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MedHelp Member's Question

Detoxing OxyContin

by veryconcerned, Dec 27, 2002 12:00AM
Tags: Addiction
I am a 55 year old male in semi-decent shape and good health except for typical controlled hypertension. I have had two knee replacements in October but am nolonger in any pain. I was placed on OxyContin 9 months ago, originally at 10mg/ 2x daily. The 30 days later increased to 20mg/ 2x daily. At the point of the surgeries in October I was on 20mg/ 3x daily with 5mg Oxycodone in between.



I have uncomfortably weaned myself, by myself, down to 10mg/ 1x daily, but the cold flashes and shakes are hell. The doctor's current program was to wean me with 10mg OxyContin 1X daily for 7 days, then 10mg 1/every 2 days and to stop after 4 days. I lasted 2 days on the 10 mg and have cold turkeyed it because I would feel good for 10 hours and like hell for 14 hours. It has been 36 hours since I have had any OxyContin. When do the cold flashes and shakes stop. Is there anything my doctor can prescribe to make this more tolerable?



I sincerely appreciate any help.
Member Comments (45)

by Witchywoman, Dec 27, 2002 12:00AM
To: veryconcerned
Hello and welcome!

Oxy is harder to come off of because it last longer in your sytem, but like all other opiates, the worst of the withdrawals will be over in a week, then you'll be hit with lethargy and fatigue that could last a few weeks.



Your Doc can prescribe clonodine to help with the chills and the restlessness, but it is a blood pressure med, and I'm not sure it is right for you.  Another option is to ask your Doc to switch you to a short acting narcotic such as vicodin for you to taper off from. Either way, it is a tough road, and I'm very sorry you are suffering.  We've all been there.



The good news is that it can and will be over with time, though it is uncomfortable as hell.  If you have an understanding Doc, let her or him know what you are going through and see what they recommend to help you get off this stuff as comfortably as possible.



I was never able to taper, tried and failed many times, so I had to go cold turkey. You have my sympathy and support.



love,

WW

by hellbent, Dec 27, 2002 12:00AM
To: veryconcerned
It may not be a good idea for you to run you're own detox program on yourself here. If anything, it sounds like you need to increase your dosage and wean slower. I get the inference from your post that you are a straight pain med patient, and not an addict, psycologically. If that's the case, I recommend that you get on a less painful taper schedule, perhaps getting off the OC altogether and switching to Vicodin, then Darvon. Perhaps get a script for 10 ambien if you are really sleepless. Of course, take it all AS DIRECTED.

by veryconcerned, Dec 27, 2002 12:00AM
To: Witchywoman
Thank you for your comments. You are so kind to paint a brighter horizon than some of the horror stories I've read. I'm not sure that there would have been a better pain narcotic than Oxycontin for the pain I was enduring pre and post surgery, but I never had any idea that I would have a withdrawal. I'm not one to use medications unless totally necessary and this just proved me to continue asking questions before taking any medication. God bless you for your kindness.

by Witchywoman, Dec 27, 2002 12:00AM
To: veryconcerned
You know, reading hellbent's post, and then re-reading yours, I really agree with hellbent.  You definately don't sound like you have the psychological addiction part that most of us here have.

Given that, I totally agree with hellbent's suggestion that you speak to your Doc about a better taper plan.  Going on vicodin, then darvon, tapering down very slowly, you can do this much much more comfortably. There is no need to suffer if you have the discipline to do a slow taper.  Oxy is a wonderful medication for serious pain, and I'm glad it worked for your surgery. You shouldn't suffer coming off it when there are techniques that will make it almost painless.



Talk to your Doc, see what she or he is willing to do to help you.



love,

WW

by veryconcerned, Dec 27, 2002 12:00AM
To: hellbent
It would be so nice if I could taper. Howvever his method of tapering off OxyContin is not working. But being off 40 hours (yes, I'm counting the hours}, I really never want to put anymore O/C back into my system....ever. I do have a call into my doctor, but of course he is off today. So, I guess it will probably be a long and uncomfortable weekend. Thank you for your help.

by Witchywoman, Dec 27, 2002 12:00AM
To: veryconcerned
This constitutes a medical emergency for someone in your condition.  Ask for the back up Doc. Trust me, there is always someone backing up. If you can't get a response, go to the ER and explain the situation.



If you are not an addict like most of us here, there are more comfortable ways to go through this.

I wish I could have been able to taper!  Believe me, I tried and failed many times. I had to face the hell of cold turkey. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy, but it is survivable. I just got over the flu, and I actually think the flu was worse. I still feel very worn down from it actually, but am back at work.



love,

WW

by veryconcerned, Dec 27, 2002 12:00AM
To: Witchywoman
I'm sure you have read my comment to Hellbent. We'll ses what the doctor says when he calls. He really is an understanding guy but I think this is somewhat new to him. He said it was the first time he ever received a call to get off Oxycontin. He said most of his patients want to get on it.



