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in the same boat. i couldn't believe i wasn't reading about me. small business-4 kids and no time to do anything. was thinking about methadone through a fluke online. work hard-no time for any playing -need hepl too
i fully sympathize with your dilemna but
sometimes it is time to face facts. the
facts may not be pleasant. from your
description of your pain i suggest that
you contact a rheumatologist or a pain
specialist. you are describing something
that sounds very much like a condition
called fibromyalgia. it is over all
muscle pain and muscle spasms and there
are many symtoms. it is very under diagnosed. it is diagnosed mainly by eliminating everything else. tests usually include thyroid, lupus, arthritis, and more. there are 18 tender
points on the body and you must have 11 to be diagnosed with fibromyalgia. it can have many symtoms but pain is the most prevelent. you may need pain killers the rest of your life. it is not something anyone likes to face, but many
of us have had to. research fibromyalgia
on your web and see if you fit the criteria. if so, suggest it to your doctor. they don't like to diagnose it
because though not fatal it is not curable at this time. it is legal grounds for disability from the government also. some have mild enough
pain to allow them to work, while many
others cannot. i hope this helps your
search for help. sincerely, Nora
I will email you, I have been to this hell.
I'd be happy to guide you the best I CAN (suggestion
insights/experiences/etc...)
The tappering off is the slow painful way to go
BUT there's non-nargotic things to help you along.
Your up against a double whamy
1) the initial reason for needing it
2) And the fact that there is no easy way out -for sure-
not at 350-400mg a day.
Do you have insurance ?
also I notice this post from a couple of months ago
maybeee you've solved your painful problem?
Christophe
over a period of 3 weeks, with the doseage decreasing each week.
ALSO it helps if you have someone you can trust (spouse,parents),
giving you your dosage each day, that way you can't take more
than you should each day (it's that will power thing), because I would just take more if I hurt, thus making it impossible to taper down. It's the ONLY thing that finally worked after 3 years of fighting with it!! I still have strong cravings for it
though, it never really ends.
I was shocked to see that someone is going through the samething I am. I am now on Oxycontin 40mg 2XDAY. That's what I'm prescribed at least. Like you, they started me on the 10mg and worked myself on up to this. Of course, need less to say, I am taking so much more than I am supposed too. I even started buying them of the street.
My diagnoses is: degenerative disc disease, which has caused me 5 herniated disc in my lower back. I was born with this bone disease that no one can put a name on. I have went through physical therapy, radiofrequency ( they burned all the nerves in my back), steriod injections and just anything that they could think of. The pain management clinic ran out of help so they just keep my on the pills. As long as I take them, I can be a mother, college student, and socialize somewhat. Without them, I cripple up and can't hardly walk or function at all. It has consumed my life in so many ways. But without them I couldn't have a life. I don't know what to do. I also got so desprate, I started all the alternative medicine, like acupuncture and herbs.
I have tried everything, so I feel helpless. I spend all my extra money for the extra pills I have to buy off the street (which is about $160.00 to $200.00 a day). I just got through making it without my pills for two weeks. I guess I spent almost $2000.00 just in the last two weeks just to make it to my doctors appointment. When I run out, everyone suffers in my family. I go through the awful withdrawls, then I have the excrutating pain, and also really bad panic attacks because I don't have any. I am driving my mother up the wall. The doctors have had me on some kind of pain medicine since I was 14. I am now 27, with two kids. I can't draw disability and can't work long enough hours to support me and my kids, so I go to school and live off my pell grants.
Help!!! I am living a nightmare with no possible way of waking up. My email is ***@****. If anyone has any information or just support, please email me.
Danny, I know what you are going through. Maybe we can support each other and find some help somewhere. Thank you for speaking out. I am sure there are plenty of us out there with the same nightmare.
I don't know when you posted this but I hope you have since found a solution. I would like to think this could not happen to me, I am currently taken 1 to 2 tablets a day depending on my pain.
I pray that you have found help and can reply to my concerns.
Sincerely,
Lisa
Give yourself some breaks from it (and see if you are psychologically craving it). Only then will you even have a chance at keeping it under control. If you have true, chronic severe pain, you may need opiates for the rest of your life. You will become tolerant to them, requiring increasing dosages for the same effect (everyone does). Unless you have a pain clinic or doc that is willing to continue increasing dosages no matter how high in order to give you relief, you will go through hell when the meds run out. Remember, you may like how you feel now, we all did in the beginning. Then when the monkey turns into a 700lb. gorilla on your back, it doesn't seem like much fun anymore. Sorry for the bad news, but it's the truth.
Oh ya in the process of prescribing me medication he had prescribed 60mg of m.s.contin, also 50 mg phentinyl patches. plus the oxycontin. (not all at the same time)
Can anyone tell me if a doctor can prescribe all those heavy medications then take you off cold turkey? I know revenge is not a very Godly way but I feel this doctor totally messed my life up and I want to take some recourse, even if it means a mall practice suit. Can anyone steer me in the right direction? I mean how many others are going to have to suffer because of his unethical practices?
I ran out a few days before my refills and he refused to give me any more. I did everything but beg him to not make me go off of them cold turkey as I already new the hell of withdrawls as I have tried getting off them by my self.
The dr. was adamint about not giving me any more even though he new I was going to have hard withdrawls. I made a mistake and told the dr. what I thought of him and ended up in jail. I have never been in jail before and had no idea what to expect. Because I was going through with drawls they through me in the drunk tank, in solitary confinement No toilet no nothing, just a floor and a one inch mat, the floor sloped to the drain hole. They kept me there for thirteen days, the first ten was the worst, I vomited constantly as I could not eat nothing this became dry heaves. I had all the symptoms hot and cold sweats caughing and uncontrolibe diareah. I don't know if this is a typical symptem but I also had multible seizures?
I was forced to sleep in my own vomit and diareah. Think God I don't remember a lot of what happened during that time withdrawl,
but with the pain of my deseases and the cold turkey coupled with being in one of the most unsanitary uncomfortable place one can be, I have not had a nights sleep without having nightmares about that particular hell on earth. I made it through it and am off all narcotics! The problem now is the pain is worse then ever, I have an appointment with a reputable pain center that may help.
Anyway I just wanted to say cold turkey is not the way to go!!
your with drawal while you are asleep),help me get off the
oxycotin without withdrawal symptons.
Power to all Chronic Pain Sufferers! It is our duty to warn other would-be OxyContin users of the true impact this dangerous drug can have on their already pleasure-challenged lives.
As many of you will know, OxyContin has been hailed as the greatest thing since sliced bread by the World Pain-Control Community. A unique (read: diabolical) controlled-release form of oxycodone, it's maufacturer, Purdue Pharma L.P. warns against use by persons with hypersensitivity to oxycodone, and of other contra-indications such as prolonged coughing in persons with repiratory problems such as asthma. But NOWHERE is there any real information concerning the incredibly addictive nature of the product, other than a small " may be addictive" somewhere on their website. None of the physicians/psychiatrists I saw even mentioned addiction, so readily do they embrace any new analgesic. Isn't it about time the medical profession viewed such drugs with a little healthy sceptiscism, rather than hailing every new product as the holy grail? I seem to remember a similar situation with Prozac, which has undergone several re-incarnations as Zoloft and, of late, Cipramil. How much longer are we, the (paying) long-suffering public to be subjected to these slick, quick-talking drug companies whose products are released long before the real side effects can be ascertained. I know I can't beat this stuff the way I did Endone and MSContin. I have taken the unusual step of organising a private hospital who will admit me at any time of the day or night, and will administer sufficient morphine over the next 2-3 weeks to enable me to comfortably withdraw from OxyContin. This course of action has the full approval of the local psychiatric profession, and may offer some hope to others caught in the OxyContin web. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to you all. Good Luck!
I read your stories today, and I almost cried. How is it possible that people can end up on drugs whose effects on their lives can be catastrophic? I spoke to another shrink this morning who believes he can supply the answer. Off the record, he has given me the names of two Chinese gentlemen who are both Eastern-trained in the art/science of acupuncture. He has assured me that they can help with both the pain problem and the addiction problem. He quoted me a number of examples of people in similar situations to ourselves who, through properly (read Eastern, not East/West) administered acupuncture, are back in the mainstream of life again. jesus, what a truly magic feeling that must be, rather than a helpless incapacitated wreck, I'll DEFINITELY keep this list posted on the success or otherwise of the treatment. If it works, who knows, I may see you here in Australia. Seems worth donating time and money (if you have any left)to helping others battle this insidious stuff.
Remember, you're not alone. There are so many people just like you in the world, trying their best to rid their lives of opiate-based analgesics. What's missing is the will to help others. Hopefully, that's what people find here.
God Bless.
Laurie
I, like you, had my own company, and worked extreme hours. Pain in my upper back, and legs were killing me. The pain was constant and never ending. It was like a heavy wet coat that I could not take off. My back problem was a herniated disk at the T7-T8. My spinal chord had 30 percent compression and the disk raidiated to the left causing extreme pain on the left side and around to my chest. It took going thru 10 different doctors and 3 years to diagnose this. I lost my wife of 25 years, my son, my business, and most of my friends because of this. They all though I was insane. It is now 6 years later and I am still fighting the fight of my life for my health.
