OxyContin Addiction

[Pospiscil]

I had Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue.  I was prescribed Vicodin ES. After 6 months, I was put on OxyContin 10mg.  They were ineffective, so I got 20's.  I have been out of work for over a year because I could not walk, cook, or do much of anything.  The narcotics made me human again.  Well, I began abusing the OxyContin by chewing the tabs.  One night, after eating about seven 20's, I realized that if I didn't stop this, I would O.D..  I quit cold-turkey.  I flushed my script down the toilet, and have been clean for two weeks!  The first 3 days were the worst, and every day thereafter gets a little better.  I reached out to my Husband, and told everyone who is close to me what I had been doing and that I have decided to get off the OxyCoaster.  It WORKED!!!  Try this yourself and your loved ones will be so proud and relieved.  Get a good multi-vitamin like GNC's and get Panax Ginseng pills-100mg.. Take the Ginseng one when you wake, and one at about 2p.m..Drink plenty of water, eat wholesome foods, take naps, try meditation, and ride out the diarrhea.  Let the toxins come out.  Take a warm bath, take up swimming...heated pool recommended, and stick to your plan of being in control of your life again.  Pray to your God, reach out to family and friends, and stay out of the detox center.  You won't need one because you have the strength inside you to kick this ****.  Trust me.  I did it, and you CAN, too!  You will be so thankful that you did.  (I am a 34 year old female).  By the way, I figured out that that the narcotics were causing my pain, no more FM/Chronic Fatigue, either

[mrmichael67]

That is great what you have been able to accomplish.  But, keep in mind that a lot of people are really far along and eating and taking naps will not happen in their detox.  A lot of people can't sleep at all, let alone take a nap when they feel like it.  You should be very proud of yourself, though.  Keep up the good work.

[Pospiscil]

SOBER UP!!!!

[hippy]

keep america beautiful stay clean,
alway's good to see another person getting clean.
welcome to the fourm, there is a lot of good people here
with a lot of information on getting clean and dealing with chronic pain.
this fourm has helped me greatly, i have been clean off the vike's since good friday back in aprial 02.
the beginning was a rough ride but thing's have been getting better nad better.
was at my home group NA this past tuesday it was a great meeting , on step one.
so just another thank's to all
have a good day, too all and remember the newcomer's.

peace!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!michael

[mrmichael67]

I don't think you should post something about someone when you don't know the first thing about them.  I am quite sober now, thank you.  I am a pain patient who takes his meds AS PRESCRIBED.  And, I am glad you were able to do what you did, but not everyone is in the same stage of tolerance that you were in.  A lot of people physically CAN'T take a nap when they feel like it in withdrawal.  And, they CAN'T eat good foods, or anything at all without tossing it back up.  Your advice is fine for someone in a similar situation as yours.  And, I don't know why you bashed me when I didn't bash you.  Your name is not familiar to me and I don't know you from Adam.  Do you normally go somewhere where you are new and start ****?  Not a good way to make friends or earn someone's respect.

[Buddyboy]

I appreciate the response and the advice........

I did try to tapper off my self, it never worked. So, I am going in to a detox center for a few day to help get me start. I know it is not a cure all, but I thought that it would be a huge help being under the care of a Doctor.

Also, I did come clean with my family. That was a huge start.
I can say that my wife tinks that I am going to come out good as new. I am not as certain...... The amount of people who come clean them selves on this is just amazing.  

Has anyone been through a detox center? How was the first few days after they came out? Were you able to return to work when you came out? Wat should I expect from the Doctors in the center? What do they do to help? Any information at all is a big help!
Thanks
Buddyboy

[Pospiscil]

sorry, my son was playing around,please disregard

[hippy]

i was wondering about that comment, i'm glad you cleared it up.
mr. michael is a  real help on this fourm, his knowledge and experence has helped a lot of us. i for one am very grateful to him.
well like you i to found that when i got of the pill's  a lot of my pain seemed to vanish. i guess a lot of it was in my head.
i must say  tho that i had a real problem in the 1st month with
the problem of not being able to sleep, i think i got about 3 hours a night .
i am taking the suggested thomas's receipe and it is still a
big help with energy and fighting off depression.

peace!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[tex3]

