Oxycontin withdrawl

[steve]

I have been taking Oxycontin for about 3 years and for the past few months its gotten out of control.  Started with a few 40s per day, then twice that, then more, etc. etc. etc. over a 3 year period.   Quantity was still reasonable til about 3 months ago.  I have been taking 1200-1600 mg per day now for about 3 months, first because it really made me feel great but lately because without I felt horrible.  Reading the comments this is more than anyone else mentions and what is written scares the hell out of me regarding what I have to look forward to. People on 120mg per day say they cannot take it so what will happen to me?  I have made a decision to cut back to 320mg per day not just because I want to but because I no longer have the ability to get such large amounts without putting myself or others at risk.  The most I can safely get now is 400mg per day, so thats where I have to start.  I began this 3 days ago and its been hell.  Got to 660mg yesterday which means I will be 'short' later on.  I am not in a position to take any time off work for rehab nor can I quit entirely as the pain is too unbearable without, so those are not solutions for me.  My question is, can I do this on my own?  Will the withdrawal symptoms get so bad I wont be able to keep going?  Are there any suggestions, other drugs, etc. that can make this go any easier?  I have never tried anti-siezure drugs for example and I hear they can help.

[steve]

How can a Doctor like this be found?  Do you have any sort of referral guide that would list one in the Tampa/St Petersburg area?

[Charlotte]

I have been taking the MS Contin (or generic name Oxycontin) for over a year now, in addition to that which is abot 100 mg at a time I take 4 or 5 Tylenol 4's, 3 or 4  10 mg Valium among many other medications.  I am seeing a Social Worker and she says the only way to overcome that much of a habit is to not only go into Detox, because that's only a few days, but at least a 30 day program.

    You or I could die at anytime and don't really even care or we would have been in the hospital a long time ago.  Save yourself before you OD and end up in ER and they may or may not be able to save you.  I have already been there and lost 30% of my liver to the medications and spent the next 4 days unconscious in the hospital remembering nothing except my parents mourning me because they really thought I would have to go dialysis because my liver was so bad.

     Don't do that far.  There are alot of good programs out there and your doctor will be more than willing to help you find one and clear it with your insurance for you.

Because I know how horrible this is, my email is ***@**** if you need to talk or just want to let someone who cares know how you are doing.

                    Charlotte

[steve]

Thanks Charlotte
I appreciate you taking time to write and your kind words!
Unfortunately a 30 day program is totally out of the question for me for several reasons.  I know finding a doc or a program is the "book" answer, but that just will not work.  Somehow I must find a way to deal with this myself.  I did try to speak with a doc and found there is probably no doctor in the state of Florida who would help me by providing enough of this medicine to help me cut back, which is what I must do.  I tried telling a doc I was taking 1/2 of what I really was and he didnt believe me.   But I really am and still functioning.  Im just scared I have no idea how to cut back and cannot take the withdrawal.  What a rotten position to be in.  

I wish you success with your program.  I am sorry you had some damage to your liver - hope that can rebuild itself (can it?).

By the way, MS Cotin is one of the brands of morphine and 100 mg is a pretty big dose!  Oxycontin is a different medicine - oxycodone in a time release pill. There is not a generic for Oxycotin at this time.  Oxycodone is the drug used in Percocet or percodan pills, but those also have tylenol or aspirin, where oxycontin does not.  And ocycontin is a lot more of the drug - percocet has 5MG where oxycontin comes in 10 to 80MG doses per pill.  

Its probably the tylenol that is hutring your liver. If you have to take something I would avoid anything with tylenol in it if at all possible as that is tough on the liver.

[Andy]

What is the best way to get off oxycotin?  Withdrawal?

[Brian to Sick and Scared § ALL you guys]

Best would be to substitute buprenorphine for the oxycontin, then gradually taper the buprenorphine.  Speak with an addiction medicine specialist.

[louis]

I am about to stop a 200mg a day habit. It has been about 3 months What are my chances of makeing it cold turkey?

[Sam]

You mentioned anti-seizure meds for withdrawal.  I have been taking Dilatin for seizures for about 2 1/2 yrs and with my experience they do not help.  I have been taking percocets for a year now and oxycontin 20 mg for approx. 6 months.  I take anywheres from 80 to 100 mg a day, and I agree it is very hard to get off.  I tried going a day without taking them, and I feel so awful and hurt so bad that I just can't do it.  I have been trying to cut down to where I will only be taking around 40 mg a day & then taper off to none.  I have back problems but seems like I want to take more of the medicine than I need even if I'm not hurting.  It is a very strange & addictive medicine.

