oxy weening

[grace925]

I could really use some advise from those who have had experience coming off oxycontin.  My boyfriend had back surgery in February 2009 and was up'ed from Percecet to Oxy ER and his highest dose was 40 mg 3x daily.  Other meds I know impact this, so here's the list: Lyrica 3x daily (for nerve pain), Toprol 1x daily (for hypertension), Zophran as needed for nausea (not really using much of ths), Valium (not really using much of this, less then once a week), over the counter acid reflux med 1x daily, and Ambien 2 pills nightly (this is proving to be ineffective and scary due to "sleep amnesia" symptoms).  He was given Percecet for break through pain, but he is no longer taking it (since last week), nor is it in the house or accessible.  I am helping him with this step down process, but had to go back up in mg/day due to some pretty serious withdrawal symptoms that were hindering his physical therapy and healing.  He is currently at 30 mg in the morning and 20 mg at night.  He is currently still out of work for his injury and not done with PT yet, but he so wants off this med and it's proving to be so much harder then either of us thought.  I've read some of the other postings on this forum and I hear others talking about thier struggles, so I'm really hoping to get some ideas of what's worked for others, both with physical withdrawals as well as emotional support from those who helped them through this.  

Based on the above meds, can someone please tell me how many days it really takes to adjust to reduced doses of Oxy?  Though the doc is helping, he really doesn't take into account the body's adjustment to med changes and the last suggestion put my boyfriend into a pretty serious withdrawal state.  The doc had suggested 40 mg 1x daily and the drop off in the morning was pretty bad.  Going back to 50 mg and splitting it up (we have the 10 mg pills now instead of the 40mg as the doc knows we are trying very hard to step down) is helping so far, but the desire to be back to a ween-off schedule to be done with this med is a high priority.  We have followed the doc advise with this med strictly, with the exception of Percect, which my boyfriend is now pretty scared of and happy to be off of.  But, I'm seeing that the doc's expertise is not really in med withdrawal, it's back surgery, so I'd really like to know from those who've been through this withdrawal first hand if they can give me/us some insights and advise.  

We are hoping to go to 20 mg 2x daily, then to 10 mg 2x daily, then to 10 mg 1x daily, but we are unsure on how many days to give it inbetween making the changes?  The idea is to minimize withdrawal symptoms, but I've never gone through this so I really would be interested to hear from those who have.  I realize some withdrawal symptoms are inevitible, but with the schedule we are looking at, what should I/we expect to see in the way of withdrawal symptoms?  

Thank you in advance for any insights, suggestions, or advise.  To those who've been through this, you must have some serious inner strength and good for you!!!!!!!!!!!  To those still struggling, if you are reading this, you are already taking a step to get help and support...please don't give up!  

[grace925]

Thank you all for your insights!!!  You've all added some great suggestions.  Since my boyfriend is on extended release, he isn't supposed to cut pills in half, but we did ask the doc for 10mg pills so we can step down slower then the higher mg pills we had before.  My boyfriend is really anxious to get off these pills and I had asked to him give me an idea of a step down schedule and also have a reward in mind once completed too.  He is really into motorcycles and wants a new, but he doesn't drive at all while on this med, so not only does he get to look forward to something exciting just in driving, it's a new toy too :-)  But, I am kind of concerned about the schedule he came up with, especially after reading what you all wrote..  I'd like to run it by you all see what you think.  I also suggested to him to get a blood pressure monitor, so I can document  that and make sure I notify the doc if this becomes a problem as I'm worried this schedule might be a bit ambitious...though I also realize it's the desire that will get him off this med too and that is a HUGE component in this.  I'm not too sure what to expect, so I value other's input.

His schedule idea:
Saturday--20 mg 2x daily (for 3 days)
Tuesday-20 mg in the a.m., 10 mg in the p.m. (for 3 days)
Friday-10 mg 2x daily for a week or less,
then 10 mg in the a.m. for a week or less

[guv338]

I can't say much about the weaning off Oc as I was never able to have any success with
reducing my dosage.  But as Ella says, I can testify to the fact that the pain meds does indeed create more pain, whether it be physical or mental, it convinces you that you need more and can not do with less.  I started taking due to intense pain, and then after 10-12 years of the pain pill buffet, I am amazed at how little pain I actually have today.
Dont get me wrong, there is pain, but not the unbearable type that I remembered.  I was or thought I was in more pain when I was using.  Even taking 600 mg of Oc per day, I constantly thought I needed more and the ghost pains kept coming back.  If he is just off the surgery then he may need more time to heel but if not, it may be time to pay the piper.  Your support will be essential in his recovery.  Get all the info you can and prepare ahead as much as you can.  It takes longer that you might think, physically and mentally,  Sounds like he is lucky to have you in his corner.  I know I could not have made it through without my wifes total support and encouragement.  My prayer also was
a major benefit through the process.  There is no doubt in this ole country boys mind, that God was with me every step of the way.  Best of Luck.

[Kevin_Bacon]

There is little to add to Ella's post, except to point out that the seemingly drawn-out weaning mightn't be necessarily be so long ... depends on the reacion he has to the lower dosages.

The "less in the evening" is a great plan -- get some Valium and he'll be pretty numb till bedtime.

Best wishes!

[Ella789]

Hi! and welcome to the forum.  Sometimes we are pretty slow around here.

If you can check out the addiction forum, one of the dr.'s on there suggest cutting down very slowly.  Like by 1/2 pill every 3 wks to a month.  It needs to be a very gradual decrease.  I would suggest that the morning dose be kept the same and the evening be decreased, but that is just what I would do as I always felt worse in the morning.   I am so glad that you two realize what a horrindous hold the opiates can have on a person and after your surgery, it is most unfortunate.  Pain is real but it(opiates) can also create more pain, when he is fully recovered he will realize this, I didn't realize this for awhile after detox and I was surprised at how my pain levels decreased overall.  

  I would be very careful with the detox, it is an unpleasant experience but it is also doable.  Blood pressure issues should be monitered closely.  When in detox, no opiate whatso ever,  Immodium,  otc pain meds, there will be rls and body aches, sleeping will be a problem so he needs to be aware of that,  Usually within 7 days he will have the opiates out of his system, days 2,3,4 will prob. be the worse and day 5 he may notice he starts to feel some better.  Beware that it will be tough, it is for all of us.  He needs to make sure that he is well enough to start the detox.  Opiates are so helpful but they are not intended for the long years of use, it will eventualy get to where more and more are needed to feel better.  It is a nightmare for some,I became addicted to lortab and used it for 5 yrs, I do have Chronic pain, but my usage was becomming a problem.  On Feb. 16,2009 I started my detox and am opiate free still, beware of thinking you can take "just one" as that is how many get started all over again.  Stay commited to the quit but first of all make sure that you do not need the pain meds anymore this could be a serious problem.

:)
Ella