withdrawal for about 7-9 hours.
You found a good site. It's very active and there are so many people here who can help you through this tough time. Do you think you are an addict? Or physically dependant? There is a difference. Did you ever take more meds than prescribed just because you like the way it feels? Just something to think about. Either way, welcome to this forum and congrats on making the decision to get your life back. I hope you stick around.
Best wishes,
Atlas
I think if you have made it this far, I wouldn't raise your dose again. So many people have quit cold turkey and lived to tell. You'll feel bad for a few days and then you will start to feel better. Withdrawal isn't likely to kill you, but continuing down this path just might. Plus, your doctor knows you are doing this, yes? if you get worried about how sick you are, check with him. Stay hydrated and try to eat, if only a little bit here and there.
If you choose to continue your taper, maybe try only taking 1/2 and only when you feel sick. Or, you could just quit, get the nausea meds from your doctor and get it over with and move on with your life. You may also want to ask about clonodine. It's a blood pressure med that can help soften some of those nasty withdrawal symptoms. There is no painless way to quit, but within a few days you will start to feel better, and you'll be glad you did it.
So, to answer your question, no I do no think you tapered too fast. Even when I was heavily using oxycodone, up to 200 mg a day, just 10 mg would bring me out of withdrawal for about 7-9 hours.
You found a good site. It's very active and there are so many people here who can help you through this tough time. Do you think you are an addict? Or physically dependant? There is a difference. Did you ever take more meds than prescribed just because you like the way it feels? Just something to think about. Either way, welcome to this forum and congrats on making the decision to get your life back. I hope you stick around.
Best wishes,
Atlas
Glad your husband is doing o.k. Atlas.
Jim,from your story description it doesn't sound like you are an addict.However,there is no way I can know that.
You have a physical dependence which is unavoidable with opiate therapy after a period of time.IMO,you are a good candidate for tapering.
There will be some others on here shortly that have tapered and can share their stories.
I'm an addict so tapering was never an option for me.I always failed miserably.
Welcome and don't get discouraged if a lot of replys don't come in.It's early and there are a limited number of us up.
Jim,from your story description it doesn't sound like you are an addict.However,there is no way I can know that.
You have a physical dependence which is unavoidable with opiate therapy after a period of time.IMO,you are a good candidate for tapering.
There will be some others on here shortly that have tapered and can share their stories.
I'm an addict so tapering was never an option for me.I always failed miserably.
Welcome and don't get discouraged if a lot of replys don't come in.It's early and there are a limited number of us up.
jim, i'm home today also. i can't work at this point in my withdrawal. i'm glad to see atlas girl talk about the difference in physical dependance and addiction. my md says my body was totally dependant on opiates. i started out on narcotics due to a bulging disc, pinched nerve and continuous back problems due to my occupation. i took narcotics as prescribed to be able to work and continue to provide for my family. i am a 42 yr old female and was the primary bread winner. i have taken various opiates to manage the pain for 7-8 yrs with the dosage increasing gradually, but like you i did not take large quantities. just the fact that you take them daily allows your brain to think it does not need to make endorphins which are your brains feel good, analgesics and primary energy. therefore when you stop you will feel horrible for a while until your body starts producing endorphins again and it WILL. the length of time varies. i have been off vicodin for over 3 wks and some days i feel better and then i feel like it is the first day off. i understand what you are saying, but the days of feeling better should become the norm with "down" days further apart. i would suggest on your good days do NOT over do it. i did and it took me 2 dys to get over it. since you've only been taking for 2 yrs you should recover faster than i have. i'm glad you took a week off you'll need it. just rest as much as you can when you can. i also have horrible restless leg. i go to bed some days just as my family is getting up. i take mirapex and soma @ night now. i'm getting more sleep. do not give up! i would not take an opiate if it were right here in front of me. i'm proud of my progress, but expect setbacks and then it's not as bad. you do need to talk with your md and will need family support. you'll be back to your old self soon. i had forgotten who I was. its amazing to let God mold and remake me instead of vicodin controlling who i am. i'm here all day if you need me. i will pray for you as i pray for me.
I would like to see someone post the differences between physical dependancy and addiction, because there is a difference. Best of luck to Jim and Blue Sky.
I very much appreciate everyone's reply. I can't say if I am an addict or just dependant. I am having some difficulty drinking fluids and its very hard to eat. I had a few times taken more than prescribed, as I may have taken more of the 5mg quick release than prescribed, but I would not take more of the 40mg time release as I was terrified to run out of them. I've been watching a lot of movies and hot showers seem to help. My wife knows and is 100% supportive of me getting off opiates, she is a wonderful.
I am tired of having to go to the doctor every month to get my prescription. I am tired of not having an hope for the future and I am tired of not realizing how wonderful my life really could be. I to will be praying for everyone as I am praying for myself.
atlas you said 10 mg kept you out of WD for 7-9 hrs, was this a time release pill or does that matter. The 5's I have are quick disolving. I took the last one at 12:30 a.m. last night and it was 3:30 a.m. the previos day when I took the one before. I am trying to not take anything today.
Jim
I am tired of having to go to the doctor every month to get my prescription. I am tired of not having an hope for the future and I am tired of not realizing how wonderful my life really could be. I to will be praying for everyone as I am praying for myself.
atlas you said 10 mg kept you out of WD for 7-9 hrs, was this a time release pill or does that matter. The 5's I have are quick disolving. I took the last one at 12:30 a.m. last night and it was 3:30 a.m. the previos day when I took the one before. I am trying to not take anything today.
Jim
jim, congrats on the wife, i too have a wonderfully supportive husband. for the nausea sip coke and slowly eat saltine crackers. it has helped me. understand you are going to feel bad. tapering will probably put off the inevitable withdrawal. please do not take another pill. the fact you count pills does not neccessarily mean you are an addict. you are avoiding the pain of withdrawal. read my physical dependance post. get your wife to massage your legs and back. walk slowly. rest,rest.rest. take motrin. let me know if i can help.