[Sam]

You mentioned anti-seizure meds for withdrawal.  I have been taking Dilatin for seizures for about 2 1/2 yrs and with my experience they do not help.  I have been taking percocets for a year now and oxycontin 20 mg for approx. 6 months.  I take anywheres from 80 to 100 mg a day, and I agree it is very hard to get off.  I tried going a day without taking them, and I feel so awful and hurt so bad that I just can't do it.  I have been trying to cut down to where I will only be taking around 40 mg a day & then taper off to none.  I have back problems but seems like I want to take more of the medicine than I need even if I'm not hurting.  It is a very strange & addictive medicine.

[nitchi]

I am currently trying to cut back on my 100- 200 mg a day habit.  Truth is, nothing works that well, and suffering through, although it really "sucks", seems to be a well deserved punishment.  I just wish there was an easier way than "biting the bullet".  I have no insurance, and dont really want to go to a "rehab" center.  Anyone with any ideas for the withdrawl syntoms, Im all ears!

[Yoda99]

Read the post from BlondeBabs about her Oxycontin quit.  A lot of people responded with support and helpful ideas.
Take care,
Yoda

[oneway]

yo man I was injecting 1600mgs a day.  I tried to go ct from 1600mgs but I had to cut it down I couldn't make it past 4 days when I was coming off 1600mgs.  I did cut it down to probably 500mgs in a month or two and then went ct for almost 2 months.  I shot up 3 times in those 2 months.  I still did not feel even close to being normal even after 2 months I was mentally worn and I went back to doing it.  I would take many 2 or 3 day breaks and eventually I got down to about 160mgs.  This was a hellish process but it is all worth it because right now I am at day 7 and feel really cloudy headed right now but today is the first day in the last 3 years where I am not craving the drug every millisecond of the day.  The last year I have been trying to get off of ocs and I'm finally feeling like it is coming to a end.  You have to get off this ****.  I told a doctor how much I was doing and he said that is pretty much a lethal dose for even a oxy addict and that if I kept up with it I would probably od myself and die in a matter of months.  Man I really don't know how I even survived this last year.  It totally destroyed everything for me because I was sick everyday but now I finally feel confident that their is a end to this.  Man I will be honest when I was coming off those high dosages I just wanted to die, I seriously was hurting that bad and I really feel your pain man.  I really hope you can kick this thing.

[oneway]

oh and I did this without a program so it can be done if you are willing to feel like jesus christ on the cross and resurect yourself from the miserable life of a oxy addict.

[Yoda99]

Hi dear:  Unfortunately the "Steve" you're posting to is probably not here.  Did you notice his post was from 2000?  Nitchi posted on a 7 year old post.  She will probably get a better response if she posts a new question or posts on a "newer" question, such as BlondeBabs post dated 7/22/07.
Take care,
Yoda

[oneway]

oh I forgot that they change this place so you can bump old post.  I feel kinda of dumb now.  Thanks

[Yoda99]

You're not dumb.  I've done the same thing.  Once I read thru about 20 posts before I realized how old they were, like 5 years or more, and someone had posted on the end therefore bringing it up to the top.  I just look at the top post and date now before I respond.
Take care,
Yoda

[yellowbug]

I have been on OC for almost 5 yrs. now. and my usage has increased far too much in the last 6 months.  I am scared to death about quitting, because of the withdrawal symtoms.  Is there something I can take so that I don't go through unbearable side effects.?  I am desperate for advice. Please RSVP  

[Love In All the Wrong Places]

Up until a week ago I was taking about 90 mg of OC a day along with about 15 7.5 Lortabs per day. Opiates were controlling me.  They still are. I feel terrible right now. Everything hurts. My heart is palpitating. I am sweating. I am throwing up and going to the bathroom non-stop.  More than anything I want to go back to the meds.  It feels like I can't be happy without them.  It feels like I can't function.  It is as if there is a large glass ball in my stomach and it is constantly exploding into little shards and stabbing every inch of my body. But I am determined to kick this.  I just got back from my doctor today and he told me this would last for about 2 - 4 weeks.  He doesn't know how much I was taking over the recommended dosage.
You have to get over your fears, yellowbug.  This isn't life.  We're wasting away.  I am refusing to give up.
I am doing what I have to do to get over this.  I take three Xanax before work.  
When I get home, I either drink until my body is numb or I will smoke marijuana and take more Xanax. (normally I don't smoke marijuana- this is for medicinal purposes only)
It doesn't make it go away. It just helps.
Try weaning off slowly.  Slowly incorporate other things (as long as you recongnize that it won't be a permanant replacement) Do EVERYTHING you can to remain calm. Stay around positive people, punch your pillows. Stab then with a knife if you have to.
I AM GOING INSANE RIGHT NOW, but I know there is an end to this hell.
I realize drinking, smoking and taking Xanax is not exactly healthy, but it is a way.  
I am certain that those of us addicted are all in a similar frame of mind.

