Tapering off Oxycontin

[cetiya]

Now that I am off the Fentanyl patch, I am left with an addiction to Oxycontin.  I am taking two 20 mg oxycontin twice a day.  I would like to switch that to taking one every six hours for a while, and then try to drop one here and there.  These are capsules so I can't cut them in half.  Is this the best way to taper myself off these?  I found out if the opiate level in my blood gets too low, I start to feel anxious, but have to get off these one way or the other.  I still have some oxycodones left, maybe I can substitute some of the SR's for the shorter acting stuff and cut back that way.  I can't take any more time off work, and I am finally feeling good, so I don't want to screw things up, but how else am I going to get off the oxy's?  My doc knows I am taking them to ward off the withdrawals, I was honest and told him my pain isn't that much, I just can't stop the oxy or I'll get sick. He gave me lots of Oxycontin, so maybe I can taper off one way or the other. He was just gonna leave me on this for a couple months, but don't know what his plan is from there, maybe go down to Vicodins instead of the heavy stuff.  Thanks for any suggestions you may have.

[PING]

i have been tapering from oxy's also, for several months now, i had been on percocets for 3 yrs, i'm down to two 10mg's a day,mine are in tablet form, the dr says no way, when i asked about cutting them in half, so be careful. bmac from bama, glad to see you posting again, i had planned on being off the meds all together, before i posted again, but it hasn't worked out that way. so hi to everyone, and good luck.
                              lee.

[Linco]

I was in a similar position, having been on the patch.   I felt that I was being continually dosed with "heroin" and even with a small dose of short acting breakthrough meds I still felt miserable.  Although much of the anxiety may have been in my head, I know I had to get off the patch.  Saw my MD today and he switched me to 3 vicoprofen per day and I have some .5 Klonopin for anxiety. Most over-the counter sleep medications work pretty well (or try dramamine) and I've also been taking 5-htp.  Anyway, I don't know how I'll react to the vicoprofen dose but I'm very relieved to be off the patch.  Please keep me posted.....and all the best to you.
Linda

[hippy]

one of the problems with getting off oxy,
is tapering with another drug like vike's
when you switch to vike's  the problem
is you feel like you are taking nothing .
going from such a strong med to a weaker
one, the trap a lot of fallinto is we start taking a lot
more of them per day then we should.
when  we switch from oxy to vikes to taper .
we have to stick to a strict regament.
8 a day  for a week then 7  then 6  and so on.
a lot of us have little sucess with tapering .
and find that it is easier to just go cold turkey
and deal with the week of with drawls.
then the depression and lack of energy after week 1.
the thomas's recipe helps a lot with these symptoms.

l-tyrosine 500mg 8 a day week 1, 4 a day weeks after.(some people may want to ajust the l-tyrosine .
b-6 100 mg 2 a day
calsium-magnisum
a strong multi vitamine
vitamines  -A-E- and C\
copper, magnesse, zinc, phospours,
imodium (immodium) for the runs.
something for sleep week 1 xanax or valium.
lots of hot baths for restless legs  there is a med for restless
leg ( cinemet) there are others..  
lots of water or gatoraid.
exersize is very good , the more the better.
keep posting
peace hippy

[jack daniels]

as for me t/c was the only way i could get clean. but what a *****..but i did it... 17 days clean today..."smile"...if i can be any help to anyone here please email at ***@****    Love to all that is in this place we call HELL    Jack

[KimH]

Jack that is awesome! Congratulations! How do you feel? Are you sleeping? I have a ? with the L-Ty, is it better to take it throughout the day? Will it help more? Why do you need the coper and magnesium? ****, I took 3 500 of the L-Ty's before the interview and felt like I was gonna puke and got the shakes! I know I have to lower it. Also, Just a thought for anyone, I take this stuff called calms forte', ever hear of it? It is real good for anxiety, jitters, restlessness, and even sleep (probably not sleep if your detox, take melatonin) anyway, it is homeopathic and safe enough for children. It helps you relax and there are no chemicals what so ever in it. The same homeopathic company,I believe it's hyland's, has one for leg cramps that is also great. Just trying to be helpful, KimH
P.S. you can look that up on the web for a store
near you

