Weaning of Oxycontin

[Lindy]

Can someone please tell me if I am currently taking 30 mg Oxycontin 2 times a day is it possible to wean myself off this medication without any of the terrible side effects that come with it? Can I slowly taper off without the depression and the willies and everything else that goes along with it? I have been on this medication for 8 months. I take it for Fibro. I have had it with the running out too soon. Vacations ruined because I have run out. Visits to emergency rooms in towns where I am on vacation. I want to try to wean off myself first then get outside help if I cant do it alone. But can someone tell me how  can do this?  Thank you for reading this and any response you can give.

[Sherriq]

Lindy,

I can't answer your question directly, but the question of tapering has been addressed before in this forum - several times, in fact.  Browse through the archives and the other postings regarding Oxycontin - especially responses by Brian.  He has written about it to others and given them some possible ways to do it.  But - I must tell you - don't make it hard on yourself.  The very BEST way to do it is with professional help - especially  since you have other medical concerns.  

Please keep posting - you'll find a lot of good people and good support on this board.  Many of those who post here have been through or are currently going through withdrawal from Oxycontin - they'll be here to help you all the way.

Take care, and let us know how you're doing.
Sherri

[To Lindy From Bonnie]

I was told you can wean yourself off any meds. but if you are on the same type of oxycontin i am on it will be difficult. I am on the time released pill,they are too small to break in half and its not safe to do it that way since they are time released.I am also on 30 mg a day ,but I take more than that.I have a spinal disease and I am wondering how I could even cope without the oxycontin but like you it is also ruining my life.I cant even leave the house if i dont have the pills with me.I also suffer from panick /anxiety attacks and take xanax for that ,I am so affraid of how my body will react without the oxycontin ,since anxiety is a side effect with withdrawl i am fearing I may go crazy.I am very freightend of the road I must go down soon.I hope you get the answers you need and know that you are not alone ,I feel your pain too. Bonnie

[Brian to Sick and Scared § ALL you guys]

Tapering is actually more difficult with oxycontin because, as the prior post says, if you break the pill in order to reduce dosage you will cause it to increase the amount hitting your system at one time (since it will not be time released).  I would speak with your doctor about either using buprenorphine to detox you (and you can use it for your fibro; however, it is only in injection form at this time) or, your doctor can prescribe a sufficient amount of hydrocodone which you can then use to taper down.  Your doctor can also prescribe other medications such as clonidine for any withdrawal symptoms.  Buprenorphine is your best bet.  Good luck.

[From Aunt Lindy to Mariah]

Thanks for the response. Bonnie I think we are in the same boat.  I was thinking maybe doing 20 in the am and in the eve. for a while. Then start using my 10 mg in the am and eve. It helps me for what I take it for but I am tired of feeling like a prisoner to meds.  I am currently taking an antidepressant and Xanax when needed. I dont like the Xanax it makes me too sleepy and sometimes depressed.  I am also doing meditation, acupuncture and massage.  Bonnie keep me posted on how you are doing too. This is such a great site. If it was not for everyone on here I would feel so alone with this. No one in my family knows of my inner torment that I go through. One on hand the meds really do work. They help me for what they are supposed too and at the same time I fear going off of them.  That is why I supplement with holistic approaches too. Thanks again, you all are so terrific to me.

[tom to Lindy]

just a word from the un-wise but experienced about Xanax or any benzo used with opiates like Oxy or Vicodin: I have what is called in medical catch-all jargon "degenerative disk disease" and need daily painkillers in order to support a career and family. I was able to control my use of opiates for more than 10 years. There was, of course, tolerance and escalating dosages, but I functioned in all the normal aspects of my life - work, marriage, kids, friends, bills, taxes and so on ... But then I added Valium, later switching between Xanax and Klonopin (doesn't really matter -- same brain receptors). The benzo affected me like alcohol in that it acted as a disinhibitor, breaking down the common-sense limits I was able to put on my opiate use. In addition, and probably more to the point, relying on an outside source to cope with anxiety caused by own natural ability to cope with anxiety to completely fall away. Someone better educated about the brain's relationship with benzo's could explain it more fully, but the result was that, by using benzos to cope, I effectively stripped myself of any natural ability or inclination to cope with anxiety in healthy ways. The Xanax literally created the need for more of itself -- a self-purpetuating drug that had the unfortunate side effect of causing me to increase my opiate use. Whatever your condition, I strongly urge you to very slowly wean yourself off the benzo (you MUST do it gradually or you could siezure -- I know from experience). Talk to Brian on this subject. He is well informed and, I believe, a medical professional of some kind. I know he will back me up on this.

[From Aunt Lindy to Mariah]

Hi Tom,
Thank God I rarely take the Xanax! I probably take it .50 four times a month.  I take it to sleep. I CANNOT take it during the day because it just makes me way to groggy.  Thank you for your email. After seeing all the Xanax questions on this site I thank god that I rarely take it!

