Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Oxycodone withdrawal information

I had lung surgery 8 weeks ago.  I was released on 1-2 oxycodone/acetaminophen 5/325 every 4/6 hours. I took two about every 5 hours.  This dose took my pain down to about a 4. I believe my pain is/was a little more pronounced due to my surgery starting out as the diVinci robot, then switching to VATS, then switching to the full blown thoracotomy.  There was a lot of manipulation inside and out. I was hospitalized for 3 days.  Four days after discharge I was re- hospitalized with pneumonia.  During my hospital stay I was given morphine and Dilaudid IV.  Upon discharge I continued on the oxycodone medication. I was given a prescriptions for 60 pills, one for 90 pills, another for 60 pills, and one for 30 pills. I was then switched to hydrocodon/acetaminophen 5/325, 1-2 pills every 6 hours and I have received two prescriptions of 40.  During my call to get my second refill of oxycodone I was given the third degree about my pain, however, the doctor ordered 90 pills.  I felt then that I better start tapering as I have heard horror stories about doctors stopping peoples medications and leaving them to deal with severe pain.  I continued to call in for refills as if I were taking the medication as prescribed and received the aforementioned prescriptions.  As of today, I still have 60 oxycodone, and 70 of the hydrocodon.  The hydrocodon make me much more nauseous than the oxycodone and make me loopy.  I have to take 2 of them at a time to get the same pain relief. I still have pain around 6/7.  About 4 days ago a friend of mine told me she became dependent on opiates after her surgery and i should be very careful. She had to go to detox.  I decided I should not take them any longer and stopped. I had been taking approximately 2-3 a day.  That night I had terrible leg cramps, sleeplessness, and diarrhea the next day.   I thought I had the flu and didn't want to deal with the pain and the flu at the same time so began taking 2 of the oxycodone a day for the next couple of days.  Today I was going to stop again but when it came to the time I normally take it I realized I WANTED to take it and the longer I went without taking it the more I thought about it and started to get a headache and chest pain.  I believe I'm dependent on it.  My question is, should I try to taper down more or  switch to the hydrocodon  and taper down on those,  then stop?  I don't believe I'm a candidate for cold turkey as I have unstable angina, and other heart related diseases.  If tapering is the way to go, what dosages, for what length of time?  Also, how many days do you think withdrawals will be?    FYI, I'm a 60 year old woman and have never finished a prescription of pain pills in my life let alone abused them.  I was addicted to nicotine.  Your help would be much appreciated.  Thank you.  
13 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Yes, we can.  The most important tools are the desire and determination to stop.  Bet of luck with your detox.  I'm sending you strength and positive thoughts!  
Helpful - 0
5857670 tn?1375557352
It sounds like you have the right attitude and are on the right track.  Withdrawal is never fun, but it doesn't last forever (5 days tops and only 2/3 days for me) and if you are able to taper, you should have almost no w/d symptoms at all.  Of course then you have the problem of managing your pain.  I definitely think PM is the way to go there.  They have so many more options for chronic pain sufferers.  I've detoxed off of Oxycontin 30 mg, so I know where you are coming from.  Just please be careful with your health issues!  I totally agree with the failure of our pain medications that are available today.  It ***** that the best ones for pain are so addicting!  That's when I first found that out after back surgery.  I was taking hydrocodone and stopped them, and quickly realized that my body was addicted to them.  Luckily at that time, I had enough to taper down and experienced no w/d at all from that.  The Oxycontin detox was cold turkey, but I survived.  Now I'm on day one of detoxing off norcos (hydrocodone 10/325 acetaminophen).  We can all get through this together.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'm sure I act quite normal too but in reality if I were not taking this medication I would not be able to do many of the things this medication gives me the energy to do.  No, I don't have a high (yes I have been high. I smoked a little pot and would have a drink or two a million years ago in my teens), but if i take this medication I can shower, fix hair and makeup, iron clothes, get dressed, go get groceries, bring them home and put them up all without a nap between each step, or exhausting pain.  The flip side is now I've become dependent on the medication and must stop.  It can't be healthy to take something that when you stop your legs hurt, you get diarrhea, can't sleep, and your pain amplifies, all of which makes you WANT to take it.  Admittedly, I'm not a patient person.  Tapering is slow and I just want this behind me.  Unfortunately, I've experienced chest pain and have had to use my nitro when i stopped completely that day and when I tried to taper too quickly. I feel so sorry for everyone who has become dependent on these medications. You would think we would have advanced much further and have pain medications that don't cause these problems. Unbelievable.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
You have a lot of things going for you, most of all your high degree of caution about opiate medication. I don't have any personal experience with your surgery, but if you are having issues with pain, narcotics can be extremely effective in relieving pain in the short term. Don't feel guilty or reluctant to use them if they help you.
Many of us here got into trouble by using them for long periods of time-years-without a genuine medical need. You will know in your heart when it is time to not use them any longer. Please don't let these stories about wicked detoxes scare you. I am about 30 days clean from ABUSING oxycodone for over a year. For me it started with legit back pain, then I started taking them for the high. I have a life history of doing that with substances. You really don't sound like that at all. You mentioned concern about more than one type of pain med. My inlaws are chronic pain patients that are prescribed multiple kinds of pain meds. They have used them for years and do not abuse them at all. They take them exactly as prescribed and if you did not know this, you would find it hard to tell, they act quite normal.
I agree with your doctor, please don't worry yourself to death.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I asked about a taper plan and was told my body will tell me how much to take by how much pain I'm in.  He said just don't take them unless I am In pain and really need it.  If I continue to have pain and am still taking the medication in 10-15 days, call back and he will schedule me an appointment for pain management.  The PM doctor and I will work out a plan based on my pain level,  the cause of the pain, etc. He said I may need to continue the current meds, change meds, taper off and begin TENS therapy, hydrotherapy, whatever, but to work with the PM doctor for the best solution. He said it is very common for people to have pain and need pain management after lung surgery.  He was not concerned at all about me being dependent on the meds.  I asked to go ahead and schedule PM and was told to give my body another couple of weeks to resolve the issue.  After speaking to the doctor, I decided to try my own solution.  I am taking 1/2 of an oxycodone when I get to the point of being miserable and had planned on taking only 1 hydrocone in the evening but ended up taking two because it just didn't touch the pain.  Now I'm wondering if it is unhealthy to take both types of medication in the same day?   Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated.  
Helpful - 0
495284 tn?1333894042
COMMUNITY LEADER
How are things going?
Helpful - 0
1331115 tn?1536362140
Hello Lynn I was in the same boat as you due to several spinal surguries and was on high doses of oxycontin. Unfortunatley I was on those meds for 7years and developed an addiction to them. As you I was dependent by that turned into having to take them to survive. The first thing I did in the morning was grab my bottle of pills and taking them and it made me a zombie for many years. You caught this early so you should be able to overcome this.