Don't let  yourself lose to this addiction.  I know I won't.

You know what pisses me off?  These doctors know and have always known exactly how utterly addicting OC is.  Yet they have no understanding for their patients.  I don't know a single person on it that takes the correct dosage.  

And with that, I must say adieu and retreat to my bedroom. My pillows await.

[KevinRossignol]

Man if your doing 1200 mg a day I have no idea how you can get off that.  I was only doing 140 or so mg a day for 3 months and I went to detox and my withdrawls were HELL.  I stoped cold turkey.  I am on day 5 now without any and I still have insomnia, the *****, ect.  but its getting better every day.  I am going into rehab to get myself clean and I don't see any other way that you can do it.  if you work for a union talk to them and they can help you out.  when i'm in rehab i'm on short term disability and I get 70% of my pay so my fiancee can still pay the bills.  I am from canada so it may work different if your from the states.  but that is my only suggestion, cutting down won't work you will keep using.  goto detox (it will be the WORST 5 days of your life it will be HELL but you can do it, just think about your family)  after 5-7 days it gets better, then get into a 30 day rehab program.  I find to take my mind off it I take my Ipod and go walk my dog for liek 2 hours 3 times as day.  excersise helps alot.  I have been clean for 5 days and start rehab tommorow.  you should consider doing the same.  your life will only keep going more and more downhill till you have nothing left.  Trust me I was missing morgauge payments to support my habit.  good luck and get help!

[Calzy]

That post from Steve was from the year 2000 and i hope he is in better shape today. Why dont you look at the newer posts and join in there.

[shorty54]

I can totally relate to how you are feeling.  I managed to admit to myself that I was addicted to my 400 mg oc's per day and had packed my bags and was ready to tell my husband the truth.  He was there beside me when I tried to commit myself to a rehab facility.  They refused to accept me!  Told me I didn't need their assistance because I had ran out of my medication two days prior to accepting the truth.  The rehab 30 day program will not help me.  This was 3 years ago.  Guess what?  I'm still addicted, still in pain.  I need some relief also because my 400 mg oc's per day plus 100 mg duragesic patch doesn't help my pain.  What are we suppose to do?

[Ncs]

I writing for someone who is addicted to percocet. What are the symptoms of withdraw? My friend is throwing up all the time, and feels like he is dying. I ask what is wrong and he say's that he dosen't know. I think maybe he is having withdraw from the pills, when he can't get them.
If anyone knows what the symptoms are please share them with me. Also, he has blurred vision, and dark urine. He was born with one kidney. He won't go to a doctor.

[12_Pack]

I was snorting 80mg a day, half in the morning and the other half in the evening.  I stopped for one day and thought I was going to die so this morning I only snorted 1/2 tablet and now its evening and I feel Ok.  Do you think I can stop by gradually cutting down like another half tomorrow and 1/4 on sunday, 1/4 on monday, 1/8 on Tuesday and 1/8 on Wednesday.  I haven't been taking them for over three weeks but I was shooting heroin back in 1979 and have been realativley clean ever since up until this OXy sh*t started.  What do you guys think my chances of success are?

[vader461]

I've been taking Oxycotin for 6 years and I've tried to quit several times. I've takin suboxone, and was even locked up for 4 months but still got out and went right back to the drug. I used to take it to feel great...I got things done....it was my best friend. Now it is my worst enemy. After losing everything from the drug from my wife, home, vehicles, and etc....now I only take the drug (oxy) to feel normal. I feel like **** on the drug and feel like death off of it coming down. I don't know what to do. I CAN"T KICK IT. I heard great things about methadone....DOES IT WORK?? I'm all ears.

