Beg for oxycodone to taper or go cold turkey? PLEASE, PLEASE ADVISE.

[coastalgirl]

All my docs are in disagreement over who should write my now 7-month long oxycodone script - all uncomfortable to take responsibilty, I guess.  

My new PM doc, who I was sent to by two other docs b/c of my pain, said 4-6 5mg oxy's/day no problem.  Wrote me a one-time script for 60 and they are gone today. PM doc sent me to new family dr as a more generalized mgr of my problems, who said she won't write narcotic scripts, GI doc uncomfortable b/c that's not her area, PM doc said his script was a one-time thing.

I have pain but am so tired of being bounced around and feeling like a "shopper". I have kept everyone on the same page so I don't seem like I am being shady but am left to go c/t today, I guess when I take my last pill.  This doesn't feel right that they would let someone suffer but I don't have anywhere to turn, unless I call and beg.

Will the w/d's be much worse going c/t tomorrow, having taken 4 pills day or finally 1 if I taper, then stop at that point?  I'm tired of feeling like I am begging for these things when they haven't given me anything better to relieve pain of nerve damamge.

What would you do if you have ever tapered or gone cold turkey?  PLEASE HELP - I am really scared to face this pain. These doctors make me so embarassed.  

[Franny62]

Your withdrawal should not be too bad if you remember to keep from getting dehydrated since that is what usually causes the most danger. Try, and limit your caffine as it exacerbates the pain level. Keep a close eye on your BP, and pulse rate. I was hospitalized this past weekend, because of dehydration, and elevated BP, and low heart rate (40's). Nausea, and vomiting as well as severe diarrhea are the culprits in detoxing. Immodium works well for the diarrhea, and any anti-emetic such as phenergan suppositories, or Zolfran IV works the best in stopping nausea in its tracks.

I just detoxed last month off of the Fentynal Patches after 4 years on them, and it was very hard, and I couldn't keep the Percocets down, so that threw me into detoxing off of the Oxycodones as well. It's a vicious circle, and I would advise you find a Physician who really cares about what you have to endure. They're out there you just have to locate a good one. Best of luck to you, and I wish you success on your detoxing. Get yourself to an ER if it becomes too difficult. Your Husband, and Children need you, and you should not have to beg for anything, but so many Physicians are afraid of the DEA that it's become more difficult to find one not afraid to prescribe your pain medication. Keep the faith, and know there are some Doctors who have no problem in helping you. Sincerely, Franny

[ihateopiates]

You are so right. Opiates really make you think you feel great but they are really robbing you of your life. I don't think many people really know what they are getting into. I'm a PM patient but I'm in the middle of a slow taper down and off (me dr.s help). I want my life back. Many doctors do really want to help you get off them which is really good news. They can help so much with this nightmare.

[coastalgirl]

Thanks, folks for the advice and empathy and sharing your stories.  I have decided screw it, I am not hunting down these doctors anymore looking like a pill *****, I am going to do it cold turkey and see how the nerve pain is once off them.  I've heard the pills make the pain feel worse.  Plus, I was only taking 20 mg oxycodone for the last wk, so it's not like 4 80's of oxycontin.  At least, that's what I tell myself for inspiration.  

My husband is prepared to watch the baby for the next couple days to get me through the worst and we say lots of prayers that the pain will be managed and I can put these pills behind me and find an alternative method of pm.  My biggest concern is the blues b/c I am very prone to bouts of depression....wish me luck.

Hopefully I will come out a winner and be back to help others.  That would be a good feeling.

[racernsc]

After reading your post you reminded me of what I went through around 9 years ago. I suffered a bad motorcycle accident and have nerve damage that can't be cured.
I was sent to a pain management clinic for over 1 1/2 years and the doctor finally gave up. He was prescribing me Loratab10mg at the time but suddenly told me he could not help me and sent me back to my PM. My PM refused to give me any medication although I was now dependent on Loratab.
It was by accident that I found my current doctor who gave me 2 options, OxyContin or Morphin.
I chose the Oxy and have been on it for over 8 years now. I take 20mg up to 6 times a day. I trie to limit it as musch as possible but it's hard and I struggle with it daily. The withdrawals are enough to cause you to want to end it all and on more than one occasion I have thought about it. I have two small children and each time I look at a picture of me with them I realize that I was stoned in almost every photo and it kills me. I feel like I am being robbed of who I once was and I can't get back to my old self.
The reason I'm telling you this is because as bad as my pain is, I hate everyday of my life while I'm strapped to this poison. I think that many others here would agree with me. The bottom line is " Be careful what you wish for" it just might be the last thing you really want.

