Oxycontin Withdrawal

Hello - I've been using oxycontin recreationally for about a year. Let me preface this by saying that i've never used over 80mg (in any one sitting, anyways).  usually, my routine would be to take half of it, and then over the course of the day i'd finsh it little by little. no surprise that the frequency of use has increased over the past year.  Most recently, i've been on i guess what you'd call a 'binge' taking one every day (it's been about a month of everyday, one a day, use) again, I've never gone over the 80mg and continue to take them in the same way, as I described earlier in this post.  

I've decided (obviously) that i need to stop and i guess i'm just worried and curious about the withdrawls that i'm going to be experiencing.  I am taking Klonopin (prescribed) and am wondering if that will help me through it.  I've gone through periods in the past when i've stopped and definitely experienced withdrawal symptoms, but, and maybe i'm naive for thinking this, b/c my mg use not astronomically high, will it be as bad?

thoughts or experiences are greatly appreciated.

[sparkeler]

The kalonopin will help you with some of the withdrawls, but there is a risk of dependency their too.  You should really do a google search on a doctor who can prescribe you suboxone or subutex.  They are wonderful drugs that help you withdrawl (withdrawal) nicely from Narcotics.

[caregiver222]

I've said this before and it needs saying again. If you are taking 80 mg of oxycontin and STOP taking it for a period of time (which varies with the individual) and start at 80 mg you will go into respiratory arrest and become a corpse. Do not pass go. Do not collect two hundred dollars. To reduce your doeage take it with grapefruit juice, which extends the half-life and enables the same effect with 1/2 the dose. Read some of the books by Dr. Thomas Szasz on "The Therapeutic State". Prosecuting oxycontin users is a high priority, unfortunately, and be careful always to use your own prescriptions kept in the original bottle and never take them on an airplane. It is not a good long-term pain killer. If you insist on the addiction you need to have the antidote handy, nalaxone hydrochloride, which, unfortunately, most physicians refuse to prescribe. It is a crummy habit from a life-experience standpoint because it makes your judgement crummy, destroys iniative and if your boss finds out you are taking it, you are in deep do-do. I was prescribed it years ago for level ten spinal pain, but found anti-inflammatories provided far better relief. I got annoyed because I could not think clearly while on that drug. Thinking clearly was more important to be than euphoria. Whatever you do, never recommend to anyone else who has not been on the drug to take 80 mg to start with or they will end up very dead.

[Sobriety]

I AM A MED STUDENT AND THE POST REGARDING RESPIRATORY ARREST IS A BIT HISTRIONIC... WHY WOULD YOU SAY SUCH A THING?? IT NEED BE NOTED THAT OXYCONTIN IS ACTUALLY LESS ADDICTIVE THAN THE NARCOTIC ANALGESICS IE: PERCOCET,LORTAB,NORCO,VICODIN...YES!!! A STUDY WE DID AT MEDICAL UNIV. SHOWS THAT THE SHORT TERM NARC'S HAVE A PEAK AND TROUGH WHERE AS OC'S HOMEOSTATICALLY RELEASE OVER 12 HRS NO PEAK NO TROUGH!!! KLONOPIN IS A GOOD MED BUT NOT FOR DETOX.GET CLONODINE CATAPRESS IT'S AWESOME, HAVE IMMODIUM HANDY, VITAMIN B, PHENERGAN PRN NAUSEA. HANG IN THERE PAY NO MIND TO THE RESPIRATORY COMMENT OR THOSE INVOVING THAT POST, FOR THAT IS SO OPIONATED, NOT FACTUAL!!!! BEST OF LUCK, AND CARE GIVER CHANGE SCREEN NAME, OR GO BACK TO RN SCHOOL!!!!

[caregiver222]

Thanks sobriety. I hope you feel better. You have a point about histrionics. I am not about to call you an idiot or criticize your comment. Oxycontin is not a bad drug. As for respiratory depression, particuliarly in conjunction with alcohol, that is a fact of life. It is a particuliar risk with asthmatics. I stand by my post.  The hazard depends on many factors, from body weight to the past use of oxycontin. I personally feel ocycontin has gotten a bad rap. I worked for a time in a medical examiner office and can assure you that oxycontin has been implicated in numerous deaths. There are generally co-factors involved. Alcohol especially, but often other drugs, from valium to tramadol, blach, blah. I would not want to discourage use of oxycontin, because it has a place in medicine, however. There were reasons why it became such a tightly controlled substance. Pointing out the potential risks of oxycontin comes under the heading of the legal doctrine of "the reasonable and prudent man".

[boogaloo]

Good response.  Medical students sure can be funny.   The book smarts are great, they are lacking the life experience.  I'm sure this person will change approach and opinion once Med School is over.

Sobriety, I'm going to give you one more lecture and then I will leave you alone.  If you want people take you seriously, you need to cut back on the arrogance.  There are those of us who work in the medical field and have for quite some time.  I've been in it for 14 years.  I know caregiver has been in it for a long period of time as well.  I've done research on many drugs.  Depends on whos doing the research and what they want to prove.  Statistics can be swayed in many many ways.  That's where the life experience comes in handy.  Take bits and pieces of what you read, examine your personal experience and combine them to make and informed decision.  Again, good luck with your studies.

[embersidhe]

I have recently come off Oxycontin for severe spinal pain. I had a tripple fusion, screws, hardware etc. bone graft. I am not a recreatioonal person, never have been.
I want EVERYONE to know, there is a huge difference in abuse and dependance.

I do want to make a comment however as to the withdrawal. My doctor would not allow me to come down properly, if I went to another doctor for a lower dosage, then I would be accused of doctor shopping.
I decided after much search to come off the oxy. I have a friend who is an ex Heroin addict, who warned me, coming off 80mgs of Oxycontin is no picnic.
WELL I will say, I am on day 12, it has not been easy. I am still sweating, have diarhea (diarrhea) and have lost 8lbs. I feel nautious some and am extremely tired. Leg jerks, cannot sleep etc.
I will say though, I think I had it easier than some. I have read some people had much worst WD than I!
It's not over yet, I realise but I think the worst is behind me, and I feel tons better without all that shite (excuse) poisoning me. My doctor will be surprised I am sure next visit when I tell him I quit. My pain is not as bad as I thought, the fusion is now healed. I am so glad to have done this.
I wish anyone on this strange journey the best of luck

Ember

[toxictome]

Welcome to the forum...this is a great place for help and suppport!

This is an old thread and you may get overlooked.....if you want feedback, repost your question /comments on your own thread....go to top and hit "post  a question".

Good luck...see you out in the forum....