[CANBEDONE]

started with hydrocodone for fun about a year stopped feeling it, i found roxicodone was in heaven, stopped working found OC's went from 40, to 80's very quickly snorting 7-8 a day for about a year... it was ruining my entire life and very expensive, some friends noticed and talked to me, i got about 10 xanax and some valium and went cold turkey and had 2 family members watch me and made sure i didnt have anything serious happen... it is not easy but what i did was i started my peak withdrawl drank a bunch of water and multi vitamins potassium for the legs hurting just get the biggest multivitamin you can find and take that oc monster head on it will pass in three days cold turkey i am on my 5th day and after your physical witdrawls you will be very sad, depreessed beyond belief you will need to be around good people... i hope this helps i am mashing thru this because i want my life back and i will be damned if a pill is going to take it from me.. i wish you all well i know EXACTLY what your feeling stand firm...

[markie816]

hey noticed ur comment , u may also wanna take magnesium, im quittin as well old turkey, this my 3rd day, magn. helps alot as well with the pain, also immodium(constant bowel movements) or however u spell it, also the xanax bars/any benzo, best thing it kinda takes ur mind off always wantin O C every second, PEOPLE WHO WANT TO QUIT COLD TURKEY
1. Many vitamins especially multi's n potassium and magnesiam,
2. take warm showers, also have som1 rub ur legs, I no my girlfriend doin it helps
3. There is no painless way to quit, thats the main prob, people are week so as soon as they feel that pain, they think they need more, NO!! NO NO! jus fight it it is possible.
4.Tell som1, hiding it makes it worse, trust me.

I no i may be only 19 but trust me this will work, every1 in my family is in the medical busi. and they said this is one of the best ways at home, im doin it now, and im on about 200 mg a day, the pain is bad but u can do it, my dad quit, the whole reason i got on OC n things was i was surronded by oxy addict parents. my dad was eatin 6 80 mg's 4-5 times daily and he did this, u can do it all! If u all need support i can help ya out n support

www.myspace.com/lil_mark_816

[toodogz]

Try Saboxone. Been taking this for 2 months being prescribed by my DR. It truly is a miracle drug. Been off oc's for 2 months and feel great. Been through all the withdrawls. Finally have my life back and it feels great!

[catchiec]

I was taking oxy about 160 every day for 3 months. I tried to go cold turkey twice but it was hell. I got 80 grams of methadone and took 25 mg 1st day then 20 then 15 then 10 then 5. I was able to detox off oxys with no withdrawals at all. I stopped taking meth after 5 days my body was not dependent on it. no missed work no nothing off both pills in 5 days with no withdrawals it was great! meth is the way to go just dont take it longer than 5 - 8 days or u can become addicted to it to. but takin in small doses for 5 days will get you off both I promise it worked perfect for me and several people i know.

[wait2long]

bump

[Yoda99]

This is a very old post!!!  I started to write an answer to Steve and noticed that his post was from 2000.  That's 8 years ago guys.  In all likelihood, Steve is no longer around.  Let's put this post to bed and start a new one.
Yoda

[RICHES2004]

I THINK EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT IN THEIR RECOVERY.....I WAS ON ONLY ABOUT 400MG OF OXY A DAY ALONG WITH A HEAVY DOSE OF LYRICA... I JUST STOPPED COLD TURKEY AND I AM ON MY 4TH DAY NOW....THE FIRST THREE WERE HORRIBLE...TODAY THE 4TH IS JUST BEARABLE...I STILL, LIKE MOST HAVENT SLEPT...STILL HAVE CHILLS, AND THE RUNS....BUT WHAT I HAVE TO SAY AS FAR AS I GO....I FEEL MUCH BETTER WHEN I DO A WORKOUT AND SWEAT A LITTLE...FOR SOME REASON THE ADRENALINE SEAMS TO ACT AS A DRUG AND GETS ME THROUGH SOME OF THE ANXIETY.....I AM NOW CRAVING SWEETS ALSO.....SO MY TRICK WITH THAT IS TO MAKE A PITCHER OF CRYSTAL LIGHT (MY CHOICE BECAUSE OF CALORIES...ANY KOOL AID OR SWEETENED DRINK WILL DO) THE TRICK WITH THIS IS TO PUT DOUBLE THE AMOUNT OF POWDER IN THE WATER....NOW YOU DONT DRINK THE WHOLE PITCHER AT ONCE.... JUST TAKE A MOUTHFULL AND TRY TO HOLD IT FOR A FEW SECONDS IN YOUR MOUTH THEN SWALLOW....THIS REALLY TAKES SOME OF THE CRAVINGS AWAY.....GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE....

