want to quit

[brutenight]

i have been taken 80mg oxycotin er ( 2 every eight hours) for the last 3 years. I want to get off of this medication without going through a detox or rehab. Does anyone know the best way to quit or what I can take over the counter to help me thru the withdrawls
Thanks

[merryBe]

the addiction forum in medhelp will have lots of knowledgable people.

the thing to bear in mind is 80 mg every 8 hrs, or 240 mg in 24 hrs is a huge dose.

Even if in the very best health going cold turkey would be painful at best and could be life threatening.
Some of the pharmaceutical opiates are actually harder on the body during withdrawal than heroin itself.

I support entirely your desire to get off this substance, but think at very least you should do it with doctor supervision.

Also, whether you were put on it by a doctor, or not, there is still no shame in going to a rehab center for the initial withdrawal either way. Meaning you do not have to be an addict to benefit from rehab. Anyone who wants off what they are on can get help this way. That way you can be monitored, and given appropriate meds to ease the transition and prevent hopefully any cardiac or other serious events. You will also get lots of moral support this way as well.

If you are on the TIME Released pill do not try to cut it in half...you will OD yourself that way.
The best thing would be to talk to your doctor about this. They are all more than happy to try to help people cut back, and if you want to check into a rehab, because you have health issues that can make withdrawal difficult, then the doctor can help you to get the insurance approval going for that as well. Hope you do well.
MB

[R Glass]

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/show/77

[meki]

I think I'm a bit odd.

Opiate withdrawals for me are only a slight headache and a return of pain.

But then - ritalin puts me to sleep and makes me eat everything in the house.

I've been on Vicodin, Percocet and Oxycontin - and have cold turkey'd every single time after 2 or 3 months on them.

I also don't crave them --- I do like them --- but I don't think I'm getting 'high' off of them. I have a friend who gets a euphoric high off of opiates.

For me they just make me forget that something hurts - which puts me back into my happy go lucky frame of mind.

I would think - according to all of the literature the doctors have given me and the pharmacists have given me --- that bringing down the dosage every 4 - 7 days in small amounts for example 1/6th down each time... would be your smartest move.

HOWEVER - you should really discuss this with your doctor.

Much luck to you!

Meki
PS. all of you who have overcome addiction issues - I applaud you. You've done something I simply cannot understand - but I DO understand the strength it must have taken you. HUGS!

[nygirl7]

By the way redrodeo - subutex is suboxone.......i didn't notice your post until I'd hit submit.

I DID try and take the suboxone before my time was over. It put me into immediate full throttle withdrawl.  It was one of the most singularly bad experiences of my life.

you do have to wait until you are in the beginning throws of withdrawl before you can take it and then be very careful during the induction period.

But I've been on it for about 4 years now and have no desire to 'use' any opiates or anything so for me.........and my addictive nature..........it has worked.

I will have to get off of this someday but not until I can go into a hospital and have them rapid detox me using methadone. That will hurt like hell but nowhere NEAR as bad as the other.

GOOD LUCK!

[nygirl7]

I wasn't able to detox off the pain meds that I got addicted to when they thought I was going to die in the hospital and didn't really care what they gave me.....I came right back to work because I was in a new job.

I found a psychiatrist who prescribes me suboxone - it's like methadone except you get a prescription and take it home with you and just take the medication daily.  It blocks the receptors so you don't withdraw from the opiates (i tried it was too much for me in the shape i was in at the time...now I just don't want to face it!).

You don't get high from it or necessarily want to take more and more and more of the stuff (because it doesn't get you high) but you still have to take the meds so you dont go into withhdrawl.

Good luck. I'm sorry that you seem to be on the wrong forum but enough of us in here have addictions that you should get some good input.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(That is the only other alternative I could think of....on your dosage of oxy, it would be one hell of a detox were you to go cold turkey - it would be idential to heroin in every single way).

[redrodeo]

I am assuming you were taking it for some hepatitis related problem? Funny you should mention this problem because I am in the same position. For me the tx was very painful and I took a drug called Opana the entire time. Its just another morphine like drug. Now my tx has been over for about 4 wks and its time to quit. But how? What I am going to do is try Subutex. Its been used alot for the last couple of years for this problem. I've done it before it really helps. So my suggestion is to go to your md and ask them about it. You just need to not have taken any narcotics within the 24hrs before starting the Subutex. Otherwise you go into withdrwal and we know what that is like.
   Any other questions write me back.
   Red

[Trinity4]

I would not advise you stop cold turkey.  You are taking a rather high dosage and have been for a long time.  I would recommend you taper down 1/2 pill every 4 days or so and see how that works for you.  Just keep in mind you are not going to feel comfortable as your body is accustomed to your current dosage.  It wouldn't be prudent to substitute one drug for another so I'm not sure what may be available to help you withdrawl.  I know people who have an alcohol addiction are somtimes given ativan which prevents them from having seizures.  Also, the substance abuse forum can probably offer many more suggestions.  Not implying you are abusing this medication as I do not know your situation but I'm sure many on that forum have had similar experiences and can help.  Best of Luck
Trinity  

[giddyup]

you may not get withdrawals. talk to your prescribing doc.taper off slowly.