Oxycontin Withdrawal

[Dennis]

My wife is at the point where she is getting off Oxycontin soon. She is taking 120mg/day to contol her back pain and her back will be repaired shortly.
My question, is it better to reduce the dosage quickly (say over 6 days) and endure the sterss of all the withdrawal symptoms and be back to normal sooner or to do a slow letdown and minimize the withdrawal symptoms? Also any estimates of how long the slow method could take?

Thank you

[Mike]

If she can do it - take as long as you can with diminishing amounts. Getting "back to normal sooner" isn't really a reality with opiates. If you come off quick, the withdrawal symptoms go away after a few days, but there's a mental void. If you go off slowly, it's so gradual that your body won't be in any type of noticible shock/change. If she isn't "addicted" she should be able to taper well. But, if someones addicted, someone else needs to hold the reigns of the drug. They'll take enough to feel good and disregard being out of medication the next day. It sounds like she is only on the Oxycontin short-term, so she should do fine. The taper rate should be shorter than if she had been taking it for a year or so...But I guarantee that if you go off too soon, your wife will "miss" the medication. And if she doesn't think she "needs" it now, she will then. I hope this makes sense.

[Dennis]

Thanks for your response Mike. However she has been on it for a year. Any input as to the taper rate? The Oxycontin web page shows 50% less to start for 2 days and 25% less for 2 days until below 10-20mg/day.

Thanks again

[evan]

withdrawal from oxyconyin depends on a fw things.such as how many she was taking and for how long. its been my experience that it takes 5 to 7 days to detox. but the cravings are strong and it is difficult to function completely normal at this time. then there is another problem,diahrea. it can be quite difficult to control that, so be close to a bathroom.you do have soom pleasant moments sometimes,after all you are trying to stay clean[HOORAY]from ther as long as you stay clean every day gets better                  good luck EVAN

[zelda]

Hi Denis,  I think you may be underestimating what you wife will be going through.  It is not as matter of fact as all that.  I was on vicodin es for about a year and quitting is hell.  I am on a taper program.  They taper me 10% a week and even that is hard.  Try to understand it is the mental part that is that is the most difficult.  If you have never been addicted to a narcotic it is very hard to understand.  It sounds like you are trying to prepare early that is good, just understand it will be hard for her.  And she will probably be very irritable at best.

[Sandi]

My Mom was on oyxcontin, she was on a very high dosage for quite a while....until she overdosed, then she flipped out...they put her on methodone to detox her, but she still had seizures...it was horrible. It has been over a month now & she is just now getting back to an even keel. This stuff scares the **** out of me.

[brian]

Go slower, do not reduce by more than 10% per day.  At end of detox, see if you can get dr. to prescribe clonidine (a blood pressure med. that helps with the minor withdrawal symptoms) and trazodone (an anti-depressant that is great for sleep).  Oxy is hard to detox from (I've been there).  Any more questions, just ask.  GOOD LUCK!!!

[kelly]

I smoke every day and have since high school. tried to quit a handful of times but the buzz has always been irrestiable. I'm sort of accident prone and have hurt myself several times and caught my self on fire once. Got demerol most of the time and enjoyed it. sometimes even went back with phantom pain to get more. never got hooked and always went back to my normal rutine, no pun intended. I blew out my knee and got vicodine, then ES, finally oxycontin (20's). The knee got scoped and healed, took about six months. Went to quit the meds and quikly realized tapering was the way to go. Got some valium for the jones and used vicodin ES and a pill cutter to wean. told everone I had the flu and spent a week in bed with more sympoms than space here to describe. a year later I ruptured a disk, cautously went back on the same two meds, leaving the meds at the pharmicy and picking up a few days worth at a time twice a week. pain got worse, meds went as high as 240mgs oxycontin per day (3-40's am & 3-40's PM).when I tried to go to 2-80's every 12 hrs the parmicy wouldn't go along. I stayed at 3-40s twice a day but really started to worry about what the pamicist said about the oxy. Began to taper as to not wind up killing myself with these things. went to 2-40's twice a day. caught my thumb nail in the clamping device at work and ripped my thumb nail out whole. it was excrutiating, but i stayed on track and am currently stepping down from 1-10 and 1-20 twice a day to 1-20 am 1-20 pm. the plan is to step down to 10's in five days. I hope to first eliminate the am 10mg, then the pm 10mg after a few days. I hope the withdraw from that level will be tolerable. I can't wait to feel normal once again. A detox worker told me about Naltrexone to fight the craveings after the detox. has anyone ever tried this and is it worse that the desease? I can't tell you all how much strength I've gained from reading each one of your stories. Good luck to us all.

