Small bump in the road...

[bladerunnerb]

Well, small bump in the road.  Visited with the family doctor today.  Told him I had quit taking the oxycontin becuase I wanted to see how bad the back pain still was.  He told me to quit playing doctor, and that I should stay on the oxycontin 20mg twice per day and that using it normally will not be difficult to come off.  He made me an appointment with a pain management specialist in about two weeks to look at all the options for my back injury, and told me that the pain management specialist would develop a plan for the medications, including coming off if that was the right thing to do.  He actually suggested that Methadone or a duragesic patch may be a better route for my pain.  Never really hear much about the patch on here...I would turn down the methadone based on what I've read here.

So, I guess my plan is to continue the 20mg oxy twice per day and not abuse...that is my goal.  I feel like I've let everyone down.  I made it to Day 6 and was starting to feel better (except for back and other pain which has been there for a long time...years before the oxy use started).  I just don't know what else to do.  So, I took the 20mg tablet...first time I haven't crushed one, this morning.  I'll tell you one thing...those withdrawals for 3 days made me not want to abuse ever again...throwing up, nausea, RLS, stomach pain, etc.  I'm sorry to all of you I've tried to help.  I'm just going to have to go the the Dr. and get some help.  Anyone know anything about the patch...it's not lidocaine, but opioid based.  Since I have abused pills from time to time (only 18 months into using them for my back/recreation) would the patch be the best for legitimate pain?

Or, should I just not take anymore Oxy...will I start withdrawals again?  I don't think I could do another 3-5 days of what I just went through.  Day 5 and 6 were tolerable.  But would one pill start the process over again?

Sorry, guys...for letting you down.  I feel like a s***head.  

[bladerunnerb]

Thanks for all the comments...I think I'll just stay on the oxy's at 20mg twice per day, and keep reading and posting and not abuse them (chew them).  Then I'll see the pain management Dr. and see what he recommends, but I really don't think I want the patch or methadone.  That patch sounds like it would be good to prevent abuse, but I read online that people can and do abuse it and it sounds like it has bad withdrawls, too.  

My plan is just to take as prescribed.  Given the withdrawals I've just gone through, I keep telling myself that taking as prescribed should give me pain relief, and it does...and not be as hard to get off.  I may have to have an epideral, so that may relieve the pain, too.

Thanks, all, for helping me out and talking with me.  It's great to just reach out and be able to talk with folks that are in the same shoes.  I think looking back I abused because I could, and had stored up some stash.  I really don't crave them, but was doing it really just for fun and not because I had to.  However, it still doesn't mean I'm not some sort of addict, so taking the prescribed dose will be the test for me.

Hope you all have a good night and I'll check you out tomorrow.

[Mikeinthesouth]

If you can do it moderately more power to you I cannot as I have tried so many times I could never count the times. Doctors told me the same but they are ready with there pen all the time they don't have a magic pill to help me withdraw. Pen and withdrawals orno doctor I take the latter

[worried878]

Do you think you can stay at the prescribed dose? I can not...I wish you luck and do be cautious as soon as u notice u r abusing...u may need to post and read just to keep u from abusing..I can not remember if u took more than prescribed before or not...the patch is a definited move towards a more difficult addiction..do not do it if u can help it

[kittykat58]

it's not only wd that's bad with the patch -- it can misfire and be fatal. I had it for awhile and was so scared using it -- I used to be afraid to go to bed b/c I was afraid it would misfore and I'd never wake up. I didn't think anything was worth the risk of my 8 year old daughter finding me dead in bed.

[corey411]

The patch is really a bad wd. Vics were mostly my DOC but I abused the patches for about 3 weeks and it was wd from Hell. I was clean for over 3 weeks and still not sleeping more than 3 hrs. a night. The rls was 10x worse and if not for starting to use Vics again I don't know how long the wd would have lasted. I just remember really thinking I just want to die. Did you tell your doctor that you are getting addicted to the oxys..chewing them? If you told him that and he's not looking to help you I would find another doctor. Wish you all the best. I just used to get high, I can't imagine what it must be like for someone in chronic pain. Corey

[bladerunnerb]

Thanks, Cathy5841.  I'm not sure what I'm going to do...at this point.  I don't think I'll do the patch, either.  I'm not sure if I should just follow the Dr.'s orders and continue the 20mg twice a day, or quit again.  I even asked him to give me 10mg and he said no...that the 20mg was more effective.  I have a feeling I would have withdrawal going from 20mg to 10mg and he didn't want me to go through it on his watch.

[cathy5841]

i think jaqui was on the patch and hell getting off.  1 oxy wont start the w/ds again.  but, keep in mind even if you dont abuse there will be w/ds when the time comes to get off.  the body depends on it and when you stop it, the body reacts.
good luck
cathy