To answer your question, no I am not an addictive personality who has the slightest craving to ever touch the mediaction again. I just want to get rid of the discomfort which are worse than any flu I've ever had.

by hellbent, Dec 27, 2002 12:00AM
To: veryconcerned


Souds like you have resigned yourself to kicking the habit the hard way. Sooo... here are some suggestions. Call in some help if you can. Someone to get you food at the store, etc... make yourself as comfortable as you can. Get some vitamins in you, some soup, stay warm, rent some movies, take baths, and don't stress about anything at all. You are doing more than you ever should have to just by getting off these meds in the fashion that you are. Be real kind to yourself, and remember that if you get heavily depressed or are jumping out of your skin, it's ok, and it's passing all the time, every hour you stay clean.



And keep posting here, and if I didn't say anything that is useful, someone else will.

by veryconcerned, Dec 27, 2002 12:00AM
Doctor just called. Said that since I am already off 40 hours, to try to stay off. Of course I agree. He is recommending clonodone patches with a decreasing dossage over 2 weeks. He also wants to be kept abreast throughout the weekend. Thank you all for your help. I will be back as I can, to keep you all informed. Up to an hour ago I felt all alone till I found this web site. Thankyou all.

by Rex1, Dec 27, 2002 12:00AM
To: veryconcerned
Hang in there, and post here if you feel down.



I think the one thing that I would add that I did not read from the others is to accept that it is a rollercoaster ride. Up one minuet, down the next. But with every passing hour your closer to the end.



Sleep, rent movies do anything to keep your mind off of yourself.



God's Blessings upon you.



Rex

by southernbelle, Dec 27, 2002 12:00AM
To: All
veryconcerned, please keep us posted.....

as for ME, folks, I'm scum, a slug, the lowest of the earth.

I just got back from a new doc, he gave me a new scrip.  I'm so wicked.  This is horrible.  I was able to go two and 1/2 days, and I just couldn't take it.  This time was worse than the last time I went without. I don't know if I can do it -- and keep up with everything i do during the day.  I met with my psychiatrist early this morning, she is good.  I told her about my problem, she said i needed to get to the root and reason as to why i run to these pills and she will do her best to help me do that.  i think she will.  i'm already on the prozac, remeron and buspar --- but NOTHING, NOTHING makes me feel like a percocet does.  I feel like such a loser.  The doc i went to was sooo nice and innocent.  trust me, my back WAS killing me!  that was true.  but it wasn't because i hurt it...it was because i'm withdrawing.  i feel yucky, but i just felt helpless.  i felt like i was dying.

sorry to ramble, i just saw that witchywoman and rex were on board, and you guys have been so sweet to me.

my biggest problem is i can be so good to everybody in my life, i feel like i live a life of devotion to my family and work, but i can't be good to me.  just call me gollum (from lord of the rings)...isn't he the most pitiful, dangerous and despicable creature?  i love you guys.  if anybody read this far, i love you and you have my support.

by Witchywoman, Dec 27, 2002 12:00AM
To: southernbelle
Southerbelle, first...let's look at your first sentence.

Sorry, but you are NOT scum. No way. Down with Shame!!!! It is the shame that will suck you in.  You are an addict, just like the rest of us and we have all been where you are.  Just look at the fact that you got right on here and told us that you filled the script and took it. That is honesty, right? And honesty is part of what gets us to recovery eventually. Trust me on that, you did the right thing by telling us, but don't call yourself a slug or scum. I used to do that. I used to come on here and tell everyone that I was the scum of the earth. The loving folks here would not let me get away with that, and I'm not going to let you get away with it either.



You are a valuable human, a sweet loving woman who has a nasty problem, addiction. But you are not your addiction, you just have it.  



Relapse with this illness is the norm, so don't beat yourself up. Learn what caused you to relapse (maybe it was just the hell of withdrawals) and let each relapse teach you that one lesson that might bring you to the final time you get into recovery.



Love yourself.  It is in the times of deepest self hatred and shame that we have to love ourselves the most, unconditionally.  That is when it matters the most. At least be willing to love yourself, if you can't really feel it. Trust that we know you are the beautiful soul you are, and most of us here know what the hell of addiction feels like.  Never, ever give up on yourself. Even when you relapse, never give up. You are not scum!!!!!



I don't know if a single word I've written here will reach you but I wanted to at least try and give you some loving support. Take care of yourself and give yourself a huge pat on the back for being honest with us here. That is hard to do. No one here will judge you for relapsing. It has happened to most of us. Judgement kills the soul, acceptance and love frees it.



Thanks for your honesty....you are an inspiration. Keep reaching for the light my friend, it is just around the corner.



love,

WW

by NickA, Dec 27, 2002 12:00AM
To: WW
Yes, we are all fundamentally loathesome.  I have been strung out on many different substances over the past 5 years, and even in the weed soaked gaps in that time, I've never been able to maintain complete sobriety at all.  I'm sure if there were some pressing reason for me to be sober (health, etc...), I would easily be able to do it.  Of course I'm just assuming that.  But - I feel that the crux of the problem lies in the simple fact that you and I deeply hate ourselves, and it's not going to get any better.  As long as I don't feel like me, the real pain