Oxycontin Withdrawal

[AuntieH]

How can I best help my niece (age 51) with her with her withdrawal.  Approximately one year ago she was prescribed Oxycontin (180 mg per day) for relief from pain of fibromyalgia, DDD and carpal tunnel.  Her doctor stopped prescribing about 7-8 months ago and she has been getting it from a friend.  She is tired of the addiction and seems determined to kick it.  I want to help her succeed but need some advice.

I took her to Emerg yesterday but she was not actually in withdrawal yet so they told her to go home (my house as she came to visit so I could help/support  her in getting off the drug) and if she was serious about going cold turkey and then found she couldn't do it she could come back but all the Methodone (sp?) clinics have a one week to one month waiting list.  What is she supposed to do in the meantime except go cold turkey.  I was stunned to learn that the supposed cure/treatment for her addiction to the narcotic Oxycontin  through the clinic is actually another narcotic - Methodone.  

She has now just crossed hour 24 of her withdrawal and I'm afraid if I don't say or do the right think she might opt to go back home and find someone to get her the Oxycontin.  She's made the right decision to get off of it and has one full day under her belt, how can I encourage her to keep going with the process.

[stilltrying1965]

me and my wife have came of a 14 year heroin addiction and are now 74 days clean you can only do so much but its her dission to keep it going you can only keep trying to encourage her and tell her every day under her belt is a day closer to freedom she will only do it if she wants it bad enough and if she does she will and can sucssed it wont be easy but well worth it in the end this is the price we have to pay for taking drugs im sorry to say this but its her dession if she returns to drugs then there is not a lot that you can do you are doing your bit by supporting her tell her i wish her all the luck in the world and to try and stay strong for her own sake she can beat her adiction good luck and god bless there is nothing that you can do if she decides to go back to the drugs so please do not blame yourself again good luck James

[mechanic100]

PLEASE try Suboxone, read my other posts.
It works very well, and I tried everything before that

[GA Guy]

Look at the top right of the page and click on Health Pages. Read the first post there that says Thomas Recipe. Read that..it has tons of info. Please, steer clear of Methadone. That is a monkey she doesn't want on her back. By the way, why did the doctor cut her off? What dosages was she on before being put on 180mg a day? I just ask because that's is one HUGE dose to gravitate up to in just one year. I suspect there may be more to this story.

[daisy699]

The process of withdrawal is PAINFUL, but it sounds like you are doing a great job helping her! I would definately take her back to the er if/when things get unbearable but in the mean time how about callin her primary care or yours for some help? There is also another option (besides methadone) it's called suboxone and she could do a short term use for withdrawal and it helps. Suboxone dr.s are everywhere! I'm not sure about her insurance but most of the time it's mostly covered your/her dr. should be able to steer you in the right direction if not like I said I would take her back to the er and they will at least give her comfort meds(depends on hospital what they give) going ct is going to be BRUTAL for a while but may send her running back to oc's it is doable but VERY uncomfortable..Good luck she is lucky to have your support