Finally Getting OFF Oxymorphone

[Sarahrsm]

Its finally time to start my life again..
I am only 22 years old and have been dependent on pain medication for 4 years. I have chronic migraines that I have literally taken every type of medication for and found unfortunately that pain medications seemed to give me the most relief from this incredible pain I experience. I of course was too young to really realize what was happening but soon I was given over to a pain clinic where the doctor right off the bat prescribed me about 6 7.5 Vicodin a day. I became dependent pretty quickly and naturally when I found myself experiencing withdrawals I would turn to the pain medication because my migraines became far worse. As my tolerance grew higher I found myself in more pain and experiencing more side effects. Soon my doctor went to prescribing me 8 Opana (oxymorphone) 10 mg a day. This was the beginning of the worst time in my life. I literally am scared out of my mind of running out because I'm frightened I will die... these withdrawals make me feel like my life is ending. I am moving soon to a different city and recently broke up with my boyfriend of 3+ years and this has caused me a great depression. I feel like my entire life has ended because everything I have grown to know is now over. To make things worse I began abusing my pain medication in response to my depression and will now run out about 8 days too early to refill my medication. My doctor sees me for about 10 minutes once a month and he does not seem to care if I am physically dependent or for finding a better more healthy way to aid my pain. I am scared constantly because they are so mean to you about taking pain medication everywhere I go medically. They call you a drug addict and always suspect the worst from you even though you are simply a human being who has unjustly been taken advantage of in order to be a patient at a doctor's office and to keep you coming back. I don't see anyone caring that the withdrawals are so unbelievably hard. I just see them treating you like a drug addict. I called numerous times to see if my doctor can prescribe me Suboxone or something to aid my withdrawal progress and I FIND OUT MY DOCTOR CANNOT EVEN PRESCRIBE THEM!! He isn't "a higher level pain management doctor" as a few others in the clinic and thus only doses his patients with incredible levels of narcotics but cannot aid them to get off. This is disgusting to me. How is this even legal?? I am so young and because I was looking for help from my pain, literally not knowing that I was being given medication that would just make me sick and dependent because I TRUSTED my doctor. I feel so taken advantage of and deceived. Please I want to end this awful part of my life now. Can anyone help me with their own withdrawal experiences and/or ways to make things easier? I feel awful about who I am right now and the stress I have put on my family over this situation. I am trying to taper down right now but I wake up with chronic leg spasms in the morning at about 6 am and am so sick that I have to take pain medication or sit awake in pain with the minutes crawling by..

Thank you everyone I deeply appreciate your kindness...

[Ballgame]

Most drs can't prescribe sub. It's takes a special license to prescribe it so don't let that bother you.

[Skeeter56]

I have a solution to two questions.  First go to Austin Pain Associates, ask for appt with dr. Silberberg.  He will help you with the right meds as well as withdrawal.
Second, call Restore fx. Tell them you have questions about suboxone . The doctor there is indeed licensed for this very strong pain med.
Be persistent but polite.  I think these two groups can help you.

[HappyDays2Come]

First of all it's okay to be scared, and that's how probably 95% of the people that find this forum feel initially. The withdrawals suck but you can manage  them and still survive through them, especially as young as you are. I would talk honestly to your doctor and let him know how you're feeling and tell him you want to get off of the pills and find an alternative to manage your migraines. Discuss a plan with him and take the first step to having a life of sobriety. You are still very young and have a long full life full of potential and possibilities if you stop now. Calm down, relax, and know that there are others on pills / medication much worse and much stronger and that are coming off of it. You can do this if you really want to, and from reading you post it sounds like you do. Come up with a plan and do it. Stick to it. I have faith that you can change your life and make a turnaround and then help others, that are scared, to find a new life.

[weaver71]

Opana is a highly potent synthetic morphine. It is horrible feeling, but wlll not kill you from withdraw, if you are healthy otherwise. The thing that concerns me most about your post is that you started taking them for emotional pain, that crosses the line from dependent to addict. Opana is fairly Long-acting, so withdrawal can take some time. Is your doctor willing to help you with a taper  or switch you to a faster acting opiate, you mentioned he is not very helpful? Suboxone requires a special class and fees to be allowed to prescribe it. Now that emotional pain is involved, I suggest you see an addiction counselor. I would recommend an NA meeting as well. How is your health, diet, and migraines right now? Your withdrawal symptoms sound normal, what have you been doing to try and get off opiates? Acupuncture, vitamin therapy, exercise, anything?