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473384 tn?1210206242

I need some help

I have been tapering down off oxy/percs for severe hip pain for the past month. I am having surgery in 1.5 weeks and it was suggested awhile ago by my doc that I taper down so that I will get better pain control after my surgery (although on my last visit he said I don't really have to taper..???confused???).

I have been on percocet for a year. it creeped up to ~ 8 tabs (5/325)/day by around november 2007. my PCP tried ms contin at that point but it did nothing for me apart from intractable constipation (who wants to attempt childbirth every morning just to move their bowels???), so she sent me to a pain specialist who first put me on the fentanyl patch (which scared me to death, told him I wanted off) and then oxycontin. at my highest dose I was taking 3-30mgs oxy/day (90mgs total) plus 2-4-6 percocets (5/325)/day, so I think my highest daily intake for a month or so was 120mgs combined oxycodone/day.

I have tapered down over the past month or so to 3-10mg oxys/day and 4-6 percs/day, for a total combined daily intake of between 50-60mgs oxycodone/day. I am proud of this and very glad to have reduced my intake by half, but I really seem to be stuck at the 60mg mark. there have been a few days when I was able to get down to 50mgs and once even 45mgs -- but I keep bouncing back up to ~60mgs/day b/c of wd symptoms and/or pain. just can't seem to get below that. the other night I popped back up to 80 b/c my pain was very bad and I couldn't sleep (did come back down, though, and have stayed down).

this is complicated by the fact that my doc says I don't really have to taper before my surgery (although I do think it is a good idea to taper b/c I work in the field, and I know that I will have better pain control if I do not go into my surgery with a high tolerance)....any ideas? I just can't seem to get the resolve and motivation and the strength to push through the next stage to get it down to like 20-30 mgs/day before my surgery. ARGH!!

I am going to a hotel next week where I will have a few days off from work/family, and have booked some massages, facials, etc, and I will have a big tub in my room for soaks. I will take walks and eat good food and rest, read, watch tv, relax....but does anyone have any really good ideas on how I can get motivated to take on more discomfort to bring my dose down more? I just don't want to!!! wah, wah....

enormous thanks in advance to all you good people....I admire tremendously everyone here who is walking that tough road of abstinence  :)

kittykat58

4 Responses
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473384 tn?1210206242
thank you for your comments...I suppose that us right, I just don't want to have bigger problems after surgery.

goingtomakeit, why do you think it's counterproductive to taper down before surgery? or do you just mean now that I am at this level? I think it's true, when I talked to pharmacy they said there are people that come in pre-op that are on much bigger amounts than me.

my doctors are totally aware of what's going on and can communicate with each other before and after. I had a problem with this stuff years ago and have to use a great deal of self-restraint to use it as prescribed. I have managed to do so so far and want to keep succeeding. I feel afraid for when the time comes that I will have to step off altogether; I've used these meds for 1 year and feel like I've forgotten what it feels like to live sober.

I do so appreciate being able to post here, thanks again.
Helpful - 0
402205 tn?1230481005
GoingToMakeIt gave really good advice. Make sure both doctors are aware and go from there. If so I wouldn't taper.
Helpful - 0
488264 tn?1226520307
Oh.  So you know what hip pain feels like then.  Some doctors may think you are inventing it to obtain pills.  But of course not, it is very real for you is it not?  I wish you good luck in your surgery, and the ability to realise from this experience that other 'lesser' people experience pain just as bad as yours, possibly worse.  Except we don't have the luxury of picking and choosing our medications and taking luxurious holidays to come off them.  I expect you don't turn yourself away when you're crying with the pain declaring yourself a manipulative fraud.  I am a compassionate person and wish you better, but somehow I think if a person like me walked into your surgery you would not show such humanity.
Helpful - 0
352798 tn?1399298154
It is almost counter productive to taper down much more before the surgery. Tapering a little won't hurt, but you will need more after the surgery. I would just make real sure that your surgeon and pain Dr are on the same page in getting your pain under control after surgery! After the surgery, then work on getting down or off the meds. This is just my opinion. Good luck.
Helpful - 0
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