[brian]

Good luck to you on your tapering.  As to the Nal, I have not found it to help cravings at all.  What it really does is simply block the effects of the opiates for a long enough period of time for you not to act instantly on a craving and relapse.  My experience with it is that if you want to use it, the best way is to wait until about 2 weeks after your last opiates (to make sure they are totally out of your system, otherwise it will precipitate withdrawal), then, if you can, have a Nal pellet implanted.  They do this in about ten minutes, in a doctor's office, local anesthetic and a few stiches.  They put the pellet somewhere like your side or abdominal area.  Then, the pellet releases Nal for about 6-8 weeks.  That way, you HAVE to stay clean.  With the pills, you can stop taking them and use in about 48hrs.  Best of luck!

[Frank]

I hope you're still following these posts.

I've been on oxycontin for a year due to a crushed L4 vertabra (60mg x2/day). Last summer, I decided to get off. At first, I decided to just stop. BIG mistake! Within four hours of missing the last dose, I was in the blackest depression you can possibly imagine - suicidal. The hour that it took for the dose to take effect that I swallowed after the depression started was the longest hour of my life.

Then I decided to just taper off. No pressure from the doctor. No one associated with me was in a hurry of any kind. It took me two and a half months to go from 60 mg twice a day to 20 mg twice a day. No depression. No withdrawal of any kind. However, I was in a whole lot more pain with that crushed L4 than I thought I was. Apparently, that oxycontin is as good as they say it is. I'm back on it now with no problem from my back and I'm told that since surgery is not recommended for me that I will be on it for a long time.

So if there's any advice in this it would be to make sure your wife has all the oxycontin she wants for as long as she wants it. Let her taper off at her own rate; she'll know what it is. She should not have to be on anyone's schedule but her own.

Hope this helps.

Frank

[Phobs]

I have been on Oxycotin for about 7 months.  Prior to that I was taking Loratab for about a year, and prior to that I was taking percocet and vicadine.  All of this was in connection with chronic pain arising from L-5/S-1 spine injury.  Because the lami nectomy two years ago did not work, I underwent fusion this last May and am still in my "post-op" phase of recovery two months later.  I am taking approximately 60-80 mg of Oxycontin per day and my efforts to taper have been difficult.  Apart from the pressure/guilt/anxiety from my surgeon (he personally would never prescribe Oxycontin but was was "forced" to accept that the pain management folks already had me on it) and pharmacist, when I reduce my dosage, I suffer extreme generalized burning pain throughout my body --- its like a bad sunburn on the inside.  I realize now that part of my error was chewing the tablet so that I could manage the break through pain.  Now, having bounced around various message boards on the net, I realize that I have to approach my pain management much differently, but am at a loss for how.  For one thing, I don't know if my pain is because my back has not yet healed or because of trying to reduce the drug dosage.  I also don't know if there is some other way to manage the taper either with other drugs or therapies (e.g. acupuncture).  Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.  I realize my dosages are smaller in both duration and quantity than many of you, but I would like to avoid learning through personal experience the road that many of you have travelled so courageously.  Thank you.

[Brian to Sick and Scared]

Your body is clearly dependent on the narcotic.  You will experience withdrawal symptoms (which is probably what the burning sensation is) unless you are switched to another drug and then tapered from that.  My advice is to ask your physician to switch you to buprenorphine (injections you can do yourself) and then taper the buprenorphine.  This will limit or eliminate withdrawal.  Only once you are off the narcotics for a bit will you be able to determine your baseline level of pain from your spinal problem.

[Gina]

I have been on demorol for 1 month then they switched me to oxycontin 20 mg first for 2+ months and then after my gall bladder surgery they upped it to 40mg about a week-10 days ago.  I have another doctors appt. soon and decided since the pain had subsided to quit the meds altogether and see what I had left of the pain.  Big mistake!  The pain from the surgery is almost completely gone but I cannot function without the oxycontin.  I only have 40mg tablets here at the house and have read that you are not supposed to break them because it could potentially mess up the time release and overdose you.  Today I made it on only one tablet instead of two but literally could not get out of bed until I took it.  It took me 4 hours (awake) to move from the bed to the couch to the chair in the kitchen.  I am nauseated and feel fluish.  I am supposed to go back to work Monday (in 5 days) they will not allow me to work on the oxycontin and I really don't think I can function without it at this point.  Thanks to all of you for the posts, it was helpful reading, I will check with my doctor and see what the plan is for weaning me off of this stuff but I have a feeling either way that I will not be going back to work as soon as I thought. As for the rest of you, hang in there and good luck!

