Oxycodone Withdrawls?

[TripletZdad]

I have been taking 7.5mg of oxycodone hcl for the last 3 years, as a result of a failed ankle transplant which is now collapsing.  I often snort the dose in belief that it will more quickly ease my pain, which is excruciating in the mornings.  I have decided i no longer want to be taking this stuff for whatever reason.  Maybe it's the negative stigma that is associated with painkillers like these, but i almost feel ashamed to be taking this.  What type of withdrawls can i expect and for how long, from taking what seems like a very small dose?

[wesinbama]

Hi, just throwing in my comments. I think everyone of us here started on ONE pill at some point. We didn't just all jump in at 2-3 at a time. You are on very small dose compared to what most of us were taking(try 10-12 lortabs 10's a day for me),and I don't envision your wd's being very bad compared to what I have experienced, but since you have not gone through that, it may still seem kinda rough, but I wouldn't think it should be too bad. maybe one night restless sleep and a small dose of diarrea. Now, I am going to tell you what I wish I had known. That one pill will eventually turn to two, because you WILL build a tolerance. This will happen at some point, and seriously within a month or two, you will wonder where you crossed that line. It sounds like you are in alot of pain wo the pain killers, but I will tell you this. If I had the choice of a sledgehammer on my ankle, or going thru my worst WD's, i would chose the sledgehammer. I know it is tough to see what lies down the road, but please, please please. trust me, whether you think I am just some addict talking or this couldn't happen to you, you are on the same road some of us were on. It took 4 months from one lortab a day to 10 a day. 4 months!! And that was just to function. I am just saying, if you can find a way to not get dependent on them, find another way to deal with your pain. maybe even once a month go 5 days without one to get them out of your system, I don't know. I would just hate 4 months from now to see you posting about going through horrible WD's or something like that. I don't know what's the right thing for you to do, but I just see you getting on the onramp to our highway, and since no one told me and I couldn't see it, I want to at least try and warn you. Whatever you chose to do, I wish you the best. I just found this community, and it has inspired me so much to try and stay clean.  keep us posted.

[Downey]

I say this with compassion but snorting is addictive behavior because I don't see anyone else snorting pills that are clearly not ment to be used that way. I say this because I too do the same thing and I can call it whatever I want but at the end of the day I still know I'm an addict and that is fact only I can change.

Doesn't sound like you are on a high dosage so you should kick this easier than most and I wish you the best.

Downey

[LongerDays]

My guess is that your withdrawals will be relatively mild. 7.5 mg/day is a very low dose.

But I also wanted to comment on something you wrote:

"Sounds like anybody who takes any painkiller, regardless if they are needed or not, is considered an addict."

Really that's not true, and you may not be an addict. One thing you did NOT say is that you use the drug for something other than its intended purpose, namely to get high or to feel "normal."  If you were snorting truly because you thought it would alleviate your pain better, that may not be a good thing but it doesn't necessarily indicate addiction. Your consistent use of a very low dose is also telling. Honesty is everything. If you're being straight with yourself about your reasons for using the drug, you have the answer as to whether you're abusing.


Drug dependence, though, is quite a different thing from addiction. Dependence occurs when your body cannot operate properly without the drug. People who take narcotic to for long periods to control pain often become dependent. When they stop the drug their body rebels in the form of withdrawal (ie, it can't function "normally" without the narcotic).  But they're not necessarily addicted. They don't seek the drug for purposes other than pain relief, which is a giveaway as to whether one is an addict or not.

Stopping the drugs will have the same physical impact (withdrawal) whether a person is dependent or addicted. For a dependent person, it should be relatively smooth sailing after the physical withdrawals wear off. For yourself, who is taking such a low dose, your withdrawal may be relatively mild. For an addict, the end of withdrawal is the beginning of the tough mental battle to keep from relapsing.

Don't know if this helps. Best of luck.

LD

[TripletZdad]

The snorting thing, yeah, knowing now what i have learned about it lasting longer when taken orally, i can easily correct that. I am prescribed 1 to 2 tablets every 4 to 6 hours.  So obviously taking only 1 and a half daily is way under my prescription.  As I said, I genuinely have pain.  Every step i take is like walking on a broken ankle.  I have crawled to the bathroom in the morning, because i cant walk on it.  If i am addicted to anything, it's walking, and productivity.  Sounds like anybody who takes any painkiller, regardless if they are needed or not, is considered an addict.

[WannaBeFree79]

I see 2 indications there may be an addiction issue.  1) You are obviously concerned you may have a problem if you have searched and posted on an addiction message board.  2) Taking your meds not as prescribed is a sign of addiction.  I have never seen a doctor reccomend snorting a pill.  It may just be the early stages of addiction, but it will be easier to take care of it now rather then later.  Right now you are at a small dose, the withdrawal would be minor if there even is any from 1.5 pills a day.  Even though you don't have thoughts right now about taking more, that can change fast, so fast it would make your head spin.  Then you will be sitting there like the rest of us asking "how did I get here".  Please really think about it, if you are concerned you may have a problem you just might.  Don't let it get out of control if you can nip it now.

Good Luck & God Bless!

WannaBeFree

[TripletZdad]

The reason my dr. didn't prescribe percocet or similar drugs, is because he didn't want me to have aspirin or anything else which over a longer period of time will do damage.  What is the harm in me continuing to just take my 7.5 mg daily?  Like i said, i have no desire or inclination to go any higher with my dosage, as i am not into constipation..

[TripletZdad]

They are 5mg pills and i cut 1 in half.  So i take 1 and one half pills every morning.  I haven't gone a day with out yet.  I have a bottle of 90 in front of me right now.  I don't have an addictive personality by any means.  I believe in moderation with everything.  If i don't take these for pain, what else is there?  Seems like for people like myself, there is no good solution

[TripletZdad]

Straight oxycodone.

[worried878]

percocets?   or oxycontin?  both are oxycodone
Snorting is faster as far as onset..but will not last near as long...so u r defeating ur purpose and develoing an addiction that will be tough to stop as time goes on.....if u could swallow for now it would be good..then make a plan to get off for good...u r exhibiting addictive behavior by snorting.....pain or no pain......often we have to look at our situation and examine if it is really just about pain anymore
What happens if u skip a day and go without?  how do u feel?  U didnt say how many u were taking each day...we r all different....what might be tugh for one to stop is not for someone else...best this to do is get started tho,..cos it doesnt get any better..only worse
Making a plan is a good way to start...pick a quit day when u have some down time...get rid of any refills and pills in ur home or possession...tell ur dr u dont want to take narcotics anymore....read up on the thomas recipe in the health pages....and keep posting here//lots of support