God be with you.
Adrian
I had always mentioned each month when calling in for my medications whether or not I had taken more than I should have--and WHY. Needless to say--I was so sore for the next following 7-8 days that I could barely walk, subsequently--I took 30 days of oxycontin in 24 days--(remember only 2 pills per day was prescribed). Then, unable to sleep only magnified and intensified the pain--so needless to say--I took too many. When the office nurse called me back--she merely identified herself, I had to hear her say: "I'm sorry--but Doctor X. is NOT going to prescribe ANY MORE for you--you are taking an extrememly HIGH amount of narcotics as it is--and he's just not going to do it."
I was dumbfounded--how would I, someone who has been, at age 45, disabled 100%(fibromyalgia,depression) 3 years with a husband that is working a full time job 3rd shift-owning a poultry farm with 55,000 chicks at a time to tend, daytimes, in 3 houses--2 sons--16 and 18--getting up the past 3 years at 5:30am to get most of the work done beFORE they even go to school
and the least they expect of me is that I TRY to get most of the groceries--and if unable to throw down a meal on the table--at least have something they can pop in the microwave.....and HOW IGNORANT THAT A DOCTOR WOULD DO THE VERY THING THE DRUGSTORE LEAFLET SAYS NOT TO DO---'DO NO STOP TAKING THIS DRUG SUDDENLY'.
There is more--but let me add, since I seem to be only venting--that with vomiting and diahrea, uncontrollable movements of my entire body--including facial muscles, run away heartbeats, hot flashes, cold sweats, insomnia, 'restless leg syndrome-'*on top of uncontrollable motions--like bugs have been crawling--it is now day 6--one week tomorrow--I have lost 16 pounds in 6 days--this DOCTOR, so called, anyhow--HAD told me about addiction--but like any MALE DOCTOR that has delivered the highest number of babies in the world--CHILDBIRTH IS ONLY A 'CONCEPT' TO THAT DOC--NEVER A REALITY---DITTO---A HEALTHY DOCTOR ONLY HAS A 'CONCEPT' OF THE PAIN YOU ALL AND MYSELF HAVE BEEN IN OVER THE YEARS--AND QUITE UNPROFESSIONALLY--MY DOCTOR WAS TOO CHICKEN TO MAKE THE CALL HIMSELF. WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHATSOEVER--NONE--I WAS FORCED INTO WITHDRAWAL, 16 POUNDS AGO--HOW LONG CAN I EXPECT THIS WITHDRAWAL TO LAST--I CANNOT NOR CAN MY FAMILY TAKE MUCH MORE--AND IT HAS ONLY BEEN 6 DAYS....TERRYELLEN....any ideas on 80 mgs since Nov--and some occasional 120 mg days of oxycontin doses--how much longer I have to deal with this god-awful body of mine deceiving me? I cannot take it---please, if any ideas, email me @ ***@**** txs, terryellen
THE PAIN IS PRESENT SITTING STILL OR LYING DOWN, IT NEVER STOPS
THE PAIN IS 24 HOURS A DAY, FOR 5 YEARS NOW. RECENTLY I WAS STARTED ON OXYCONTIN 20mgs 2 TIMES A DAY. THEN IT WAS RAISED TO 40mgs,2 TIMES A DAY,WHICH I AM CURRENTLY ON. I HAVE HAD SEVERE NAUSEA WITH HEAVY SWEATING AND JUST BURNING UP THAT LAST A FEW MINUTES TO AT LEAST A HALF AN HOUR.AND BOUTS OF FREEZING , A COUPLE OF TIMES I HAVE WENT INTO HYPOTHERMIA WITHIN A MINUTE OR TWO AFTER GETING UP FROM THE BED. I HAVE LOST MY APPATITE AND HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO EAT A NORMAL MEAL THE LAST 4 WEEKS BECAUSE OF THE NAUSEA. SOME DAYS I CAN'T EAT AT ALL (3 DAYS AT A TIME ). I NOW TAKE METOCLOPRAM 10mgs BEFORE EACH MEAL AND AT BEDTIME. JUST SO I CAN EAT. IT HAS HELPED A LITTLE, BUT I'M NOT BACK TO NORMAL YET.
I TAKE SENOKOT AND JUST RECENTLY STOPED TERAZOSIN 5mgs JUST TO BE ABLE TO GO TO THE BATHROOM. SO I HAVE TO TAKE PILLS ( TO EAT,) AND PILLS TO GET RID OF IT. CONSTIPATION IS REAL BAD.
80mgs OXYCONTIN A DAY DOESN'T TAKE ALL THE PAIN AWAY, BUT IT HAS HELPED WHEN I'M STILL AND NOT MOVING ARROUND. IT DOESN'T LAST 12 HOURS LIKE IT'S SUPPOSED TOO. SO FAR THE SIDE EFFECTS ARE ALMOST AS BAD AS THE PAIN. EVERY DAY I THINK IT'S NOT WORTH IT. BUT THEN I THINK OF THE ALTERNITIVE, AND CONTINUE ON.
I WISH I COULD HELP YOU DAN. BUT SO FAR I DON'T HAVE ANY POSITIVE EXPERINCES TO SHARE WITH YOU. MAYBE ONE OF THESE DAYS.
all the best,
Karen
Thanks for listening
Traci Janes
I snort these pills 100% of the time now. I don't know how to stop it.
I have started to buy them on the street so I won't suffer.
I have had 3 back surgeries and have 2 more herniated discs. I have a multi-level fusion in my future.
I know I need to take them so that I can function but, it has become so much more.
It consumes me 24 hours a day. Its all I think about. I am locked in an oxycontin jail! I feel like I'm suffocating. I'm tired of fighting this fight every month. I count the days until my next refill because I am always out! Is it because I need to up my dosage? I'm afraid to talk to my doctor. I feel like a criminal. Please give me some advise. And what other drugs (besides opiates) will relieve the withdrawels? What do you think about Neurontin? I would appreciate any feed back anyone can give. Thanks to all and my heart is with you.
IT WILL ALL GO AWAY
AND YOU'LL ALL BE BACK TO NORMAL ONCE YOU ACCEPT YOU CANT DO IT NEMORE.
I had to overdose to realize...
Then kept doin um... and stopped breathing while I waz sleeping.
And that scared me into staying clean.
IT WILL HAPPEN TO YOU
DONT SAY IT WONT BE U.
NE1 CAN OVERDOSE.
The beginning of summer I started seeing a chiropractor that also does acupressure. After a couple weeks, I was able to walk a couple miles, slowly, but at least I could walk a distance. Now a few months later I'm nearly off the Oxycontin. At first I tried 20 mg. less, didn't work, the pain and buggy feelings were too great. Then, after talking to the PA at the pain clinic, I've tapered my oxycontin 10 mg. every 5 days. When my legs get buggy I walk, alot.
Compared to others stories of withdrawal...mines been a cinch. The walking helps me sleep. I still have pain but it's bearable. But I don't think I could be down to 10 mg. a day without the Lyrica, though. Even if I miss just one dose I'm ready for more pain meds. It worries me dropping that last 10 mg. It means that if I'm in pain, I won't have that immediate help available.
Thank god I am not working, and that my husband is helping us get by, but I've been on a 2 years stretch as well - not cool. Cannot cope when I come off the stuff because of constant pain (back - car accident, facet joints had surgery on, spondylolisthesis, .....).
Also when I quit, mentally it "F's" me all up!!!! Depression so I too want to "end it," and an anxiety I have never known in my life except when I was almost raped by 2 men chasing me! Literally, that is the heightened state of anxiety I get. I also tried explaining this to my most recent doc. Who time and again keeps prescibing antidepressant drugs. NOT going to help while I'm in the middle of w/drawal. The damn things take weeks before they start, and if you ask me, they still don't work then. Your brain is not going to make it's own endorphins, etc. when it knows it has enough from the oxy! SO I asked for a drug which has worked for me in the past - alprazolam - and do you know what he said?
No, it's addictive! SAY WHAT!? He also pulled that with my ambian. I'd rather be addicted to ambian and it's w/drawals of being awake most of the night than on narcotics! I figured the ambian would keep me from waking and requiring yet more oxy to sleep. Or patches (they were BAD mentally, and physically, I came VERY close to death with those damn things.
So the end my story I had obtained 10 pills a month of ambian at least. He also never prescribed the drug which I knew worked for my anxiety from past ER visits. I had to go and order them off THE NET for $200 a pop, and then make an apt. w/ a psychiatrist, to further them.
They worked! I was able to get through the anxiety. Anxiety which has brought me to the ER on several occassions when I tried quitting. I was in TERRIBLE shape. I did manage to quit the oxy for a month, and take myself gradually off of the alprazolam with MUCH more easibility. The ambian helped during the initial few days of hell (time released ambian).
Another trick used is "tramadol." Many I know from work has sworn by this making you feel better while in w/drawal. It did a little for me, but for others, it apparently works much better!
I think there is also something called the "Tom's recipe."
Sorry if I'm a bit all over the place, tired.
But that's about it.
Best of luck,
K.