[KimH]

Sorry, one more quick question,
Does this site somehow make it so you can't post questions after awhile? Or like if you don't pay, you are automaticly set to have that "sorry, the post is full,no more questions today,blah blah blah"? I had NO problem with the first 2, I even got 2 in a row and one right before that. Just curious   KimH

[jack daniels]

Well to tell the truth I’m not taking anything but B complex and C and Calcium. No sleeping pills are anything else...I felt it was time to get totally clean...and I feel good, sleep a little better each night. I can't handle taking oxy are anything else as far as that goes like I should...I’m a true addict...I can't do anything right I abuse everything I come in contact with...but I did find something that I could do right and that's quitting all together...All I do is smoke and I will quit that very soon....some time in you live you have to say enough is enough and do something about it...we have no control over other people places and thing but we do have control over our life’s and it's time that I take control of mine...I'm so glad that I did it's the single greast thing I have ever done...Jack

[hippy]

being an addict we are extreemist, it is easier for us to go
from lots of pills to none at all , one extreem to the other.
that is our nature,its all or none. that is our nature.
.
as for posting questions , they take 2 questions a day ,
and that window is open around 8 am to 11 am est.
latley there have been days where there has only been 1 question taken.
i think that was due to some of the disunity 2 weeks ago.
the question are free. but should be geared twards the doctor.
i think it is fair to say if someone has a question and can not post it at the top. they should just post it on any thread.
and someone will answer it. thats what we do , we help each
other and share our experence and hope.
we just need to always respect each other , we have a mix of people here , some getting clean and facing withdrawls.from pain meds and trying ti find a way out of the hell of addiction to pain meds,
some who have been clean for a while and share thier experence.
there are also chronic pain patients who have to take medacation, and deal with the problems that may arise in thier
situations like reactions to certian medacations and finding
meadacations that work and are safe..

peace !hippy

[doner]

Wanted to point out something hippee said in the last post.To those of you who made it and are clean, please keep posting.I wont speak for anyone else but seeing that people can actually come clean and live a normal life(which is the part Im leery about lately)is good to know.Its inspiring to know that it can be done.Its great to ask quetions to people that have been there about what to expect (thanks MrM) and it helps to know the feelings that come with wds are normal.It makes them not quite so scary,for me anyway.Just a note...Doner

[MethMan]

Kim,
I think the copper and manganese (along with the vitamins) are part of what your body needs to help re-route & reconstruct your brain synapse around the center that died.  When we take opiates for an extended period of time, our body reacts by stopping production of dopamines:  The pathways die.  That's one of the main reasons we have feelings of detox, weakness, fatigue, etc.
Plus, 99 (if not) 100% of the time, good ol' Mr. Diarreah comes to visit for an extended period of time (much like inlaws) and depletes our body of the nutrients we need to get healthy again.
It's just too bad a multi-vitamin doesn't deliver a buzz.  Man... I could sure go for a good multi-vitamin buzz right about now.  And wash it down with a copper chaser.  Mmmm.... Copper.
Peace,
Methman

[doner]

PS to my last post.Huge congratulations,well done,and any other word that equals absolutely incredible. Im so proud of you and I dont even really know you.But now that you're clean and on the right road please dont leave us as we need you for an inspiration.Congrats again,Melissa

[jack daniels]

yes that is soooo true... Mr. Diarreah comes to visit everyday.... still after 18 days...but that's OK with me i can handle it...it's better and Mr. Deamon that would visit every 4 to 5 hr's after a hand full of them there pills..and it too will pass..if i can do it.. then so can you....Be Clean Jack

[KimH]

WOW! Well thanks for answering my questions guys, I'd say we got some pretty damn smart @%#$&*% junkies out here eh? I'm all set on the diarreha thanks! you guys are great! KimH

[Benz822]

