What is "Normal" Oxycodone Withdrawal

[toketeeman]

I had knee replacement surgery 5 weeks ago. From that point in time I was prescribed a daily dosage of oxycodone that averaged about 15 mg/day, a relatively low dosage. After finishing several weeks of physical therapy, I started my cold-turkey withdrawal 4 days ago - no more drug, period. So this is a very typical profile of a person who has had NO other addictions to any drugs and does not have any chronic pain problems that requires continual usage of oxycodone.

I have endured the typical withdrawal symptoms - shivers, sweating, anxiety, tingling, and depression - as reported by many others. But I could not find good comments for other oxycodone withdrawal questions with this typical profile since many of the commenters have admitted to extensive oxycodone use in the past.

My question: what's ahead for me? Am I over the bad part, or is there a lot more bad stuff to come? How long does the withdrawal effects last? Physically? Mentally? Surely there are many of you in a very similar limited-first-time-with-oxycodone-for-surgery situation who can give advice. Thanks for any info and help.

[happy221990]

http://www.withdrawal-ease.com/ try this it wont hurt u at all and be strong nutting gone happen make ur mind strong

[littlelittlefish]

I wonder how u would have gone if u slowly reduced it over time - even a month long. The slower the better. U can use the older oxycontin pills as they are easier to break up than oxycodone. Though the newer oxycontin (pills marked with OP) have some special stuff so u cant chew them up.
Glad your doing better. Im just coming off oxycodone slowly ( I have to as I have CFS and cant afford much withdrawl). I have come off morphine slowly no problem at all. Seems Oxycodone may be more difficult. Its hard to know as im not coming off it because I dont have any pain anymore, but because my body gets resistant to it fast. If i take it constantly I will be resistant in 8 days. So Ive just been having 1 dose in the night. Which gives me about 3-4 weeks before it stops working. Its rough stuff.

[djseaman]

Prior to spinal surgery earlier this year (severe spinal stenosis of the lumbar area), I was in a significant AMOUNT of pain and had been prescribed Oxycodone to the tune of 240mg/day..(that is a lot !). I am now down to 15-20mg/day...4 months after my surgery. And yes the weaning process is a formidible battle. It seems that I have experienced all the typical side effects while taking the drug and through the weaning process. It is rather de-moralizing ! One of the less common side effects that I have experienced and still do is severe 'cramping' in my leg calves. Anybody ever have this problem ?

djseaman

[toketeeman]

Just a progress report, for the sake of providing information to others ... recall this all started from 5 weeks exposure to 15 mg per day of oxycodone for pain management after my knee surgery. Compared to most, that's a pretty liight exposure. Nevertheless, apparently I am extrememly sensitive to the drug and therefore became addicted. Consequently I went cold turkey over three weeks ago.

unfortunately the wd effects extended beyond 2 weeks for me. In particular days 18-19 was marked by a sharp 15-minute dehabiliting anxiety episode followed by at least 18 straight-hours of the most extreme fatigue. I had started the anti-depressant citalopram at day 15, but it's hard to tell whether these symptoms were due to it or the original withdrawal.

I'm now at day 22 in the wd and day 8 with the citalopram with the last 3 straight days feeling O.K. (a milestone!) except for insomia with a mild lack of energy and occasional episodes of restless legs. Interestingly I tried Hylands Restful Legs for the RLS but that failed. Then I discovered that RLS could also erupt from iron deficiency - so I popped a couple of dietary iron pills - and they worked! What can I say?

So I think I am finally getting into the clear. (All fingers and toes crossed!) Thanks to many of you who helped me so much, especially in those difficult early periods of depression I went through.

[Peaceofmind777]

How are things going for you toketeeman?  You posted your experiences with OXYcodone withdrwals back in 2010 (you and Viki595 gave me hope and assured me that I was not alone, BLESS YOU for that).  After my hip replacement, I took had Percocet for about 2-3 weeks and drastically cut donw the dosage.  I started to have severe WDs and I am about 4 weeks in!  I'm better than I was a couple of weeks ago but not yet in the clear. My next step is to go to a Psych Therapist.  Very curious to know when ALL of your symptoms finally stopped.  thanx again, again I am 4weeks in and still having some episodes of anxiety and re-occuring disturbing thoughts.  THANX AGAIN

[vicki595]

Yes,be patient and give yourself a break from looking things up!! LOL  You'll do fine,I'm
certain.
Being in the PNW does not do a lot for mood sometimes,huh? Just push on...

Do you watch "Lost"?  We're getting together tonight to watch the finale and again for "24" tomorrow night.  I'm wondering what will become of both "Jacks".

Take care~
V. xo

[toketeeman]

Thank you, gnarly_1 and vicki595 for your great reassurance. Sometimes I over-research things, and I've read that having some down times after starting an anti-depressant is one symptom for which I should "immediately" call my doc. So I appreciate your mutual common sense.

Yes, I'm been a little bit of a shut-in this weekend due to horrible wet overcast cold weather here in the PNW (having a very late spring), but I will be going out very soon to do some yard work - the sun FINALLY broke out! I can open my petals again! Ha!

- toketeeman