Detoxing OxyContin

[veryconcerned]

I am a 55 year old male in semi-decent shape and good health except for typical controlled hypertension. I have had two knee replacements in October but am nolonger in any pain. I was placed on OxyContin 9 months ago, originally at 10mg/ 2x daily. The 30 days later increased to 20mg/ 2x daily. At the point of the surgeries in October I was on 20mg/ 3x daily with 5mg Oxycodone in between.

I have uncomfortably weaned myself, by myself, down to 10mg/ 1x daily, but the cold flashes and shakes are hell. The doctor's current program was to wean me with 10mg OxyContin 1X daily for 7 days, then 10mg 1/every 2 days and to stop after 4 days. I lasted 2 days on the 10 mg and have cold turkeyed it because I would feel good for 10 hours and like hell for 14 hours. It has been 36 hours since I have had any OxyContin. When do the cold flashes and shakes stop. Is there anything my doctor can prescribe to make this more tolerable?

I sincerely appreciate any help.

[Corsair]

I had always heard a lot of bad press about Oxycontin, but was only exposed to its addictive nature after a motorcycle accident left me laid up in the hospital with six broken ribs and a broken clavicle.

I must preface this rather long treatise by saying that I have never had an

[sumeria]

I was up to 120mg a day of oxycontin. I cut it to 20mgs a day abruptly. I went through a week of depression and feeling like I had a horrible flu.

I could not kick the 20mgs a day.

I finally went to the doc and he prescribed 10mg of oxycontin twice a day for the first week with 300mg of Wellbutrin, 10mg once a day for the second week, then stop altogether. I kept a chart and actually spaced out the 10mg dosages, 12 hours the first day, 13 hours the 2nd, 14 hours the third, 16 hours the 4th 10mg dose, etc. After the 4-5th day I was not waiting until it was time to take the dose. I am at 26 hours now and hope to be free relatively painlessly soon. I hope this helps.

[Mentor]

First! You have to want to be clean...I mean want it! Not poor poor poor me a drink..or shouda,chouda,woulda..:)

I been on every narcotic a doctor can prescribe..I'm not about war stories....my last run...was ummmm hummm....320 mgs - 380 mgs
a day...eating Ultram 4-8 @ a time...Prococets 10 mgs and Oxy IR 5mgs like candy..Put it this way...I would chew 2-3 80 mgs of oxycotin @ a time then flush them down with hot tea...I would take anywhere between 50 mgs - 80 mgs between my on oxycotin..yumm..yumm fun...and this is with the Ultram...Before I decided instead of feeling mentally, spritually dead..I would live with my chronic pain...I'm on day 8th of my detox...and I haven't slept in almost 5 days now..but know I can see what I was..and forgot the person I used to be!

It's going to hurt *wrong word* theres no magic cure....our body and brain chimistry is dilvering us a bill...and its time to PAY UP!
Like in the Movie Training DAY...when Denzel say's "KING KONG don't have **** on me"! *Man UP*
Step up to the plate...cause its either us or the drugs...period. If you can get through the first 5 days then your almost over the hump.
I did this all out-patient with an addictionologist...There cheap and if you can get your pain meds you can pay for a consult there cheap.
All he gave me was all the basic stuff you read about...I'm not going to post the dosages and times...I'm not a doctor.
The main med was CLONODINE or are used primarily to drop the blood pressure of a detoxing addict, thus technically relieving the addict of some anxiety & physical pain. Trazadone..it makes u yawn..but didn't work for me this time around.

Goodluck and God Bless,
If you want it bad enough then you can do anything you want to.

Mentor.

[Mentor]

First! You have to want to be clean...I mean want it! Not poor poor poor me a drink..or shouda,chouda,woulda..:)

I been on every narcotic a doctor can prescribe..I'm not about war stories....my last run...was ummmm hummm....320 mgs - 380 mgs
a day...eating Ultram 4-8 @ a time...Prococets 10 mgs and Oxy IR 5mgs like candy..Put it this way...I would chew 2-3 80 mgs of oxycotin @ a time then flush them down with hot tea...I would take anywhere between 50 mgs - 80 mgs between my on oxycotin..yumm..yumm fun...and this is with the Ultram...Before I decided instead of feeling mentally, spritually dead..I would live with my chronic pain...I'm on day 8th of my detox...and I haven't slept in almost 5 days now..but know I can see what I was..and forgot the person I used to be!

It's going to hurt *wrong word* theres no magic cure....our body and brain chimistry is dilvering us a bill...and its time to PAY UP!
Like in the Movie Training DAY...when Denzel say's "KING KONG don't have **** on me"! *Man UP*
Step up to the plate...cause its either us or the drugs...period. If you can get through the first 5 days then your almost over the hump.
I did this all out-patient with an addictionologist...There cheap and if you can get your pain meds you can pay for a consult there cheap.
All he gave me was all the basic stuff you read about...I'm not going to post the dosages and times...I'm not a doctor.
The main med was CLONODINE or are used primarily to drop the blood pressure of a detoxing addict, thus technically relieving the addict of some anxiety & physical pain. Trazadone..it makes u yawn..but didn't work for me this time around.

