Medicated for 10 years

[AllanSr]

I have been takeing oxycodone 30mg 4 times daily for 10 years. I know my body is completely saturated. Is it possible for me to wein myself off this medication? I have all the time I need to do this. My scripts arrive every month on time and will continue to arrive as long as I feel I need to take it. I just want to wein myself off the oxycodone then try something not so addictive.

[MedicDan]

If you feel like you no longer need your medication then you should speak to your provider  Will it is possible to taper down, after being on a narcotic for such a long period it would be very difficult and the chances for relapse are high.  If you partner with your provider you stand a much better chance for success, withdrawal and be terrible and will hit you very hard. Should you choose to go at it alone I recommend doing so slowly, decreasing by 1 pill every 10 days until you are no longer taking them.

Dan
DNP, ANP, AEMT-P

[AllanSr]

Ok I'm not sure I am using this site properly so forgive me if I am replying wrong. My comments are for all to see and all replies are very welcomed.
I will be starting my tapering off on the 21st of March so give me strength.

[perco13]

Technically it is possible to wein yourself by setting up a tapering schedule. The concept is to take less and less until your down to zero. You must wein yourself off very slowly, actually the slower the better in order to minimize withdrawals. However, you mentioned you've been using for 10 years. Do you have the willpower to get yourself to take less. i was using about the same amount as you for about 3 years. For a long time i've wanted to stop and everytime i got them i said ok this is the last time im going to taper down and finish. I must've said this 100 times. I found for me and for others the habit of taking them becomes such a strong addiction, my brain continuously tells me to take it, and i justify saying ok next time. but its the same cycle over and over. In my experiences and from what i've read on this forum it is almost impossible to do it alone. You should definitely talk to your doctor about your intentions. He may be able to get you on a tapering schedule and help you throughout the process. You hould consider Suboxone. For me it was great, it helped me through it immensely. I felt bad for about a day but once the suboxone kicked in it made me feel so much better, virtually took away all my withdrawals. Im not suggesting switching to suboxone for maintenance, im suggesting using the suboxone just to help you come off oxys quicker than using the taper method and with very little withdrawals. Whatever path you chose, good luck to you. Remember this is only the beginning to a long road to recovery. Discuss with your doctor your options. With suboxone you can be drug free in as little as 2 weeks. all the best!

[AllanSr]

I have DDD, Degenitive Disc Desease, surgery made it worse and caused it to spread from cirvical down to lumbar. more to come busy right now

[gnarly_1]

HI  and Kudos to you for wanting to take your life back from these pills you can taper off dropping of a pill every few days or just C/T and quit Taking them the second way  is more popular in about a week your threw it tapering can take up some time to do it we cant give out specific taper plans but we can tell you briefly go slow the slower the less you will feel but the longer you will feel the more mild withdrawals so its up to you we will support you in  however you choose to do it good luck and God bless....Gnarly

[LostNoMore]

Welcome. Yes, it's possible. You can taper your dose over a period of time and ease the withdrawals. It would be a good idea to talk with your doctor about it. It would seem likely that you have chronic pain to be prescribed that much oxy.  What kind of pain do you have>