Aa
Tapering off Oxycodone
I have been taking oxycodone for about 2 years steady prescribed by a pain management doctor. I started on 5/325 and steadily increased over the last year because of the tolerance. In February I started straight oxy 30mg. I took it not every 6 hours as prescribed. I took it whenever I needed it. I was up to 6 a day...that's 180mgs daily. Today is the 7th day of a taper from 180mgs to 90mgs a day (every 8 hours) by the doctor. I have stuck to the every 8 hours. The doctor told me to stay on this until my next appt which is for 3 weeks. I'm going through withdrawals...every symptom. Is tapering only dragging out the torture or is this the best way? I know I won't give in and take more as I have come to terms what this horrible drug has done to me and my entire life. Any advise or suggestions would be appreciated.
Hi...sorry I haven't been posting. It's been really rough the last few weeks. I saw my pain doctor on Tuesday and they reduced my dosage again. From 30 mg oxy every 8 hours (which I stuck to without error) to 15mgs 5 pills in a 24 hour period. The nurse prac that I saw was not very helpful. She said it didn't matter how I took them either every 5 hours or 2 then another 2 then 1 with no time frame to go by. That is a 15 mg decrease but I thought she would decrease it more. I'm committed to getting off these pills but just wanted to check with you all and see if this is "normal" sounding taper plan??? Any advice would be appreciated. I have no support at home so it's been very difficult with try to taper and deal with my constant pain in my back and hips. Also my psoriasis is really bad right now. Worse than it has ever been and getting infusions and still taking the horrible Methotrexate and it still came back to the point it's on the palm of my hands and starting on the bottom of my feet which is scary because its getting more painful to walk. Sorry to ramble on and on. Guess I just needed to let it out. Hope to hear from someone soon...kinda lonely.
I went from 30 - 10 mg hydros per day and weaned down to 10 - 10mg in a 15 day period of time.... and then said, to heck with it.....I'm going CT with it now!
Once I found out that "I wouldn't die" if I went CT then I decided I didn't want to prolong the process. Plus since I couldn't work and therefore didn't have a job to go to or little ones to take care of, I was able to "just be sick".
I chose accelerating the "nasties" .
Good to have you posting.....lots of compassion here and total strangers that really know what you are going thru......feels like you know each other when you actually don't! How great is that?..
Once I found out that "I wouldn't die" if I went CT then I decided I didn't want to prolong the process. Plus since I couldn't work and therefore didn't have a job to go to or little ones to take care of, I was able to "just be sick".
I chose accelerating the "nasties" .
Good to have you posting.....lots of compassion here and total strangers that really know what you are going thru......feels like you know each other when you actually don't! How great is that?..
No. It's 90 mgs per day. 30 mgs every 8 hours = 90mg in 24 hours.
It's still a 50% drop in dose but you should be feeling better after a week...no?
It's still a 50% drop in dose but you should be feeling better after a week...no?
I'm reading your post to say you we're dropped to half your normal dose for three weeks, and you're a week in. Is that correct? Like IBK said, halving the dose every eight hours is not proper, simple math says its essentially cold turkey (180/90/45/22/11/5/3/1 = 3.5 days).
To offer a perspective on your other question based only on my own experience, yes, I felt tapering was only dragging out the torture. I went CT from about 500 mg of hydrocodone a day. It was what I felt I had to do. I wish I could have tapered, but I was too out of control for that. If you've been able to halve your dose for seven days (hope I got that right), then you're in a better place than I was!
Ultimately, it's a personal decision that should be based on whatever it takes to get off the pills and stay off! Did your doctor suggest aftercare of any kind?
To offer a perspective on your other question based only on my own experience, yes, I felt tapering was only dragging out the torture. I went CT from about 500 mg of hydrocodone a day. It was what I felt I had to do. I wish I could have tapered, but I was too out of control for that. If you've been able to halve your dose for seven days (hope I got that right), then you're in a better place than I was!
Ultimately, it's a personal decision that should be based on whatever it takes to get off the pills and stay off! Did your doctor suggest aftercare of any kind?
Hun that is not a proper taper. It is a jump off of a cliff and my concern for you is that the withdrawal will be intense and you will go back to the pills. Can you call the doctor and ask to see him early? I just want to see you get through this and with that plan I don't believe you will.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Addiction: Substance Abuse Community
Is treating glaucoma with marijuana all hype, or can hemp actually help?
If you think marijuana has no ill effects on your health, this article from Missouri Medicine may make you think again.
Julia Aharonov, DO, reveals the quickest way to beat drug withdrawal.
Tricks to help you quit for good.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