IF ANYTHING I HOPE THIS HELPS PEOPLE KNOW THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT BEATS THIS, NOT JUST PEOPLE GOING THROUGH THE SAME WDRAWLS OVER AND OVER.......... I WILL KEEP YOU ALL IN MY PRAYERS......
Hi
I'm new to these forums, due unfortunately to the worst weekend of my entire life.
This drug (Oxycontin is a monster!!!! Get off it as soon as you can.
I have suffered chronic back pain for the past 10 months. The pain is almost unbearable at times.
After all else failed, my GP prescribed me 40mg oxycontin daily.
Wonder of wonders!!! they worked and I was almost pain free for a couple of weeks.
After 6 weeks, they didn't work so well, and I was on the brink of going back to the GP to have my dose increased.
A few wees ago, I ran out and ordered an emergency prescription.
Cutting a very long story short, my husband forgot to pick up the prescription so I had to wait and go without the drug all weekend.
Within 24 hours I was shaking, couldn't breathe, coughing, shivers chills the lot.
Basically, I realised I was suffering withdrawal symptoms.
I had the worst weekend of my life and have never felt so ill.
If I had an oxycontin in the house, I would have taken the damn thing to make me feel better and for these awful symptoms to go away.
While checking the withdrawal symptoms for the monster drug, I came across an old forum linked to this site, full of what I can only describe as a forum of ' lost souls'
Mostly all very genuine people like me, normal housewives, and husbands who were not drug abusers, but given oxycontin for genuine back pain.
They were all pitifully addicted to this drug and had no hope of getting off it.
Their lives were in ruins and they had no hope.
The withdrawal symptoms that hit me after 6 shorts weeks of use, were monsterous.
These poor lost souls were on a higher dose than me, and had no hope of quitting.
Needless to say, after doing my cold turkey, I have not gone back on the tablets and am suffering terribly again and my quality of life is zero sometimes.
Please please stop taking Oxycontin if you can.... it's a monster drug and highly addictive.
Don't end up suffering like me and the forum of lost souls.
I sencerely hope you all manage to find some alternative.
Kindest regards
I didn't intend to frighten anyone with my post above. We are all indeviduals and I guess this drug will not affect some people in the way it does others.
I'm by no means an expert on this drug, but simply wanted to warn others just how addictive it is, and how awful the withdrawal symptoms can be once the drug takes hold.(In my case, 6 short weeks).
If you really want to come off it, then I very strongly advise you, as with all other medications, to cut down very gradually, and inform your GP of your intentions.
Please do not just stop taking them like I did, I'm positive that gradually lowering the dose over a period of time is the way to go.
Wishing you the very best of luck
Layne
p.s. It has scared the life out of me about what could have happened a year down the line.
I know that 12 months in the future, I would have been on such a high dose that turning back would have been almost impossible.
So far this has worked for me. I have successfuly switched over to just the methadone, which is great becuase I was having to be perscribed high doses due to the pain and the amount of time I have been on this medicine. My plan is to quickly as possible wean off the methadone, hopefully 10-14 days no longer, so my body doesn't get accustomed to the methadone. After that I plan on just stoping. Will see how it goes.
I graduated to oxy's from percs and I was doing 400mg or 5x80mg of oxy's a day when I decided to go on methadone ( which I will refer to as Meth). I would go through some of the symptoms you's have described here but they were not too sever. I would do pills for 3 days then quit for 2 or 3 then do them again. I did this because after 3 days I never got high! Then When I ran out of pills I would feel ill for a few days no more than 3. I would have the sh--s, runny nose and just feel weak.
I was selling oxys as well as doing them so I really never paid out of pocket for them. One of the guys I was selling to told me that he quit pills and went on meth and that he felt great! I knew nothing of meth so I decided that 3 days of sickness would be a thing of the past and off to the clinic I went.
My wife was not doing oxys as much as me, she was into percs more! But being the soulmate she is, she decided that we would do this together! We started out at 25mg and went as high as 75mg. Well they told me nothing of the side effects of methadone!
1. erectile difficulties- After I got to around 35mg I was unable to get an erection! This meant I had to get testosterone shots twice a week! This is in a sesame seed oil which is thick stuff, so this meant I had to sit still for about 30 to 45 seconds while I had a nurse slowly push this into my arm muscle!
2. missed drinks!- Hot and cold flashes, unable to sleep, muscle spasms the very night we missed a drink! all this after missing only 1 drink when we were at the 20mg and under. When we were at higher levels you had untill noon the next day before you started to feel withdrawl.
3. Methadone Withdrawl!- The severity of this varies from person to person and also it has been said that the dosage level can have an effect on the severity of withdrawl sysmptoms, but from my own experience, and the experience of others at various levels under 80mg and as low as 1mg, have all suffered the same effects and for upto a month!
This is my personal experience from meth withdrawl.
week 1- the next day after not taking my drink I got hot and cold flashes by week end I was bed riddin an un able to sleep! Here are the effects I went through, sneezing, yawning, tearing of eyes, runny nose, excessive perspiration, fever, dilated pupils, abdominal cramps, nausea, body aches tremors ( these are the worse flopping aroung like a fish out of water ), irritability and my favorite diarrhea! The worst thing is that these lasted for 3 yes 3 weeks!
As I layed there wanting to move towards the light I had to think about my sister who was 39 3 months ago when she died in her sleep! I was responsible for getting her on meth cause I felt like **** taking her money for drugs! Her dose was 120mg and she took clonidine that was prescribed from her meth doctor. She died because of meth and she did nothing wrong! This was my motivation to quit cld turkey! We were nly at 15 mg when we did this, but I have heard the same horror story from people who quit in the ranges frm 85- 1 mg. The guy at 1mg went through the same pain and severity of withdrawl as did us and the guy at 85mg. So don't buy into the meth myth! Take you 3-4 days of feeling like **** because it sure beats 3 - 4 weeks!
Tapper your dose down and get lots of pepto or immodium, gravol, and also it wouldn't hurt to use your drug knowledge to aquire some good sleepers cause that OTC stuff doesn't work! OTC is over the counter for those of you who are wondering! lol and when you feel that you can keep liquids down, drink some boost or ensure!
DON"T TAKE METHADONE IT WILL TAKE 3 WEEKS TO GET OFF COMPARED TO THREE DAYS! Feel free to email me Irelands_Son***@****
Good luck,
Yoda
clean from oxys 8 mos. now
Please do go and post an up to date message on the new forums, but as this old forum still shows up on the searches I'm sure all the info posted on here could help someone.
It did me, and after reading all the horror stories on here I was lucky enough to get off them.
So a huge thank you from me.
I have a hell of a lot to thank this old forum for.
My best wishes to all trying to get off Oxy and all the other drugs and my heartfelt congrats to all who have managed it.
Layne
I like adding to old post
oh by the way my very first-longer post didn't go thru, as i am one of those who kept seeing this old web site over the past 1-2 years while searchin for help--and now see that some recent posts have been added--hope someone out there respond--especially if there's someone like "Brian" from the start of the board who seemd like an expert and moderator. THANKS!!!
and felt very little w/d discomfort--although back hurt. So i know this cold turkey w/d pain is totally not necessary and i see no need in going thru that hell unless ya have to. THANKS
I weaned myself off of the medication a few weeks ago, with a pretty straightforward plan:
1) Got doctor to prescribe me Clonodine, 3X per day (don't know if you know this, but I think opiates have a weird affect on your blood pressure - mine skyrocketed while on it, up to over 160/115 with 120 pulse - higher while jonesin'. The Clonodine helps tremendously with that, and in turn will help with SOME of the WD's. Even still, although some proclaim it is, it isn't a miracle drug by any means.
2) Got doctor to prescribe Lorazepam (Ativan). One or two steps below valium (diazepam), but still very affective. Funny that you learn all of the technical/street names of controlled substances while on opiates (wonder how many of you are the same). Can be abused, but used in combo with clonodine, worked very well.
3) I think more importantly, I had a big goal in life that couldn't be accomplished in combo with taking pills, and that was the need to travel (in the US and outside). Would've been too much trouble. This alone I think is what made me want to taper off.
4) Just as important was exercise - trust me, it's better than any other medication to get off of opiates (maybe aside from Subutex/Suboxone/Buprenephrine). I spent most of my days at somewhat distant KOA locations (campgrounds) with my dog. We did tons of hiking in the mountains and beaches here. Lot's of positives came from that, I slept better at night, lost lots of weight b/c of no appetite and exercise, and it keeps your mind BUSY. Sitting around, doing nothing is probably the one thing that would've kept me from coming off of the stuff. Besides, I think most everyone will have an excess of energy/nervous energy after a few days of being off of the stuff. A feeling you wouldn't know while being on opiates.
All of this took place after I had weaned myself down to a level that started causing withdrawals (down to pilling twice a day). It's easier than you think to get down to that level, especially if you voluntarily cut off your sources (I.E. your doctor). Knowing that you can't get anymore is pretty helpful. If you can't do it that way, then leave for a "vacation" of sorts to a place that you're unfamiliar with (see #4).
Even after taking a couple of 15 mg oxys per day, and coming off of that cold turkey was still HARD (took 5 days, with bowel problems, mucho nervous energy, manic highs and lows, you name it). So I would advise anyone wanting to quit to get down to a level that's relatively small to what they take daily - if you're motivated, it's not as difficult as you think. Otherwise, you'll be in for a more severe bout of WD's, than what I had.
