Please help w/ taper schedule or C/T advice

[2stupid2live]

LTLFTC... Taking prescribed 160-200mg oxy daily several years for chronic pain.  For first 2 years it was fantastic, I got my life back after 5 years of debilitaing, excruciating pain.  I don't crave the oxy, but if I forget to take any for a day or so the WD start and that is a STRONG reminder to take prescribed dose as described above.  In the last few months I've:

-Lost all ambition/drive, including libedo
-Experience heavy sweats/claminess with even minor exertion
-Extreme fatigue
-Miscellaneous but severe joint/muscle aches/pains

Assume these are related to oxy addiction, (please confirm), but symptoms don't subside with 40mg decrease or increase of doseage/day.  So I decided to quit taking oxy to see if symptoms would improve.  Tried several times to quit C/T based on "rip the bandage off" advice seen here and at other forums.  However after about 8 to 10 days of horrible WD I always give up.  Also don't want to approach GP based on advice seen here.

Again, would some of those members with experience please: 1) confirm symptoms are common for long term oxy use and 2) suggest taper advice or help w/ C/T W/D.  I've looked at the Thomas recipe, but have no idea where to get Valuim.  Oxy supply isn't an issue (yet) for tapering approach, but I still think C/T would be easier?  BTW, I've lurked for months at several forum sites, but joined here based on open and honest, (brutal? :)), member interaction and advice, no one here appears to have queen bee, supeiority, or know it all complex.

Thanks to all in advance for advice, and also for actually taking time to read all this...  Who do I ask to add spell checker? :)

[avisg]

Yes I think tapering would be a very good idea and it will give your body it to adjust to the lower amout of drugs .Yes all of your symtopms are from long term oxy use .I would bet as you start to taper down things will begian to get better. Do you have someone that could hold on to your pills ?

[2stupid2live]

Since the C/T approach has failed before, I will attempt the taper.  I've tried before, but was way too aggresive.

Thank you both so much!

[liscamdave]

If you have the will power to taper, then by all means...do that. You need to drop your dose by 10%, each 4 days. Your body needs enough time to get used to the lessoned doses. You do NOT want to drop to significantly, as you will have w.d symptoms. If you drop 10%, the entire process will take much longer, but it will be comfortable as opposed to horrible or unbearable. In my opinion, CT is the way to go as the worst of it is over in a week. For your intake of Oxy's, the worst should be about a week, as was mine. I was taking about double that, daily. Now, if you can taper, then do it. I couldn't. I would take what I had. Some are able to taper and some are not. But like I said, if you do it, drop 10% every few days. Let that dose get into your system and your body will get used to it, then drop again. THis way you won't shock your body by the reduced dose and you will not be in bad w.d. Hardly any, maybe a little, but you should be ok. Now, when you get down to as little as possible, start to skip a few days in between doses. And try to keep spreading it out, until you can go one full week, nights and days without taking any. I hope it works out for you, I truly do.. Good luck...

Lisa

[cathy5841]

lol on the speel checker..we all need one....i cant give any taper advice..i went c/t off more oxy than that and i snorted....it was brutal hell for over a week and then it began to get a lil better.  i did ask my dr for an anti-depressant for about 6 months to get through the depression.  the only advice i can give you is it takes pure determination and commitment.  make a plan to c/t or taper and then stick to it at all cost...dont give in...i know that sounds easier said than done, but you can do it...and those are classic symptoms of oxy use.