[Gina]

I have been on demorol for 1 month then they switched me to oxycontin 20 mg first for 2+ months and then after my gall bladder surgery they upped it to 40mg about a week-10 days ago.  I have another doctors appt. soon and decided since the pain had subsided to quit the meds altogether and see what I had left of the pain.  Big mistake!  The pain from the surgery is almost completely gone but I cannot function without the oxycontin.  I only have 40mg tablets here at the house and have read that you are not supposed to break them because it could potentially mess up the time release and overdose you.  Today I made it on only one tablet instead of two but literally could not get out of bed until I took it.  It took me 4 hours (awake) to move from the bed to the couch to the chair in the kitchen.  I am nauseated and feel fluish.  I am supposed to go back to work Monday (in 5 days) they will not allow me to work on the oxycontin and I really don't think I can function without it at this point.  Thanks to all of you for the posts, it was helpful reading, I will check with my doctor and see what the plan is for weaning me off of this stuff but I have a feeling either way that I will not be going back to work as soon as I thought. As for the rest of you, hang in there and good luck!

[Theresa]

I've been taking oxycontin for about 4 months now..having the normal withdrawels as everyone else..but what im wondering is if it can affect your bladder..seems as though when I have to go to the bathroom..the muscles in my bladder just wont work..takes me along time to urinate..and thats after I wait until I really have to go. Any connections?? The highest I have done in a day is 100..never higher..and now im working to get off. I'm 23 so I'm kinda figuring its not my age..its only been happening for about 3 weeks now. Any comments please?

[Donna]

My shrink had me taking up to 30 mg. 2 times per day after several months of increasing doses of Oxycontin.  He raise it to 40 mg. day before yesterday,  and I woke with all over itching and extreme sleepiness, so he said that he finally agreed with me that this was not a good drug for me and that I could quit.  So last nite and today I have had none at his direction.  I did ask him about tapering off and he said that it was not necessary with this drug.  I have been weird all day.  If it gets bad I will go to an ER.  But after looking for the information like you have above, I am beginning to think that my continuing sleepiness, grogginess, jumpy legs, left side of brain feeling asleep even when I am up, etc. are some sort of withdrawal.  I need some advice.  If you have any, please write me.  Thanks

[Brian to Sick and Scared]

I hate to say this but your shrink is a moron.  It is obvious you are going through withdrawal.  The acute part lasts 3-4 days and then improves greatly.  You can ask the shrink for some meds to help but he sounds like he is too stupid to know what meds to provide.  If you have a regular doctor call and tell him/her what has happened and ask for some help.  Good luck.

[DENISE]

Besides the depression factor in withdrawing from vicodine, what are the physical effects?  Today, I quit cold-turkey after almost a year of taking 5 tablets a day for a back injury and I feel as if my muscles are spasming and I have bumble-bees trapped in my body.  Is this common?  What can I do about it? Help?

[Carrie]

I was started on 2 20's a day from my doctor for severe lower back pain.  after a year it is now 2 40's.  My doctor cut me off and I got really sick.  At first I thought it was the flu.  I was really that ignorant.  Than I found someone who had a 20 and when I took it I felt 110% better.  That day I realized oxys are the devil.  The only guy I know who get them rips me off so bad I am going broke trying to stay healthy.  I know I shouldnt but can anyone help me find a decent amount to ween off with?

[Withdrawal]

I am also self motivated to detox off Oxycontin 20mg twice a day.  Dr.s said I could go back to work full time after lower back fusion 8 months ago.  I decided to see what I felt like before sign off on workers comp.  I tried going down to 10 mg twice a day for three days, then just a couple of 5mg Oxycodone when I just couldn't stand the pain.  I too started have terrible pain in my kneecaps. they said condrol Malasia?  Never had  knee trouble before in my life. My legs jump, twitches, I use Ambian for sleep. Even with that it is hard to sleep.  No energy, depressed, all of the normal withdrawal stuff. But possible January back to work date I feel I must find out how my body really feels without the pain meds.  So far the pain of the detox is the prime source of pain.  My two level fusion gives me a feeling of dull discomfort. A pulling, a lose of range of motion, but NOT PAIN. At least not at a level that I would normally feel would require such stron medication.  
     Yes it is uncomfortable, No it is not the worst thing ever, the end result is to be free of the drug. Again in control of my emotional and energy cycles. My Dr. said takes about a month to really feel right again. OK that's doable.
     So from a 58/F/5'4""/200 lbs. I am hoping that once off the meds I will have the energy to exercise again and lose the 40 lbs I gained during this whole injury. I feel terrible but since there is a visable end to the discomfort in a few days or a week or so I am just watching a lot of TV, putting the laundry in a bag. checking my mail ever so often and waiting for my life to resume. Hang in there You can do it.

