Oxycodone ruining my stomach

[Chowdahead76]

For approximately a year now I have taken a 1/2 pill of oxycodone 3 times a day. I have back pain that isn't terrible but uncomfortable. Anyway without even thinking about it I have been taking this for a year now pretty much every day. I am wondering if there is a chance that I have done serious damage to my kidneys or even perhaps my stomach? On one hand I figure such a small amount even though its been a year seems very hard to believe it could do a lot of damage, but on the other hand you never know.

Just wondering if I am being paranoid about this or if a year of this could really have me in a lot of trouble? I would greatly appreciate anyone's thoughts.

[Chowdahead76]

Ok. I respectfully disagree on the "addiction" theory simply because I just don't have that type of personality and I can quit and have quit in the past whenever I feel like it. For example I haven't taken even a 1/2 of a pill since 6 days ago and it hasn't even crossed my mind today. But I do appreciate your comments and normally 99/100 times you are probably totally correct about addictions. I think if you knew me then you may see what I mean. I am not your "average" male. I never smoked, never really tried any street drugs, and anytime I have started anything that wasn't necessarily good for me I normally quit cold turkey.

However you did say something that caught my attention..............When you mentioned starting/stopping opiates and how it can cause respiratory distress. Are we talking start/stop like every 4 days, week, month, 2 months?? Another words when I stop doing it for 5 days and then start up is that a big problem or are you talking more so of the start/stop once a month or so? Another words I haven't taken one in almost a week.......if I was to take one today does it put me more at risk than if I took them the last 6 days? Thanks again for all your advice.

[caregiver222]

Everyone becomes addicted to, opiates. There are no exceptions.

It is nothing to be ashamed of.

Most deaths take place with people who are off an opiate for a while and start again at the same dose. The cells re-set and they go into respiratory arrest.

As for "taking the edge off things", that's called addiction.

It is an entirely inappropriate reason for taking an opiate.

[Chowdahead76]

The funny thing is I have never had an addictive personality. And the way the Oxycodone is for me is almost like a muscle relaxer/pain reliever/attitude adjustment lol. I have a very very stressful job and I normally take a 1/2 of pill a few hours into the day just because it kind of makes me focus and block out the stress of deadlines, meetings etc...

However there have been times within this year where I run out and don't feel like going to the doctor to get another prescription, or I just feel like I need a break for a week and I have done so with absolutely no issues whatsoever. Cold turkey every time. In fact about 2 months ago I was walking with the wife and I had just run out of pills and she said "hun are you sure this isn't becoming addicting" and I told her "nope not at all".............So I purposely canceled my appointment to go to the doctor and stalled for 3 weeks just to show that I was not fazed by getting off the pills. I just like it because it takes off a slight edge on those days the boss is chomping in my ears. lol

[Dloshaw]

But the previous comment was correct, addiction is very common with that medicine.

[Dloshaw]

I'm a pharmacist and it will not ruin your stomach or your kidneys as long as you have the straight oxycodone version.

[caregiver222]

The chances are you have not damaged your stomach, but you have certainly developed an opiate habit.

Go to Dr. Jerome Groopman's website and read the reprint of the article he wrote on lumbar pain in the New Yorker magazine.