COLD TURKEY???

[Vikingdaunte]

Hi,

I have been taking Oxycodone (30mg x 4) daily for around 4 years due to a back injury.  I have come to the conclusion that I would much rather live with the pain than continue to takes this horrible medication.  I am seeking some guidance as to how long can I expect to be sick and welcome any and all suggestions.  This includes thoughts on cold turkey versus a tapering regimen.  Thank you in advance for any input.

[Teri9498]

Hi, I was recently taking about 6-8 30mg oxycodone, plus 2 80mg oxycontin daily..I'm like u & want off the pills & would just rather deal w/the pain!  So I've been tapering, & it hasn't been easy...but in the last 3weeks I have gone from the dose I mentioned down to a little less than 100mg a day..I'm going to wait until I get a little lower, then just quit CT..seems like the tapering draws it out forever!  Its just my opinion, but I think maybe u should drop a little lower than u are now & then just take the plunge..CT, then get your life back!!  Life is amazing once your off the pills & can think & see thing clearly, the way we were meant to!!  Good luck to you & if u need anything or just want to talk feel free to PM me anytime!!...just remember, I'm going thru the same thing!!.......Teri

[Vikingdaunte]

Thank you and congratulations on your 42 clean days.

[Vikingdaunte]

Thanks for your support.

[Vikingdaunte]

Thanks so much for taking the time to give me that great information.  I appreciate your help.

[Vikingdaunte]

Very kind of you.  I appreciate the support.

[Vikingdaunte]

should be 120 instead of 12 mg's

[Vikingdaunte]

Thanks so much for all of your input and support.  The support should be a huge boost for me.  On Monday 9/16 I am going to go from 12mg to 60mg.  Any advice an average time it will take me to get acclimated to the decreased dose?  When I'm relatively comfortable at 60 mg, I plan to again cut in half my dose.  The pattern obviously until I'm off them for good!  I wish they never were prescribed, but I think (hope and pray) I'm up to the challenge.  As always, any suggestions and or comments are very welcome.

Scott

[HappyDays2Come]

Hi and welcome! I was taking about the same as you and went C/T (as long as you don't have any underlying health issues then C/T is fine to do). Stock up with the Thomas Recipe, Ensure/Gatorade, bananas / saltine crackers, and epsom salt. You can taper but, in my opinion, you're still feel the w/d symptoms. So why not just go for it and start counting your clean days:)? For me the first 48 hrs were the worst and then by day 3 I was out and about (forcing it but staying busy made my recovery much easier). Force yourself out of the house (even on my days 1 and 2 I got the heck off my couch). You can do this and we're all here for you. I'm excited for you and your new life. Keep us posted...we're cheering for you!

[CKN30]

Tapering can work if you are self disciplined. I thought I was but when it came to the pills I was not. So I gave them to someone to hold and help me taper, that didnt work for me either. I knew if I begged hard enough I could get them :) so I took the cold turkey plunge and 41 days clean today!!

[FourJays]

Hello....congratulations on your decision to get off the pills; you wont regret this!  I think that you got a lot of great information above.  The choice of whether to taper vs. cold turkey is really a personal one.  A successful taper plan requires a good amount of willpower and is best if you have someone that will hold your pills.  Your doctor should be able to help you with making a taper plan to fit your needs.  Cold turkey is more intense and it is good if you can plan to do it over a long weekend.  Either way it is best if you can talk to your doctor first.  There are a few meds that can help with the w/d symptoms that he/she may prescribe based on your personal health history.  You could also ask about alternative non-narcotic medications to deal with your back issues.  I was first prescribed narcotic painkillers for back problems too, and I can honestly say that my pain level is actually better since I have been off the pills!  Whatever way you decide to go, keep posting here for support as you go through this process.  You are not alone and you CAN do this :))

[ariley13]

Hi there and welcome! The decision on whether or not to taper can be a difficult one. Many of us are unable to follow a taper plan, because we end up taking more if they are available. Tapering does help to lessen the symptoms of detox, but it also stretches out the time you experience them. Detox symptoms with cold turkey are more intense, but over much more quickly. Everyone's different, and it depends on age, general health, years of use, and daily amount of use. A typical timeline for the most acute detox symptoms when going cold turkey is 4-7 days. Some experience shorter, some longer. Check out the Thomas Recipe. It is located at the bottom of the page and full of good vitamins and supplements. Be sure to have some Imodium on hand for any diarrhea. Lots of fluids, try to stay away from caffeine (it increases the anxiety). Epsom salts in a hot bath help the restless legs and muscle cramps. If you let us know what symptoms you are having once you quit, we can share tricks that worked for us to lessen them. The big thing that will make or break you is cutting your source for the pills. Have you discussed with your doctor your intentions of quitting? If not, then I would highly recommend doing so. If  you don't cut your sources, whether dealer or doctor, you will have a weak moment and probably use. You are not alone in this. We are here for you to give support, encouragement, and answer questions. Good luck to you and take care!