Buddy boy, I haven't seen your post about tapering so don't know what dose you were on before. However, I did go to a detox center for my first time. They said the average stay was 3-5 days; I stayed four. I entered on a Sunday, left on Wednesday and was physically fine. I went back to work on Monday, so was out a week total. I thought about going that Thursday but didn't have the energy.
While I was fine physically, I was something of a mess emotionally. But I did get through it. Just closed my door and cried a lot. Unfortunately I later went back on pain pills, mainly because of a chronic pain condition but also because I liked them so much. I quit again on April 1 and have been clean. This time I detoxed at home and it took longer; a good week of feeling like ****, then another to get some strength back. Everytime I went through WDs it got worse, though, so that makes sense.
The detox center was actually a good thing for me. I hated the first two days; I cried and begged my husband to get me out of there. Then I started going to the meetings they offered, and that helped a lot. Hang in there and soon you'll feel so much better. Life is really good now for me!
tracy

[the mick]

I have just decided to go clean this week after a three year battle with Oxycontin.  I went to my doctor and confessed my addiction.  She prescribed me Ultram and Clonazapam.  I havent taken an Oxy in four days.  I have experienced little withdrawl symtoms.  The Ultram really works.  If you want to give it a try, ask your doctor about it.  Quitting cold turkey can be dangerous and painful.  I would not recommend that to anyone.

[mrmichael67]

I am very surprised that your doctor didn't at least try to wean you off of the oxycontin.  I mean, she was prescribing it to you, so she is responsible as well as you for the whole ball of wax.  As long as the ultram is helping, then I guess things are alright.  But, she should have at least tried to wean you.  It would have been more comfortable for you.

[GOD]

It has been said that, "The Ultram REALLY works!"-- Of course it does! your brain perceives it just as it would an opiate, and for some people, it's just as hard to get off of as any opiate... Just be careful, and MAKE sure you don't run out! It took me a LONG time to get off THAT demon drug.

Good luck,
Jess

[the mick]

I should have been more specific.  My doctor did not prescribe me oxycontin, I got them off the street.  I had a friend who had a friend who worked in a pharmacy, so I had easy access to Oxys.  At one point I was up to 3 80mg O.C.s a day, and worked down to just 1 40mg a day.  That is when I went to my doctor and told her I needed help getting through withdrawl.  She prescribed me on script of 20 Ultram.  She says it is non narcotic but it acts as one.  I have 3 Ultram left, and I am feeling alright, no panic for the next prescription.  I'll let you all know how it goes.
                         The Mick

[Kritty]

Hi
I have only been in here for three days and I just want to say that this forum has helped me so much even though I just started yesterday, Monday weening off Vicodins. I have been reading through tonight regarding the comments I just would like to say that everyone is different and what works for one may not work for the other or vice versa. So just be careful. I know their are many intelligent people on this forum it is very obvious, addiction does not mean we are dumb or uneducated. It just means we lost some control due to lost feelings and it felt good at the time. Anyway I just wanted to say that I am taking bits and pieces from everyone because as I said earlier not everything works for everybody. I pray for all of you and my family is praying for me. :)

[1fortheroad]

i'm just curious...your friend of a friend who worked in a pharmacy could just take oxy from the store?  that is amazing to me - i thought pharmacies had to account for every, single pill  - especially schedule 2 narcotics.  did this friend eventually get caught?  

i'm a journalist and have written many stories about drug abuse and more specifically oxy abuse - thru all the research i have learned many things about ways people obtain their drug of choice...i didn't realize that a person who worked in a pharmacy had such easy access to the meds.  maybe i'll go get a job at one...haha - JUST KIDDING.

[the mick]

Yes, it is very easy for someone working in a pharmacy to take pills.  From what I have heard, if Schedule II drugs come up missing, it is the Pharmacists responsibility.  If a pharmacy has a high stock of Oxycontin, who would notice if 30 were missing every week.  Unless the person is caught taking them red handed, their is not much the Pharmacist can do.  Also, their is a lot of borrowing drugs between local pharmacies, so that can screw up the inventory as well.
                               The Mick

[mrmichael67]

When drugs are borrowed between pharmacies, everything is accounted for.  They record the name of the drug, quantity, and each pharmacy has each others dea number on file.  They would miss 30 a week.  Everything has to be accounted for.  When a pharmacy starts to notice losses, they just keep a real close eye on it until they nab who is doing it.  They aren't just oblivious to it.  If they pretended nothing was happening, they would end up with the DEA doing an audit on them.  And, just like doctors, pharmacists don't like the DEA.  I don't know of any pharmacist willing to give up his or her livlihood over someone stealing from the store.

[1fortheroad]

that is what i thought too.

