22 year old on oxycontin for 2 years 120-160 mg perday

[rbaz5732]

I don't know what to do.. I am a College student and when my chronic pain started was when I played football and broke my foot and the team doctors kept me on meds for like 6 games and then I said nope and called it quits and got a different opinion and they said I broke my foot was in a boot for almost a year... Needless to say I have a neuroma taken from my foot but that didn't solve the problem. Within the past two years I have been to approximately 35 doctors and I have read a lot about getting introuble for using more than one doctor, so I made sure to not do that or duplicate scripts...My family is very supportive and luckily can afford to have me see these doctors... The College I went to covered approximately two years of doctors bills.... which was about 40k a year....

So now getting to the point I have been bounced around from doctor to doctor by the doctors..... It honestly feels like I am a prostitute.... Whenever a doctors solution doesn't work they throw me to another... Needless to say I want to come down in dosages and/or get off oxy completely.... but the problem is oxy has been the only thing that actually works for me....

Obviously as a college student .. no I do not drink alcohol with them.... nor have I ever given someone one of my pills.... I have seen the best of the best doctors... actually at clinics where the doctor has the plaque on the wall that says best doctor in pain management..... they cannot solve me problem...

My current doctor says that his problem is my age and the amount of oxy I take per day... so he is sending me to another doctor on monday so maybe they will solve my problems.....

Does anyone have any advice on what I should do...? I am at a lose I feel lost.... believe it or not I actually got turned away by a psychologist who specialized in pain management..,,, I just dont know what to do... I know I am putting my family through a lot but.... we did try weaning off oxy by a 5 mg pill a day and they said that should work and it didnt....... I Don't what to do..... to really honest I am scared......

[UOphoenix27]

do you mind me asking your age? By your posts you seem young, but you have graduated and are already working on another degree. I know this is personal, but, you have layed it all out there already- not to b a butthead :). - Anyways, I think that you need to find a counseling center. They can help you to find an addiction specialist that is right for you. As for your comment about a mental health doc turning u away because the case would take too long, sorry but I do not buy that. People do not go to school to turn others away that need help. I know bc I am in school for Psychology and will graduate in 2013.  I think that your problems( based on reading what you r writing) are deeper than a pain problem. I truly believe that you need to call another counselor to help you, again I am not trying to b mean in any way, just trying to tell you what I think.

[mellie4]

Not sure if you realize this original post is over a year old.  You might do better starting a new one.

[peter9]

I have learned in helping a friend that cold turkey on certain medications is mortally dangerous for many people. Cutting some pills makes them absorb immediately, which is dangerous or unpleasant, as you may have discovered.
  Detox with an expert in opiate withdrawal. They may be hard to find. Both psychiatrists and physicians may qualify. Some drugs used in detoxing require special licensing of the doctor to prescribe. Be sure you find someone with no only the knowledge, but who has a heart and uses intuition in his medical practice. Look into their eyes when they talk to you, and notice if they remain always in their head. There are other cues to tell you if they use intuition. Have someone go with you to the doctor who will ask questions, take notes, and notice what is going on.

[rbaz5732]

Well.... after the program I relapsed because I was having such severe pain... I believe It was due to my work load... or at least that contributed greatly to the problem....

Now I understand that the atmosphere and daily can truly affect you more than you can believe... I went from the pain program where they stressed pacing yourself to working full-time and overtime.... I am somewhat of a workaholic and the job I was suppose to ended up being a lot more than what I thought I was going to be doing....

I ended up having troubles with the pain progressing soo bad that I talked to another surgeon and he thought I had a compartment issue after he took the pressures of my muscles in my foot..... He did surgery to release the pressure and the muscles around my 5th metatarsal actually projected out of my foot when he cut the fascia surrounding that muscle.... I was in terrible pain and was referred to another local doctor to take care of my pain meds....

I was switched short acting Oxycontin and dilaudid for breakthrough pain to Opana..... I had much success with that re leaving the pain but I was on that long acting opioid or several months at a high dose... I didn't realize how bad it effected me cognitively and functionally...

approximately a month ago I got sick of dealing with seeing doctors for the pain meds and psychiatric drugs so I just decided to take myself off all of them.... without a step down process approved by my doctors....

although that may sound stupid it was better for me than getting off using methadone as I did during the program... It was basically one really tough week of having my body revolt against me.... from the muscle relaxers, pain killers, anti-depressants and anti-anxiety meds.....