[To tom,Lindy From Bonnie]

I am on Pamelor twice daily and xanax .05 x5 times a day.I tried going off my xanax but could not stand it.I thought I was going crazy,what a horrible feeling .I am so scared ,to be honest I dont feel I am strong enough to get off this stuff,I know it sounds like a cop out but its my honest feelings.I have never been so freightend in my life.To make things worse I have been hospitalized 4 timesprior to even starting oxycontin/percocet.I swore then I would never go backto the hospital ,but now I have another bridge to cross ,going off the opiates and keeping my sanity.I have read many inspirational storieson here but still have not gotten to the point where I can say "I can beat this".thanks to you all and keep up the couragious paths you have taken. Bonnie

[patrick]

Stay away from Xanax....halusinations are typical when you quit..I flipped out when I stopped..thought I was going to die..anybody know how long oxy is detected in system..been taking 40 mg twica a day for almost 3 months....also how will I stop w/o great trauma...thanks

[bob]

I have had 8 major back surgeries and am only 36. I had lost the ability to do much of anything more than go to work (desk job) and go home and sit. I was evaluated and attempted several pain mgt. clinics all with no success. I have taken and overtaken every conceivable narcotic analgesic and all wound me up in some sort of detox (either alone or supervised) because the Dr.'s refused to continue to write scripts as fast as I was burning through them. I have detoxed more times than I care to count. I too have had every vacation in recent memory ruined by a trip to an ER somewhere. I have seen more Er's in 36 years than most 10 others see ever.

Then, out of sheer desperation I went to one of the clinics that our local teaching hospital (OHSU) has in the area. When i walked in I decided to lay all my cards on the table. I went in, I explained my history....how I've never been able to take a prescription as prescribed...how I've been fired from more Dr.'s than most people ever see...etc.

He did more for my pain than anyone ever. He prescribed a pain patch for me called Duragesic (fentenyl). It's like a stop smoking patch that I apply to my skin and for 3 days it delivers a measured dose of the BEST pain medication I've ever used. I'm currently wearing a 50 mcgh (micrograms per hour) size which means that I have two more sizes before I reach the top size...then they saay I can wear more than one at a time if I get to that point.

I have my life back!!! I can have sex, go golfing, water ski, and bowl all in the same day without winding up in the hospital for 3-4 days, I did it this weekend!! I sleep at night, I have an appetite again, and the best part for me is that I don't have to worry about pills. He is still prescribing me 7.5mg Percocet for breakthrough, but I usually wind up taking my whole months supply in a few days, so next month I'm gonna' tell him no more of those.

Anyway, for those of us tired of pills and trying to manage an unmanageable situation....maybe these can help you too!!!

Good luck everyone, from one grateful addict.

Bob

[tom to Bob]

you're in the common position of needing opiates for legitimate reasons but also liking the hell out of them. Welcome, oh new member of the ever expanding club. I think it's terrific you've found Duragesic. Maybe the controlled nature of the time-release patch will save you. Of course, I've heard of people putting on double patches (wouldn't you know it?). Fentanyl (duragesic) is big-time narcotics. It's the one they usually mean when they say "designer" heroin or words to that effect. More power to you, Bob. Controlled time-release of potent narcs may be the formula you can finally live with. It's worth all of us noting ... but of course I'm waiting to hear what Brian thinks (no sarcasim intended, Brian, your posts are always interesting and enlightening). I'm going to an orthopedic surgeon on Friday -- referred by my family doc who keeps me in Darvon alternating months with Vicodin. I have three "degenerative disks," one with a significant degree of bulge (what a phrase ... you can tell I'm not a doctor). Should I ask him about Duragesic? Or is it such serious stuff that I will instantly bring on all sorts of tests and treatments just to be on it? I've had surgery once and am not seeking more. Rather, I would settle for non-invasive therapy and maintenance pain meds. This is to Brian, Bob or anyone experienced in this stuff.

[Brian to Sick and Scared § ALL you guys]

Duragesic patches seem to be the medication most abused by anesthesiologists.  Fentanyl is a synthetic opiate somewhere between 50 and 100 times the strength of morphine.  It has been used in anesthesia since the 1970's but wasn't available for the treatment of pain until the transdermal patch came out in I believe 1991 or so.  It is a great medication for severe, chronic pain.  Tom, I would not ask for fentanyl if you are currently receiving Darvon and Vicodin.  Most doctors don't prescribe it unless there is SEVERE and chronic pain.  It is most often prescribed to cancer patients.  Since you are taking relatively weak painkillers at present (compared to fentanyl) it is likely your doctor will think you are a drug seeking addict.  Furthermore, the ortho's usually want to operate to control pain.  The next step for you if your pain isn't adequately controlled, and if surgery isn't an option, would likely be a long-acting narcotic such as oxycontin.  With respect to Xanax and other benzodiazepines, your other post was right on the money.  They are highly addictive and are only appropriate either for very short term treatment (2 weeks or less) or for patients who do not respond to other, less addictive medications.  What you describe is a rebound anxiety caused by the brain and body becoming used to the sedating effects of the drug.  When the drug wears off, anxiety returns worse than before, and hence more of the drug is taken to combat the rebound anxiety.  It is a bad cycle.  As to permanent effects, the scientific community is divided.  Most people seem to return to their baseline within a few months after getting off the benzos.  Finally, it is worth noting that in Germany the most prescribed drugs for anxiety are Valerian and Kava.  Valerian acts similarly to benzos without the side effects or withdrawal syndrome.  Kava also seems to work quite well for anxiety.  Both work well for sleep.  Before going on either it is essential to check with your physician due to potential serious interactions between any medications you are taking and the herbal medications.