Goodluck and God Bless,
If you want it bad enough then you can do anything you want to.

Mentor.

[Raven100]

this is like a support group for me. im beginning with quitting alcohol, it has been only 11 days but its a start.   the oxy is for my back from a car accident  where my 3rd and 4th vertebrae was broke.  i thank God i wasnt paralyzed.  i've been taking them for at least 10 years, its the only thing that helps my pain but is addicting, i know that. im taking one day at a time  cuz ya never know   what each day will bring.                   anyway i wanted to share a poem i wrote and am looking to get it published.                                                                                                                        Here I sit on the beach,
My pills are out of reach.
as God as my teach,
I mustnot fall in to defeat.
Tommorrow's another day
To watch the sun's rays,
And making sure to pray.
Never givein to crave,
Instead be brave,
And God will save.
It's beginning to get dark
But I'm still in God's light.
Always another day of fright,
But remember the light.
Days to come will be bright!

[Rex1]

You don't have to post it as a question, just post it inside the top thread as a comment.

Rex

[veryconcerned]

The forum is full and will not let me post any new topics. However, I will share this once they have more room. I guess I was very fortunate to get in last week. Thanks again and have a very Happy New Year....and of course, God bless you and all.

[Rex1]

Hey, please post this near the top tonight or tommorrow - it will be of tremendous help for some of our newer members, many of which are really struggling right now.

They need this ray of hope!

Happy for you..

Rex

[hellbent]

You are welcome. And it's damn nice to see someone get clean for a change. Now heal up and go live your life.

[veryconcerned]

Day 6 and I feel like a cloud has been lifted from me. No jitters...no sweats...no cold shakes. I feel foolish sharing this when I read the hell that many of you are going through in addiction. However, perhaps if the Docs had continued prescibing the Oxycontin, and but for the grace of God, I would have kept taking it. Neither surgeon nor physician had any clue as to how to Detox me. Thanks to all of you, I was able realize I could do it on my own and it wouldn't take forever. Thanks Witchwoman, Thanks Hellbent, and Thanks Rex, also.

[veryconcerned]

Wow...you guys really took off from where I left you. Anyway, I started this and wanted to get back to my sweet witchywoman and hellbent,, and later Rex who were so much help and support on Friday. It is Sunday evening and I have been off Oxycontin since Wednesday.

It is an experience that should keep anyone off drugs. You can also be sure I will want to ask the Doctor some serious questions before I ever take any future prescriptions.

I'm still very cold and extremely lethargic but the heebeejebbies have pretty much left me. Right now it feels like a miserable cold....and it might be. I tried the Clonodine patch Friday till this morning and through it out. Just made me weaker.

Well I wanted to thank you and will keep in touch. I don't have the desire to use, so I guess I've been blessed in that sense. But there is no question that God sent me to this web site. Perhaps New Years will be a totally New Year with my new knees and clear head to go with it. GHod bless you all for your help.

[hippy]

the weather sounds  delightfull'
the knee is a nightmare , throbing
and a little swelling,  i will survive.
just hpoe i can work tomorrow.
i have a few 800 mg ibuprofen.
i wrap it with the magnet wrap and it seem to help.

i may have to take an early vacation to visit
my sister who is a diving instructor down in the little camen
islands.

i will go out and get a cheesesteak with the worx tonight.
i will be thinking of your 70 degree weather, while it go's down
to the 20's tonight , and i have to be up at 5 am.

peace!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[PING]

hi friend. thanks for asking about me. i am still am on the 2 10mg of oxy's a day, i went one a couple of days, the dr says i was tapering too fast. do you  think back to percocet's would be easer to taper from, i was on them heavy
for a few yrs. hope you are doing well, i havn't been posting much lately, but i do read the post's, most every day. again thanks, and hi to everyone.
                                  lee.

[coswathy]

a couple of additions to the bean bag ideas....they can also be frozen, use a large ziploc to contain any possible smells, it take approx 1/2 hour to become useful....great for area pain...then perhaps heat later...and if your bag contents are too lumpy(uncomfortable),,make one outta flax seed...its flat soft and holds heat/cold like no other(a little rice for fill)I'm in nocal where the cold weather is like a seattle summer....

[bmac]

You do not want to taper to quickly, believe me. I did that and paid for it. I have been on Kadian (ms contin) the past few months and it is working for the pain. This is the first time I have ever taken as directed. I am doing much better and I am looking forward to having my right knee replaced in the next few months. Most of my pain is in my right leg and knee. My knee is totally gone now and I have had several knee scopes with no luck. But I am glad not to be abusing the meds. Like I said this is the first time I have ever just taken them as directed.
I hope you have a great new year Lee and keep me informed.
           Peace to you!
               bmac

[Rex1]

70 degrees and sunny here in SoCal.

Neener neener! (Couldn't resist).

However, I haven't had a decent cheesesteak sandwhich since I was in NY city! And that may be worth trading for the weather thing!