[mrmichael67]

Just think about them not noticing 30 say 80mg oxycontins.  I know of one store by me that gets around $10 per pill.  That would be $300 dollars a week......$1200 a month.......or going by 52 weeks in a year.....$15,600!  That is quite a bit of money for someone not to notice.  At $8 a pill it is still quite drastic.  And, the pharmacists know that Purdue does not short them in their pill counts.  I know when I get my script filled, which is ms contin 60mg, that the pharmacist logs it in a book.  I have watched him do this.  They keep track down to the last pill.  If they order five bottles of 100 oxycontins in a week, it is quite easy to do simple subtraction to keep track of them.  They also have it logged into their computer.  The computer keeps track of each prescription for each drug and they can look at their inventory just by looking on the computer.  If you work at a pharmacy and take schedule II meds, it is only a matter of time before you are nabbed.  When it comes time to order and their numbers don't jive, they will notice.

[Hinkster]

Heres a story for you. When I was scripted 40mg oxycotins (90
count) by the pain clinic we signed a contract saying we were
subjected to a pill count. They call you at home or work and have
you show up with the right amount of pills for that time period
in your script.Well I picked up my script in the early morning
(of course) did my dose in the parking lot and off I went about
my business. That evening I looked at my bottle thinking that can
not be 90 pills. I counted and lo and behold there were just under 60. Remember I'am on a pill count so I called the pharmacy
to tell them they shorted me 30 oxys. Yeah right. My pharmacist
was long gone home for the day. Somehow I got them to call him at
home and about an hour later I get a call from him at the pharmacy saying yes indeed he though my script was for 60 pills.
He said they have to account for every single pill and to come up
and pick up the rest of the script at my convience. I think he was more worried about me than me of him. So I know for a fact
they have to account for every single pill.
Tom

[kbj]

Need some advice for my 78 year old mother.  My mom had back surgery for spinal stenosis June 2001 she has been on 20 mg twice a day since the surgery.  The dr. said it could take up to 18 months to recover from the surgery due to her age and her inactivity prior to the surgery.  She is feeling much better and decided to wean herself off. She went down to 1 20mg a day for about a month or so and then went down to 1 every 3rd day for a week or so and then went off them all together.   I told her that she needs to call her pain mgmt dr. and he can tell her the correct way to do this but in the meantime she is experiencing different things which I told her sounds to me to be withdrawal but I have no clue.  I know she is worried about what she is experiencing.  I'm worried that she could be endangering herself by doing it this way.  She can't sleep and has diarrhea.  She has no energy.  She just feels "beside herself".  I't almost sounds like this is what she will have to go through to get off this stuff, am I correct in assuming that?    After the last two years with my elderly parents in and out of the hospital my faith in the medical profession for the elderly is greatly diminished.  We baby boomers don't have much to look forward too as far as our medical care goes - so stay healthy. From a very concerned daughter of a very wonderful mother and father.

[the mick]

Sounds like you know more about pharmacy inventory than I do.  This guy supplied me for over three years.  After hearing what you all have to say, I'm wondering if his pharmacist is in on this scam.  Is it possible?  If the pill count is as tight as you say it is, is would have been impossible for him not to get caught.  Every single Friday of every single week for three years, he gave me 20 Oxycontin 80mg for only 150 dollars.  I havent talked to him in two weeks, but I think he is still in business.  How else could he possibly get away with it.
                                                The Mick

[nastic]

Hi, I know that being addicted can be a real problem. I am an addict of chewing tabacco. I know its no where in the realm of pain killers, however, I am looking for information on this subject. I just had a friend go into rehad for pills(not OC). I have heard alot of talk about OC here in southern California, however, no one seems to know alot about it. It seems to me that OC has not hit the west coast hard.. any coments... here in SO CAL.. vicoden is king. If people dont want to respond, I would understand. I have heard my friend talk about OC. the statement was.. HEY IF I CANT KICK VICODENS.. ILL GO TO OC. As a friend, I dont like the sound of that.. so the bottom line is.. how easy is it to get OC in SO CALI.. Once again, if people dont want to respond,,, ill understand. Im just trying to look out for a friend.........

[mrmichael67]

kbj:  Your grandmother doesn't have to go through it like that.  Definitely get a hold of her pain doctor and he can wean her off of them properly.  At her age, she shouldn't be putting her body through withdrawals like that.  For younger people, it can be done without really harming the body.  But, for older people, there are other things that come into play.  She doesn't want to be stressing out the body like that and she needs her sleep.

the Mick:  It sound to me like the pharmacist might be in on it.  Normally, the shortage would be noticed.