[tom to Brian]

Thanks, Brian, for the as-always conscientious and non-judgmental response. If you ever open your own site (as in great idea) don't go without leaving a forwarding URL. Would that my doctor was as forthcoming. I think he would be if he was not in such an HMO-inspired hurry. I owe him more than I can say for his compassionate but still professional response to my "pain predicament." Consider the Fentenyl idea shelved. I hope I never need anything that powerful. As for my Xanax comments, they were more memoir than anything. I haven't used benzos for several years and don't plan to start. I would like to know what you think about me alternating Darvon (Darvon 65 4 times a day with 500 mg enteric aspirin added for nighttime doses - not the normal formula, but it works without any appreciable sedation), month by month, with Vicodin (5 mg) as a way of forestalling an increase in tolerance to either or both. It really does seem to work. I have been at a 4 per day rate for about a year and haven't had to bump them up. I don't use Darvocet because I also like to lay off the APAP when I can and, for some reason, Darvocet nauseates me while the hydrochloride form of porpox does not. As for the orthopedist, it was actually my idea to get a fresh MRI and see him, mainly because I wanted the MRI so I could approach my treatment from an informed perspective. I will settle for maintenance because I fear the unintended consequences of more surgery. Judging by the posts on this site, Oxycontin seems to be alarmingly addictive, with tales of chewing pills and so on. How is Oxycontin's track record when used normally at normal rates? I hesitate to ask for it because it's Schedule II. Everything and everyone gets very serious when you cross that line. I also think my doctor will not want the increased scrutiny that the triplicate script represents. Besides respecting him as a doctor, I have a lot of (platonic) affection for him as a human being. I believe he would give me the Oxy but it would be one more worry for him to bare. Under the circumstances, I think I would be exploiting our relationship. How about just going on as I am?

[Brian to Sick and Scared § ALL you guys]

Managed care is a pain and does cut into time a lot.  Tons more paperwork and the pressure of moving people in and out quickly (because you get paid very little for office visits).  The website idea has crossed my mind, but at the moment I need to keep a low profile due to some issues related to my prior narcotic abuse and my position.  With respect to alternating Darvon and hydrocodone, it's not a bad plan and, more importantly, it's working for you--therefore stick with it.  I wasn't recommending that you go to oxycontin, only if you have chronic pain which is not responding to anything weaker should you make that choice.  It is highly addictive and has a particularly severe withdrawal syndrome in many people.  You may wish to switch at some point from Vicodin to Vicoprofen which has 7.5 mg of hydrocodone and no apap (it has ibuprofen).  As to the Darvon, I'm glad it works for you.  Many patients report little pain relief, and even the manufacturer (Lilly) released a written statement at some point saying there was no proof that it was more effective at pain relief than two aspirin.  Finally, just beware about staying on narcotics for too long.  I am never one to say people should suffer, but you should be aware that at some point your tolerance will increase and your doctor may decide not to increase the amount you are prescribed.

[Bob Churchill]

Hmmmm....several interesting points have been made since my last post.

I finally got in to see the pain control clinic at our teaching hospital. In meeting with the pain control doc he explained to me how mechanical my pain is. I abhore the thought of any mor invasive treatments, but when he pointed out that I wouldn't ride my motorcycle with bad brakes unless I got them fixed, it really made sense. All of this means that I'm faced with one of several invasive procedures (ie; disc heating, "nerve burn", or the ever popular multi-level fusion). He also suggested steppin up the Duragesic from 50ugh to 75ugh, or just changing to 80-100mg of Oxycontin daily. I have no desire to change the patches for pills, but I'm still taking 7.5mg Percocets @ 3 per day and I have asked them to trade those for 2 20mg Oxcontin's so maybe I can get some sleep.

As for the docs and Fentanyl, every article that I've read never mentions the patches, they all refer to IV use of the anestesia form. However, my brother (a doc, and an addict himself), he says that when docs wanna get loaded it's Dilaudid or Fentanyl.

My sponsor says whatever needs to happen will happen, and all I can do is go with it, and clean my side of the street.

Peace!

[KURT to LINDY]

D
ear Lindy, Please allow me to tell you a little story.But first, let me correct you on your dosage. They don't make oxycontin in 30mg.pilHEREls. Only 10mg [white]-- 20mg [salmon color]  --- 40mg --yellow].T                                                             There's even 80mg pill now.I started doing pot,cigarettes and drink heavily at the tender age of 12. I am 38y/o. No Drs.
were willing to prescribe anything. I was shooting up 40 mg @    
20 mg of oxycontin [oxymorphone] And 65 mg of methadone.I flew  
to the East coast to   get rapid detox .I need my warskate        

[KURT to LINDY]

D
ear Lindy, Please allow me to tell you a little story.But first, let me correct you on your dosage. They don't make oxycontin in 30mg.pilHEREls. Only 10mg [white]-- 20mg [salmon color]  --- 40mg --yellow].T                                                             There's even 80mg pill now.I started doing pot,cigarettes and drink heavily at the tender age of 12. I am 38y/o. No Drs.
were willing to prescribe anything. I was shooting up 40 mg @    
20 mg of oxycontin [oxymorphone] And 65 mg of methadone.I flew  
to the East coast to   get rapid detox .I need my warskate        

[KURT to LINDY]

D
ear Lindy, Please allow me to tell you a little story.But first, let me correct you on your dosage. They don't make oxycontin in 30mg.pilHEREls. Only 10mg [white]-- 20mg [salmon color]  --- 40mg --yellow].T                                                             There's even 80mg pill now.I started doing pot,cigarettes and drink heavily at the tender age of 12. I am 38y/o. No Drs.
were willing to prescribe anything. I was shooting up 40 mg @    
20 mg of oxycontin [oxymorphone] And 65 mg of methadone.I flew  
to the East coast to   get rapid detox .I need my warskate

[From Aunt Lindy to Mariah]

I take 30 mg 2 times a day. A twenty and a ten.

