How to wean off oxycontin & oxycodone?

[claire_keith]

HELP PLEASE!!! I've been taking oxycontin for the last 2 years for multiple surgeries- I have chronic pancreatitis so had surgery on my pancreas and that was followed by painful complications including more surgery for hernia repair at the incision site. I've been on oxycodone for over 20 years for the chronic pain. I even got to where I was crushing up the oxycontin not only to help the pain but to just feel "normal." It's like I couldn't function unless I did it. But I started feeling worse and realized I was killing myself. Now I'm trying to wean off everything. Will I ever feel normal again? And what's the best way to wean comfortably, if that's even possible? I can't afford rehab. I've had to wean off drugs before but not since all my surgeries. I was up to about 300-500 mg of oxycontin/ oxycodone a day. I've forgotten what it feels like to feel normal. I'm so depressed and anxious. I can't go out of the house b/c I have panic attacks and agoraphobia. Can anyone recommend a treatment regimen? I don't want to get addicted to methadone and I've tried suboxone already. Both made my symptoms worse. THANKS!!!

[Calamity2]

If you are only taking 4-8 means sometimes you can get by with 4 15s.  Thats a reasonable dose to go cold turkey from.  If you want your life back. Stop looking back and look forward. You can do it.  we will help.  It wont be easy. But I know for certain soberity is alot easier and less painful than addiction.   You have to want to look forward though and not obsess about things that could go wrong.  
STOP the negitive thinking .   It will destroy you.  Refuse to go there. Sing , read outloud or whatever you come up with to stop yourself every time you start to think of anything negative.   Keep posting and reading posts.  Go to a N.A meeting if you have any in your area. Or AA if you dont'

[dominosarah]

We have some really good articles on PAWS in the health pages.  Try not to get all worked up about this as it may not be as bad as you think.  Have you discussed any of your concerns about your depression and panic attacks with your doctor?

[claire_keith]

I'm down to about 15mg oxycodone 4-8 times a day plus diazepam 10mg prn. The detox is not really my question. The post-acute withdrawal syndrome which I've read about before is what concerns me. I've been treated for it before with suboxone but that made me anxious and panicky. I just read more on it here on this website and the prognosis doesn't sound good. Someone wrote it could last a year or more and return at any time in your life. That is so depressing b/c I want to feel normal again but all I feel is depression and anxiety, panic disorder and agoraphobia. When you feel that way, it is hard to eat right and exercise as people recommend... Some say go to rehab and then a sober house. Is there any benefit to rehab once you detox yourself at home?

[vicki595]

Hi~    How much and what are you taking right now? Include everything you take.

Read the health pages,upper right corner. Especially the Thomas Recipe~

Keep posting~  It's not easy to withdraw but it IS doable~

Vicki