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Depression

Hi

The beginning of 2010 I was admitted into hospital with septic arthritis in my left knee. Was in hospital for 3 months and during that time I had 10 lots of surgery on my left knee. Because I was in alot of pain I was prescribed Oxycontin 10mg twice a day. Since I was still in pain the Oxycontin was gradually increased to 200mg twice a day. Because of side affects it was changed, by my Dr, to 100mg 4 times a day.

When I saw my pain management consultant a few months ago he put me on Buprenorphine Transdermal Patches, 10mg. ! patch to be put on for 7 days. This is in addition to the Oxycontin. The patch has recently been increased to 20mg.

I have recently started reducing the Oxycontin in the view of coming off it totally. I have so far reduced it by 10mg. My Dr hase prescibed me Oxynorm 5mg, once a day, incase I experience withdrawal symptoms. I have suffered from depression all my life and are on anti-depressants at the moment, Fluoxitine 60mg once a day. Since reducing the Oxcontin I have stared to experience extreme bouts, more severe and more often, of depression since I started reducing the Oxycontin. Is that a normal side affect of Oxycontin reduction?

I have read up about the Buprenorphine and discovered that it is sometimes used  to help addicts come off herion etc. Will the Buprenorphine help to reduce the withdrawal affects of Oxycontin withdrawal?

Hope I am not being a nuisance.



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666151 tn?1311114376
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
This is a very complicated question, and your doctor's actions are a bit confusing.  buprenorphine has a 'ceiling' to the effects it creates, and that ceiling has effects about equal to the effects of taking oxycodone 60 mg.  If you give buprenorphine to a person who is taking nigh doses of oxycodone, you usually cause withdrawal.  I am surprised that you were able to add a buprenorphine patch, while taking oxycodone, without getting withdrawal symptoms.

Depression is very common during opioid withdrawal, and is the worst symptoms for most people.  If you became depressed when the buprenorphine patch was started, I would not be surprised.  Likewise, it is common to become depressed during reductions in the dose of oxycodone.

There is little that can be done for those feelings, other than to try to reduce the dose very slowly.  Even then , there is no way to avoid it completely.  But at some point, it simply has to be done.

Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
If u really wanna know read my post under addictions  if u wanna stop DON'T START SOBOXONE. Better to withdraw for 7days then what iam expirancing now  
Helpful - 0

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