1st Post - Here's my plan...what do you think?

[bionic_man]

Everyone,
I am a 50 year old man who has had numerous surgies due to an car accident early in life.  I have more metal in me than a hardware store and for years have been on a variety of pain meds most recently oxycondin for about four years.  I just had my last surgery (I hope) and am ready to get off these pain meds.  I have to admit, I really needed them over the past couple years but am feeling pretty good physically and the time has come to get off these.  My plan is as follows:  I was taking 120 mg of Oxy three times a day and started cutting my dose and currently am taking roughly 40 mg and my plan is to take it to 20, then ten and then completely eliminate them from my life.  I am feeling the anxiety that I read about and have started to experience not being able to sleep.  I have some valium to help and do my best to stay busy however is there any advice anyone can give me?  I know oxycondin is a tough drug to get off however I feel like I'm ready.

Any advice or recommendations is really appreciated.

Bionic Man

[troubleinohio]

hey congrats on the huge progress you have made already in your taper! that is great! I can tell you will be one of the ones who Make It to the Other Side and stay clean. Dont let that fool you though and give you overconfidence either though. Its hard work but you can do it. Keep reading and posting here as much as possible, its really a lifesaver here and you will make some great friends too. We are all here day or night for support, conversation, distractions, advice and love.

[bionic_man]

Thanks everyone....I really do appreciate the help.  I've already told my doctor I'm starting to taper so he's aware of it.  He's agreed to also taper the dose so I'm so looking forward to getting off these things.  I absolutely hate the anxiety periods I go through so I did get some Valium to help with those.......how long does it take to "de-tox" my body so the anxiety and restless legs stop?  I was watching Celebrity Rehad and Dr. Drew said 5 to 7 days is that accurate??  I already have periods when I'm feeling so good but as expected I go through the anxiety periods and RLS.  Anyway, thanks everyone, I'm sure glad I found this website.

Bionic Man

[Florida_Guy737]

Hi...sounds like a good plan.  I also tapered for 3.5 weeks after I found my baseline; how log could I go without totally freakin.  I set my watch alarm to remind me to dose, e.g. first few days was about every 1,5 hours, then 2 hours, then 3 hours, etc...

Tapering allowed me to continue to work while I was detoxing.  I took quite a few aminos, vitamins etc but  found out that a simple protein drink contains everything you need; I still take 3 of these a day.  Exercise helps even if you don't feel up to it...start slow and gradually build yourself up.

I had anxiety as well but the aminos and exercise pretty much took care of that; one word of caution...don't let the anxiety trick you into thinking an oxy will help you.  

Live Strong...

Guy

[ochooked]

Hello Bionic_man ---- Congratulations on your decision, your progress so far, and your determination.  You will need every ounce of strength you can muster -- but you CAN do this.   As you already know (assuming you have been lurking on this site awhile) this may be tough at times.  Almost all of the folks on this site were chronic pain sufferers when they began using Opiates -- so you are not alone.  There are several suggestions I would make, however.   First, as you enter the really rough part of tapering -- please have a trusted friend or spouse dispense your dose --- it is almost impossible to the patient to have the will power to do it alone --- You need help.  Second, tell your doctor what you are doing --  It will help you to follow through.  That was the greatest thing I did in my quest to get clean.  By telling my doctor, I was effectively shutting off my supply -- no going back for "one more refill" when I was in the throes of withdrawals -- TELL YOUR DOCTOR -- do not leave the door open back to the opiates -- it really makes a statement to yourself that 'this time I mean it.'  Find someone to be accountable to -- very important that you share what you are going through.  Now, you know as you get near the end, the pain will increase -- that is just your body's way of trying to convince you that you need to give it the drug it wants -- tell it NO.   After you are off totally, you are going to be surprised at how much less pain you feel and what an effect the Opiates actually had on increasing your pain level. Bionic_man -- I can tell you first hand that you are in for the most wonderful surprise of your life.  The drugs have stolen things from you that you don't even realize yet -- things like your sex life, your energy level, interests and hobbies will return.  Hope you will stay on this site for two reasons - first, it is very good to keep posting - helps you to write it down and then deal with the emotions -- secondly, you will help others a lot -- those who are struggling and wondering if they can make it ---  Many come to this site and get help -- few return to 'pay it back' or even 'pay it forward'.  Hope you will be one of those -- men are really needed on here.  There are a few of the real stalwarts like Theeagle -- but we need more.  All the best to you Bionic_man as you are about to earn your wings -- and your freedom.

[SmartYetStupid]

Do a slow taper.. The slower the taper the better.  Pick a quit date (preferably when your pills run out so you are not tempted to take them during detoxing like I did).  

Get the ingredients in the Thomas Recipe and the Amino Protocol.  That will help with the sleep problems and the worst of the withdrawal symptoms.  Follow the Thomas Recipe and use your Valium to try and sleep through the worst of it.  I found that the anxiety and the restless legs were the worst physical symptoms, so if you can get more Valium to get you through your first few days and also get some meds for RLS, then that would be good.

Congrats on deciding to quit!   You are making the right choice!

Best of luck, keep posting, we are all here to help and can understand what you are and will be going through.