How to taper off oxycodone

[fiveyearoxymoron]

I have never posted anything before now. I have nosed around sights like this for awhile now, but never acting. I am a 49 year old husband , and father that has been through 3 back surgeries, and a rotator cuff surgery. I started using pain meds for these. I continue to have chronic back pain but the meds no longer work. I have to admit that I have abused oxy now for several years exceeding my recommended dosage by 3 and sometimes 4 times the amount prescribed to me for my pain. I have taken as much as 600 mg daily. No that is not a typo. I am ashamed and have become consumed by this drug. My sex drive is gone, and I no longer even feel like the person I once was. I have felt like I am slowly dying for quite some time. I just recently told my wife that I want off this drug.  She is not aware that I have misused my meds to the extent I have mentioned. It has been 5 years since I started using oxy and have taken tons of other prescribed meds including fentanyl oxycontin morphine diladid and methadone. I have said numerous times that I would quit and never have. I have come to hate oxy as I feel it has consumed me. I have made it down to 240 mg (120 twice daily) but it seems I go thru major withdrawals at night. I REALLY want to get off this and get at least some of my life back. I have a 5 year old daughter who depends on me as well as a wife who wants her husband back. I have never made it more than 26 hours without oxy for more than 4 years. I am way too scared to go cold turkey. How can I taper more effectively?

[gnarly_1]

Hi I was just checking to see how it goes  if  your wife is on board have her hold the pills and only give you then on a set scheduled this is not ez but if you can even get your self down buy a few pills it will help many wind up just going ct because the taper is ruff you will still have withdrawals but not as bad as if you just jumped for most of us just go ct and get it over with in 4 or 5 days good luck keep posting for support..................................Gnarly................................................

[atthebeach]

You are doing awesome. Are you willing to let your wife dispense the pills to you? She would have control of the meds. And not give in to giving you more.

How are you feeling? Look on the bottom of this page for the Thomas recipe in the health pages. Also the amino acid protocol. The vitamin will help to build up your body. The Thomas recipe will make the withdrawal symptoms more comfortable.

Congrats on wanting to reclaim your life. There is freedom from the chains and bondage of addiction.
Don't let the enemy of your soul rob you any longer,
Sending prayers,
Debbie

[fiveyearoxymoron]

My wife and I talked about that very thing tonight. I am aware that the oxy demon will try its best to get me to use more to satisfy the mild wd's. I have told her that it may come to me not being in control of the dosing. I know in my heart that the addict in me will fight hard to win the battle at hand. But I am determined to win this war. I want my life back. I just keep telling myself that the meds are no longer doing what they were prescribed to do, and more is not an option. I am determined to continue to post until this battle has been won and I have made some new friends/support people. Thanks for the encouragement!

[fiveyearoxymoron]

Thanks for the positive encouragement. I am determined to beat this demon. I am on day 2 of taking 120 mg twice daily. I am at a constant battle with my mind wanting to take control. I find myself counting the hours till I can put more in my body. I am struggling with changing doses to 90 mgs 3 times a day to lesson the cravings, but that would mean an increase to an extra 30mg daily over what I have got going on now. I just don't want to go backwards from where I am now, yet I certainly do not want to fail. I will continue to post daily to show my dedication to beating this addiction. Thanks again for the encouraging words.

[Life360_Dave]

Hi,
After the first 2 days of tapering a light will come on that you are making progress and instead of needing it at the normal times youll have sufficient will power to keep the taper going BUT there is a dark side also. This new insight that you do infact have the abiltiy to taper to quite will tempt you to take more again as  you now know that its possible and youll say to yourself "ill do it again later".
The less in your system the less the withdrawals. If your certain you want to eventually quit someone needs to control your access. Controlling supply is key to being successful.
Good luck.
dave

[gnarly_1]

HI and welcome to the forum  Tapering can be done but it takes discipline and perseverance the real key her is to go slow if you go to fast you will send yourself into withdrawals....we are not aloud to give taper information on this site we do recamend you get a doctor on board if you choose to go it alone just let your body be the final judge in how fast you go  it is more like how much of the withdrawal you can stand everyone is different  although tapering can help your final withdrawal you do go threw mild withdrawals along the way   there is no way to avoid withdrawal but you can minimize it keep posting for support  I know exactly how you feel im on my second back surgery because the first failed to work keep posting for support we all want to see you get well.............Gnarly..........