I have actually been able to progress in my life WITHOUT any drugs for over a month... while working 2 jobs.... so I have kept in mind the pacing process......

I will admit that pacing is the key to success.... withdrawals suck and there is no doubt about that.... but I made a conscious decision to live my life without any drugs.... so I have been able to collect myself and emotions.... and progress my life to more of a normal life......

I do still have pain... but the fact that I can go and hangout with friends and family and not have to rely on pills is amazing... Pain problems take you from a paralyzed state where you need the pills.... and you think that is the only way out..... but for me personally I saw the effect it had on my personal life as well as my family life.... the score ended up in favor of me just quitting everything....

Life is full of decision and at the tender age of 23 I decided to live a better life without the meds... I hope and pray that this can be continued for the extent of my existence...

but to contradict that statement I do have friends that tried to go without meds and found out they had a quality of life problem without the medications.. I do not judge those who still need meds I just hope someday they can go without.....

Any questions about withdrawals or how I made the decisions I did please contact me...... I lost a friend who took the same meds I did and he passed away at the age of 54 and he started meds at 20 so I learned from him... he is a angel on shoulder saying to stop taking them to fulfill my life....thanks Jeff...;

If you are on meds write a list of pros and cons and that is how I decided to relive my life without the meds..... It was super tough but probably the best decision ever.....

Thanks,
Rick

[rbaz5732]

They have had numerous people come into the program on crutches in wheel chairs....braces that have their leg fixed .... and these people have finished the program >> walking out on their own power.... the program is very intensive... last for approx one month... but the typical day is .... Stretching Exercise @ 8 am then ICE.... Then a group session.... then a one on one Psychology experience 3 times a week... lunch is provided then you go back for a group session.... then do some form of PT in the afternoon.... then Relaxation 2-3 times a week... withdrawls suck but I feel so much better now even with the pain still.... and I know that sounds crazy but they teach you to deal with the pain....... feel free to ask any questions.... I would love to help someone make the transformation that I did.... It is such a hard first step... but when you are Graduated... you are not just letting life live you... or having your pain manage you.... you actually are living life and controlling the pain.....
Sorry for no posts during the program.... I figured I should worry about ME and get myself through it then share the amazing news with you all....

-Rick

[rbaz5732]

The good news is I am one week clean from taking any pain medications.... not even Tylenol... The multi-disciplinary Chronic Pain Program I attended was at UNMC (University of Nebraska Medical Center) If you or a loved one has a problem with chronic pain I would highly suggest this... The class size is a max of 6 at a time for a four week period....where you can go home at night or to the place they have you living.... also you are free on the weekends....The program has been going for approximately 38 years.... and is a very good program.... coming off oxy ***** ... there is no way around it.... but they do a 3-4 week taper with methadone...
I found the program to be very interesting and helpful.... you will receive daily one on ones with PT , Psychology, as well as nursing....
Tapering yourself off Oxy is not easy but it can be done....  but yes it is dangerous... for all of you who have done this I commend you but also think you should be consulting with a doctor throughout the entire period almost daily... the body definitely revolts...
I graduated and am one week clean and I feel better than ever and still have the same pain that I always have had....I experienced a slight reduction but they teach you to control those pain behaviors better and better..... if you have any questions about this program please message me personally and I will send you in the correct direction to get off the narcotics... we also had a lady come off fentyl pathes..... If you have any questions please ask....I would rate the program 9/10 but probably 10/10 as time goes on....
Once again one week CLEAN!!! I feel great and finally have some energy back.....
-Rick

[rbaz5732]

Well things have been going relatively well... besides the fact that I am having the worst pain I have ever had... I went and met with people at the multidisciplinary pain management program and I was accepted...  Thanks God for insurance the program is going to cost $20k and they are covering all of it.... it is a four week program and they completely detox me... while teaching other techniques to solving my pain problem... So the next best news is that I decided to do the program... Beginning June 22, 2009 I will start the program...

I also spoke with my doctor and luckily I now have a backup program as well... If the pain program does not work... I have a doctor who said he is willing to work with me on opiate therapy if my pain cannot be mediated through other ways... but my main goal is to totally get off the meds and try the new techniques from this program.... but in my experience it is always good to have a backup plan

Starting June 22, 2009
I will begin posting things that I have learned at the program.. possibly a blog... so I can show all of you what I have been learning while at this program.... im hoping that some of you may find this information helpful with your own pain problems... you all have helped me... so it is my chance to try and lend help from what I learn...