Well Doner,
If you want to hear about clean time, Today is one month for me from Methadone. The only "withdrawl" feelings I have are the shivers (goose flesh) and the occasional using thought but even that is getting less and less. I still only sleep about six hours a night.
Talk to ya later, Greg

[jack daniels]

To start with I don’t think I have ever told anyone but I have had chronic pain for 12 years.  I think I have been truly blessed because ever sense I quit Oxycatin I have been pain free most of the time. I really don’t understand this because I’ve always had pain. Some very strange things have happened to me sense I ask God to help get off the Damm pills. I have never been religious but now I have to say someone helped me because I could not help my self. On 06/03/2003 I begged God to help me. That night I had the guts to flush all my meds (about 60 20 mg oxy) down the crapper. Before to that day I would have shot someone over my pills. In my 12 year addiction I have begged, borrowed and stole and done anything else to get them. I could not do anything at all if I did not have them. They would control every move I made. When I would get up in the morning it was the 1st thing that I though of. I could not move or even get dressed till I the meds down and in my blood stream. If I did not have enough to get me through the day I would not go to work. My wife would some time try to hide them and give them out to me so they would last me. I would go find them and take them. My life revolved around them I was so addicted and I knew it I could hardly stand being in my own skin. I was so unhappy I could not stand my self I would think of killing my self daily. But I could not put my wife and 3 kids through that. I have every thing to live for I am upper management in one of the largest corps. In the world and making BIG BUCKS. I drive the truck of my choice (Lightning for the gear heads out there) have a 300 acre ranch with a big house and 3 great children ages 18-24. And I’m thinking dude WHAT IN THE HELL ARE YOU DOING TO YOUR SELF. You have got to get it together. So 18 days ago I stopped cold turkey and it was the best thing I have ever done in my life. The withdrawals were HELL but very worth it. I’m sorry for rambling but it helps me. The more I talk about my self the better I feel. And other people are telling me to keep posting and if this help someone to tell my story and I will keep typing forever. Again I want to say if I can help anyone at all please do not hesitate to email me I have the time right now I took a leave of absence from work. Set in front of this thing all the time. Except for going to NA meeting and to IOP at the hospital. And with this web site all I do is therapy 24/7  well I’ll go for now…good luck to everyone in this HELL hole of addiction…….Jack    <***@****>

[doner]

PS to my last post.Huge congratulations,well done,and any other word that equals absolutely incredible. Im so proud of you and I dont even really know you.But now that you're clean and on the right road please dont leave us as we need you for an inspiration.Congrats again,Melissa

[doner]

sorry about the double post.

[theGolden1]

Bravo Dude and well done .... this business of getting clean and STAYING CLEAN (the hard part) is an ongoing process. A lifetime endeavor. I am not clean right now. I planned to quit vicodin in 2 days and I hope I can face it. I did quit ultram after 2 1/2 years and it was hard ... but thanks to people like you, and the Good Lord above, I was able to follow through. Now I'm feeling like running away because depression is setting in ... my low dose of vicodin isn't making me happy anymore and I'm having thoughts of ultram or more vicodin or whatever. I don't mind the physical stuff .... but depression really scares me. Anyway Jack, you are an inspiration to us all .... good job and thank you, Goldie

[jack daniels]

I think i took every pill know to man at one time are another are all a once..hell i don't even know how i'm even alive...i took ultram as well about 20 along with 4-6 Norco and 6-8 Oxy. a day for years and years...i don't know how i even have a liver left...but the dr. said it's fine..God is looking after me i guess....i know he is...just go for it and do it..good luck... Jack

[AlexisInTx]

I just wanted to add my congratulations as well.  I know Oxy is stronger than Hydrocodone (which I was taking before switching to buprenorphine) and when I would go through c/t withdrawals, I thought I would die.  I know that it wouldn't have happened, but I felt very weak when I would revert right back to the hydro cuz I couldn't take the symptoms.

Just wanted to say that you're an inspiration and to please stick around if you can and let others know what you've been through -- It really helps to hear of successes like yours.