I agree with dominosarah you should due to you medical history you should talk with your doctor so he/she can monitor through the taper. In fact your doctor may be able set you up with a taper plan. One thing though I would stay away from taking suboxone to get off of the pain meds as it will prolong your recovery (that't just my opinion). Good luck and YOU CAN DO THIS.
Helpful - 0
495284 tn?1333894042
COMMUNITY LEADER
bump
Helpful - 0
4202953 tn?1377183506
Hi! It's great that you're catching this so early on and I second talking to your doctor. You'd probably be surprised at how supportive he will be if you are honest that you want him to help you come up with a taper plan to get off the pills. It's a rough first couple of days but it will get easier! Good luck!
Helpful - 0
5347058 tn?1381188426
Hi and welcome! This has happened to so many, including me. Sarah is right, the pain pills turn on you, and they do it fast! The good news is that you are on a relatively small dose. The dose you are on, how long you've been taking them, age, and general health all can play a role in length and severity of withdrawls. Definitely check with your doctor to make sure that you are healthy enough to do detox at home. If the dr. ok's you to do this, there are a ton of things that can make the process easier. At the bottom of the page is the Thomas Recipe. It is full of good vitamins and supplements that help the healing process along. Nutrition and hydration play a huge role in recovery. Keep us updated and we can help with any specific symptoms you may have. This site is a wonderful place to get support and encouragement. We are here for you and want to see you succeed! Good luck to you, and take care of yourself!
Helpful - 0
495284 tn?1333894042
COMMUNITY LEADER
This happens very quickly but you caught it early.  Those pain meds have their place but they turn on us in a heartbeat.  Please keep us posted on how you are doing.  It is pretty quiet here as most are sleeping so check back in the morning too as most will be on the forum.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you the information.  I would never have thought I'd find myself in this position.  So disappointing.  
Helpful - 0
495284 tn?1333894042
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hi and welcome to the forum~

I would really talk with your doctor about this given your medical history.  He will be able to monitor you while you are tapering.  What you were feeling was withdrawals.  They can last for a good week with day 3-4 being the worst.  Tapering helps lessen the severity.  It is a good idea to get off them as soon as you can.  Our brain and body can play some nasty games with us.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Addiction: Substance Abuse Community

Top Addiction Answerers
495284 tn?1333894042
City of Dominatrix, MN
Avatar universal
phoenix, AZ
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
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.