[John B]

Thanks to all regarding your posts and withdrawal symptoms.  I have been taking 2-6 vicoprofens per night for about six months.  I have since weaned down to 2 then one and then to a half.  When I went the first night without any I was fairly ok.  The second noght was msierable!  I broke down and took one vico!  I really want to stop! I experinced restless leg syndrome and irritability.  I also have noticed a heightened sense of anxiety and increased social phobia throughout the day coupled with a tightness in my throat.  I shoud say that I did anticate this and started taking 37.5 effexor a week before my last vico.  I also take walerian root pills at night.  Well anyway any comments on the mixing of valerian with effexor and if i stay away from the vicos how long will the withdrawal symptoms last.  Thanks so much JOhn B.

[chris]

This is a true story of how terrible and tragic the progressive use of pain meds. can be.  They do, however, play an important role in the quality of life of so many.  It's just there is a very thin line.  BEWARE OF THE DRS WILLING OVERPRESCRIBE OPIATES WITH THEIR INTEREST IN MIND.  ALSO I PLEAD WITH YOU ALL TO USE GOOD JUDGEMENT AND NEVER TRUST ANY MD(which in some cases is an acronym for Mentally Deficient).

I am a 29-yr-old quadriplegic who sought pain relief Sept. 98.  My pain Dr. started me off on 2-4 OxyContin 10mgs tid or 3 times daily.  It is common for both Oxycontin & MS Contin(morphine) to not only be used q12h, but also q8h or every 8 hrs.  Over the next 2 yrs, I unwantingly earned an honorary degree in anesthesiology.  I will quickly progress thru my many stages.  I took about 100mgs of Oxy daily for a year and then became tolerant.  It were as if Oxys were causing more pain than they were helping (studies have confirmed this unfortunate occurrence).  Possibly do to being confined to a wheelchair, the pain persisted and was absolutely agonizing.  After a year of use, my tolerance soared.  I was prescribed 2-4 40mg Oxys 3 times daily, and I eagerly took them.  I swallowed, chewed...12 40mg tablets(4 every eight hrs), or 480mgs of Oxycontin daily.  

I was soon told by my Dr, who until then said nothing, that I had no choice but to have a morphine pump, technically called an intrathecal pump, put in or he would no longer help me.  Atlast his motivating factor and long-term goal surfaced.  These pumps put highly concentrated morphine directly into the spinal fluid.  There is 100mgs of morphine per ml of solution in my pump, and 1 MG OF MORPHINE ADMINISTERED INTO THE SPINAL FLUID EQUALS 120MGS ORALLY!!!  

Anyway I had the pump put in.  My Dr. started me out at 25mgs (equivalent to 2500mgs orally) intrathecally.  Within 1 month the pump had become infected with MRSA, a very dangerous/resistant staph infection only treatable with 1 anti-biotic called vancomycin.  My Dr refused to admit it was infected and instead of removing it, turned it up so it was administering 55mgs of intrathecal(100-120 times more powerful than oral morph) morphine daily.  He kept saying more meds would help.  I had now been infected with spinal menengitis (because staph bacteria was being pumped into my spine by the intrathecal pump) for 10 weeks.  I was very near death, but no one wanted to clean up his mess and they kept sending me back to him.  I had to have my mom put me in my wheelchair and flee the hospital against medical advice-AMA-to search for help.

I ended up at OSU main hospital where they immediately removed and cultured the pump.  It was positive for MRSA and had been infecting my CSF-cerebral spinal fluid.  

THIS IS WHERE THOSE OF YOU WANTING TO WEEN DOWN OFF MEDS MAY BE HELPED.  AFTER THEY TURNED OFF THE PUMP, I WAS PUT ON 220MGS OF IV MORPHINE AN HOUR.  I WAS ON 5280MGS MORPHINE DAILY!  I AM NOT JOKING!  IT WAS THE MOST THE HOSPITAL'S PAIN SERVICE HAD EVER SEEN.  If you do the math 55mgs intrathecally equals 550mgs epidurally which equals 5500mgs i.v.  Because of the enormous amount of morphine, they switched me to dilaudid, or hydromorphone, in my IV which is approx. 10 times more potent than morphine.  This way they could use less ml with more mgs and didn't have to refill my IV pump all the time.

Now down to some better numbers.  After 4 weeks of IV antibiotics and massive weening, I was released on 500mgs Oramorph 3 times a day, or 1500mgs a day.  Depending on how aggressive or determined you are to quit, 10-20% every 4-5 days is appropriate and not difficult.  I reduced my intake by 100mgs every 4 days.  I was released Sept. 8th on 1500mg and today am on 180mg MS Contin-60mg three times a day.  Keep in mind I'm a quadriplegic and had many,many,many other struggles while weening.  I couldn't just get up and take a drive, go for a walk, etc.  In fact I can't drive at all!  I was trapped!

As for those of you on 10, 20, 40, 80 and yes now there are 160mgs Oxys or 15, 30, 60, 100 and 200MG MS Contins(Morphine Sulfate CONTINuous), just quit taking one at a time 7 days apart.  The worst withdrawal is gone in 3-4 days.  I promise you won't die.  Also if you bite a 10mg or 20mg in half, you would only get an instant 5 or 10mgs.  This is no different than taking 1 or 2 percocet.  If that's what it takes to ween yourself off this poison, go for it.  Just make sure you don't abuse your meds by chewing them.

If I can do it, you can too.  Just set your mind to it.  

Many prayers,
Chris  
***@****

[Chris replies on weaning]

This is a true story of how terrible and tragic the progressive use of pain meds can be.  They do, however, play an important role in the quality of life of so many.  It's just there is a very thin line between good and evil.  BEWARE OF THE DRS WILLING OVERPRESCRIBE OPIATES WITHOUT YOUR BEST INTEREST IN MIND.  ALSO I PLEAD WITH YOU ALL TO USE GOOD JUDGEMENT AND NEVER TRUST ANY MD (which in some cases is an acronym for Mentally Deficient) WITHOUT FIRST CHECKING THEM OUT.

