getting off of oxycodone and ambien

[princesskittykathy]

Hi,
I am currently taking oxycodone 80mg twice a day and Ambien 5 - 20 mg at night.  I want to get off of both.  I am down to 5mg of Ambien.  I tried stopping it completely the last 2 nights.  Both nights I fell asleep but awoke after about 2 hours.  Should I wait to go off of Ambien until I am off of the Oxy?  Can I get off the Oxy by myself?  I have read alot of the advice here and have my doubts.  My doctor told me to take 60mg twice a day for a month and then reduce to 40mg then 20mg.  What will happen if I do it this way and what about the end when I go off of it completely?  I have fibromyalgia and spinal stenois, arthritis, degenerative disk among other things.  I am constantly in pain but I want to try going back to work after 8 years so need off of the meds.

[lil_addict]

Hi and welcome to the forum.  I take oxy ER 80mg also along with 4 oxy 30mg and 3 percocet 10mg a day.  I just had the doctor switch down my oxy 30mg from 4 to 2 yesterday though.  I think that what your doctor says sounds about right as far as tapering if you can taper without taking more.  I could never taper before, I'm gonna try and quit c/t in about a week or so.  I wish you luck and you are in my thoughts and prayers.  There are alot of very helpful supportive people on this forum but it's late so have some patience.  It might be a while before everyone wakes up and see's this.  I am here for a while before I go to bed if you wanna chat or if you have any questions.  Take care, Lil.  :)

[princesskittykathy]

I just got a Rx for 20mg pills.  There are no 60mg so I have to use 20s.  He said that once I am down to 60mg for a couple of weeks I can try doing 1 dose at 60 and the other at 40 and so on.  I will stay on the Ambien especially as I am having knee surgery (arthroscopic) on Friday.  I have a RX for Vicodin for any breakthrough pain following surgery.
Thx

[FLaddict]

that is a good point... i always forget that about oxy... can you have your doc give you 20mg pills to taper with???  Since he suggested you cut out 20mgs a month I am sure something can be worked out...

[sterling_silver]

You don't want to cut those pills. It breaks into the time release.

[FLaddict]

Your doc seems to have a good plan... coming down a whole 20mgs at a time sounds like alot though that is why i suggested less but... I am sure your doc will work with you.. that is great that you are working with your doc... so many people are afraid to... i think it really will help... good luck to you

[FLaddict]

Alot of people say there pain is better than they thought it was once they were off of pills.. the pills seemed to make their pain worse...

In my opinion.. i would stay at the ambien dose you are currently at til you stop the Oxy.. it will come in handy while you taper off..
As far as the oxy..Tapering with those is hard I am sure since each pill is so strong and has such a high milligram... Your doc seemed to have a decent tapering plan.. even if you can cut a 8th or a 16th off of your dose each week would probably be easier than cutting 20mgs off at one time each month.. I would buy a pill cutter at the pharmacy..
Welcome to the site... lots of support here...