Also this summer I will be completing a book that I have been writing that is concerning my pain problem and all that I have went through... it also takes about how to help talk to your family or friends.... and this book has been written in memory of my good friend who passed away a few months ago... he actually inspired me to write it... so I hope that once I am finished I can pass it on to all of you... and that it will help hit home for you... and then you can pass it on to friends and family so they can learn where your feelings come from and how they can deal with you pain problems...........

I hope you all are doing well.... keep your heads up... thanks again for all your help

[ChronicPain1]

Not sure why this is here, just because you're taking them for a time doesn't make you an addict.

[nick30]

How is your detox/taper going?

[rbaz5732]

that is tough to do... you energy will feel zapped... when I have done this before... take hot baths with epsom salts and that takes care of hot and cold sweats... get as much food and water in your system... it all helps more and more.... good luck... it ***** but if your parents are helping you that is your best bet with getting through this....

[dontknowwhattodo212]

Day # 5 for me.Last Night ( Night Number 4- I went for a walk with my mom) I  Actually last night I had 5 hours of sleep. Broken sleep but I slept. I dont look like a zombie today at least. I still have the creepy crawly feeling but not as nearly as bad as I did yesterday. I am starting to eat (Saltine Crackers) and drink more water. I lost 8 pounds in the 4 days. I can only hope that it is only going to keep getting easier one day at a time??

[nick30]

thanks dude. good luck to you too.

Nick.

[Adrian_D]

I really feel for people who have pain issues and don't have much choice but to take an addictive drug to help ease it. Good luck and stay strong!

Adrian

[nick30]

I have tapered from time to time, but for different reasons. I'm a chronic pain patient and we have some issues in common. I have tapered on oxy before i switched to another med. I don't know If taper is the right word, it was closer to cold turkey(quick). and i have also gone cold turkey from tramadol 400mg a day. I had seizures from it so i had to quit. I didn't know that withdrawals even existed back then so i just went c/t.
great that you are able to have your parents help you with this. many ppl try to hide it from thier olds, but most parents would probably help thier kids under most circumstances.
I'm sure in a few days you will be feeling much better, I wish you all the best.
to be honest there are tonnes of people on this forum with more knowledge and experience than me.

Nick.

[dontknowwhattodo212]

Thanks Nick... Ive turned to my parents today. I am going to stay with them for the next few days for their support. Have you gone through this??

[nick30]

Hang in there, you are on day 4 which is usually one of the worst days. in 1 or 2 more days you will start to feel better. just hang in there. you'll be okay.

[dontknowwhattodo212]

I am on day 4 of coming off of oxycontin. We started the taper and I got down to 10mg. Then they wrote the script wrong for the 5mgs. So now it is 4 days later. I called my doctor to see what he could do to help me with the WD's and he told me to tough it out. Im dying. Im only sleeping an hour a night.... I feel like I have the flu... Is it going to get any better? Or should I admit myself into the hospital? (This is by myown doing, I have an injury and the doctor cant control the pain)

[purgatory]

I tapered from oxy's tried CT got as far as 3 days then started taking 20mg contin had 6 of them, took half in the am half in the pm, hated life.

new it wasnt gettin easier but continued ran, went  1 day WD, got a script for 10mg perk 120 of those, didnt fully intend on quiting after getting my hands on them, but soon started to ween my way down. I would litterly start freaking the heck out and had to stop what i was doing and take a half and i would chew them as bad as they taste just to get that WD feeling to subside ever so slightly.

After I got down to about 4 a day, I did 2 a day of perk 10's, then had 4 left, ate them one drunk night, went out got hammered almost got a dui, got lucky beyond belief with that one. thanks god* ,

and that was 6 days ago that I took my last 4 . it was a process to drop from oxy's 30's to perk 10's and then to nothing

It will not be given to you. YOU HAVE TO WANT, AND FIGHT EVERY MINUTE AND SECOND FOR SOBERITY.

this **** is no joke. spend a couple hours reading everyones post on this forum and you eyes and mind will see that this is not good stuff to be on.

we both are far to young to be screw are lifes up this early. I have company of my own I make over 80k a year and almost lost it all. My goal is 14 days and re-evaluate myself.

