How and when to begin withdrawal

On 10/13, I had total knee replacement. They put me on lots of pain meds including morphine, percocet and oxycontin. I am home and have to go to PT twice weekly which is quite painful. I went to my surgeon on 11/2 and he said to wean off of oxycontin and oxycodone. He didn't explain how to go about that. My husband cut the oxycontin in half and I took that once at night and once in the morning for 3 days. When I thought about the next steps to get off the oxycodone, I thought to call the pharmacy for advice. I found out that I was on a 20mg time release oxycontin, and that cutting it in half meant I was cutting through the time release shell, and was just getting a burst of the oxycontin. Well, I wasn't going back there, so I just didn't take anymore. I tried to reduce my oxycodone to morning and night for a couple of days, then didn't take one at all yesterday. I've spent the past week crying and nauseas and last night was horrible. My legs were both bothering me, and had nothing to do with knee replacement. My husband suggested I take one of the 5mg oxycodone this morning, and of course, I feel somewhat better today. Will probably take one every 6 hours when I take my 800 mg ibuprofen. I'm thinking that I should continue with the oxycodone while I'm going to PT for the next few weeks anyway. From reading these boards this AM, I've figured out I'm not superwoman, and am not going to wean from these in a couple days time. But when I want off them, how do I do that? I hate the way I feel. It's worse than the knee replacement. Help?

[corey411]

Your right in that you probably weaned too fast. Your doc should have given you instructions on how to wean. I am an OT and know how painful knee replacements are esp in PT. Use alot of ice if you can. If you are off of the oxycontin and just on the oxycodone that's a great transition in itself. If every 6 hours works for you I would wait a few days and try taking half twice a day then in another week take half each dose. Once your body adjusts to that you can either jump off or take half 2 Xs a week and so on. You haven't been on them long and it sounds like you weren't abusing them. You should not have the lengthy mental withdrawal that we who have used for years have. Good luck to you.

[corey411]

Sorry I meant when you take every 6 hours take 2 halves...and 2 wholes during the most painful times. I also meant 2 Xs a day.....Hope this helps some. I think you will be OK.

[TrayCee]

FYI-
The oxycontin is time release teh oxycodone is not.

Just simply lower your dose a little everyday or every few days until your done.

Good Luck

[crybaby44]

Oh, thank you so much for getting back to me right away. I'm feeling so much better today because I went back on to the 5mg dose every 6 hours. I started feeling ill at about the 5th hour, but held off. I agree that I haven't been abusing them, so that I have a greater incentive to let go when I'm fit enough to do so mentally and physically. I am still shuffling about with a walker, and will need the dose when I go to PT. I just hadn't realized that trying to do without them would make me too ill to do my home PT which is necessary to my recovery. Today is my birthday, and I thank you both for the great birthday gift of encouragement.