Almost out!

[TimInColo]

Tapering is definitely working for me.  I'm down to now to 5mg/day of oxy (1/4 of a pill every 6 hours).  When I first dropped from taking a 1/4 pill every 4 hours to 6, I noticed that I started feeling dizzy/sick shortly after the 4 hour point.  As I continued the schedule, I definitely notice that the sick feeling starts later and later.  Now I can go the full 6 hours w/o the symptoms starting.  I'm going to continue the 6-hour schedule today and then switch to 1/4 pill every 8 hours tomorrow (3.75mg/day).

Four weeks ago I was on 80mg/day (post surgery).  Before that I was on 10-20mg/day for two months to control the nerve pain. I started cutting the dose about 10 days ago.  It was pretty easy getting to 30mg/day, but the withdrawal symptoms started when I tried to drop below that.

I know my current dose is teeny compared to what I was taking and I can probably jump at any time.  There are two reasons I'm continuing the taper.  First, I want to enjoy the holidays with my family, including my college-aged son who is home until January 8th).  And second, even more importantly, I know I will likely face this again in May after my spinal fusion heals.  I have another injury (rotator-cuff tear and frayed labrum in my right shoulder) that requires surgery.  I've read that recovering from shoulder surgery is even more painful than back surgery, and I'm sure I'll be prescribed opiates for at least a few weeks after the operation.  

My eyes are open this time, and I know what to expect.  I also assume that I'm more likely to develop a dependency quickly since I have developed it already.  My shoulder is sore pretty much all the time now but not so much that I need opiates now (like I did before my back surgery).  That should mean that my exposure after my shoulder surgery will be limited to a few weeks (and that should help).  Nonetheless, if I find I can taper down to zero and avoid the majority of the withdrawal symptoms I'll be ready with a plan even before the operation.

Bottom line is tapering really does work, provided you have the will power to firmly stick to the plan and are patient enough to allow the necessary time.  I fully understand that those addicted to the opiates will have a much harder time tapering as having access to any of the drugs will make sticking to the plan very difficult.  If you're not yet addicted, though, just dependent, then tapering can definitely help you get off the meds without having to experience the worst of the withdrawal symptoms.

Happy New Year, everyone, and Godspeed.

Tim

[TimInColo]

So today I stretched each dose (1/4 of a 5mg pill) to 8 hours.  I experienced some dizziness after about 6 hours for the first dose only.  It seems I'm adjusting pretty quickly.  I'm sticking to the 1/4 pill/8 hours for the next 2 days (that's 3.75mg/day), and on Monday I'll stretch the time to 12 hours per half pill (that will be 2.5mg/day).

The restless leg has disappeared, and I haven't had any diarrhea for two days.

I am already noticing I am much more alert and feeling much more like myself.  I wasn't even aware that I was "fuzzy" much of the time until I started clearing the oxy from my system.  I am looking forward to being completely opiate free in a week or so.

Hang in there, everyone, and Happy New Year!

Tim

[TimInColo]

Oops... I mean on Monday I'll stretch the time to 12 hours per quarter pill (not half).

[TimInColo]

All,

It's been 17.5 hours since my last dose of 1.25mg (oxy).  I feel a bit of malaise and a little achy.  No dizziness to speak of, no diarrhea,  and no restless leg.  I'm playing it by ear at this point... I may take another 1/4 pill tonight at the 24-hour point (9PM this evening) or I may try and make the full jump to zero and see how it goes over the next 2 or 3 days.  

I am working today (teleworking) and the work helps keep my mind occupied so I've barely noticed the symptoms I do have.  I know the next few days are supposed to be the worst but since I'm at such a tiny dose now I'm hoping that won't be the case for me.  We'll see soon enough.

Tim

[gnarly_1]

hEY Tim your doing great   tapering can be ruff I had to taper off 150mg of methadone   it took me 8 1/2 months  but it was less then 1/2 the time the clinic wanted to bring me down....the real key is doing what your doing and stretching the time between doses  try not to yo/yo your dose up and down if you feel like crap just stick it out  in a few days it will pass.....there is no completely comfortable way to do this  I have said this a million times ....''but you just got to be ok without being ok for a wile''  let this be your mantra for a few days  have you thought about aftercare yet????  it is the key to making this long term  keep posting for support
..........................................Gnarly...............................

[TimInColo]

Hi Gnarly,
I am very close to being off the oxy.  In fact I may go off completely very soon.  My last dose, just 1.25mg, was at 9PM last night (it's almost 9AM here now) and I feel fine and have no withdrawal symptoms at all.  I could continue to taper for another few days but I'm considering skipping this dose and seeing how long I can go before any symptoms appear.  It may be that my dose is already so low that I can quit w/o any noticeable symptoms.

I'm not as concerned about aftercare as a lot of others on this forum because I know that I am not "addicted".  I have zero cravings for the drug -- I just want to be off w/o having to go through the very unpleasant withdrawals.  I found out I had a physical dependency when I got very sick on Christmas day (when I essentially stopped CT from 30mg/day).  Resuming the drug stopped the symptoms very quickly and I have been tapering since then (and my dr confirmed I had developed a physical dependence).

I have a full container of the oxycodone (60 pills) sitting on the shelf and haven't been tempted to up the tapering dose at all so I'm pretty confident I'm not psychologically dependent.

Thanks for the encouragement!

Tim

[Helpinghand2016]

Tim. You alright? It's okay if your not. Just talk about it. And by the way. Shoulder surgery is easier that back, I've had both. The back surgery did me in and got me hooked. I tried to tell them I was worried, they heavily medicate you for 2-3 months. But talk to them. They will usually have someone with more time to help pay attention to meds and help taper.

[TimInColo]

Thanks for the info on the shoulder surgery.  I hope my experience mimics yours and I don't require a lot of pain medication.  I've actually gotten pretty used to pain since I've been dealing with nerve pain from back issues for 3+ years, so maybe I can tough it out w/o opiates after the shoulder surgery.  I actually respond very well to ibuprofen but I can't take it for another few weeks (it can interfere with the bone healing required when fusing vertebrae together).

[10356]

How are you doing Tim ?

[waterLilly7]

I have been free of pills since April 2012. I also was able to taper. It got down to me disolving the pill in water so that I could get a 2 mg dose because the pills were becoming too hard to break in such tiny pieces. After you are done the taper you will feel anxiety. Please remember that this anxiety monster will pass. It takes time, and you have bad days and good days. It WILL pass. Congrats on wha tyou are doing, it is the best gift you can give yourself.
hugs,
Lily

[VICourageous]

WOW!! I am so proud of YOU!
Even if we can not give taper advice on here, you have it down. Most of us could not do this at all. My hat goes off to you as I bow..GREAT job!

Happy New Year!
Vickie

[Ace1967]

Congratulations Tim! I'm happy for you and glad tapering down worked. Bring in 2016 with a clear head and basically a new out look on life. I wish you all the best! Take care ! Carl.