[rush2danger]

i tried to taper from 160-200mg oc and 100-400mg morphine (the grey ones) pills and made it down to 20-40mg oc.. it took me like 3 months and was hell the whole time.. then i learned real hell. kicking in jail.
i have been clean 6 days now since my last relapse (2 days-160mg oc) and i have had one other 2 day relapse (400 mg morphine) since i first went "cold turkey" on april 1st (when i went to jail).
i was unable to quit through tapering.
i am now going to NA (tonite was my first meeting) just to keep myself busy from copping..
i'm too ashamed to tell my girlfriend or my roomate i relapsed, so i have to do it on the solo this time.. ack.
the worst from what i've been through is the depression. i crack around day 20-30.
i wish i could afford a head doctor.. my friend went on paxil.. and he seems ok. i'm taking the bull by thee horns though and going 100% natural..
smoking pot doesn't help alleviate symptoms
bouncing back and forth between opiods to avoid addiction (ah-ha!!) does NOT work.
i'm trying to get up the energy to rode my bike, which i know will help.. but it takes me at least 1-2 hrs to get out of bed every day. so one step at a time i guess..
so my advice is join me on the cold turkey adventure.. do whatever you have to do to get clean.. but you need help.. and won't be able to "taper" by yourself.. when i finally admitted that is when i started moving forward.
thanks for all your stories, they really help. good luck to all of you.

[KimH]

Rush2danger I had to kick a bad dope habit in jail. I told everyone how I got arrested that time, didn't tell ya it was a 3rd OUI! 5 mos manditory! I did get transfered to a treatment jail, not til after the dope w/d.I know what that's like!It sucks! Sometimes that is what we need. Just stick to it!
Jack, I cannot obsorb or comprehend the fact you flushed those! I don't think, I know I couldn't do that. I'd have to at least (and I'm so greedy when it comes to drugs I couldn't even do this) sell them. That's alot of drugs Jack! What amazing strentgth! HAD to be God! I have had oxycodone, is it the same as oxycontin? The ones I had really didn't seem to do too much. Jack, you are an inspiration!God bless you and your family!KimH

[percsnomas]

Hey Golden,
I haven't had the chance to congratulate you on kicking the Tramadol!

GREAT JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Very happy for you.

With you being at such a low dose of hydro., and it not doing anything for you(as the depression is still rearing its' ugly head), any thoughts of dropping them all together, and starting the L-Tyrosine/Vit. B-6 combo??
I just know so many of us have had success(me included) with those supplements(and specifically to stave off depression).

After a month of clean time, i was able to drop them also, without any setback(ie. depression); potentially offset by a fairly rigorous exercise schedule(that i still maintain).

Just a thought.
Take Care Friend,

percs

[jack daniels]

The biggest learning experience in this getting clean thing is if you ask God for help he will help. And like I said, I have not talked to him in 35 years, but when I did he helped and he helped right then, I still can't believe it. I feel I have been born again...I really can't believe I’m even typing this, but it's the truth.....clean 19 days today "smile"   Jack

[sandstorm]

Jack,
You have made my day.  Again, I am so proud of you.  I don't know why, but when I read your very first post, I pictured you all alone in a 1 bedroom apartment going through hell.  I have never felt so bad for anyone as I did for you and I know a lot of people. I am so happy to hear you have a wonderful famiy, big house, and etc. I am glad you are not alone.  I'm like Kim I don't know how you had the strength to throw those pills out. No way, I would have, they would have gone down my throat and  then I would have started the next day.  You have such strength and I think you survived it all so you could share with all of us.  I wish you and your family the very best. Keep sharing!

