Does Oxy have a half life?

HI All,
I should be in full blown w/d's, curled on the floor in a ball. I was taking 100mg plus a day and I know one day last week I hit the 200mg mark. Im not proud of that and have taken steps to insure it doent happen again.My wife is now going to give me my doses on my next refill. I asked her and she said,no problem.
  Anyways, I am quit good at doing a taper. I usualy taper with vic's. If I dont taper down to a crumb with oxy, It really sends me into w/d's.This time, I did a half a$$ taper. I think the lowest I got down too was 30mg a day.And I feel good. Its been three days. And I am soo afraid because i took so much last week, the oxy is still in my system and the w/ds are just around the cornor. But its been three days since the 30 mg. And nothing. This is the best I have actualy felt in a long time. I have energy, Im not fatigued I AM A VERY LUCKY MAN!!! The only thing I can think of is I took my Lyrica cause it helps me sleep.I took 150mg. I take Lyrica for my foot pain. Anyways, please tell me Im out of the woods an oxy doesnt carry a half life.
peace
-Dez

[Tuckamore]

Hello Dezdon,

I am glad you recognize you have some problems with oxy's. I don't know how you did it put according to my search you should be experiencing withdrawals.

The usual elimination half-life of oxycodone following the administration of OxyContin was 4.5 hours compared to 3.2 hours for immediate-release. I found the following calculations on another wed site and compared it with other sites. This appears to accurate and in language that is understandable.

Anyway, the half-life of Oxycodone  is 3 - 4.5 hours. Now a lot of factors can increase this value (eg. if you suffer from renal failure, liver issues etc.) But assuming the worst, and let's say you have taken 20mg of Oxycodone. This means:
4.5 hours later - 10mg remaining
9 hrs later - 5mg remaining
13.5 hrs later - 2.5mg
18 hrs - 1.25mg
22.5 hrs - 0.625mg
27 hrs - 0.3125mg left
31.5 hours - 0.16mg left

So if you took 200mg's you would still have some in your system at the 32 hour mark but you are at 72 hours. It appears you should be out of the woods. But I am not an expert in this by any means. The Substance Abuse Forum in all likelihood will have more accurate answers for you. And I think you may be correct that the Lyrica has helped you with the process.

Please stick to your safety net in your spouse to ensure you do not abuse. I would hate for you to lose your physicians trust and he would refuse to prescribe narcotics for your CP. It has happened to others so be safe. Good luck to you.  Tuckamore

[Mollyrae]

Dezdon:

I guess I'll be the one to say this. I really don't want to come to the pain forum and read about someone abusing their meds and how thankful they are that the full blown withdrawls haven't hit yet. I would save this post for the Substance Abuse forum. I don't approve of anyone abusing their meds. This is one of the very reasons that alot of us have trouble getting the pain meds we need. I know I will probly get flack for this post but sometimes I need to speak out about these things. I know you've posted in the pain community before with meds that can ease the withdrawl (withdrawal) and you need to give that advise to the Substance Abuse forum because I certianly don't need the advise.
Thankyou

[Dezdon]

Wow Tuckermore thats some great info you dug up. Thank you for taking the time to reply with such great info. And yes I am trying to do somthing about things. Sometimes we get off track after being on pain mangement for a long time.I had been on management for seven years and never a problem with doses.  Then they had to operate on my amputation again and all heck broke loose. Its distubed or relocated the nerves endings.
  I do apologise if it was an inaproriate post. I couldnt post the question at the addiction forum as that is a forum of recovery. And I respect that. I have read MANY times in THIS forum people asking simular questions and getting responces Molly. And I may continue to post questions if I have one. I am a chronic pain patient. When you see me post, just choose not to view it.
PEACE
-Dez

[crazymae]

I agree with you-your issue does belong here. I think you'd have to search far and wide to find a pain patient who hasn't manipulated their meds from time to time (though you did go a tad overboard). Frankly, I don't understand why you weren't "curled up in a ball" withdrawing. Lyrica doesn't apply-no way. You're a lucky devil. Tuckermore did indeed dig up some great info. I think it's a good idea for your wife to take control if you're feeling sketchy about self-administration. And Molly,  you do have a very valid point about abuse making it damn near impossible to find a doctor who will prescribe opiates. However, anyone on opiates long-term is physically dependent. All of us, whether you want to admit it or not.