I Need Help Trying To Get Off Of Oxycodone 5 mg

[fibropain]

I am trying to get off of the oxycodone 5 mg.  I have severe back problems (just had spinal fusion, carpal tunnel, & ulnar nerve surgery last month) and I have Fibromyalgia which makes me extra sensitive to anything.  I have so many other health problems as well.

My primary care doctor had me on morphine 60 mg for about three months.  I felt that I wasn't doing any better...just sleeping all of the time.  So, he put me on Loratab/Hydrocodone 10 mg/500 mg. I was on that when I went in for the surgery.

  Following my surgery my neurologist put me on 5 mg of oxycodone for 5 days.  I went back to my primary care doc for regular visit and he put me on the 5 mg oxycodone on 3-15-10.  He said take as needed...but only gave me 100 to last 30 days.  So, I could not take it as I was taking the Loratab ...1 every 4 hrs, or I would not have enough to last.  I ask the nurse why and she said the doctor would not order more than the 100.

  I can't deal with living afraid I will not be able to get the med and I will be thrown into withdrawal.  So, I have been trying to taper off by only taking at night,  I empty 1/2 out of a capsule and take half a few hours before bed and then 4 hours or more I take the other half. I sleep a bit...but pain is there.  I have been suffering.  I yawn, sneeze, have severe restlessness, and even restless leg?  I can't breathe well either.  I shake inside.  I know it is probably because I have this Fibro which is making it so bad.  Anyone on here have advice to help me get off?  I would appreciate it!!

[DisabledVet11B]

100 pills is more then enough for 30 days... If the individual dosage isnt enough to control the pain that you should see a Pain Management Doctor (not primary care doc) to up your dosage. These pills are supposed to last at least 8 hours (in reality 6) and 3 per day should be the limit.

Personally I found this website while researching the 5mg dosage hoping I can get my doc to put me at such a low dosage or something else altogether. I've been taking OC for about 4-5 years now straight (disabled vet) and been as high as 160-200mg per day. Currently the pain has been less (but not gone) and I have been trying to go without taking it however symptoms like restless leg but consistent throughout the day persist and isnt so much painfull but at annoyance that leaves me unable to remain still.

[vicki595]

It sounds like you're withdrawing to me...in between the 5mg doses. Plus you're still in pain from surgery,I would think.  Can you take your regular dose until Monday?
Then call the doctor so you have enough to taper off with?  Just a thought...
Vicki

[fibropain]

I truly appreciate all of the good advice.  I do find it helpful.  No, I have never used any narcotic drugs.  I had Torodal injections that my hubby would give me, & Flextra tabs.  But both gave me a serious stomache ulcer.  I mainly just suffer.

I fear drugs!  We had that problem with our youngest son and it almost destroyed him along with my husband and I.  That is why I am on such a low dose. I would never have even tried this if my husband had not encouraged it.  He hates to see me in such pain.

I think it is the Fibromyalgia pain combined with the tapering myself off (not knowing how).  The fibro has my nervous system all screwed up.  I hurt all of the time with that.  It is like flu symptoms.  The slightest touch hurts.  I was that way before taking the meds.  I am on such a lose dose of oxycodone...just 5 mg.  I think my body is in shock from the fibro after surgery which is making this so hard.

I don't have a decent primary doc.  You walk in the office and he waits on me to tell him what I need!  That is not very professional...but it is limited here on quality doctors.  We live 60 miles from the nearest hospital (where I had surgery) and there is good docs there.  I am using a local doc that is really not knowledgable on fibro...so I am going to see if my neurosurgeon will help me find a good primary doc when I go back for my next recheck from the surgery.  

I truly appreciate all of the advice.  Thank you all for taking the time to answer my question.

[abritt121222]

P.S. Sorry bout spelling errors and whatnot I'm typing on my phone like always

[abritt121222]

The reason the doc gave u the oxycodone and isn't giving u enough to r
take like the tabs is because the oxy is about 2 and a half times stronger(someone correct me if I'm wrong) so u wouldn't have to take it as much as the tabs but sounds like to me if u really need around the clock relief u need to talk to ur doc about a different med like something that is extended release so u don't need to take so much. I am not a doctor tho this is just my opinion but like the other post said the narcotics willmake our pain worse because our brain will make us hurt just so we will go get more meds I also had a bone fusion actually two fusiona on my l5 vertbrae about 6 and a half months ago and found that when I quit taking the mesa the pain ia gone and whenbit does hurt OTC meda like aleve work fine. I was also on the oxy 5mg but abusing them up until about a month and a half ago when I finally quit the meds I was up to 160-200 mg of the 5mg or pretty much whatever I could get mostly 30mg roxy but I amnow clean and my back pain wos under control your brain is very powerful and when it is dependent on something and wants something it can do some crazy things to het u to get them like make you hurt worse than you would if u weren't on the narcotics crazy I know but o so true.

Good luck stay strong and everything will be ok
abritt

[vicki595]

Hi~  What exactly are the directions on the bottle?  Any refills?  It sounds like 3 tabs can't cover your pain right now...one month post op. That's why it's important to read what the label says...you can probably refill it.  Or call the doctor tomorrow.

Vicki

[cleanmom]

Also you are welcome to private message me as i am on here quite often for support myself and to try and help others. I am 57 days clean and sober today!  

Luv, Jacky

[cleanmom]

Hey sweetie, i too suffer from fibromyalgia. It is so hard. But, i have never had those surgeries that you have so i can only imagine the pain tha accompanies it. But, you also have to realize that sometimes when we are taking high doses of narcotics our pain becomes exagerated because we be become unaware of what our real base line of pain is. So, sometimes it is best to come off the narcotics for a while to figure it out. There are plenty of non-narcotic options to treat your fibro. I take Lyrica and it works really well as well as treats any other neuropathic pain you might have.
I do have a question though. You didn't state whether you believed yourself to be an addict or not. Do you think you are? Either way, i suggest talking to your doctor about a proper taper plan so you can figure out you pain base line at the very least. In the meantime to help with the physical withdrawals there are plenty of natural supplements you can take to help. Check the Health Pages at the top right of this page for some ideas. I too suffered with the restless legs. You can get Highlands Restful Legs at Walmart to help with it. Personally i take Magnesium, 1000 mgs in the evening to counteract it and eat lots of bananas which are loaded with potassium which helps with the RLS. If you dont like bananas you can get a potassium supplement as well. Try to take some vitamin B12, it will help with your energy levels while you are going through this and make you overall feel a bit better. There is an amino acid protocol in the health pages as well that some here swear by to help the withdrawals, i personally havent tried it. Either way let me know if you believe this to be an addiction problem and then i can offer you some more advice, and most importantly, talk with your doctor honestly, at the very least there are some prescription meds your doctor can give you to help ease the withdrawals while you are tapering. I would also try some OTC meds like Motrin. You wouldn't believe how well they work if you give it a chance. I wish you the best of luck and i will keep you in my prayers. Keep posting, we are here to support you, no matter what you decide to do. We have all been there, so there is plenty of support and guidance here. God Bless.            Luv, Jacky