For the next 5 days, I didn't eat anything other than bland foods (i.e., plain bread, chicken noodle soup, plain tuna, granola, LOTS of water, etc), and took Immodium AD as directed. If you don't, you're guaranteed bowel probelms will get much worse.
Also took one tylenol PM (sometimes two if worse) right before bed to help me sleep, and to keep the flu-like back pains from getting too bad. Also TUMS to keep the heartburn and churning stomach down a bit.
Having someone to talk to can help (if someone will be willing to put up with you for a few days).
That's about all there was to what I did. For those coming off of the stuff, it gets exponentially easier as each day passes. If you're at a level like me when coming off, you'll feel much better after day 3. Oh, and the natural high you get knowing you kicked a drug equally as potent (if not more) than high grade heroin, will make you feel good, and help keep you off of the stuff as the days progress.
I wish the best to those that are gonna tackle it on their own. It's a tough road, but one that you'll thank yourself for taking. Good luck all!
This post was started some 8 years ago. It will be returned to archives and no one will see what you wrote. If you want to post in the open forum where others will read it, please go to the top of this page and hit the "post a question" button. There you can start your own post. Take care. Hope to see you in the forum.
I know I have become addicted to oxy's as I am suffering withdrawal symptoms right now: coughing, sneezing, runny nose, stomache complications, shortness of breath, teary/irritable and the chills...oh man, the chills are nasty.
I sympathize with everyone and am unable to offer adviice as I have not talked to anyone. The doseage I was taking was 20-40 mg a day, mixed with 1-3 drinks. I am experiencing symptoms after 3 weeks...seems crazy compared to other postings but I feel pretty horrible, and am not happy to hear that people are going through a nightmare with this drug.
For those on lower doses then above, this is all I can say:
I have been through this before and the only thing I can recommend is go to the drugstore and arm yourself with meds that will ease the uncofortable feelings from the runny nose, stomache ailments, and other flu like symptoms. Go to the grocery store and buy something for all cravings. Go to the movie store and rent a bunch of movies. Take 2 extra days off of work and go to bed! You will feel better! Again, I have been through this before and it took a few weeks to get back to feeling normal...you can do it...you can! Get off this stuff, and if you have someone pushing this on you...make sure they are around to help you when you are trying to kick it. They played a role too!
Take Care!
I have been off the Vicodin for 23 days now. I feel like my old self - I have my sense of humor back. I go to Physical Therapy/Pain Specialist Tuesday to see about other meds for this horrible pain I have.
It's funny, but I can be pain-free, then it all comes on me like a tidal wave. I hate feeling like this. We are going to discuss a low dose of Darvocet, and also arthritis meds. While I feel great mentally, I remember now why I had to have my Vicodin. I don't want any more of that, but I do need something. Any suggestions anyone?
Oh - I know this post is 8 years old, but it speaks to people here and now, just like it did 8 years ago. Look how many are responding to this, and keeping it going with new thoughts to share. It would be ashamed to archive it.
After reading Danny's post, I see that he was not taking Oxy to get high...He had real pain issues and was doing it as prescribed. I need to think about that...I guess in 99' Dr.s were passing out Oxy like candy.
Shell
We would love to talk with you.
What kind of things have you all done to decrease the effects of withdrawal? A buddy gave me a Suboxone one day a few weeks ago and it was magical. It lasted at least 24-30 hours and all of my withdrawal effects were gone. I want to stop this insanity but it's gonna take a lot of help from others and diligence on my part that I am not sure I have. The doc mentioned that I may need Methadone therapy. What are your thoughts on this?
I have had severe back and shoulder pain most of my adult life. I have gone through the gamit of Oxy,Methadone,and various other opiate pain killers.Since I was 17 yrs.old I have been taking these various precribed drugs and I am 54 yrs. old now. I curently take 12 mgs. a day of suboxone and as long as I take them as precribed.It works for my pain.Can anyone tell me how long and the sevarity of the withdrawals to expect if I try to kick.As it is very hard for me to gradually wean myself off them.
Thanks
John L.
Good luck,
Greatgreebo
We would love to talk with you. You will get more answers this way.
Peace.
Now, I was lucky in that my dosage never exceeded 20 mg a day. I would take a 10 mg tab and chop into 3 parts, crush it, and snort it. So I was only taking just over 3 mg at a time. But as the months wore on, the time between "needing" a dose grew shorter and shorter, from 6 hrs initially, down to 2 hrs.
My lifestyle was changing, as well. I couldn't get through a day's work without my Oxy. I couldn't go out without carrying some Oxy with me. The thought of going on holidays with my family was frightening. I tried to stop once and had a night of no sleep and feeling like hell. I knew I had to stop, but while it was available, I couldn't, nor did I want to stop.
Finally the day came when my supplier vanished. I had been reading the posts above and was not looking forward to the withdrawals. Now here's the good news for low dosers like me. It only takes a few days to go back to get back to normal. The first night I had no sleep. The next day I felt like s**t, ( tired, skin crawling and hot flushes, stomach cramps, loose bowels) but I forced my way through it. That night I took one my spouse's Mogadon 5mg, and slept like a log. The following day I felt great. My skin was still a little crawly, but I was able to largely ignore that. The tummy came back to normal, as well. The next few nights I took 1/2 a Moggy, just to ensure that I would sleep. By day 4, I was discussing where we were going to holiday. It's been 10 days since my last Oxy and I haven't looked back.
Ok, so what am I saying here? Just that for you folks who have just started Oxycontin, prescribed or not, look for another, less addictive alternative. Express your concerns with your doctor if your Oxy is prescribed. If you are obtaining them illicitly, STOP NOW. If what I went through was from taking low doses, I would have hated to have gotten to the point where my daily dosage reached 60 mg or more. Oh, and another thing. I had successfully quit smoking for 4 months on that terrible day I started taking Oxy. Now I'm back to a pack a day. So my next step is to go back to my smoking cessation clinic and kick that addiction as well.
Now, I was lucky in that my dosage never exceeded 20 mg a day. I would take a 10 mg tab and chop into 3 parts, crush it, and snort it. So I was only taking just over 3 mg at a time. But as the months wore on, the time between "needing" a dose grew shorter and shorter, from 6 hrs initially, down to 2 hrs.
My lifestyle was changing, as well. I couldn't get through a day's work without my Oxy. I couldn't go out without carrying some Oxy with me. The thought of going on holidays with my family was frightening. I tried to stop once and had a night of no sleep and feeling like hell. I knew I had to stop, but while it was available, I couldn't, nor did I want to stop.
Finally the day came when my supplier vanished. I had been reading the posts above and was not looking forward to the withdrawals. Now here's the good news for low dosers like me. It only takes a few days to go back to get back to normal. The first night I had no sleep. The next day I felt like s**t, ( tired, skin crawling and hot flushes, stomach cramps, loose bowels) but I forced my way through it. That night I took one my spouse's Mogadon 5mg, and slept like a log. The following day I felt great. My skin was still a little crawly, but I was able to largely ignore that. The tummy came back to normal, as well. The next few nights I took 1/2 a Moggy, just to ensure that I would sleep. By day 4, I was discussing where we were going to holiday. It's been 10 days since my last Oxy and I haven't looked back.
Ok, so what am I saying here? Just that for you folks who have just started Oxycontin, prescribed or not, look for another, less addictive alternative. Express your concerns with your doctor if your Oxy is prescribed. If you are obtaining them illicitly, STOP NOW. If what I went through was from taking low doses, I would have hated to have gotten to the point where my daily dosage reached 60 mg or more. Oh, and another thing. I had successfully quit smoking for 4 months on that terrible day I started taking Oxy. Now I'm back to a pack a day. So my next step is to go back to my smoking cessation clinic and kick that addiction as well.
David.
and to the person wanting to sue their dr... lol, Im sure that the dr. has kept records on instances where he has questioned your addiction, Because we are all on here because we are addicted, not because we tried oxy and never did it again, so good luck going against your past (documented) actions. It is actually a pain docs job to be a hard *** and make sure that the person is doing what is prescribed, and Im sure he acted how he had too, besides... by law he cannot prescribe you anymore before your script is up anyways. triple scrips are watched, and monitored... it just sounded like a lot of the people on here were in the same boat i was in, i didnt want to go through withdrawls.... but when its time it is time, so dont blame anyone but ourselves, i know it sucks, but like i said, we do it to ourselves and thats why it hurts so much.