KimH,
I cannot believe what you have been through.  You also have so much stength.  I can tell it comes straight from your heart. I enjoy all of the stories you share with us.  It gives me a lot of motivation and inspiration to never ever go back to that ****!
Everyone have a great day!
Sandy

[jack daniels]

Remember to get clean it's an inside job........No one can do it for you...it's ALL you

Sandstorm..You bring tears to my eyes..Thanx so much for your support... I love everyone here...this place is heaven and hell all at the same time...Jack

[skipper]

rush2danger:
thankyou for your post...so very few who post here have ever 'detoxed" themselves in jail! the last time i did was in 1975 in
the johnson couty, iowa jail. i had been arrested filling a "midnight" Rx. see i was a drugstore thief back then...went for
over 10 years without getting caught...about the time i thought i never would get caught i did...karma?

when it comes time to kick, (and every junky will) pick the time and place yourself...DON'T let someone else pick it for you. the relative safety of home or hospital sure beats county lock-up where they "allow you" one roll of toilette paper every other day and 2 showers a week.

i was clean off heroin and morphine for 17 years when an old spinal injury litterally came back to haunt me. now i 180 mg. of oxy/a day that is Rx by a kindly old pain doc who is quick to remind me his job would be a lot easier if i had been a junky (clean or not) to begin with! all that dope into my arm and i never even thought about what i'ld do if i ever needed it! i think a lot about it now!

best of luck and keep an angel on your shoulder
kip

[truehead]

FYI:  I feel good today.. I am anxious and my legs are restless but it feels good.. it feels real.. i love it.. i will be clean.. i swear.. i have never felt better..

jack.. i am with you.. this will be the single greatest thing i have ever done in my life..

one love.. to all..
-true..

[mrmichael67]

I know anytime I detoxed, smoking pot didn't alleviate the symptoms.  It just helped put my mind in another place, so to speak.  Unfortunately, nothing much is going to alleviate the symptoms besides another opioid.  Certain things like clonodine might help, but you are still in for a ride.  I have honestly never heard of switching opioids to escape addiction.  I do see many say they were addicted to oxycontin and now they are addicted to duragesic or fentanyl or whatever.  The bottom line is you are addicted to opioids, period.  The key word is cross-tolerance.  If you are out of your oxycontin and get, say, dilaudid.....you are going to feel better.  If you are on heroin and are kicking and have to "make do" with oxycontin, you are going to be fine....as long as it is enough of it.  Of course, tolerance will play a roll.  But, if you take an equivalent dose, it will work.  If you are addicted to heroin, or oxycontin, you are addicted to opioid agonists....period.

[doner]

Hello,My name is Melissa.I just read your post towards the top and wanted to drop you a pleasent and innocent reminder that people can taper successfully.I am in the process and am doing very well. I realize and APPRECIATE some people cant taper and must go CT, but tapering can be successful as well.My point(no offense)is everyone has their own way and to hear that tapering cant be successful is discouraging to a person who is trying wholeheartedly to taper off thier DOC.As I mentioned before,everyone has their own way.Best of luck to you,Melissa

[jack daniels]

Amen Melissa Amen   Jack

[percsnomas]

Hello Doner and Rush2Danger.
.....i had read Rushs' post before lunch, and was going to respond after lunch..........only to find that you had done so very nicely.  Tapering can be a *****(willpower-wise), BUT it sure as hell is possible; in fact many doctors would say it is a preferred method(probably just cause it allows a person to adjust with each reduced amount// in other words, not as much of a shock to ones body(mind-maybe).  I know a great deal of people that have successfully tapered off their meds.

I've always said, it doesn't matter how you do it(taper or CT), as long as your method works for you!!
Both methods offer a chance at reclaiming ones' life!!!

percsnomore

[hippy]

hi miss, i know a lot of addicts who have tapered,
as you said everyone is different .
i had no luck with tapering.
but tapering is a great way twards getting clean.
it makes getting clean a lot easier,
good luck and keep up the good work.

peace hippy.

[doner]

Thanks for the encouragement as I needed it for this terrible depression.Since I started to taper I never really craved because it was methadone I was running from. No buzz. This is the first day in 5 months that I actually wanted to take a handful to chase the blues away.I dont know how much more of it I can take,you can only be this bummed out for so long ya know. Its like my mind is in overdrive. Thanks for bein there,Melissa

[tonny13]

Oh yes, switching opiods to evade addiction.  My brilliant a$$ came up with that idea about 2 years ago to justify my pill popping.  I tried taking vics for a few weeks then would switch to tylenol 4s, then darvocets.  My line of thinking was that if I didn't take any one thing for too long I wouldn't get addicted. HA very funny now that I think of it.  Obviously that didn't work out very well for me.