I am a 29-yr-old quadriplegic who sought pain relief Sept. 98.  My pain Dr. started me off on 2-4 OxyContin 10mgs tid or 3 times daily.  It is common for both Oxycontin & MS Contin(morphine) to not only be used q12h, but also q8h or every 8 hrs.  Over the next 2 yrs, I unwantingly earned an honorary degree in anesthesiology.  I will quickly progress thru my many stages.  I took about 100mgs of Oxy daily for a year and then became tolerant.  It were as if Oxys were no longer working and causing more pain than they were helping (studies have confirmed this unfortunate occurrence).  Possibly do to being confined to a wheelchair where my interactions are limited, the pain persisted, worsened and was absolutely agonizing.  After a year of use, my tolerance soared.  I was prescribed 2-4 40mg Oxys 3 times daily, and I eagerly took them.  I swallowed, chewed...twelve 40mg tablets(4 every eight hrs), or 480mgs of Oxycontin daily.  

I was soon told by my Dr, who until then said nothing, that I had no choice but to have a morphine pump, technically called an intrathecal pump, put in or he would no longer help me.  At last his motivating factor and long-term goal surfaced.  These pumps put highly concentrated morphine directly into the spinal fluid.  There is 100mgs of morphine per ml of solution in my pump, and 1 MG OF MORPHINE ADMINISTERED INTO THE SPINAL FLUID EQUALS 100+MGS ORALLY!!!  

Anyway I had the pump put in.  My Dr. started me out at 25mgs (equivalent to 2500mgs orally) intrathecally.  Within 1 month the pump had become infected with MRSA, a very dangerous/resistant staph infection only treatable with 1 anti-biotic called vancomycin.  My Dr refused to admit it was infected and instead of removing it, turned it up so it was administering 55mgs of intrathecal(100-120 times more powerful than oral morph) morphine daily.  He kept saying more meds would help.  I had now been infected with spinal menengitis (because staph bacteria was being pumped into my spine by the intrathecal pump) for 10 weeks.  I was very near death, but no one wanted to clean up his mess and they kept sending me back to him.  I had to have my mom put me in my wheelchair and flee the hospital against medical advice-AMA-to search for help.

I ended up at OSU main hospital where they immediately removed and cultured the pump.  It was positive for MRSA and had been infecting my CSF-cerebral spinal fluid.  

THIS IS WHERE THOSE OF YOU WANTING TO WEAN DOWN OFF MEDS MAY BE HELPED.  AFTER THEY TURNED OFF THE PUMP, I WAS PUT ON 220MGS OF IV MORPHINE AN HOUR.  I WAS ON 5280MGS MORPHINE DAILY!  I AM NOT JOKING!  IT WAS THE MOST THE HOSPITAL'S PAIN SERVICE HAD EVER SEEN.  If you do the math 55mgs intrathecally equals 550mgs epidurally which equals 5500mgs i.v.  Because of the enormous volume of morphine, they switched me to dilaudid, or hydromorphone, in my IV which is approx. 10 times more potent than morphine.  This way they could use less ml with more mgs and didn't have to refill my IV pump all the time.

Now down to some better numbers.  After 4 weeks of IV antibiotics and massive weaning, I was released on 500mgs Oramorph 3 times a day, or 1500mgs a day.  Depending on how aggressive or determined you are to quit, 10-20% every 4-5 days is appropriate and not difficult.  I reduced my intake by 100mgs every 4 days.  I was released Sept. 8th on 1500mg and today am on 180mg MS Contin-60mg three times a day.  Keep in mind I'm a quadriplegic and had many,many,many other struggles while weaning.  I couldn't just get up and take a drive, go for a walk, etc.  In fact I can't drive at all!  I was trapped!

As for those of you on 10, 20, 40, 80 and yes now there are 160mgs Oxys or 15, 30, 60, 100 and 200MG MS Contins(Morphine Sulfate CONTINuous), just quit taking one at a time 7 days apart.  The worst withdrawal is gone in 3-4 days.  I promise you won't die.  Also if you bite a 10mg or 20mg in half, you would only get an instant 5 or 10mgs.  This is no different than taking 1 or 2 percocet.  If that's what it takes to wean yourself off this poison, go for it.  Just make sure you don't abuse your meds by chewing them.

If I can do it, you can too.  Just set your mind to it.  

Many prayers,
Chris  
***@****

[Chris replies on weaning]

This is a true story of how terrible and tragic the progressive use of pain meds can be.  They do, however, play an important role in the quality of life of so many.  It's just there is a very thin line between good and evil.  BEWARE OF THE DRS WILLING OVERPRESCRIBE OPIATES WITHOUT YOUR BEST INTEREST IN MIND.  ALSO I PLEAD WITH YOU ALL TO USE GOOD JUDGEMENT AND NEVER TRUST ANY MD (which in some cases is an acronym for Mentally Deficient) WITHOUT FIRST CHECKING THEM OUT.

