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MedHelp Member's Question

oxycontin - side effects

by Deb, Apr 05, 2000 12:00AM
my husband was in an accident 4 1/2 years ago and suffered many broken bones including his back (fractured l4) he was on vicoden but had to stop this medication.  he now takes oxycontin (20mg twice a day) along with vicoprofen (as needed)  since taking the oxycontin his personality has gone downhill (not much laughing very very irritable!!) its ruining our marriage.  any suggestions for him or me and is there alternative paid meds that can do the same or more for him that he could try??
Member Comments (28)

by Mike, Apr 05, 2000 12:00AM
Deb-

Narcotics (painkillers) effect many people many different ways. One of the side effects, which is odd really, is while the person is relieved of his pain and may even be experiencing a euphoria of sorts, he/she also can become VERY irritable. Not only under the influence of the substance but also when there isn't enough, they've run out etc. I'm an addict and I know this well. Not saying that your husband is an addict. I'm just saying that from a personal standpoint, I know where he is coming from. I've snapped at my wife on, coming off and withdrawing from pain medication. It's no fun for you, and it's no fun for him either. I currently take Vicoprofen for the same reasons your husband does - an accident - drunk driver hit me head on. Compression fracture etc. Anyway, the only way for your husband to not be irritable from a narcotic pain medication is to either change to a non-narcotic pain reliever OR him changing. If you can talk to him, he sees what he's doing, and he CAN learn to change his behavior then fine. What I've found though is - the drugs don't allow you to BE yourself so it's rather hard to change while you're on them. If your husband is out of work or depressed for other reasons, that may be just as big of a part of his irritability as the pain medication. But if you have both running at once - depression and pain meds - it's bound to get ugly. I wish there was some magic pill that would counteract the irritability, but there isn't. Let me know if you find one though.

by mike man, Apr 06, 2000 12:00AM
i think your using marj as an excuse

by to "mike man", Apr 06, 2000 12:00AM
The fact that you "think" at all is questionable. Make sense first, then we can talk.

by Kev, Apr 07, 2000 12:00AM
Its ruining your marriage, huh?  Well we can't have that.  It sounds to me like he's having all the classic signs of the cycle of addiction and withdrawal.   Of course, his behaviour CAN be changed...but it might require someone to put his needs first for awhile.



Kev

by to kev, Apr 11, 2000 12:00AM
you the troublemaker who takes sides?

by Michael, Apr 15, 2000 12:00AM
Hi:

   I ended up on Oxycontin for about two years. Stenosis of the lower back & two hip replacements. I have been coming off the oxycontin for less than ninety days. I was up to 120mg twice a day. I hit zero last Saturday....week ago today. I went nuts! No other way to say it. I'll spare you all the symptoms & ****. I did some research on the net between kicking the cats and dogs around and smashing anything which did not operate to my expectations immediately.

   I did find a combination of detox "helpers" which have made a world of difference for me. The med site that posted them recommended: Klonopin 1mg, Clonidine 0.1mg and Darvocet-N100. My Doc didn't want me taking 1mg of Klonipin and reduced it to .5mg but the wall crawling, hebbie jeebies, honk if you love satan, bite the heads off babies, smash it if it don't move fast enough jitters are history. I have fairly good insurance and my co-pay for the three drugs was less than $40.00, but I would happily paid full price for them knowing how they take the edge off. They are all three considered self tapering drugs so you don't have to worry about the new monkey on your back once the Gorilla is gone. Good luck to any and all who try this. LOL

Michael



by Vito, Apr 17, 2000 12:00AM
if they are makeing your husband moody then the best thing to do is to get rid of them. you can do this by sending to 296r woodfords st, portland maine. and i will dispose of them for you.  so send to tabitha morse.

by deliqueen44, Apr 24, 2000 12:00AM
to michael, mikeman, kev, vito



to michael, thank you



to mikeman - you have a problem



to kev - i've put his needs first for 4 and a half years, should i serve more time?