Good luck and keep in touch
KittyKat32
My husband was born 27 years ago on Rt 76 heading into Philly in the back of an ambulance. His mom was only 28 weeks along and had battled with an Rh problem only to have her water break at 25 weeks... 3 weeks before he was born. He weighed in at 1lb 13 oz at birth and spent 3 months at HUP in Philladelphia. He has problems with his left side all of his life and was told his nerves were underdeveloped. The whole left side of his body is smaller than the right and he has a noticable limp. He also has very little control of his left hand and foot. He is a smoker and can't even ash his ciggarette with his left hand. Anyway, about 2 years ago, he started having severe pain in his left hip, knee, ankle, neck and back so we started aggressively seeking medical help for his problems. He was referred to a Neurologist about 6 months after being started on NSAIDS, and failing. The Dr. bumped him from them to Vicoden, to Norco, to Percocet, then finally, the Oxy's. In February of this year, we again went to see his Neurologist for a checkup. He had been having a hard time at work and we were talking about going for disability but the diagnosis they had given him was chronic pain, which didn't explain the weakness on his left side. When we met with the Neurologist this time, we had gotten his medical records from when he was born to give to him to maybe shed some more light on his "condition". After spending about an hour with us and going over his record the Dr. diagnosed him with Cerebral Palsy. He's had it his whole life. To say we were shocked was an understatement. Floored, devastated, outraged at the fact that he had never been diagnosed, as well as glad to finally have a name for his problems. His meds right now are the oxy's, Dantrium for muscle spasticity, Neurontin and Nortriptilyne. He just saw a rehab Dr. to specialize his rehab and he is taking him off of the Neurontin and Nortriptyline and putting him on two other meds. So, needless to say this will continue for the rest of his life.
Going back to the Oxy's, it is easy to see how this one drug destrys families and the individuals taking it. My husband has run out of a months supply in 2 weeks before, several times, and not only does he suffer, but so do we. (we also have 3 boys ages, 11, 8 and 5 months). I finally took the pills from him and started handing out his daily meds. I made the mistake last week of letting him know where I hid them and low and behold, he took a one more a day for a week than he is prescribed...so he's almost out. I found that is you have or can get an RX for tramadol, there are no withdrawl symptoms. Unfortunately for we don't have anymore. So I started breaking him down in his dose. Your not supposed to cut the pills but I have started cutting them into 3 pieces, so he gets a half of a pill in the morning a quarter in the afternoon and a quarter at night, this way there is something in his system and he doesn't withdraw. His pain gets worse but no sickness, chills, etc. Good luck to all of you, it's an uphill battle.
ok back to topic, being depressed is what got me into this i know it cuz when i quit oxies on the work trip i started gambling and literally losing on purpose almost, its like i had a void to fill of doing something wrong. got back into right when i got back worse than ever. now i realize i needed support, sympathy, counselling, help, i told my parents, which is prolly the hardest thing to do, knowing how anyones reaction would be to oxies, basically admitting to being a junkie aka heroin addict. it was hard at first but once it kinda sank into my parents and i told them about the withdrawals and everything they sort of had sympathy... then i told them that oxy withdrawal is considered equal or greater to heroin withdrawals they realized the whole situation even tho its prolly not true. but it made me feel better that they can at least see a bit of strength in me even at my worst moments in life.
i feel so ridculously depressed just like you, but actually hearing wut u said gave me some spirit in knowing that were not alone either, i would absolutely have to consider that we are different from most on this site, its really hard for me to even feel sympathy for most ppl here. everyone here just reminds me of the sick people i bought off of and how they controlled my life and fed me drugs charging me more when they could see i was withdrawing. i dont kno why they did it, i dont kno if they wanted to see other people live the same kind of hellish life they are living, or if they just enjoyed seeing me suffer and beg.
i read so many damn posts that say ~~~its all the persons ( i wont say addicts because we didnt ******* start as addicts) fault for taking the pill and the patients SHOULD receive medical aid no matter how many addicts out there ruining it for the rest of us "sick" people. ~~~
well then for all you sick people, i would like to point out that it is you guys who are fuelling hundreds and prolly thousands of addicts out there for money and i really ******* doubt its for money. maybe its just hard for me to understand how a sick person knowing how sympathy works and how we're all paying taxes ( in canada ) to fuckin support them. how they can go and sell the **** were giving em for like 2$ a bottle( yes its that fuckin cheap in canada for most people) for extra money. i seriously think there is like a link between character flaw and substance abuse especially with this drug, its like the weakest people get the best drug out there for free simply leaving the way for the inevitable to happen, selling to the streets( and by streets, yeah it sounds real bad but when u think of it, hell, aint nobody sellin oxies on the street, theyre selling it to their relatives, their family, their friends and the people they SHOULD care for. why is our system so flawed.
I wont for a second put u down, whoever u are reading this if u made it this far without being too disgusted of my thoughts, know that i am just stating my opinion in a spand of about 10 minutes, my opinion tends to change alot but right now i cant help but think of my highschool and the kids addicted to oxies, and the kids getting addicted, in the span of about 2 years there was at least about 30-50 known addicts in my school. yeah all it took was 5-10 sick people to **** up a bunch of potential kids lives.
for christ sake, you say you're mothers, you say you're fathers, what the **** are you doing selling to kids you sickos. and no im not saying this to you, im saying it to them, cuz theyre out there, not all sick patients are like this, im just stating what ive learned and the situation in my city basically, but i cant help but think this is prolly going on elsewhere.
and i will 100% admit it is my fault i am an addict and i wont blame it on anyone but i still have a right to my opinion because remember, there are no addicts without dealers.
I had a tri-level lower lumbar fusion L-3 to S-1 and bone spurs in my neck which give me migrains 3-4 times a week. in Oct 2002 and have been living a life of hell ever since.
My current pain manegement doctor tried this med, that med, switching me to Oxycontin 20mg 3xday and 2 Dilaudid 4 times a day, of course this worked well at first, but the 8 hour release would drop off at 5-6 hours leaving me in severe pain, I asked my doctor is he could up it by 1 to overlap that 3-4 gap, of course he wouldn't, He then switched me to Opana and Flexeril, I had severe side effects profuse sweating, my head felt like it was stuffed with mush and 1 drop more and my eyes would explode out of my head. Stomach cramps, hands and feet cold as ice, I;d have to put them inches away from a portable heater to get them work, and so fatigued even getting out of bed was a painful and sometimes I just couldn't, One time even wetting the bed because I couldn't get up. My face swelled up, my eyelids so swollen you couldn't see my eyelashes, ny face was puffy as were my tongue and throat, When I saw my doctor the following Monday I told him I couldn't tolerate the effects and asked him why my face and eyes were so swollen, He just strugged said it had nothing to do with the neds and got angy when I told him I just wanted to go back to the old presciprtion of Oxy and Dilaud, He gave in BUT when I for the refills he had cut both the Oxy from 60mg a day to 45mg a day and the dilaudid from 32mg to 20. I was shocked, and called his office to get an explanation, no response.
After 4 days the pain was so bad I was walking him a chimp and every step I had to climb to get upstairs was a agonizng stab of pain. I'd collapse in bed in tears. That Saturday I couldn't get out of bed, I finally was able to crawl to the bathroom and took my morning meds, I decided I HAD to break the pain cycle and went back to the 60mg Oxy ( 4 - 15mg pills a day) and back to 8 dilaudid a day. By Sunday I felt great, for the first time since I blew the 3 discs in my back in 2000 I could honestly say I was pain free, just the annoyance of having 9" of rods, nuts and bolts in my back, I stayed on this for 4 days, and never felt better, ZI called my doctor got the answering machine and told him what I discovered ....again no response. I stayed on the magic formula I discovered, needless to say I ran out 9 days earlier and called to get refills, Again all hell broke lose, when I picked up the precriptions at his office I was also give the boot, stating I broke his rules about opiants and he would give me 2 months worth to give me time to find a new Dr. I was stunned and asked to speak to him in person, no chance. I am now out of Oxy and Dilaudid and can't get a refill for another 4 days, I had been taking 1 Oxy and 1 Dilaudid a day for the last week, this week I had enough for 1 oxy a day and 3 dilauds left PERIOD. Needless to say the withdrawlas would get so intense that I'd finally give i and take 1 of each just to have a few hours relief. I toold my last oxy and dilaudid @ 3 hours ago and am waiting for the withdrawals to hit, hoping since I was taking such low dosages everyday for the last 8 days they won't be too bad. But I am scared to death.
I called and talked to my brother for some family support and was told if it gets to the point were I was going to do something stupid ie: take a bunch of sleeping pills in hoped to slepp through this. He told me to call 911 instead and they'd take me to the hospital and give me something to ease the syptoms (symptoms).
I called my doctor leaving him a message practically begging him to help me prescribe some thing anything to help with the withdrawals, and put me on maybe Vicodin or Norco, but I did NOT want to go back on the oxy, not when IMO I'm so close to kickin it.
To top it all off my best friend , companion and love of my life Smokey ( at cat) was diagnosed with kidney failure in the middle of all this, He was 17 years old, and I had to give him subcutaneous infusions twice a day, May 15th he crumbled in pain, rushing him to the vet I found out via x-rays that his heart was enlarged and he had a blood clot in one long, No choice but to put him down. So I have that unbearable agony of losing my best friend on top of the agony of withdrawals.
AND IMO it seems to me that my doctor just does NOT give a da*m
I'm checking into medical marijuana, that was suggested to me by an
Addictionologist and just get the heck OFF all meds. Yes people there IS a hell, and it's called withdrawal.
Jana
I'm so messed up I had to call my brother to go pick them up for me in the morning, So noe I can't sleep,and I'm watching the clock......... sad, and it makes me angry and disgusted with myself that I can't go all the way to get off them cold turkey. Luckily I have work comp and they pay 100% for my "drugs" BUT I am going to be calling a few doctors in the area who prescribe Suboxone and tell him no more opiants, The failed back fusion leaves me in unbelievable pain. but what worse? the back pain? or withdrawals? I'll take the back pain.
