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1895503 tn?1332373374

Know Easier Drug to Taper Fm than Opana ER?

Hi Family,

I am down to 10mg Opana ER (extended release in two 5 mg. pills) plus four 5 mg Opana IR (immediate release) pills per day.  I am struggling to decrease from 10 mg to 5 mg because the jump is 50%!  It is too great of a jump.  It causes my pain and my anxiety to get out-of-control.   I need to change to another opiate that is easier to taper on.  I need a pill I can cut, and Opana ER cannot be cut.  I hope to taper my medicine.  Does anyone have a good suggestion of another opiate I could suggest changing to?  Opana ER doesn't give me a noticeable buzz.  I am hoping this is the case with the other opiate my doctor could prescribe.  The NP that has been given me as a patient doesn't seem to have experience with this situation.  I really appreciate any suggestions.  I have tapered from 40 mg Opana ER.  I really want to finish this.  If I could change to a pill I can taper, I believe I could lessen the rebound pain, and the anxiety!  I am so grateful for your help once again.  Through God, my hope, and with You, I will do this.
I love you all.
Marie
M
Best Answer
Avatar universal
Marie,  Let me start by saying i am so proud of you and you are doing great!!! You have a plan set and you and I will beat this.  I am going to rehab too, just deciding between two places, one is in FL and other in CA, i like the CA place better as it really takes on an holistic approach and also specializes in chronic pain like me.  The place in Fl follows the 12 step program and to be honest its not for me, i find it degrading, i am super sensitive enough to even say that i am a drug addict no less be in a group reciting the 12 steps saying that we are drug addicts and all that jazz, i just cant deal with that.  The place in FL is it called Watershed, i am just waiting for Monday to roll around to see how much my insurance will pay.  My depression is terrible i feel like i am on the verge of a break down and the anxiety is extreme, and yes i do take and anti depressant and i do take Xanax.  I would not recommend the Xanax after what i have heard from friends on here and after talking to the nurse in the rehab when they were taking an intake on me, getting off of benzo's is allot harder and it is a very slow taper process.  Please tell me you are not going to go for that rapid drug detox???  Ok i asked that question on the forum look for it and read the responses, the website for the florida wellness makes it sound all great and all but i promise you this there is not such thing as a quick fix.  Its dangerous and the success rate is very poor.  All that does is remove the opiate out of your system under sedation and then give you a med Nalozene (not sure how to spell it) but girl thats just a quick fix, the detox believe it or not is the easy part compared to the mental process.  You need to learn why you use and learn ways to change that thinking, because aftercare is what is going to get you through not detox i promise you that, believe me, i have tried many times and so has many other members on here.  PLease reconsider, i was actually on the phone with the florida wellness last night and spoke to a lovey nurse who really just blew smoke up my butt making all these false promises.  Educate yourself and do your research, ask around ask on here, hopefully others will chime in on here to help you with this too.  I dont want to tell you what to do, i just want to help you and most of all succeed.  My symptoms during detox is just miserable, the RLS, the trots, cant sit still, butt he worst for me is depression and suicidal thoughts and crazy anxiety.  Please do some research your deserve to know all your options and you deserve to do whats BEST for you and remember there is NO easy way out.  XO Dane
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Avatar universal
I was taking Opana er for 3 and a half years as prescribed and my Dr decided to have someone tell me over the phone (a nurse) that she was lowering my dose and I need to taper off this medicine ...no instructions on how to ,no prior notice ,I was physically dependent on this medicine !! and when I asked t talk to my Dr when I went to pick up my prescription she didn't want to talk to me ,but I was persistent ,had a full blown panic attack and I asked her why and she said new studies came out about opana er and the harm it causes so I was ok with her taking me off but when I asked how to do it and what medicine could she give me for withdrawal, she named off one that I was allergic to and when I reminded her of it she said and I quote ...I don't know what to tell you go to rehab I was so upset ,scared and sick!! I went to rehab for the suboxone program they wanted me to go to meetings 3 times a week (that I didn't need) just to get the antidote to be well that's insane !!!! I went twice saw the Dr got the suboxone and never went back I toughed it out myself and went through the withdrawal and stopped the suboxone (that's addicting to) (another trap taking suboxone just to get off pain meds) and now it's been 2 and a half months without anything !! I will never ever take pain meds again I suffer from chronic lower back and neck pain i'd rather feel the pain !!!! and now after being off of it I have chronic runs and am losing weight rapidly 25 lbs in a month no appetitie and I found a new Dr and in the process to figure out what the hell is wrong with me ......in my opinion pain medicine makes pain worse and puts you in a vicious cycle no thanks !!!!! I wish the best of luck to ppl taking this medicine it is legalized heroine and if I would have known that before That piece of crap Dr gave it to me I wouldn't have taken it !!
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Avatar universal
I am trying to find out if OPANA ER (the old version) is still safe for me to take.  In doing that I have run across this forum.
I wanted to drop you a line to tell you "congratulations" on your weaning of medication.