One more tentative testimonial for tapering, I think it may be working for me, I'm down from 7 vic 7.5's a day to 4 and am feeling really good.  Also thanks to the vitamins from the Thomas recipe.  Actually I have a question about tapering from a relatively low dose.  Should you actually taper all the way down to nothing or does there come a time to just do it.  In other words am I down to a low enough dose?  I read of others who just jump off their taper when they get down to 4 or 5.
  
Melissa, hang in there, you're doing a great job!!!! Things will get better, you poor thing.  Email me if you ever need to just ramble please! ***@****

[AlexisInTx]

I've also been successful at tapering.  It's the aftermath I have a problem with -- the mindgames I get into about the 'boredom' and I've learned after numerous attempts (and successful tapers - and I've only been taking pain pills for 2 years - maybe I shouldn't have said 'only') that I can taper just fine, but I think for me, there has to be an implementary program (whatever that may be) and support afterward so relapse doesn't occur.  

I guess I certainly am no expert, because I'm tapering now, and am keeping a journal and am finding this still hard.  I'm going VERY slowly, but the more you relapse, the harder the withdrawal/taper is going to be.  I have a group of support and I'm seeing a doctor next week to ensure that the network that I've surrounded myself with is going to help me.  

I agree that tapering can be VERY successful and that everyone has a different way of going about this, Melissa.  I don't think that there is a perfect way of going about doing this, and I don't believe in a generic protocol, that's why I won't go into in-house re-hab.  I think for many it's wonderful (especially if you find the right re-hab facility), but I don't think they custom tailor a method that specifically suits your own needs, and I've found through trial and error what I need to do.  I've had arguments about this saying that if I couldn't quit before on my own, what makes me think I can do it this time?  Well, I think a person knows instinctively after awhile that relapse will become progressively worse with each time, and that it has to end somewhere - my somewhere is now and I think the quality of life that's to be experienced is way beyond what I'm living now.  The benzo's have a tendency to leave me a little mind-boggled, so it's hard for me to read each post (I read it 5x a piece, it's ridiculous), so I have to apologize for making this so generic but I think that a good taper schedule can work just fine.  I have mine, I'm sticking to it and then I'm going to get busy with outside activities.  My Mom's diagnosis has been confirmed as colon cancer - she just had a stroke several months ago, and she's been a very close person to me, so I'm devastated by this news.  I'm thinking to myself that I won't be good to her or my Father who is taking care of her if I'm not 100%, so I'm going to do this for myself and for her right now.

Just know that you have people thinking about you, and that support your way and have been successful with it.  I think your determination will lead you on the path you want to be on.  If you ever need someone to talk to, please e-mail me @ ***@****.

[doner]

Thanks for the vote of confidence although I feel I really dont deserve it. If I whine anymore someone will have to send me some cheese.I get so embarrassed as I read through some of my recent posts as I get tired of reading MY OWN poor me posts.Kinda pathetic. Anyway, if I were you Id keep tapering so you're not sick and dont fall back. Cut one pill a week,make it as comfortable as you can. Kinda happy to find a friend that believes in tapering. Ive had a few issues w/ that subject today.Everybody has their own way. Most agree they dont have the will power to hold onto pills and taper which I can totally understand. Im kinda jealous, I wish I had it in me to go CT.But the pain sends me running back every time. At any rate stick to your plan (Id keep tapering but it's up to you)and you'll feel proud of yourself that you only took as many as you said you would.Sticking to my plan makes me feel powerful,like I'm in control.It gives me confidence to do it again and again until there's nothing left to taper.Some people think tapering is just dragging out the agony. I feel CT is like jumping into a hot boiling pool of agony.Everybody is different.Do what works for you. Take care and good luck,Melissa

[doner]