Also I've read that many people who have to pay cash for their presciption meds, ASK your Pharmacist if they take AAA for discounts. Mine does Safeway and the AAA plus card saved me @ 50% Which in my opinion is awesome.
Going back to bed, hoping I don't "pass out again" as I did earlier today, I got a black eye and the added pain of falling face first and laying on my stomach , which I was told that due to my 3 level fusion I could never lay on my stomach again.... And it's true I can't handle even 1 minute on my stomach without extreme pain.
7 more hours till my brother picks up my meds, this is going to be the longest and hardest day of all the withdrawals. I am praying that I can take just enough to keep the withdrawals away, but knoeing me, I'll end up taking 2-15mg Oxy and 8mg Dilaudid as soon as my brother hands them to me.
off to bed, climbing the stairs is a b**ch!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jana
Jessica
ive been on oxy conten for about a year now and just cant stop.. im going through withdrawl right as we speak, its very hard for me knowing that i wont sleep tonight and have to function through my day of work tomorrow. I''ve never been prescribed oxy and have only ever taken it recreationally off of a friend.. worst mistake of my life.. i know this isnt going to end.. why kid myself and fill my head with the notation that i will come off of it when i know i wont... where i live they dont help people like me ... they dont offer a tapering program nor a methodone program, the lucky few are able to recieve it..
but i must be off now to lie awake in my bed for approximatly 8-9 before i dose off... see you all later
--- hl
I opened adark door when I started on these. My dark personality, the one I didnt know I had came out and now I am trying to close the door and its not going down without a fight. oh dread, somebody talk to me, I feel so alone and scared
1)clonidine
2)immodium
3)ativan
This worked as well for a friend who was at 150 mg Good luck to all...
So my story? In short, I came to the doctor with abdominal pain and over the course of a few months and 31 days in the hospital, I was discharged after surgery and taking about 350mg between the ER and IR. The surgeon and I worked out a pain contract to taper off over about 7 months. I quickly learned that I could not control my desire to take more then I was supposed to. I had to give them to my wife to be dispensed on a daily basis. This 7 months of tapering was not easy. Had I to do over again, I would have gone the Subutex route. Why prolong the withdrawal symptoms over 7 months?
Ironically, after I finished my last dose which for the past 3 weeks had been 10mg ER twice a day, my abdominal pain came back! Went to my primary care doc who said there was no way in hell she was going to put me back on narcotics. I had been off them about 5 days when I went to see her. She recommend I start on some stomach meds that didn't work in the past and also have an endoscopy to recheck my stomach. I was so mad that I left her office on a Monday and flew from Spokane, WA to the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, AZ. They way I figured it, if I was going to go through all this testing again, I was going to get it done by the best.
Spent 4 days getting tests done at the Mayo. They didn't find anything!! I was shocked. Here's the thing. The doctor at Mayo basically said that there was nothing he could do. He couldn't find anything. Strange though, because when I drank a GI cocktail (maalox and lodocaine, a numbing agent) my stomach felt just fine. He has told me that I need to get into a pain clinic. Not for narcotics but he says there are other medications that work on blocking pain receptors to the brain. Hmm....not sure...never tried them but I plan on flying back in a couple of days and checking that out.
I'm over the worst of the withdrawals now but like most have said, you can count on 3 days of hell with lingering effects from 2-4 weeks. Symptoms will include sweats, chills, headache, severe aching joints, anxiety, diarrhea, stomach cramps and depression . I mentioned the depression last but that was probably the scariest part. Oxy's take you to a very dark place. I had my wife remove the handguns in our house and take them to a friends. Despite having a great wife and two wonderful daughters, I, like most of you, contemplated suicide. I never told my wife, but I also had homicidal thoughts. Thoughts popped into my mind of blowing away my whole family. Listen closely. If you are having any thoughts of suicide or if you are in a very dark place, then ACT! Call a friend, relative or even the ER if you have to. People are dying every day from overdose and suicides because of this medication. No doctor told me anything about the medication being habit forming. The pharmacist briefly went over the habit forming nature but make no mistake. The description should be changed from, "habit forming" to "potentially life stealing addictive drug" Unfortunately most of you will see this after the fact. It's a shame that more isn't being done.
I do take ownership of this problem. I mean, you have to. No one else is going to make this problem go away except you. If you are under age, just come clean and get some help. There is help out there. You only need do a search on "suboxone" to find dr's prescribing this just about everywhere. You can do it over the long haul if you like but you need to be prepared to suffer for awhile. The biggest point to my whole post is that many people who have posted here are trying to do it alone. Don't isolate yourself. You are human, and as such, we are going to blow it. Get help. Talk to someone. Today!
This is a very old post ,copy and post this as a new thread .That way everyone can hear your story.see ya out there .
avis
I know and feel your agony and wish you the best.
There is no good way to stop. I think if in your mind your taking it without being in pain and the meds aren't doing the talking for you then you have have to do some serious soul searching to where you are where you where and where you want to be.
I know I will goto my doc. on Tuesday and get refilled or end up at the E.R. to get through, but my only thought to myself is laying here and not being able to walk.
Going back a little bit, I have tried cutting down and taking lesser doses but like everyone else when your in pain and its there I take it. But running out of my meds on a holiday weekend was about the dumbest thing I could have done.
In one post I read someone says grin and bear it, take the o.c. beast head on.
Good luck, your not alone......... This post isn't something you just happen upon, Like me your here for a reason and KNOW that we are all here togeather.
Dan
I HAVE OFTEN RAN OUT OF PILLS BEFORE MY NEXT REFILL SOMETIMES FOR WEEKS AT A TIME AND HAD TO GO THROUGH ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE WITHDRAWLS, PROBABLY FROM TAKING A WHOLE MONTHS WORTH IN 1-2 WEEKS.
DAY 1
25MG OF EPHEDRA OR 10MG OF ADDERAL XR (AS SOON AS YOU WAKE UP)
REPEAT ^ ABOUT 4-6 HOURS LATER
RIGHT BEFORE BED TRIPLE DOSE OF NYQUIL
DAY 2
SAME AS DAY 1
DAY 3
ONLY TAKE MORNING DOSE OF EPHEDRA OR ADDERALL (adderrall) UNLESS NEEDED AS SOON AS YOU WAKE UP
DEPENDING ON WITHDRAWALS AND DOSAGE YOU MAY WANT TO KEEP UP THE REGIMEN FROM DAY 1 AND 2 FOR UP TO 7 DAYS.
EXPLANATION:
EPHEDRA/ADDERALL XR- A STIMULANT THAT WILL GIVE YOU THE ENERGY AND RELEASE OF DOPAMINE TO GET YOU OFF YOUR BED AND POWERING THROUGH YOUR DAY AS NORMAL, THE SURGE OF ENERGY AND NOREPINEPHRINE AND DOPAMINE RELEASED ALLOWS YOU TO FEEL NORMAL AND MENTALLY IGNORE OR BLOCK THE LACK OF NARCOTIC. OXYCONTIN IS A DEPRESSANT AND BY GIVING YOUR BODY A VERY STRONG STIMULANT IT WILL REWORK YOUR BRAIN CHEMISTRY LITERALLY 4 OR 5 TIMES AS FAST. PERSONALLY MY WITHDRAWAS FROM 120MG A DAY WILL ONLY LAST A MOST OF 3 DAYS AND THEY WILL BE 3 PAIN FREE, HAPPY, ENERGETIC DAYS. (ADDERALL (adderrall) IS AMPHETAMINE, PRESCRIBED FOR ADHD IN CHILDREN AND ADULTS, EPHEDRA IS A CONCENTRATED HERB CALLED MAU HUANG WHICH HAS ALKALOIDS IN IT CHEMICALLY RELATED TO AMPHETAMINE, EPHEDRA IS A NOW OUTLAWED FOR SALE DIET PILL THAT WAS VERY POPULAR IN THE 1990'S. IT CAN STILL BE PURCHASED ONLINE THROUGH MANY SUPPLEMENT SHOPS SUCH AS TFSUPPLEMENTS.COM THATS JUST OFF MY HEAD IM NOT ASSOSCIATED WITH THEM IN ANY WAY, JUST WHERE I GOT MINE. MAU HUANG, THE ACTIVE INGREDIENT HAS BEEN USED FOR CENTURIES AT OVERCOMING HAY FEVER AND FLU LIKE SYMPTOMS. OVER LONG PERIODS OF TIME IT CAN CAUSE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, HOWEVER YOU SHOULDNT NEED IT MORE THAN A FEW DAYS. I PERSONALLY PREFER THE EPHEDRA OVER ADDERALL (adderrall) BECAUSE IT IS ILLEGAL TO TAKE ADDERALL (adderrall) UNLESS IT IS PRESCRIBED TO YOU AND CAUSES A VERY STRONG HIGH AND VERY STRONG STIMULATION UPON NEW USERS OFTEN RESULTING IN INSOMNIA. MAU HUANG ALSO OPENS UP THE SINUSES AND CAUSES THE BONDS BETWEEN OXYCONTIN AND YOUR OPIATE RECEPTORS TO BREAK QUICKER THEREFORE FLUSHING THE DRUG OUT OF YOUR SYSTEM FASTER DUE TO THERMOGENESIS OF EPHEDRA (RISE IN TEMPERATURE AND ENERGY EXPENDITURE)
NYQUIL- CONTAINS ACETOMINOPHEN OR TYLENOL AND IS THE BEST OTC PAINKILLER AVAILABLE IN MY OPINION, AS WELL AS AN ANTIHISTAMINE WHICH WILL BLOCK THE HUGE AMMOUNT OF HISTAMINE TO BE RELEASED DURING WITHDRAWALS WHICH WOULD NORMALLY RESULT IN HOT AND COLD FLASHES, ITCHINESS AND JUST INDESCRIBABLE WEIRD FEELINGS PULSING THROUGH YOUR BODY, LASTLY AND MOST IMPORTANTLY IT CONTAINS A CHEMICAL CALLED DEXTROMETHORPHAN... THE PART OF THE CHEMICAL NAME TO CONSIDER IS THE -ORPHAN PART SOUND LIKE MORPHINE? TECHNICALLY DEXTROMETHORPHAN IS NOT AN OPIATE HOWEVER IT EXERTS THE SAME TYPE OF EFFECTS IN SOME NEUROLOGICAL PATHWAYS MIMICKING WHAT OXYCONTIN DOES TO YOUR BRAIN CAUSING SEDATION AND PAIN RELIEF. I SAY TO TRIPLE THE DOSAGE OF NYQUIL BECAUSE AFTER TAKING STRONG STIMULANTS AND HAVING AN LACK OF OPIATES IT WILL BE IMPORTANT YOU GET A HUGE DOSE OF TYLENOL FOR THE PAIN ABOUT TO START GETTING WORSE BEFORE BED AND TO HAVE SOME CHANCE AT ACTUALLY SLEEPING.
