How bad will my Withdrawl be ?

[Eebb26]

I am currently taking 2-3 10/325 percs ,every 4 hours.(10-15 a day) can I wean down on my own w out going on suboxone and if I taper down over several weeks, how bad will the WD be? I don't know how high this is considered w this med. Also I'm a bariatric patient n really believe I don't absorb meds the same so that's why I'm at such a high dose, please help, any advice would b appreciative. I'm scared n don't know how I got here!

[J T Junig, MD PhD]

I don't know if you have developed an addiction to opioids or not.  Some people can control their use of opioids, and some people can't.  Your dose of oxycodone is not anywere near the high end of the range;  I routinely see people who are stuck in several hundred mg of oxycodone per day.  On the other hand, I've had patients who find it impossible to taper of very small doses of opioids, on the order of a couple Vicodin tablets per day.

The sooner you stop the opioids, the higher the possibility that you will not develop an addiction to them-- which is generally considered to cause a permanent susceptibility toward addiction, if not a chronic addiction needing chronic treatment, with or without a maintenance agent.  If you can stop, stop-- and if you cannot, take the issue seriously and get help, before it worsens.    As for withdrawal, everyone is different-- some people tolereate withdrawal better than others.  But it is always an unpleasant experience.  Tapering slowly does generally reduce the severity of symptoms.

[docd]

Thanx Shelley! :)

[ShelleyN720]

docd, I'd repost this under a new question so Dr. Jeff will more easily
see it to respond.

[docd]

Is 350 mg a lot of oxycontin to be taking daily? 60 mg 5x's daily?

[Eebb26]

Ty both. Yes after a year of being on these, I know I am addicted. Part of me says if I taper down , I cld stay on just a couple a day but I know it won't stay that way. I know I will have withdrawal if I stop cold turkey because I tried several months ago and I was only taking a few a day and I didn't sleep for two days, had racing heart, diareah, and felt like crap. I am scared I've done liver damage and will have blood test results tomorrow. Does anyone know if it's true bariatric patients absorb meds differently. It's seems like such a high dose I'm taking and my dr thought so to. He asked how I even stayed awake while on 25-30 mg of percs ever few hours. I don't honestly think I absorb it the same. I am hoping that goes the same for my liver

[ShelleyN720]

From what I read oxycodone is stronger than hydrocodone. Oxycodone is a Schedule II narcotic & hydrocodone is a Schedule III. Oxy is more highly regulated and has greater abuse potential. This is because as time goes on, it takes more of the drug to do produce the initial effects. I will keep you in my prayers as you embark on this very important journey. I am sure I could have just as easily slipped into what has happened to you because even taking the prescribed amount has become a concern to me. However, here in Florida these are highly regulated drugs. Pharmacies can get into big trouble dispensing multiple prescriptions of a controlled substance to the same person - there is a state drug/patient registry. Pain management clinics are also highly regulated by law & local ordinance.
Please try not to beat yourself up. You are not alone in what has happened. You can do this for yourself and your family - it will not be easy - but with God's help and faith in your abiliy to do it - you will succeed!

[Eebb26]

Thanks. I'm determined to try . It's actually oxycodone I take, not hydrocodone. Does that make a diff when weaning. I am just going to start by cutting down the amount per dose and the frequency of doses. Yesterday I did 5 doses at 2 tabs each. I usually take 6 or 7 doses at 2 1/2- 3 pills at at a time. At least it's a start. Idk how I will do when it really goes down but I got to try. I have 2 kids and a husband I love so much. Since I lost my dad, I've been using these to dull te pain. I have had back pain for years but I have to be honest and say I take them even when the pain isn't that bad. It's easy to do but then I feel so guilty

[Eebb26]

Thanks. I'm determined to try . It's actually oxycodone I take, not hydrocodone. Does that make a diff when weaning. I am just going to start by cutting down the amount per dose and the frequency of doses. Yesterday I did 5 doses at 2 tabs each. I usually take 6 or 7 doses at 2 1/2- 3 pills at at a time. At least it's a start. Idk how I will do when it really goes down but I got to try. I have 2 kids and a husband I love so much. Since I lost my dad, I've been using these to dull te pain. I have had back pain for years but I have to be honest and say I take them even when the pain isn't that bad. It's easy to do but then I feel so guilty

[ShelleyN720]

To do the math, two 10 mg tablets (20mg) 5 times or more a day would be the equivalent of 100mg + of hydrocodone a day & quite a bit of acetaminophen (3250 mg + a day)
You could probably wean down on your own but it will take strict discipline, no going back once you begin. I'd definitely ask you doctor to prescribe how to calculate the weaning off to produce the least discomfort. You will need to be completely honest with him/her though, so they know what your dosage has been. Otherwise, withdrawal may cause some real danger to you. Fifteen tablets a day is not as high as some folks I've read about, but still high enough to produce definite withdrawal I am sure. I am not an expert, but can tell you that my body has developed a resistance to Norco 10/325 within 6 months. I can tell my body (mind) wants another dose in less than the prescribed time just over the last 3 weeks. It is frightening. This is why I have decided to withdraw and see what level of pain I have with the herniated disk. To see if I can find another way to deal with the pain.I've read of some books that claim mental power over pain - I am going to look into it and hope I am able to tap into whataver it is.