I am so sorry about your mom. I almost lost my mom to a car wreck on new yrs eve of this year.Its a miracle she made it.Your mom will be ok too.Dont you worry about me needing to whine to you, you email me anytime ***@****. Im there for you,you have my word. I will pray for you and your family tonight that everything will work out which reminds me, I have to add an extra girl in tonight that is fighting a fierce depression like me.I mean it,if you need to unload just send me an email. Moms are a tough thing. you never expect them to get sick on you. I still run to mine when im sick. My thoughts are with you,write me anytime,Melissa

[cetiya]

I am still unsure if tapering the way I want to will work.  What I'd like to do is, instead of taking 2 20 mg oxycontin twice a day, to take one every 6 hours.  Then drop one.  Is dropping a 20 mg oxy too much?  I know with tapering other drugs you have to do it a tiny bit at a time. I thought if I started to get anxious I could take 5 or 10 mg of the shorter acting stuff, at least I would still have cut down a bit anyway.  I am quite anxious to get off these things and dont want to waste time.  Can someone give me an idea how to take less of this stuff? without freaking out too much?  I don't have any Valium or other benzo's to take if I get anxious.

[rush2danger]

i wish i believed in the tapering method.  i should state that i was NEVER prescribed oc's, they sell them on the same block they sell crack and heroin here in sf (well.. one of the blocks) so i was always aware of what i was doing i guess..
so tapering got me into trouble that way.. copping in an urban area holds so many negatives..
i know the pain will go away if i do "a little".. but man, i went from 400mg of morphine and 160mg of oc to just 20 mgs of oc and that **** took 3 months! it was like hell the whole time.. kinda like this.. i felt that it only prolonged the kick..  although i'm sure i would use if i could convince myself i could taper ( funny, even now my little junkie mind trys to allow myself a taper)..
maybe we could hear about some sucess stories from people who tapered and are now completely OFF..
people that abuse, without chronic pain..
i don't mean to come on here and say there is only one way.. if i knew ****, i wouldn't be on here, only 6-7 days clean.. i just know once i got over the fact i was a junkie and i needed to STOP.. i started getting better.. at least i made what i consider leaps and bounds.
things like admitting to people i was using, ending all the lies, getting a job (great sitting in a cubicle while you sweat it out) so i could stop a life of crime to support myself.
i guess i'm jealous of the taperers..
..cuz it would be alot easier with a taste.
btw, people who use valium, or the other benzos.. how do you function? don't they knock you out? i tried this and started straight up passing out at work! they are addictive too arent they? shouldn't i be worried about picking up this habit too?
once again, thank you all for your help and advice

[Thomas050]

Hi Doner,
I wanted to post this in the other thread "depression from w/d" but it was closed.
I just want to say that you tapered down from 80mg of methadone to 10, that you deserve an medal of achievement. I can't give you that but I will give you a virtual high five and hug :)
I was with someone who went on methadone to get free of her pain pill addiciton. Then she could not get off methadone and decided to just stay on it. So I know (in my experience in a relationship with someone on it) how hard it is to get off. I just wanted to say congratulations to you. I have seen a few success stories of people who were able to get off methadone and I believe they are inspiring in that they show it is possible.
I may be trying methadone to get free of my my pain pill use and will know first hand what it is all about. We'll see.

But anyway, thank you for sharing your story. I admire your strong will.
Sorry to interrupt this thread.

Best
Thomas050
(The other Thomas :)

[Jemmi]

Hi everyone. I'm 10 days off of an Oxy CT. Has anyone else experienced numbness/tingling as part of wd? Twice in the past 3 days my arm and leg have gone numb for about 20min.(first time the right side, second time the left.) Haven't had this in previous wd, but nothing would suprise me at this point. Appreciate any help.