*IF THIS SOUNDS CONTROVERSIAL AT ALL BECAUSE OF THE USE OF EPHEDRA OR ADDERALL (adderrall) FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME ID LIKE YOU TO ASK YOURSELF HOW MANY DAYS AND HOW MUCH OF A DRUG HAVE YOU BEEN TAKING FOR SO LONG WHICH IS CHEMICALLY ALMOST IDENTICAL TO HEROINE IN STRUCTURE
OXY- C18H21NO4 HEROINE- C21H23NO5
PER MG/KG OXYCONTIN ACTUALLY HAS A LOWER LD50 RATING.
LD50= LETHAL DOSE PER 50% OF THE POPULATION
MAKING OXYCONTIN MORE DANGEROUS
MY PERSONAL BELIEFS ARE THAT THIS METHOD DESCRIBED ABOVE HAS HELPED ME COUNTLESS TIMES WHERE IVE SAID ID DO ANYTHING TO GET OFF THIS STUFF, I AM FULLY CONFIDENT THAT THIS METHOD WORKS THAT I NO LONGER FEAR UPCOMING WITHDRAWALS DUE TO RUNNING OUT OF PILLS. AND YOU CAN TOO. I AM NOT A DOCTOR. PERSONALLY THIS WORKS THE BEST FOR ME COMPARED TO TAPERING. I THINK GOING FROM A SEDATING OPIATE TO A STRONG STIMULANT DOES POSE SOME KIND OF RISK, I HAVE NEVER HAD ANYTHING BAD HAPPEN AT ALL TO ME FROM WHAT I CAN TELL IT SHOCKS YOUR SYSTEM BACK TO NORMAL AND SPEEDS UP WITHDRAWALS 4 TO 5X FASTER. GOOD LUCK EVERYONE
I've been taking Percocet (now, OxyCodone), and OxyContin since September of 2004. Luckily for me, I've been able to keep my required dose(s) relatively low - compared to many here. Still, the symptoms and dependency are the same. (Surprisingly, I've not seen any mentions of strange, almost irrational behavior - other than directly from withdrawl. Does no one else seem to lose friends or alienate people with astounding frequency?)
In any event, I'm afraid it won't be long till I'm up to some of the more extreme doses and I shudder at the thought. Truly, it's been a long time since I felt I was getting even close to 100% relief from my meds and I fear increasing the doses in what may prove a fruitless effort to attain the unattainable: a pain-free existence.
Hence, my question:
Have ANY of you found a way to control (or, at least, DEAL with), your chronic pain AFTER kicking your OxyContin dependency? I trust there's GOT to be someone, somewhere who has found a way - w/o resorting to another, insidious drug.
Since I recognize the road I'm on, I'd sure like to know there's a chance to change course - yet, still live something resembling a "normal" life. Lord knows, I've all but lost the ability to do ANY of the things which I loved doing, before my pain level(s) went through the roof!
I eagerly look forward to any responses and wish you ALL happiness, good health and success. For what it's worth, the ONE thing (besides the love of my family), that's allowed me to go on this long . . . is forcing myself to maintain a POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE. I was lucky enough to be introduced to the concept, years earlier, while training for a career in sales. It's been a godsend. Although, in truth, I've been faking it more and more, of late! The GOOD news, however, is that even by faking it, I manage to (sometimes anyway!), appear normal - and by "appearing" normal, those around me often accept me "as normal". And I'm sometimes able to trick myself into believing I am. The point is, being angry and negative is counter-productive and I'd rather be "happy" and in pain than miserable and in pain.
Does that make sense?
Anyway, good luck to everyone. I'm both happy AND ad to know I'm not alone in this. Strange . . . I know!
Boy! I sure got them from some of the other pain meds I've tried - every version of morphine, for example.
For that, at lest, I'm thankful.
I find just walking around the yard with crates placed around for easy access for rest breaks and if you feel like you can cope go for a stroll down the street and back, anything to take your mind off it seems to work for me, except not at nights. the worst part is there is no one to talk to as my family they dont understand and some dont even want to know. So if your on your own thats all I can recomens, hope it was helpful.
Cheers Ice Weaver
Thanks,Dave
good luck to all
Hardhitter- Hold on, rough seas ahead. Read the posts and gear up. TIME heals all. It may take a while, but the body is a wonder. You'll be you again.
GT
BUT...THIS Page of posts has GENUINELY Opened up my eyes 2 just how WIDE SPREAD This Problem is..
UNLIKE MOST...I DID NOT Taper off....I Was taking 160-200mg a day, JUST Last week...But I Couldnt even afford the cost of perscriptions..LET ALONE Buying pills from The Street.....
But When my neighboor, Had told me last month, That "Nobody Does Oxy's Anymore, They All just buy HEROIN, because its cheaper, and Even EASIER 2 get...
And YES...I AM a user of Marijuana...But When this idea of using heroin INSTEAD Of Oxy's ACTUALLY CROSSED MY MIND...I KNEW That I HAD 2 STOP...
It Has Been and IS STILL HELL...But I've been reading posts from this Page EVERYDAY (When im Not Puking or Having Diarrhea )..And I AM DRAWING STRENGTH From OTHER PPL's Stories..
My Book is Still Un-Finished (As of Now) Meaning I CANNOT Say FOR SURE How this will go....
BUT...WHENEVER I READ SOMEONE ELSES SIMILAR Horror stories about THIS Drug.....IT REALLY Does make it EASIER 2 Get thru it...Just Knowing that Others have struggled B4 Me..and Made it..
I Am a musician here in Canada, And I Have just decided..
I AM GOING 2 MAKE A SONG or TWO About the REAL effects of this drug...Using ALL Of the facts that i can get my hands on...
IN The HOPES That Maybe "I too" Can Change the outcome of some other Poor Soul's Future...JUST AS THIS Page full of posts has Helped ME
BE STRONG, BE BRAVE , And Be the REAL You Once again (Instead of that shell of your former self that THIS DRUG WILL TURN YOU INTO
PEACE , Respect and STRENGTH 2 ALL
I doubt that I could have stayed clean for the week without having the Vicodin because of the terrible pain. I honor those who quit cold turkey. I contemplated suicide the first 3 nights and I had pain meds to help. I'm sure I would have gone through with it if not for the help of the Vic's. I'm not condoning the use of Vic's and/or Xanax, I'm just stating what is helping me.
The last and most debilitating symptom is the depression. The sun doesn’t warm my soul and my family doesn’t take away the addiction. I am suffering with depression on a level I’ve never experienced before. I am a Christian and I know that the Lord will help me get through this. God's intension for his children is to be conformed to the image of his son. Not to wrestle with the Devil in the throws of addiction. I now believe I will get through this. But I fear for those who don't have faith and/or the ability to fend off the depression.
Good luck to all getting clean and staying clean.
S-
But as for the depression part.....Just try n draw strength from the fact that Those first few days ARE DONE....And really THINK...about How Much Better you feel NOW As opposed 2 Those FIRST Days (Even tho its likely you're not 100% Better...it IS BETTER..Than the beginning , No?.and will Continue getting better)..
PLUS...Just look at how many ppl have gone thru the same S$#@, AND MADE IT !!!
B4 THIS SITE...I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE....So THIS SITE Is helping me TONS...