[jenalee]

my brother is an addict whom I love dearly.  He was doing 10 shot everyday for about two years then I offered to try to help him so he moved  away from thinking that would help but he would steal my money once A  week to go back.  Then he decided to go back to get saboxin (suboxone) and it last for almost a week.  Two days later he had the next day off so he was going back to wash clothes and get rims put on and my dog jumped in his car so he said you should let me take your dog I didn't want him to because she is my baby.  He promised he would take care of her and I said I should go get her tags to put on and he said no its ok shell be fine I gave him a rope to tie her up any time he lets her out.  The following day I called to check on her and my family said he didn't have my dog.  My brother called back saying that she was up at my parents house still I told him to go get her and call me back well five hours later he called and said she was gone that he left her at a rest area the night before.  It has now been a week and his story keeps changing on what happened.  I keep hearing him talking to himself telling himself that no matter what he wont tell me what happened because he has to stay true to you cuz your my playboy you know exactly when to pull the trigger every time. If anybody has any ideas since I am so desperate to find my dog she is my baby.  

[potey]

CAN SOMEONE HELP???????? I AM TRYING TO QUIT COLD TURY, PROBLEM S IM A LABORER SO I CANT FEEL LIKE **** EVERYDAY............ HOW LONG WILL THIS LAST???? I TAKE ANYWHERE FROM 80 - 270MG WHATEVER I CAN GET MY HANDS ON AND I JUST WANT TO STOP I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD BE ADDICTED WHICH I WAS DUMB FOR......... THINKING I WOULD BE THE ONLY LUCKY PERSON NOT TO WITHDRAWL BUT NOW IM SEEING THE PURE HELL THIS DRUG IS, DOES PEPTOBISMAL HELP AT ALL?

[scaredanddesperate]

Try Imodium (immodium) instead of pepto, i read from someone on here that Imodium (immodium) is in the same family or somehting like that but I know from experience it does help and takes a little of the edge off. I also suggest going to the top of this page (if you're still here) and hit the Post a New Question Button then copy and paste what you wrote here. This is the thread that comes up when you search for Oxy WD's but most of the people on here wont see it since it started so long ago. There are great people here that can help you. Please post again, let everyone jnow what and how much you are taking and you will get a whole slew of answers to help you out. Good luck.

[scaredanddesperate]

Also click on Back to Forum, you may just find the answers you are looking for by reading others posts and the answers they get.

[jayne5]

I recently came to the realization that my mom has been drinking while on Oxycontin she has been taking the drug for years but when she doesnt have any she steals it from my step father who is at a lose of how to stop her from taking it.. I am extremely worried about her. She is hiding the fact that she is drinking but she is not very good at it. I dont know what to about everything. She wont listen to her husband and I dont know how to talk to her. I am cerious about how to handle the situation.

[DJAddict]

I've been stealing my Dads OC and taking 90Mg's per day along with my Mother in Laws Ultram and my own Vicodins. It HAD to stop!
I'm on day 5 of Cold Turkey and I told my family of my Vic addition and that I am trying to kick the habit but feel too ashamed to tell them I've been taking THEIR pills so I'm just sticking to the Vicodin story for now.
Anyway, The first 3 days were pure HELL and here in day 5 I have better times and worse times as my body (and more my mind) keep telling me to "just take ONE for now and then get back to none later"
I refuse to do that so my wife has taken all my pills and hidden them and has been instructed not to give me any unless I'm convulsing on the floor and she is considering calling 911.
So far up to day 5 my body just hurts, I have mild shaking, mild twitches, headache, muscle aches no energy or ambition and generally feel really crappy but I'm going to do this. I HAVE TO.
All those pills were killing me and I know it!!!!
Like the TV adds used to say...."Just Do It"!

[RoscoM]

I've been on oxycontin for about two years for pain. I've since had surgery and am coming off them now. I was doing 40mg 3 times a day.
My Doctor told me to cut down gradually. So i'm doing 30mg for a week then 20mg for a week 10mg etc.
I'm surprisingly still feeling a bit uncomfortable though.  My main complaints would be lack of sleeping soundly or for 7-8 hours straight. I seem to sleep for 2-3 hours then i'm wide awake.
Also I just feel like I can't fully relax.  Kinda like i'm constantly toe tapping, even though i'm not, to the point that my legs actually start to ache!!  Leg rubs would help.
Any way good luck everyone, be strong cause you can do it!!
Merry Christmas!!
Ross

[meadowmuffin]

i was prescribed 6 oxycontin10mg and 6 ocycocet  for about 5 years. than i had surgery. now i'm trying to withdraw. Help, please i'm in my 5th week and still only down to 4 oxycontin and 2 to 3 oxycocet every 24 hr. by the way i'm almost 60 yr old. Any advice about oldies like me?