I am a 29-yr-old quadriplegic who sought pain relief Sept. 98.  My pain Dr. started me off on 2-4 OxyContin 10mgs tid or 3 times daily.  It is common for both Oxycontin & MS Contin(morphine) to not only be used q12h, but also q8h or every 8 hrs.  Over the next 2 yrs, I unwantingly earned an honorary degree in anesthesiology.  I will quickly progress thru my many stages.  I took about 100mgs of Oxy daily for a year and then became tolerant.  It were as if Oxys were no longer working and causing more pain than they were helping (studies have confirmed this unfortunate occurrence).  Possibly do to being confined to a wheelchair where my interactions are limited, the pain persisted, worsened and was absolutely agonizing.  After a year of use, my tolerance soared.  I was prescribed 2-4 40mg Oxys 3 times daily, and I eagerly took them.  I swallowed, chewed...twelve 40mg tablets(4 every eight hrs), or 480mgs of Oxycontin daily.  

I was soon told by my Dr, who until then said nothing, that I had no choice but to have a morphine pump, technically called an intrathecal pump, put in or he would no longer help me.  At last his motivating factor and long-term goal surfaced.  These pumps put highly concentrated morphine directly into the spinal fluid.  There is 100mgs of morphine per ml of solution in my pump, and 1 MG OF MORPHINE ADMINISTERED INTO THE SPINAL FLUID EQUALS 100+MGS ORALLY!!!  

Anyway I had the pump put in.  My Dr. started me out at 25mgs (equivalent to 2500mgs orally) intrathecally.  Within 1 month the pump had become infected with MRSA, a very dangerous/resistant staph infection only treatable with 1 anti-biotic called vancomycin.  My Dr refused to admit it was infected and instead of removing it, turned it up so it was administering 55mgs of intrathecal(100-120 times more powerful than oral morph) morphine daily.  He kept saying more meds would help.  I had now been infected with spinal menengitis (because staph bacteria was being pumped into my spine by the intrathecal pump) for 10 weeks.  I was very near death, but no one wanted to clean up his mess and they kept sending me back to him.  I had to have my mom put me in my wheelchair and flee the hospital against medical advice-AMA-to search for help.

I ended up at OSU main hospital where they immediately removed and cultured the pump.  It was positive for MRSA and had been infecting my CSF-cerebral spinal fluid.  

THIS IS WHERE THOSE OF YOU WANTING TO WEAN DOWN OFF MEDS MAY BE HELPED.  AFTER THEY TURNED OFF THE PUMP, I WAS PUT ON 220MGS OF IV MORPHINE AN HOUR.  I WAS ON 5280MGS MORPHINE DAILY!  I AM NOT JOKING!  IT WAS THE MOST THE HOSPITAL'S PAIN SERVICE HAD EVER SEEN.  If you do the math 55mgs intrathecally equals 550mgs epidurally which equals 5500mgs i.v.  Because of the enormous volume of morphine, they switched me to dilaudid, or hydromorphone, in my IV which is approx. 10 times more potent than morphine.  This way they could use less ml with more mgs and didn't have to refill my IV pump all the time.

Now down to some better numbers.  After 4 weeks of IV antibiotics and massive weaning, I was released on 500mgs Oramorph 3 times a day, or 1500mgs a day.  Depending on how aggressive or determined you are to quit, 10-20% every 4-5 days is appropriate and not difficult.  I reduced my intake by 100mgs every 4 days.  I was released Sept. 8th on 1500mg and today am on 180mg MS Contin-60mg three times a day.  Keep in mind I'm a quadriplegic and had many,many,many other struggles while weaning.  I couldn't just get up and take a drive, go for a walk, etc.  In fact I can't drive at all!  I was trapped!

As for those of you on 10, 20, 40, 80 and yes now there are 160mgs Oxys or 15, 30, 60, 100 and 200MG MS Contins(Morphine Sulfate CONTINuous), just quit taking one at a time 7 days apart.  The worst withdrawal is gone in 3-4 days.  I promise you won't die.  Also if you bite a 10mg or 20mg in half, you would only get an instant 5 or 10mgs.  This is no different than taking 1 or 2 percocet.  If that's what it takes to wean yourself off this poison, go for it.  Just make sure you don't abuse your meds by chewing them.

If I can do it, you can too.  Just set your mind to it.  

Many prayers,
Chris  
***@****

[Chris on weaning]

This is a true story of how terrible and tragic the progressive use of pain meds can be.  They do, however, play an important role in the quality of life of so many.  It's just there is a very thin line between good and evil.  BEWARE OF THE DRS WILLING OVERPRESCRIBE OPIATES WITHOUT YOUR BEST INTEREST IN MIND.  ALSO I PLEAD WITH YOU ALL TO USE GOOD JUDGEMENT AND NEVER TRUST ANY MD (which in some cases is an acronym for Mentally Deficient) WITHOUT FIRST CHECKING THEM OUT.

I am a 29-yr-old quadriplegic who sought pain relief Sept. 98.  My pain Dr. started me off on 2-4 OxyContin 10mgs tid or 3 times daily.  It is common for both Oxycontin & MS Contin(morphine) to not only be used q12h, but also q8h or every 8 hrs.  Over the next 2 yrs, I unwantingly earned an honorary degree in anesthesiology.  I will quickly progress thru my many stages.  I took about 100mgs of Oxy daily for a year and then became tolerant.  It were as if Oxys were no longer working and causing more pain than they were helping (studies have confirmed this unfortunate occurrence).  Possibly do to being confined to a wheelchair where my interactions are limited, the pain persisted, worsened and was absolutely agonizing.  After a year of use, my tolerance soared.  I was prescribed 2-4 40mg Oxys 3 times daily, and I eagerly took them.  I swallowed, chewed...twelve 40mg tablets(4 every eight hrs), or 480mgs of Oxycontin daily.  