THERE's SOO MANY Posts on JUST THIS Page...Who have been in.... OR Are NOW In...The exact SAME Position
I Just Keep comin back, scrolling Down a bit, and reading Random Posts...
And It's REALLY Helping me MORE Than I Couldve EVER IMAGINED
Just REALLY Thinkin Of How bad The worst was..NOW Makes,Feeling 50% Healthy...ACTUALLY FEEL 50% MORE Positive than I Had ever EVER Felt BEFORE
HOPE THAT HELPS
Be STRONG
Draw Strength From ANYTHING You CAN...
ANd KNOW That you are not ALONE
Justin Elmer
(Crymynal Records)
myspace.com/justinelmer
Tapering off is a sure-proof way to beat this addiction. Your confidante has to be responsible and strong enough enough to work through the program with you. I'm sure she hated watching me suffer but we knew that suffering meant I was healing and getting 1 and 2 steps closer to beating it. Design a 2 or 3-week plan of tapering down until you get to zero. Zero for me went down to a quarter pill. (yes, I did cut them and it worked) My confidante, (who happened to be my wife) was in control of the pills. She kept them under her watchful eye 24/7. She knew exactly how many were in the bottle at all times. I am happy to say that I never cheated. I wanted her to have faith in me that I really wanted to get over the breif chapter in my life. She gave them to me in accordance to the plan and we recorded my progress on an excel spreadsheet so I could actually SEE a measured improvement. That was my motivator and my wife was a huge support. The creepy crawleys came (that was my WORST WD symptom) and they drove me to the brink of insanity. When I felt them coming I held on as long as I possibly could before taking my next pill. I figured, no pain, no gain. If I went 3 hours into the creepy crawleys one day I would take it to 4 or 5 hours the next day. I figured every time I went longer meant that I conquered that much more of my most painful side effect. Here's my story....
My issue started like many of you. I had a back injury at the young age of 20. I spent nine years dealing with Chiropractors, Physical Therapists, and several kinds of Dr’s and even a brief stint in alternative healing (what a joke that was, I’m even embarrassed to admit it). I had all kinds of prescriptions, Vico, Norco, Codein, Soma, Flexeril and so on. It’s amazing how many Dr Feelgoods there are out there. At age 29 my condition had escalated so bad that I required surgery for my back or I was going to permanently damage the nerves in my lumbar. I flew to Tucson where the Neuro-Surgeon for the Arizona Cardinals performed my lamectomy and discectomy. After my surgery I felt great for 9 more years; I was as good as ever. No back problems, no painkillers … nothing. (I never craved them nor even thought of them). Last year at age 39 I reinjured my back doing some honeydoos around the house. I was 10 years older and things hurt more. I had also built up enough scar tissue from my first surgery and it only compounded the problem. For the past year I’ve been bounced around from Dr. to Dr…also with the same result; “We’ll put you on 5,10,15,20 mg of Norco.†After almost a year of that I felt that the Tylenol in Norco would start to damage my liver so my Dr. put me on Oxycontin. I was on it for about 6 months. It plays games with your mind. This is no joke. The first 3-4 months were a honeymoon with this drug. I felt great but slowly and surely came the depression and paranoia. I wanted to be a recluse. I only wanted to sit with my laptop and not get involved in anything. I found myself procrastinating at work. (I work as a white-collared professional in the Financial Services industry for a well known bank). I found myself not wanting to return client calls. I found myself sitting on the sofa all weekend long instead of playing soccer with our son or taking him out. I had always been so motivated to do some remodeling around the house but not this time. Compared to some stories I have read, my prescription was on the light side. I was on 3 (10mg) per day with the freedom to take a 4th if necessary. As the story goes 4 became the norm and a 5th on literally a few occasions. Since I never wanted to deal with the WD, I was always too chicken to finish them too soon before I was able to get my prescription refilled. As a result, I really didn’t take them more than I should have. Recently I said enough. Spring was coming and I really wanted to be outside enjoying ourselves going places and doing things with my family. I just tapered off but I did have those unbearable ceepy crawleys under my skin and the cold sweats. Holy smokes it sucked. I don’t ever want to repeat that one again. It’s been about a week and I can finally see some light at the end of this very dark tunnel. Does anyone know what that crawling sensation is caused from? What is actually going on in the nervouse system to cause that?
If you're taking 200mg or more of oxy daily, you need to go to a medically-assisted withdrawal clinic. They will provide clonidine, so your blood pressure doesn't blow mercury all over the ICU. They might start you on buprenorphine (= Suboxone) to alleviate the worst of the withdrawal symptoms. If you switch to Sub, you'll be functional and could be ready to go in a few weeks (maybe less). Then you'll have to taper the Sub, perhaps over a lengthy period of time, but it sure beats trying to c/t at home, which just won't work. I personally think Methadone is a bad choice for anyone, but it's up to you and your doctor (preferably a specialist).
You might be encouraged to try an anti-depressant (do your homework and look around this site -- it's a big decision, but the depression can be incapacitating) and, I hope, Valium or Klonopin (many addiction specialists won't permit benzos with Methadone due to serious interactions between these drugs).
I honestly think you need to put at least three weeks aside and do something along these lines ... follow-up therapy is critically important.
As for the pain, I'm not in a position to advise. I wish you well.
I juat got a call from my mother who is going through withdrawls from this drug and is going throught the worst sort of hell there is! I first found out how addicted she was in January when I went to visit her from accross the country. She basically had all of the symptoms of a heroine addict.... And this is only after being on the drug for 9 months! I had to get all of my family involved and also tell her she wasn't allowed to watch her grandkids alone untill she was completely off of the drug. I was so amazed at how little she knew about the drug she was taking and what harm it could do to her body! she was taking 4 to 6 90mg tablets a day for what started out to be shingles!!!!! Oxycontin is for TERMINAL CANCER PATIENTS. That is where this drug originated. After almost a year of being on this drug my mom has slowly weened off and now has none left. She feels like she is dying! this is not a solution to pain! It only makes the problem worse! And it does not just affect you it affects your family very much! You are not "with it" when you are taking oxycontin. You lose you familys trust and you hurt them.
I love my mom more than anything and it is very hard to see her go through this. For all of the parents on here having trouble getting off of the drug..... just know this..... Your children need you too, and you are hurting them when you are addicted to this drug! When youu have over come the withdrawl they will be so proud of you and love you even more!
We need to do something to make it harder for doctors to just hand out pills! So less people are in this situation.
Hang in there! I am literally going to the EXACT same issues as Im typing this. Rather than give you my whole story, ill just say I have not taken any oxy in 4 days. The effects are horrid and I am struggling to get along. BUT...self control is what is driving me to continue to fight through this. I have a wonderful girlfriend that i am hoping to have a very successful future with, and she still has no clue about me taking oxy! Ahhh its really upsetting i let myself get this way, but I am doing everything i can to fix it for myself and for her and my family. After reading about the side effects and what not, there seems to be a week period of strong side effects, then they will cool down quite a bit. I feel your pain, but you can really get through it. You CAN do on your own, it just takes a lot of self control and the ability to fight the pains, aches, fevers, bowels...everything...you just have to fight fight fight. I am on day 4 and am starting to feel a lot better! I have done it all on my own so far, and I am dreaming of the day where all these effects will go away! Let me know if I can do anything for you, if i can answer any questions...anything
Lebanon Ky, *******! (Marion County)
Ive been off the **** for 2 weeks now and I'm loving it, I go to meetings whenever i feel like i might want to do the **** and it truly does help!!! Another thing is the money. I tried to calculate how much i spent in 3 years and i came up with around $70 000- $100 000 dollars, **** i could have bought a yaught and sailed to Europe for **** sakes. Oh well live with no regrets but sometimes i do. You know what you hear of people getting shot in the head and there life is over, we are all Still alive and are blessed to be able to open our eyes in the morning, if that's no something than i don't know what is. Im just happy to have money in the pocket and a smile on my face. Atleast you can say youve been to hell and back. BE STRONG and HAVE THE WILL TO SURVIVE AND GET BETTER! i will wish that everyone gets threw this! and remember you are not alone!
I THINK EVERYONE IN THERE EXCEPT FOR ME THANK GOD, WAS ON OXY.
THE GOOD NEWS, THEY GOT ALL OF THEM OFF IF IT IN ABOUT 10-15 DAYS USING MUCH MILDER DRUGS, NO CELL PHONES, NO BUSSINESS TRANSACTIONS. JUST RELAXED WITH SERIOUS STRUCTURE ON RECOVERY AND STAYING BUSY IN THE UNIT WITH MEETINGS AND SO ON. IS IT EASY, HELL NO. BUT IT IS A HELL OF A LOT EASIER THEN ALL THAT I HAVE JUST READ ABOUT WHAT U ARE GONG THRU. GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU.
ALMOST FORGOT. I AM A RECOVERING COKE ADDICT.
I WENT TO THE BETTY FORD CENTER IN 1995, AFTER 15 YEARS OF HARD PARTYING.
NOTHING LIKE WHAT I SAW GO ON AT THE DETOX CENTER.
BUT 2 WEEKS OF YOUR LIFE AND MY FRIENDS IT IS OVER!!!
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS I CAN ANSWER FOR YOU PLEASE CONTACT ME
ED ROONEY ***@****
ED