[singintheblues]

Thanks so much for all of your encouragement.  I cant believe i am writing this.  I started like everyone else..chronic back pain..and did not know these demons were addicting.  I kept telling my Dr. I did not want to increase my dosage.. He finally  had a heart to heart talk with me and said...YOU HAVE TO TAKE YOUR MEDS. So ..i broke down and he had me at 80mg 3x day with IR's to help out.  The thing that weirded me out was..why..when he increased my dosage..did the pain not go away? Still dont know why. He informed me one month ago..that he was getting out of the pain med bus..I didnt think he meant me.  I have been on them for 5 yrs. Out the door I was sent. He gave me a paper with other drs. on it.  It took me a week of constnt calling..but finally  got a dr.  Had to wait a month...then...she calls me and tells me ...i am not a good candidate..what the hlllll does that mean.> No ans. Went to my GP..and told them...and left their office and decided i was getting off...(after they told me i had a kidney problem).  I had tapered before ..but the pain was so bad.. i slowly went back...(like you all say)..I dont think i am mentlally addicted..I might be fooling myself..But when i went off before ..i dropped 5mg a week..did great..didnt know any problems..I am determined now...i have no dr. and am not a street person..In one month i have cut my dosage in half..iam on 3 40's a day,, No sleep ..and i have ambien.  still no sleep.. Leg cramps are the worst...i thought to myself.i would try the hot water...i could barely make it into the tub  they are so bad.  I have been dropping 20mg a week...till last week...and the leg cramps were so bad..i am such a bi.....that i hate my husband has to put up with me.i thought ..i will stay here another week or so. Well reading your website.has made me know...to go on down tomorrow. i didnt know about thomas recipe..i will get it tomorrow. I could not do the flush thing..no way..God bless you..I am afraid of some accident happening and not having anything.  I still have stuff from my double knee replacement.  I had a lot of vicaprophen..and gave to an ailing friend that can hardly walk..Read part of your site.and thought i should have kept them..No way..as you say..just exchanging one for the other.  It is hard to imagine only being on for such a short time as many of you have..I wish it were me. I have considered suicide....but as you say...i have a wonderful husband..and so supporting of me... i just hate myself..i dont have the diareaha..i am still on benefiber to go.  but the stomach cramps and legg things..  are bad.. just dont mean to whine..but it does help to vent...you remind me of myself..your good life..i am not wealthy..but am in another way..with my husband.  I pray..i can make it.. I tried ct for one day...was all excited...and could not do it.Bless you all that can..I have had thougths of this or that..I honestly do not get a buzz.  There was a time yrs back i did. Stupidly..my brother told me...crush em up..they will work better...Now.....that feeling...was  good..but i really did not know I was buzzed.  I guess because i was doing them all of the time...The thing i miss the most is i never laugh any more..I am a very funny person..It has stolen my humor...and life...It is over..no more..I never thought I could get "normal" until reading your stuff.  I so look forward to it.Thank you ...all of you....

[PGhelpme]

This is my first on this forum. I', so depressed and scared. I have been on 30 mg oxy 2 times a day. I have to try to taper. Going CT is not an option becauseI can't yet share this with my husband and kids, take off work, etc. Please help me. I'm going to get the vitamins and other things described above. I have clonidine for BP and clonazepam. I take an OTC natural sleep med. At this point I am so ashamed and worried I can't do this.

[Florida_Guy737]

Hi...understand.  Please post this as a new question because this is a very old post; the people who answered above are no longer here.  When you post your question, many answers will be sent to you.

Welcome..

Guy

[Daveyboy49]

I am on 40mg oxycontin two times daily (2 morning-2night)and also percocet (oxycodone) 5mg 6 times daily...I have been on these for about five years and finally worked courage to ask my Doctor to help me taper off..He started me at 10mg twice a day and 2 percocets once daily.I started two days ago and am starting to really be sick from it.I think coming from basicly 200 mg a day to 25 a day is just to drastic and am calling my Doctor now to see if he can do it a bit more slowly.His plan has me completely off in twelve days! I wish i could but honestly don't think i can do it.This is one powerful addiction.I seriously want this to work but man that is a big and drastic change for me.What do you think? Should i ask the Doctor to go easier or suck it up and be stronger?
Thanks
I have seven bulging discs and shoulder injuries from an accident .

[herbalgerbals]

****. I need help..
***@****]

I need to get of these oxys.. but my doc keeps prescribing them.. and I cant say anything.
I love them. But I hate them.
Please email me, someone?