I was soon told by my Dr, who until then said nothing, that I had no choice but to have a morphine pump, technically called an intrathecal pump, put in or he would no longer help me.  At last his motivating factor and long-term goal surfaced.  These pumps put highly concentrated morphine directly into the spinal fluid.  There is 100mgs of morphine per ml of solution in my pump, and 1 MG OF MORPHINE ADMINISTERED INTO THE SPINAL FLUID EQUALS 100+MGS ORALLY!!!  

Anyway I had the pump put in.  My Dr. started me out at 25mgs (equivalent to 2500mgs orally) intrathecally.  Within 1 month the pump had become infected with MRSA, a very dangerous/resistant staph infection only treatable with 1 anti-biotic called vancomycin.  My Dr refused to admit it was infected and instead of removing it, turned it up so it was administering 55mgs of intrathecal(100-120 times more powerful than oral morph) morphine daily.  He kept saying more meds would help.  I had now been infected with spinal menengitis (because staph bacteria was being pumped into my spine by the intrathecal pump) for 10 weeks.  I was very near death, but no one wanted to clean up his mess and they kept sending me back to him.  I had to have my mom put me in my wheelchair and flee the hospital against medical advice-AMA-to search for help.

I ended up at OSU main hospital where they immediately removed and cultured the pump.  It was positive for MRSA and had been infecting my CSF-cerebral spinal fluid.  

THIS IS WHERE THOSE OF YOU WANTING TO WEAN DOWN OFF MEDS MAY BE HELPED.  AFTER THEY TURNED OFF THE PUMP, I WAS PUT ON 220MGS OF IV MORPHINE AN HOUR.  I WAS ON 5280MGS MORPHINE DAILY!  I AM NOT JOKING!  IT WAS THE MOST THE HOSPITAL'S PAIN SERVICE HAD EVER SEEN.  If you do the math 55mgs intrathecally equals 550mgs epidurally which equals 5500mgs i.v.  Because of the enormous volume of morphine, they switched me to dilaudid, or hydromorphone, in my IV which is approx. 10 times more potent than morphine.  This way they could use less ml with more mgs and didn't have to refill my IV pump all the time.

Now down to some better numbers.  After 4 weeks of IV antibiotics and massive weaning, I was released on 500mgs Oramorph 3 times a day, or 1500mgs a day.  Depending on how aggressive or determined you are to quit, 10-20% every 4-5 days is appropriate and not difficult.  I reduced my intake by 100mgs every 4 days.  I was released Sept. 8th on 1500mg and today am on 180mg MS Contin-60mg three times a day.  Keep in mind I'm a quadriplegic and had many,many,many other struggles while weaning.  I couldn't just get up and take a drive, go for a walk, etc.  In fact I can't drive at all!  I was trapped!

As for those of you on 10, 20, 40, 80 and yes now there are 160mgs Oxys or 15, 30, 60, 100 and 200MG MS Contins(Morphine Sulfate CONTINuous), just quit taking one at a time 7 days apart.  The worst withdrawal is gone in 3-4 days.  I promise you won't die.  Also if you bite a 10mg or 20mg in half, you would only get an instant 5 or 10mgs.  This is no different than taking 1 or 2 percocet.  If that's what it takes to wean yourself off this poison, go for it.  Just make sure you don't abuse your meds by chewing them.

If I can do it, you can too.  Just set your mind to it.  

Many prayers,
Chris  
***@****

[Rick]

to: Chris, ***@****

Thanks for your comments on oxy contin. I have been taking loratabs for about 6 months and they were not helping. It was then that a friend told me and gave me an oxy contin. I thought this was the answer to all my prayers. I knew that these type drugs were very addictive but told my self it was better to have an addiction than to live like I was living. Now I have changed my mind. My doctor would not prescribe oxys so I have been buying them on the street for some time now. They are very expensive. I cannot understand how people who don't need them can get these powerful drugs. I buy from people who have scripts for them and I buy the whole script at one time. I started taking one 20mg in the morning and one at about 5 or 6 in the evening. Then I started abusing them. Up to 10 20mgs a day. Then I ran out and experienced some wicked side effects.  Flu like symtoms with vomiting and so on.  Damm, I thought I was going to die. I really want to get off these things and really need to do this myself. I currently have reduced my dosage back down to one in the morning and one in the evening. Iam going to take your advice and after seven days, start taking one a day and then half a one. Anyway, thanks for your comments and to anyone who is thinking about starting oxy contins,,,   Think long and hard. If their is any other way I would not advise it.... Rick

[NancyNW]

My son started abusing oxy's about 4 years ago.  He was taking them just to get high, no doctor's prescription for pain management, just for the kicks.  He sold pot to support his pill habit, was up to 3 or 4 80mgs a day.   He's now in debt to the people he gets the pot from because all his money went for the pills. has been trying to kick the addiction  and is totally miserable.  We know all about suboxone from a couple of his friends who have successfully transitioned back to normal on it, but, as he is uninsured and unemployed, there is virtually no one willing to work with him.  We've paid out a lot of money to see a lot of doctors, all of whom say, in essence, "gee, it must suck to be you. here's some clonopin."  they're either ignorant of the benefits of suboxone or they've never heard of it.

We're at the point of desperation now.  To keep him from going through withdrawals bad enough to either kill him or cause him to kill himself, I tracked down some low-dose percocet and have been monitoring his intake of those, but even so, he's still taking close to 100 mgs a day.  If anyone knows any way he can get help/get suboxone to get him past this, we'd be forever grateful to hear from you.  

Nancy

[FLaddict]

This thread you posted on is a old one from the archives there is a chance it will not get seen... IF you could please repost a new question to the forum we would love to help you with this.. more peope will be able to see it and answer you..