Hope your feeling better and your knee feels better today. I'm off to the hot tub.

Rex

[mrmichael67]

I wish you luck in reaching your goal.  Your doctor should have his DEA# revoked.  If he doesn't know how to prescribe meds or wean a patient, he shouldn't be prescribing it.  A taper schedule that has you taking something every OTHER day?  Just when you think you've heard it all.  A taper schedule is supposed to accomplish two things:  Getting a patient off of the med and doing it in a comfortable manner, or as comfortable as possible.  Of course there will be discomfort, but every other day?  That is barbaric!  You should have been put on a short acting med, like what was suggested here previously.

[hippy]

i have a something like that i put in yhe microwave,
ii call it the long bean bag , i heat it and put it around my neck. when i get severe neck aches,
right now i am having some quality pain in my left knee,
and i have it wraped  with the magnets velcrowed on the front and back of the knee pad.
normally the knee pian does not start bothering me untill jan. and feb. due to the cold winters here on the east coast
in phila.

peace!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[coswathy]

just read all 12/27's and got lots of ideas, feelings, and they were good...which reminded me of the one thing I'll never forget about life...that is, natural Life without any crutches feels better than any highs of the manmades, the chemicals etc...to know there are a lot of wonderful caring people, deep down sweethearts, with soopasolid brickwall de..fences, but can anybody honestly tell me of a better feeling than knowing so many souls really care????
I,m new, born yesterday, but I would like to relate some of the comforts to pain...for example the microwave wraps(snakelike) that you can fold around necks and down backs etc etc can be made out of flax seed & rice...use 100% cotton and position the shape to look like 7 or 8 shirt pockets sewn together..something like 36 inches long and 4 inches wide...put just enough seed-combo in each pocket to leave it somewhat flat..that way it will be lighter...heat 1 for 2 minutes 2 for 4...or 3 for 5mins,,the more wraps-the better....thanks all coswathy

[southernbelle]

thank you so so so much for your words.  they truly make a difference.  i love each of you, i really do.  i love you and wish nothing but blessings for you.  i'm going to watch a movie now and will checkp back in either after the movie or in the morning.  each of you need to know how much you have helped me tonite.  i will do my best to face this and get better, because i know it can be done.  i love my girls and husband so much and i want to be here for them for a long time.  i'm sure the depression will get better, and the anxiety will too.  thanks again --- love and peace to each and every one of you.

[theGolden1]

Dear Belle .... the type of work you do is stressful. It will squeeze every ounce of pyschic energy out of you. Sounds like you have to put out "fires" and get people to compromise, when in reality, you may feel differently. You have to subordinate your "true" feelings, and make peace. If this is the case ... I understand you.  I am a real estate broker here in New York and every deal I work on takes a little peice of my soul .... really. Somehow people think it's easy money and I don't really work for it .... but believe me, it's blood money. I want to retire ... but my loyal following won't let me (smile) It's almost impossible to be in sales without playing the game. I'm not trying to solve your problems ..... but I noticed you made a character judgement on yourself and put yourself down for getting drugs from an "unsuspecting" doctor. I am wondering if you may have a chronic pain condition ... (FMS?) and also, you just started the other meds a short time ago ..... it takes at least 3 weeks for antidepressants to work. Sometimes they do not work! The bottom line is that some people have a more painful withdrawal than others because of residual pain. Don't be so hard on yourself .... withdrawal is serious stuff. You need to plan it carefully  .... anyhow, you need a cyber hug ((( Belle))) tommorrow is another day ..... Goldie

[Rex1]

Hey Goldie - been missing ya around here. Thanks for stopping in and for the words of encouragement for SB. She (and we) need it.

Rex

[Witchywoman]

That's exactly my feeling on it too tee...
Just never stop trying. Treat each relapse as a chance to learn something about your triggers, instead of an excuse to kick yourself. Kicking yourself only gives you an excuse to use more. It's the Dragon's way of luring you inside the cavern of addiction.

What got me clean was people showing me unconditional love, until I was able to love myself. Also, people showing me patience, confronting me with truth even if it was hard to hear, and ultimate, me deciding I Wanted it with every fiber of my being.

Someone here said to me, two years ago, "You can get clean if you want it bad enough". It was a poster, Kristen, who never posts anymore unfortunately. I miss her. That comment pissed me off at the time. My reaction to it was "what, you don't think I want it?" But she was right. At that time, I still wanted to chase a high I'd never find again. I wasn't ready.

Then, by the grace of the Goddess, I was ready one day. I sat at my altar at home, prayed to the Goddess, and made a commitment to Her that I would begin cold turkey that day. And I did, because I wanted it bad enough, finally.

Just never give up. As Wiz used to say here "Never stop reaching for the light, no matter where you are".

love,
WW

[pon]

Good luck...you really can do it...lots of us have...IT IS hard, but you can do it and you are worth it.  I have a wife I love very much and 2 daughters (#3 due in Feb)....I did it for ME because I wanted a life for myself...a life that allowed me to share my life with them.

You are worth doing this...and you can.

prayers

pon