[mrmichael67]

I am sure it can be found, but no one here is going to show you where to get it.  It is a great medication for legitimate reasons, but deathly dangerous if abused.  If your friend gets it, he is in trouble.  That is all you need to know.

[AlexisInTx]

That's scary.  He said "if he can't kick Vicodin's, he'll go to OC?"  That's like going from the frying pan into the fire.

As we all know, no one can be helped if they don't want it.  That being said, OxyContin is a wonderful drug for those in severe pain who need it.  My mother-in-law, who recently died of terminal cancer, took OxyContin during her last months of life and it helped her.  This medicine is intended for those like her.  Those who abuse it will have hell to pay when trying to kick it.  I certainly hope your friend chooses the better path to recovery, for his sake.

[nastic]

Thankyou for you answers..nastic

[golfball]

I am a 41 year old cancer patient.  I was diagnosed 10 years ago with breast cancer and 3 years ago the cancer metastisized to my spine.  I went on oxycontin for pain and by February of 2002 I was taking 160 mg of the drug a day.  I am a biologist and I realized that I had a problem with this drug.  I was physically dependant after 3 years of use and my oncologist wanted me to taper down to a lower dose.  After 6 weeks of constant rebounding, I quit taking all my medications.  What ensued was nothing but sheer hell.  I spent several days at home having hallucinations and then began to vomit.  That went on for several days and by the time my husband took me to the hospital for the 3rd time, I had no potassium and my blood became acidic from involuntary muscle contractions.  I was finally admitted where I remained for 3 days, hallucinating and vomiting.  The morning of the 4th day, I finally came out of it as my electrolites normalized.  After several months of a lowered dose of the oxycontin, I went to a pain clinic, where I learned that the oxycontin would not control all my pain.  I decided to go off of it and have not had the drug for over a month.  I feel liberated.  I still have pain, but I use darvocet and alternative methods for pain control.  I realize that my cancer will probably spread througout my body and I will have to have a stronger pain reliever.  When the time comes, I have decided that I will use methadone, because it works in the same way as morphine and oxycontin, but for pennies a dose.  Oxycontin is a very powerful drug that causes physical dependance as well as addiction.  I would only use it as a last resort.

[samdyha]

I need some advice. My daughters' boyfriend, a heroin addict who is thirty and has used for quite a few years, was in a car accident about one month ago and put on oxycontin 80 mg. 2x a day and percocet for breakthrough pain. He did let the doctor know about his addiction problems, but now is very addicted to meds and in fact has prescriptions for a little lower strength (70mg.) 2x a day for next 6 weeks. I am very concerned about this situation and would appreciate anything that can be told to me about what to possibly expect about his withdrawal and how the process would be best handled. He also has anger problem and other issues, hence more concern on my part,but I do not want to overstep my boundaries, just want to know what to share with my 23 yr. old about what her involvment should be and what would help. Thank you for advice and blessings to you...

[samdyha]

I need some advice. My daughters' boyfriend, a heroin addict who is thirty and has used for quite a few years, was in a car accident about one month ago and put on oxycontin 80 mg. 2x a day and percocet for breakthrough pain. He did let the doctor know about his addiction problems, but now is very addicted to meds and in fact has prescriptions for a little lower strength (70mg.) 2x a day for next 6 weeks. I am very concerned about this situation and would appreciate anything that can be told to me about what to possibly expect about his withdrawal and how the process would be best handled. He also has anger problem and other issues, hence more concern on my part,but I do not want to overstep my boundaries, just want to know what to share with my 23 yr. old about what her involvment should be and what would help. Thank you for advice and blessings to you...

[Chezz2]

I had to reregister.

[Chezzman]

Test

[Chezzman]

Test again by Chezz

[athena]

hi sam,sorry i didnt answer sooner but i usually dont read this far down.The w/d from opiates are pretty rough,flu aches,nausea,diarrhea,sweating,depression and restless legs.The good part is that it will only last for about a week.Then it's just dealing with the mental addiction (not easy).If this guy has anger issues anyway,they may get worse while going through w/d.I hope your daughter isn't taking abuse.If she is,then maybe she could use some help also.I hope this helps.good luck to you and your family.

P.S
The Thomas recipe (posted everywhere)will help with the w/d

pixi