I used Sub to detox and it really helped me.. took it for 10 days and never looked back.. its been over a month..
I feel for you and your family and I want to help..

[fishmeal]

I love the people here cause it shows all of the responses posted.

Hi this is pre-written for new people… hope this helps:

It’s good to come clean with your doc concerning your desire to get off.  Ask him to prescribe clonidine, (not klonopin), and ativan.  These will help with sleep, RLS and anxiety.  These are best to try before formal detox and drugs like Suboxone.  I had to do formal detox because I tried everything else, including alcohol to get off and nothing worked for me.  Keep in mind that when you try… make it a good one!  Have some time off of work if you can… maybe a four day weekend or more.  Make the last day of work without any drugs, because the first day is usually the easiest.  Try your best to get clean and stay clean because the other methods require more potent drugs and you have to come off of those.  I am still on Suboxone and am a little worried about that… It does work well but the jury is out on, “At what Cost.”  I also learned while in detox, that the mind can psychosomatically create pain to “get’ the drug.  Another was that healing while using opiates greatly diminishes.  I would have sores on my hands that would take way too long to heal.
Best
Fish
I have to say this from the bottom of my heart,  Please do not keep playing around with these drugs they are very powerful ….. kinda like heroin in a pill and just as hard to get off once you attain the, "addicted" status.

[Fat_Daddy_Cool]

Not playing with these medications for fun.

I have some sort of weird degeneration of my knees.   The cartilage is basically breaking down and the bone is grinding horn to horn.   They can't do any surgery because I have a weight problem (Which I am seeing a trainer and a dietician in an attempt to fix the problem).   I can't just sit around either as I have a baby daughter that I am the stay at home parent.   I come from a dark history as my father was a hardcore herion addict and my mother was an alcoholic.     I am terrified of being an addict but I am also confronted with terrible pain everytime I wake.   I weep sometimes from the pain and sometimes I weep because of the sorrow over having to take these pain medications.   Right now I am 60 mg of Hydromorphone Contin with breakthru meds of Hydromorphone 8 mg times 2 when needed.    The thing is that it is needed so bad at times that I run out of breakthru far too soon.    It was so bad this weekend that I resorted to taking my hydromorphone Contin and taking some of my old Oxycodone Contin 80 mgs because I had no breakthru.   When I started I was only on Oxycodone Contin 20 mgs and 5 mg of Oxycodone for breakthru.  I am terrified.   I know that addiction can be something that is handed down from generations to generation.   But I am trapped by the pain.    My doctor has told me not to worry about addiction as I am not using the medication irresponsibly.

What is my point, nothing I guess, I think I just needed to talk.    

[CouldaWouldaShoulda]

I have 6 days to wean myself off of Oxycontin.  I am being forced into treatment by Family Services because of my addiction.  The Treatment Centre I am going to does not allow anyone to bring in any type of drug.  So I cannot even take Clonadines in.  I have a plan to do a daily wean of 20 mg's a day, starting at 100 mg's.  This gives me 5 days to wean, then I go into treatment on the 6th day (It is April 2, and I go in on the 8th).  My question is if anyone has done a daily wean like this before and if it worked.  What kind of withdrawals would I get by going through a wean this quickly?  I'd like to know what I am in for doing it this way.

[GoingToMakeIt]

You have posted on an old post. Copy yours to a new post. You will get more comments.

[Rose703]

Please keep in mind as I respond to you that this is just my PERSONAL experience. I was taking Oxy 80's up to 8X's per day!! Yeah that's alot I know, but I decided I wanted my life back. As of 2 weeks ago I went off of them C/T and even though it was the hardest thing I ever did in my life, I did it!! I'm clean from Oxy's and I never thought I would be able to say that. Oxy's are tough since they're time released, but I was abusing them anyway so I decided tapering wouldn't really do me any good. I'm proud to say that I'm clean from Oxy's altogether and I didn't even use another opiate to take up the slack. It will be rough, tons of emotions, and even more willpower but honestly if I can do it so can you. Gather your strength and take lots of hot baths. The biggest thing that saved my life and sobriety is this forum and all of the support that I've gotten from everyone here. If you want to PM me, please do and I will help in any way that I can.

[roadrunner940]

i am on 30mg of oxycodone 30mg 4times a day. what is the best way to slowly ween yourself off without going thru withdrawal. th

[Denso555]

I'm 39 yrs old. I've been addicted to oxycontin now, around 3 yrs. I have no legitimate reasons for taking the drug. Originally it was for the high, now it's to prevent the withdrawls. I don't know what to do! I'm completely lost! Like CouldaWouldaShoulda I'm taking anywhere from 7-10 80's a day. I don't have a clue where to start getting help. I feel like I'm a lost case.
  I'm going to start weaning down first. My hope is to get down to around 2-3 80's a day. My goal is to be there within a couple of weeks. After that I'll shoot for a new goal. I don't know, am I fooling myself? I'll soon find out.
I truly hope this works, because I sense some terrible things about to happen to me if I don't get things under control.
When I go for medical help, they make me feel like a criminal trying to score more drugs. On my last visit to the doctors I walked out of his office feeling like I'm completely screwed! First of all, he didn't believe the amount of medication I told him I was taking. Second, he treated me like I had other intentions then getting help. Like I was there to score more drugs. I ended up walking out with more questions then when I had arrived! I was so frustrated, I walked out to the car & snorted two 80's in the parking lot.
If somebody out there has any ideas, I'm all ears. I'm so frightened of the path that lies in front of me. But I must try something, if not for me than for my three girls & my loving wife!

Denso