Is anyone else trying to quit Oxycodone ??

[Linda808]

Hi People,

I have been on oxycodone for about 3 years after a bad accident left me with multiple spinal fractures.  I am better now but a while back I got up one morning and had intense pain in my feet. I could hardly walk.  Next it was in my wrists just where my arm and hand join.  I was thinking arthritis maybe but the doc did tests and I dont have the markers. Next they tested for Ross River Virus, then MS, nothing.

Now after the searching the net I have found that it is most likely the oxycodone actually causing it. Wow... that was a wake up call. Painkillers causing pain, I have never heard of that.

I know some folks on here are trying to quit this stuff and I know how hard it is. Good for you if you have.  I have tried several times and gone 8 days then coulnt stand the pain and took one only. Then the next day the pain was worse than ever, and not the back pain either . I mean the pain in my hands and feet. I have now gone 6 days but still the pain is there.  Its killing me, like a burning ache that you cant get away from.

How long does it take for the pain to go. ??I am on a low dose and cant believe this has still ensnared me.

If I take something else for the pain will that make it worse??... just wish I'd know this before.

Any comments would be gratefully received.

Take care
Linda

[hawkdove]

Hiya Linda

I understand the way you are feeling. Pain meds' are so useful yet so subtle in the way withdrawal can exaccerbate pain.

The way I see it is people who take opiate-type pain meds are either on them for life or just very short-term. They are so strong and, who wouldn't want to be more or less free from pain and tranquil.

I have had my own battle with these pain meds after being prescribed them after an accident. For example, once I took the pain med the difference they made were tremendous. They not only removed any pain , but lifted all boredom too. I had more or less an unlimited supply of them from my doctor also.

What I did notice is when I went without the pain medication part of the withdrawal (Which was horrible) was that pain magnified ...it was much worse ...and pain apperared especially in my lower back when, in fact, I have never really had any back problems. !

Also, having been on such medication for years meant there was an 'emptyness' in my life. For example, I would take the pain med more or less at certain time in the day. And so once I decided to stop it was, to be honest, horrible.

Good news, I found paracetemol and ibuprofen together with a sleeoing tablet, prescribed by my doctor helped me through the so-called withdrawal phase. And today I hope to God I recognise that when and if I do use this medication again, I myself understands that, for me, I have got to keep it at a maximum of a week out of every month.

Hope this helps, Vince :)  

[rtjrevie]

Hi Linda, have you thought about Fibromyalgia? Your symptoms kind of sound like some that I have, and that is what they told me mine is from????

[Linda808]

Hi trixy71,

Thankyou so much for your answer. I have been tested for rheumatoid arthritis as I said but I have none of the symptoms for oesteo, like swollen joints etc. and its only in my wrists and feet.  It sounds really weird but its the 2 places that cause the most problem. Walking and doing things. I can hardly turn off a tap or unscrew a jar. I know you are thinking that sounds like arthritis as I did.
I didnt say before as it is complicated but I also spent all of 2010 on treatment for breast cancer. I'm well now and they think I will be fine. Could this pain I have be related to chemo and radiation treatment???
This was another field I have been looking into. The doctors tend to shrug and say they dont know, or that there is little evidence. etc.
I would like to hear your thoughts on this.

I am so tempted to go back on the oxycodone for this new pain but feel that would be a backward step. I think I can manage with my back pain now and dont want to get hooked on drugs.

Thanks again for your fast reply.

BTW I was only on 2 x10mg oxy of which I rarely took the 2 and preferred o get through to the afternoon and just take one. I fond that worked for me.  I can hardly believe some people taking over 100mg a day... wow, I would be unconscious... lol.

Bye for now,
Linda

[trixy71]

Linda, have you had x-rays? The blood test for arthritis is only for Rheumatoid arthritis, it doesn't show anything for osteoarthritis, which can be seen with x-rays. As for Oxycodone causing pain, its usually called hyperalgesia and it does happen, but if you're not taking a lot a day then this more than likely isn't an issue. If you want to stop taking them, great, but you should get tests done regardless to find out what is really causing your pain. Good luck to you!