About my usage

  I take oxycontin 20 mg twice daily, also most days one 5 mg percocet in afternoon.  I always take them as directed
and don't doctor shop.  I truly believe this drug has kept me alive because it allowed me to function and hold down a job.  Without them I'd have shot myself years ago.
  But I hate being dependent, the stigma and the lack of freedom as I can't relocate because it would be nearly impossible to find a new doc.  After my back surgery I was taking 40 mg three times/ day, now I take 20 mg twice/day.  I've just had back to back good months (first time in 7 years) and want to get off this med while my pain is
reduced.  Any advice is appreciated.  Thanks

[Dieing2Live]

well, oxycontin is very tough to get off. i was on 200mg a day and i went cold turkey, it was hell to say the least. i recomend getting out as soon as possible! because once your tolerance goes up and your dose increases its going to be that much harder. i dont have any pain as i bought them illegaly so maybee someone else with pain issues as well will be able to help you.

[confused456]

Like I said in your other post, check the Thomas Recipe, filled with great info as well as the Amino acid's. They will help a lot and post here for support and advice. Best of luck to you.

[CadillacJack]

Lots of folks on this site praise suboxone. It might be worth looking in to. I've read some posts of people who claim to have had no withdrawal symptoms because of it. I've had a habit similar to yours for many years. Quit c/t 5 days ago, and I'm still alive, if not quite well yet. I expect that to take some time, since I was using painkillers for over a decade. There's no fun in this c/t approach, but I was leery of trading one drug for another. Again, I'm completely ignorant of the drugs that help you quit. Either way, the thing you have to be is motivated to quit. Like you said, the little pills decide many aspects of your life. They will decide more & more for you, the longer you use. Legitimate prescriptions, like mine (though I got to using more), and yours, will still cause the same trouble.
Good luck, and keep posting & Reading.

[worried878]

If you feel the need to get off of your pain meds....go for it while you are at a fairly low dose...lots of support here and good info in the health pages

[catman333]

There are some people that follow instructions and dont have a problem ( not me ) if you need to quit tell your doctor and he will get you off it.  There is no stigma in tring to relieve pain if enyone says differant has never really had pain. Just be honest with yourself.   good luck

[mr.lucky66]

It sounds like you are doing ok? Do you really want to get off of it? You don't sound like a drug abuser or addict. It a tough choice and a quailty of like choice. Everyone here just right away tells you how to get off of it . We are all experts but maybe you should stay on it for a while and then re-evaluate later if things are going well. all the best

[franco1470]

  It seems like now is a good time to try to quit.  I'm not pain free but its at lowest level in years.  Also looking for new job and to find a better job I'll have to relocate.
I've always taken my pain meds responsibly, I am dependent on them but not strung out
(I've never run out, bought black market or asked friends for them) but understand people
who do.  When I start work again I won't have time to detox.
  I hope to get thru withdrawals and get back to where I only take a percocet or vicodin when the nerve gets pinched, take the pills for 2 or 3 days as needed.

[mr.lucky66]

It sounds like a reasonable plan. You don't sound strung out or like most of us here and should be able to take a pill when needed after you kick, as long as your brain hasn't crossed that line. all the best

[suppdawg]

I actually don't agree with the advice of most here.  There is nothing wrong with taking pain medication as long as you are doing so as ordered and for legitmate reasons.  Don't confuse your physical dependence with abuse.  They are very seperate issues.  I too have struggled with this issue and hate the physical dependence and issues with image.  I have stopped pain meds several times in hopes that I would be able to deal with the pain.  My back is a mess and after several months of enduring the pain, decreased activity and lack of sleep I end up returning to the meds so I can live a normal life.

As long as you are aware of the dangers and take meds as ordered I think you will be fine. You are not alone in this delima.  You can quit for a while and see how well you can function but commit to at least 2 months before you decide to go back to the meds.  It will take that long for the physical symptoms to subside.  I have told my doc that I take his meds as ordered but want to try and live without them.  Demand that they help you off of them through sedatives etc.  My last told me to just stop taking the avinza and i would feel crappy for a couple of days.  I would never trust him again.

[mr.lucky66]

I don't disagree with that. In my case I have to take it maybe a few times a year for a few days or so for my chronic pain problem. Most of the time I can deal with it with PT exersizes but when it really hurts I get something. I don't like this being an ex junkie but I do it anyway and usually pay for a few days of pain releief with a few sucky days afterwards. The person who started this thread I think is different. She doesn't seem to be an addcit but is dependent on Oxy. People who aren't really addicts have a different reation to narcotics then addicts. all the best

[franco1470]

Well I wimped out. Made it thru the first night OK but the second night I just ached horribly.  I had prepared myself for all of the other affects but the ache in my back was bad.  I had just had a  few good months with my pain, but its still there.
SO the second night I took a 20 mg oxy at 11.30.  That wore off about noon today and I just kicked back, took a bike ride, watered the garden and hoped to get thru tonight
without meds.  But I took another oxy at 9.pm.
So I am going to talk to my doc, switch to 10 mgs (90 per month) and taper down. Its a pain in the *** but c/t is not for me, not while I still have some real pain.
I was real motivated but just wimped out.