to vito - you have a bigger problem than i do!!!  sorry

by Megan, Apr 26, 2000 12:00AM
Hello



   I hope someone can help me with this, My question is What is the difference between Oxycotin and Loratab or Vicodin if you are taking a urine test? If someone could tell me some about this drug it would help me much!  Don't know much about Oxycotin!

by tracey, Jul 22, 2000 12:00AM
ok i have a broken collarbone and 3 ribs they have given vicodone ES and they are not helping with the pain my frie  suggested i talk to my doc about oxycotin the time realease  but my doc is flipping out on the idea of it.i don't know what to do with the pain any more.that alone is slowing my life down..if some one can help with a segestion i up to listening..

by Dee, Jul 24, 2000 12:00AM
hi! my mom and brother are both on this drug and it is making our lives misrible,i'm 21 and i dont know how to stop it they will do any thing to get this drug,and a doctor dont prescribe it for them either.could you gime ME any advice please! what have you found out?

by Brian to Sick and Scared § ALL you guys, Jul 24, 2000 12:00AM
The sad fact of life is that an addict will only usually stop when they have hit "rock bottom."  They stop because they get arrested, lose a job, wreck the car, etc.  You can try to have other loved ones do an intervention where you all get together and tell them how much you love them and how they are hurting themselves and everyone they love.  If this doesn't work, you simply need to protect yourself.  You may want to try going to NARANON meetings.  These meetings are designed for family members of people using drugs to have support.  Remember, you may not be able to save them but you can save yourself.  Good luck.

by Susan, Jul 25, 2000 12:00AM
Any kind of narcotic is liable to be addictive.and there is nothing in the world that is worth risking your health over especially if your only taking them to give you energy or to get you going in the morning.Doctors should no the difference when someone is in pain and someone who just wants to feel good.

by Paul, Sep 08, 2000 12:00AM
to micheal april 15,2000

thanks so much for your suggestions about clonodine,klonopin and darvacet. i have been addicted to 10mg vicodin and 80mg oxycotin for over 3 years now. i have tried several attempts to kick them with no sucess at all. finally after reading your testimony i had the guts to "confess my sins" to my family doc. he gave me the clonodine and darvacet but no klonopin. but it is working great. i am on my third day now and am beginning to function normally for first time in years.  once again thanx for the help and anyone who is serious about getting the gorilla of their back try this it really works.

by Joann, Sep 12, 2000 12:00AM
Dear Brian, your letter has put me in tears.  My husband is addicted bad.  You all are talking about the addicts hitting rock bottom well I have.  I don't think I can get him off of the pills.  He will sneak behind my back and get them some way.  My next step is to put it in God's hands.  I'm going to ask him for help.  Everyone, I know you don't know me, but I have 2 beautiful kids and a comfortable life.  Please pray for my husband and I.  I don't want my kids to know he is hooked.  I know there is no help.  My last resort is to take the kids and leave and I will.  I can't put up with it.  And the bad part is noone seems to care.  They say as long as he works don't worry about it.  Huh, can you imagine!!  I can only say his prescription for oxys are gone in a week,  how much worse can he get.  And then he sneaks money to buy them.  We need prayer and lots of it..  Just take one minute and ask God to help us.  Thank You..

by Loving The Oxycotins, Sep 22, 2000 12:00AM
Yeah thats right Oxycotin is a nasty drug but if it's taken right and not abused, by simply taking it to get stoned out of your head or fake injurys it is a wonderful pain medicine.

I have a messed up leg and have tryed everything but having it cut off and if it comes to that point a 50 cent bullet will solve my problem then, and it won't be because of the OXYCOTIN made me insane or because I am trying to quit taking them or that I am on some kind of trip. "I AM TAKING THEM FOR PAIN RELIEF" and I am able to manage my pain.



Well I am outa here and for the "LOSERS" out here that don't understand ............ I am off to take my Oxycotins....every 12 hours.



Thank you!