[Grieving Friend]

I don't know much about Oxycontin, have never taken it and had no idea how addictive and dangerous it is until yesterday, when I learned that a friend of mine died during his withdrawal from the drug.  Apparently, he was taking it recreationally - meaning he had no underlying injury - snorting it, maybe shooting it up, we are not sure. He finally determined to get off of it, and was experiencing the withdrawals all of your posts are discussing. Like I said, I was completely clueless - just thought it was another pain pill like percoset or something.

Anyway, at this point, we're not sure exactly how he died. I heard that he tried to reach out to a friend of his who was in the same boat to get some of the "anti-withdrawal" medicine I saw mentioned in some of your posts, but she turned him away. He was left alone for just and hour or two while his family went to get some dinner. When they returned, he was dead.  Does anyone know what could have happened? Could the withdrawal alone kill you? Do you think perhaps he took something else to ease his symptoms during the withdrawal - we know there was Xanax in the house - and just ODed?  

I am so sad for his family. I feel like his death was a waste of a life with great potential.  However, I have learned something new and important about a very dangerous and addicitive narcotic. In particular, I have learned about the very real physical component of this particular addition. It makes me angry. I read one post about someone being prescribed Oxycontin by a pyschiatrist!?!  For what possible reason?!? That is a travesty!  I also read one post in which the poster described himself as accident prone. I am that way, too. I am also starting to have back trouble at 36 years old. However, after reading your posts and knowing what happened to my friend (and knowing my own "addictive" personality), I will make sure never to let myself be prescribed such a dangerous drug.

Additionally, knowing what a stong guy my friend was, I give you all alot of credit for trying to get off of Oxtcontin and (to the extent I can) I appreciate how difficult it must be for you to do so. Maybe this story will help inspire in that you know what could happen if you continue down the road of addiction. But, I'm sure you know that already. Importantly, I believe you all have taken a step in the right direction by talking about it in this forum. I hope you all hang in there and I wish you the best of luck in your fight.

[liscamdave]

I was severely addicted to Oxy COntin. When I say severely I mean, I was taking about 1200 to 1600 mgs a day. I could eat almost 16 80's in one day. My withdrawal was something fierce. It took almost 2 months for me to feel somewhat normal when I first quit. Anyway, I lost my husband to an Oxy Contin overdose. And recently another friend to an overdose. I can tell you that your friend may not have died from withdrawal. Withdrawl, althought it feels like you are dying, is not life threatening at all. If your friend was taking something else that could be what killed him. Also, when you are in withdrawl and it has been a few days, and you decide you can't take it anymore an go to get more pills, and take your normal dose, you can overdose. Maybe this is what happened. I am not postive as I am not a dr. but I am pretty sure that w/d from Oxy's is not life threatening. I do know that w/d from Zanax can cause seizures. So was your friend taking that?

I hope that you are ok and I will pray for you and your friends family....

Take Care...

Lisa

[Broox]

I  just wanted to say hi to all. I am a recovering oxycontin addict and right now I am going through the withdrawals.It is hell. All I want is to feel better and be the person I used to be before I took these devil pills. I have been taking 160mg of oxycontin for about a year and I told myslef I was gonna quit asap. So now I'm on day 2 and you all know how I feel. Going throughout the day feeling like I have the flu sucks but isn't the worst. It's the insomnia that gets me down on myself. What can I do to let myslef sleep normal? I have a girlfriend that really cares about me and I moved out of town to be with her and get away from those awful pills, My new job starts in 5 days and I'm worried I won't be in good enough shape to work. Can anybody recommend a rapid detox that will get me back on my feet? Pray for me

[neck64]

I pray for you, as I am on 120 mg daily for c6-7 radiculopathy post-surgical fusion and spinal corpectomy.
It takes months to come down fom 160 mg daily dosage, and then with symtpoms ranging from mental lapses to skin burning to diarrhea and more. It is doable but not in your timeframe.
You will end up in the hospital if you try to make a Monday deadline. 6-10 weeks minimum.
Good luck.

[zygot]

I have a friend who is in a similar situation.  She has had back pain for several years and has reached a level where she takes 12 80's per day.  I would be interested in the process you went through to reduce the amount you were taking.  Her Dr. just recently cut her back 160 mgs per day, and plans to reduce her even more.  I am wondering if this is too fast and what would be an appropriate amount and time frame to reduce.  Thanks for any information you can provide.   Bill