I was out of work almost 4 yrs because I couldn't get pain under control, last year my Dr got it under control (OPANA ER 20mg 3xday)and I went back to work.  
Now I hear that the formula is being changed and I am concerned that the new medicine will not control my pain and I will lose my job.

Sorry to ramble, just wanted to say   CONGRATULATIONS!!!
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Avatar universal
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1895503 tn?1332373374
Dane, I SO appreciate your reply to my question.  Everything you said totally resonated with me.  The only opiate med I have been prescribed that isn't extended relief is Opana IR.  I know this is really meant to be a "breakthrough med."  However, I am switching over to it bc I believe you are right, that ER is especially hard.  There is a reason that the quick detox places wouldn't take me on ER, but wanted me on a shorter-acting med.  I think this is the best idea for me.  When I was with the NP the month before the last appt. I had switched to just the Opana IR, and she freaked out.  She put me back on the Opana ER, and gave me instructions to drop from 10mg Opana ER to 5 mg Opana ER.  I couldn't do it.  I think the path you took is the best path.

I am now scheduled to go to Florida Detox and  Wellness in  March.  I would like to get off the rest of the Opana before then (in these next weeks).  I don't know if I can, but I worry about rebound pain if the doctor detoxes me over just 3 days or so.  I did start taking these for back pain.  And I don't know how much pain is waiting for me on the other side of this addiction.

I am ready to surrender, and to find out what my state of being really is.  I feel relieved to have a reservation there, but as much as I can, I will get off the Opana.  I have been decreasing the ER, as I mentioned to you.  However, I need to realize that it will take a while for any ER to leave my body.  There are many reasons the doctors want people to be on short-acting meds prior to detox.  I think it is so we are much more comfortable.

The hardest part about tapering is the emotions.  They feel magnified by 20 (at least).  I worry about depression and anxiety bc I encounter a lot of it now.  The anxiety gets so bad I can hardly stand it, but I have been able to come through in my role as mother and wife (to the best of my ability when I am on 1/4th of what I was on.......So I will focus on getting the ER out of my life, and taking it when  my body is screaming for it.

Thank you for your encouragement.  It means a lot.  I don't think I can find a doctor to change to instead of the NP.  I am so tired of this situation, but don't think I can request another doctor.  Honestly, I am arid of the troubles I could start for myself.  I am afraid I will be cut of.  If I go over her head, and request to talk to the big guy (the main doctor) I may be causing a lot of trouble for myself.  I just don't think she would respond to that well.  Its a bummer!!

Would you tell me if you have dealt with these anxious emotions that are absolutely overwhelming???  That is the terrible part.  Did you have to use benzos to get the last part of this done??? I am very seriously considering it bc I would so prefer to not go through this hospital detox!!! It is very scary to not know what physical and emotional problems I will have after a quick detox.  I am going to this place--Florida Detox and Wellness---in hopes of getting my emotions and my pain  manageable.  

Would you also tell me how your symptoms were during detox?  I just don't meet anyone that has gone through this!!! So I am so grateful to you for writing!  Thanks so much,   Marie
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Avatar universal
hey girl hows it going today?
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Avatar universal
I was on opana both Er and regular, and was on oxy and diluid and tram.  So when i tapered the last time i got rid of all the ER tablets and just stuck to the percs for detox.  It really did help, so i rid all the harder pills sought of speak and switched to percs so i can taper them down and cut them in half.  You are doing amazing so far keep up the good work.  Talk to the NP about that as well, i am not a fan of doctor extenders, they dont have MD after there name so i would ask for a dr who can help get you on a plan to taper correctly.  The ER crap is in your system all day and you need to  stop that and then can slowly get your body off the meds.  I take it when my body starts to WD and thats how i got down, then i try to wait as long as possible to take the next dose and so on.. I am no expert here im only speaking from experience.  So when i quit the tram, diluid, oxy and Opana, i didn't get the WD;s because i still had an opiate in my body, so i recommend getting rid of the worst of the evils.  You are on the right path and doing great, remember this is not a race and it takes time but please get that ER crap out of your system, just my opinion and personal experience with the help of my friends on her and the dr as well.  i wish you the best and stay strong, you are doing this and asking for help, ask away, more experienced and knowledgeable members can offer better insight than i can,   XOXO Dane
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1895503 tn?1332373374
The benefit of having two 5mg tablets of Opana ER is that when I am ready, I can lower the dose to just one 5mg Opana ER tablet (If I wasn't planning to do that, then the two doses are the same).  Thanks.  Marie
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1047946 tn?1332608029
Couldn't you just drop the Opana ER and switch over to only the IR? You would be able to space them out further throughout the day as you progress during your taper. Plus the IR would be safe to cut so you could drop to a much lower dose. I think you ought to talk to your doctor about possibly doing this.
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1416133 tn?1351123217
I don't think this makes a difference to your taper - the 10 mgs three times a day is the same mg's you were taking with the two five mg's three times a day. Either way it comes out to 30 mgs a day.
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1895503 tn?1332373374
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1895503 tn?1332373374
Hi Wherestheresetbutton and Gnarley,