I wish you the best and would ask you to really think long and hard about your choice.
If you need someone to talk with you can e-mail me and I will happy to help.

Sorry to preach but I thought you should know the reality of this medication.

[marcatj]

also, i don't know the extent of your physical pain.  i know that played a part in my pain med addiction - everytime i had a "flare-up" my (pavlovian) response became "take a pil!" (that, and the the addict i'd become..)

anyway, once i stopped taking the pills (8-10 norco a day) i was surprised... i didn't have as much pain as i thought i did.

i'm only telling you this because if you've been taking these pills for 7 months, you may not know what your pain level really is right now...

also, again, i went c/t and it was only bad/bad for 2 days.... the physical stuff.

i wish you well. please continue to ask questions to anyone here if it helps.

good luck...
mj

[Dave W.]

Hi coastgirl,I hear you loud and clear. I was taking Methadone and have made
the descision 13 days ago to go c/t. It was without a doubt,the worst experience I have ever experienced,but well worth it now that my w/d's are
manageable.The oxy's I'm still taking for my both hip pain are working for
once in 4 years,now that that Methadone is out of my system.I was actually
in more pain from taking so much meds. I've cut my huge intake of oxy's each
day into half and still tapering,right off the bat from day 1 of my c/t descision.
They are working so well,that it was like night and day. I was taking upwards
of 3o oxy's/day,with no releif in sight. Now I'm down to 15 max a day,I know
that's super pathetic,but I'm really trying,since I've gotten the strength from
stopping the Methadone and from the great people on this forum. You can do
this.If you've tried tapering and didn't succeed,then go the c/t route.Your not on
a super high dose now,so go for it. Like they say,it will get worse before it
gets better,but once it's over,you'll be glad you did. Good Luck and God Bless.

[racernsc]

One last thought, The one thing that I have always found unbearable is when I have  joint pain in my hips, back and legs during a detox session. I've found that using a heating pad and aspercream helps to manage it.
It does not make it better but it does make it tolerable depending on what your daily intake was. I usually take anywhere from 2 to 6 20mg oxys a day and when I start to run low I make plans to detox weeks in advance.
If I have been taking 4 a day I do this for a week and then 3 for a week, 2 and finally down to one a day.
Finally, I spoke with a pharmacist that told me the hardest people to break the addiction are the ones that have taken a small intake regularly.
Good luck managing your pain. The pain is bad but the monkey is worse.

[RRivers]

First let me say, I can sympathize that your are in such a predicament.  The United States is a terrible country to live in if you are in lots of pain.  The threats by the DEA, and the lack of education in med schools on pain control has left many with pain, without hope.  I went for years in severe pain, and got little sympathy, and even less in the lines of relief.

That said, I will tell you that I would stretch the ones you have left out as long as you can, and try to find a pain doctor that can help.  If your pain becomes unbearable, i would encourage you to go to the emergency room, of your local hospital, and take as much documentation with you as you can, and explain what is happening.  They may very well be able to recommend you to a doctor that will be more understanding of your medical needs.  As for the other doctors, I wouldn't hesitate to drop everyone of them, if they are not attentive to your needs, from what you wrote, not a lot, it seems that all are trying to pass the buck.

As for the fear of withdrawals from oxycodone, if you have only been on it for only a month, the withdrawals shouldn't be so terrible, because it has not had time to build up a lot in your system.  You may notice some sweating, and feel sick at your stomach, with stomach cramps and diarrhea, but other than that the withdrawals shouldn't be to harsh.  I used to be on oxycodone, and when i went off after three years, the withdrawals were no where near as bad as going off of morphine, or my present scourge, methadone.

I wish you the best.
Ren              

[marcatj]

hmmm.  do you want to quit?  that's not a judgement at all - i just wasn't clear because you said you were in pain but couldn't get more meds.  so i just wasn't sure how to respond...

if you do want to quit, i'd go c/t.  it's sucks pretty bad for a couple days, but the real physical stuff only last a couple days, like a bad flue.  but it passes...