I am almost completely dont with physcial WD, the hardest days are 1-5 I feel.

Sounds like you got some family with money and willing to help. you really got to do it man dont give in to your mind.

right now it is not you thinking it is the drugs.

I look at myself in the mirror and do not recognize myself because I was so used to looking at my otherself the dope head.

my pupils are large still but everything is getting better each and everday.

I am on Wellbutrin for anti-depression now. I think it might be really helping.

message me and we can exchange AIM info or email and you can hit me up when you hit a wall.

I did and found some friends to talk to and it reeaaallly helps to get this stuff of your chest.

best of luck and DO NOT TAKE ANYTHING I AM TELLING YOU , COLD TURKEY. DO NOT SUBOXONE.

if you cant cold turkey you do not want to be sober I do not care what anyone else thinks.

trading one drug for another will do nothing for you.

you have to go threw hell to get to heaven.

-nick d

[rbaz5732]

wow that is very scary man..... as far as to quit cold turkey.... its not a good idea... oxy can cause many you to have seizures.... my doctors suggest the detox program... so I am going to do it even though it totally messes my summer up... I am going to do it... because I am going to do this... I am not going to give up now.... I cant believe you quit cold turkey with that amount of meds as well as you injecting them.... I could only imagine how bad the wd were.... but I need to talk with some psychologists to get myself fully functioning again.... so.... Detox for me....

[purgatory]

Hey I am 22 and 5 days off of a heavy oxycontin,codone, ritual got as far as injecting 90-100+ mg 2-3 times a day. I feel for you I really do. I have and still am going threw WD but each day is a little better.

If you really want to get off them you have to just that.

STOP TAKING THEM.

it is going to be the hardest thing you have ever gone threw in your life but you will have no other choice unless you want to be on them for the rest of your life.

I find myself feeling better each and everyday physically and mentally.

I am eating again, going to the gym and feel better then I have on my own in a very long time.

in short you need to really be commited. it sounds like you are and you arnt. i am in the same boat. today as I read some of these post my WD are not as a bad physically so my mind is starting to say hey you did it, now you can start taking them again.

this **** is a total mind faqer. trust me the only way to get better is to stop.

the whole tapering thing is good but even that just delays the inevetable.

tell your parents to lock you into a house and dont let you in or out and take your meds away.

watch movies night and day. it worked for me. in the past 5 days i have watched atleast 100 movies, i am going to work again but just killing time I still dont have my drive to work fully yet but I am getting better.

best of luck drop me a message if you need some pep talks

[rbaz5732]

thanks broknbck..... you have been helping me greatly... while in the other forum they are attacking me like crazy for no reason........

I said if they want me to leave I will but I sure hope they dont say that because I need all the help especially when my detox program begins...

[broknbck]

well crying is good, cause alot of us lost that while we were using. anyway..............
seems that it is your friend with the problem. he is the one that is not happy with things between you two.
when i realized i was addicted and what a problem i was facing with the pain issue and all, i told everyone. and you find out who really cares about you and not. the nots do not want to be bothered with listening to you try to come up with answers. they just want everything to go as usual.

i know this can be a real slam. when i came back home for christmas for a visit, my oldest brother got all over me about moving away. accusing me of bailing on my sick dad, leaving my kids, and moving closer to mexico where you can buy drugs at the store with no perscription. he was my idol and best friend while i was growing up and i had come to the realization that he is not who i thought he was and he really doesn't know me at all. it was pretty bad feeling to say the least.

so guess it is a learning about better communication with people you know and reading them better.
keep your head up about the detox place. you are bettering yourself and teaching those around you. that is no where near the worst person in the world.
one day he will feel like he is.

[rbaz5732]

Everyone.... I am having a absolutely terrible day.... yesterday was tough realizing that I needed to do this detox program.... but now I know thats what will help.... but this morning I woke up to phone call from my best friend since 6th grade telling me I was the worst person in the world.... and he could care less if I was dead or alive.... I just cannot believe all this stuff is hitting me at once.... its soo hard to deal with... I dont cry and I have been all morning...

[liscamdave]

I sent you a message and a friend request. You sound like you truly want off the oxy's. Which is a good thing,. don't let anyone tell you different. You need help and what is happening is these drs don't know what to do so they are keeping you mediacated. Its a shame. Because now you want off and you cant do that because you are so addicted. I am here to help if you need anything at all. Just message me.