I was hoping that the NP would put me on something else.  But NO she put me on Opana ER 10 mgs 3 times a day INSTEAD OF THE TWO 5's I was on 3 times a day.  This is because of difficulties at Endo, the company that makes Opana!  I am processing this.  I definitely had hoped, and hinted at her either changing my medication to an easier one or at least leaving the Opana ERs 5 mg. tablets (2 a dose).  So, just got home from the drive into the city.  I am processing all of this!  I try to tell myself that Opana is like the medications, just stronger, so I can just be more precise in tiny reductions!

It is amazing to have your responses---great and needed advice.  I feel so strongly that we respond to people on these boards.  Gnarly, how I appreciate your dedication to all of us over all this time.  If I don't  meet you on earth, look for me in Heaven, where we will be worshipping our Lord, Jesus Christ.  I feel called to give of myself here--perhaps God wants me to show others that we can have peace, even in the midst of tapering.  I have really had it after getting back from the trip I just took to Equip Ministries Gobal 20/20 event!  Wow! Life changing!  And I know He's going to bring me through, and that His help is for whoever will receive it.  God Bless you Gnarly and Wheres.

Now, to put the satellite radio to "the Message" channel and clean this house. And to be grateful I have this place to clean!! My little girl went home with a friend, so I have a few extra hours alone. As I sit here I think of how I have been in fear with this taper, and how, Praise God, I have peace and am encouraged.  I have a couple of posters I want to check on before I get busy!!!

Big hugs to ya'll.
Marie
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Avatar universal
HI they usually use hydrocodone to get you off stronger stuff but you may need to go to an addiction specialist to get them to switch you ask your prescribing doctor first and explain what your doing he/dhe should be on your side doing this good luck and God bless.......Gnarly  
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Avatar universal
I commend you on your taper!  I know how hard it is to deal with the anxiety and overall crappy feelings you have while tapering!  The only other suggestion i have, if you wish to continue to taper is have your Doctor switch you to another weaker opiate to finish your taper with.

Doctors have charts available to them that shows what dosage of each drug is equivilant to another, so he/she should be able to get your dose fairly stable within a day or two, and you can continue your taper down on weaker opiates.  

The huge downside to this is most opiates that are weaker than Opana, all are mixed with acetaminophen/paracetamol, and could cause liver/kidney distress.  But either way, WAY TO GO! thats a huge drop and your getting close! :)
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1895503 tn?1332373374
Are you the most wonderful human being on the earth???? Thanks so much.  I had been stumped on this.  I heard you could break them and die.  It doesn't make sense that a company would put something like that on the market, and I am on such a low dose of them now!!!  I am down from 40mg Opana ER to 10 mg Opana ER (plus some Opana IRs).  

Thanks every so much.  I appreciate it so much.
Marie
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Avatar universal
I have no personal experience with opana ER, but i did some research on this subject.  From what I've read, cutting the ER version of opana does NOT bypass the time release.  Opana was made to try to deter people from abusing the oxycontin inside.  The old pills marked OC had just a time release layer around the outside that could be taken off and the drug could then be abused.  As a work around they made the time release process different, so cutting the pill or "dissolving" the time release layer wont work anymore.

You may feel it kick in slightly faster due to the surface area of the pill being broken, but from what ive read it shouldnt effect the rate at which your body metabolizes the opiate, as Opana turns to a gel-like substance once your stomach acids come in contact with it, and that gel metabolizes slowly throughout the day.

As always, i suggest asking your doctor if its "SAFE" to cut them. As i am no medical professional, and did just a quick search on google about the effects of breaking Opana ER.  But, everything ive read hints that they should still act as an extended release, even when broken.

Hope this helps!
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