My Oxycontin Withdrawal Story HELP!

[buffalogal]

I have been taking Oxycontin and Methadone under a Pain Dr's supervision for about two years. My pain comes from 4 herniated discs (2 in my neck from a car wreck and 2 in my back from a compression fracture sustained when I fell off a cliff) and arthritis. Before oxycontin, my pain had gotten to the point where I could no longer work and I spent much of my life curled up in a ball shivering from the pain. I got up to 120 mgs of oxy a day (3 x 40) and 90 mgs of Methadone. Life was tolerable and I could work again, but pain still consumed most of my days. In January 2003 my insurance changed and there are no pain specialists participating in my new plan. It was time to make a change. The choice I made was to stop taking oxycontin. The amount of relief it gave was not worth the amount of money, time spent at the doctors and implications of being physically addicted to a drug. I got a new primary care physician, asked him to help me get off oxy and dropped from 40 mg 3x day to 20 mg 3x day. The pain has resumed with a vengance, and I have started to have symptoms which I now see are withdrawal. Hot/cold flashes, sweating, irratibility, unable to sleep, difficulty swallowing, lethargy and severe depression. Luckily I found this site before I killed myself. My new PCP is an excellent Dr, caring and sensitive but I think we both need a better schedule. Suggestions welcome, also, what can I replace the Oxy with as I have to keep working?
Thank you for your time.

[IBKleen]

Hi James & Welcome!

So many of us have gotten our lives back and so many here are on their way. We are a community at several stages at any given time.

Listen, you came in on a post that is 7 years old. I don't want this to go back to archives and have members miss your posting. Please go to the top of this page and hit the green "Post A Question" button which will help you start your own post. That way the members can get to know you. If you need help, just ask.

Hope to see you out there.

[jamesjmc]

got my first month in with no oxy.I still have problems with the withdrawls it sounds like people are going to be withdraling for ever,this can't be.The drug has to leave your system in some time & let your self shine again.I've not really used anything but my AA friends & my stubbern ways to get off this evil drug.please is there anybody out there that stopped &  after some time said. I GOT MY LIFE BACK.without all these other drugs to ease the withdrals

[witsend0603]

this is a really old thread .. if you are new here you should go back and click the post question .. green button at top of page and repost your question .. you will get many responses this way

[Jack140]

I'm going into attemt 4 of getting off oxy. I have been on oxy for a year and a half. I keep getting road blocked at about day 10. I am not sure if I can go through this again! Help! So I get through The WD I went 7 DAYS WITH NO SLEEP just to go right back! What the ****! Here I am again I can't get through day 10. I just can't deal with my day to day life!  I own a house and have a a great boyfrend a job!!!!  When can I feel normal again? So I can get to day 7- 10 what? At this time I have nothing to give I feel nothing, I have always gone back to drugs!! So I guess what I'm asking when am I going to feel normal!!! I never did drugs untill I hurt my neck 2 years ago! I just am hopeless! Don't worry I'm not going to off myself. I'm just tired!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Sophie713]

Has anyone tried the Thomas Detox Plan?  I have severe nerve pain..long story.  I'm on 80 mg of oxycontin.  Eventually I would like to attempt to see how I can handle the pain without the medication..However I don't want to use any other pill and want to do it without medical help for my own reasons.  I am open to all suggestions but please don't tell me to see my doctor..as I said I have my own reasons to want to do this without meds and at home.....thanks for your help...

[janah223]

hi                                                                                                                                                                          i was on oxycontin for 12 years , and i was takin 400mg a day , oxycontin was my life my family my everything , it took so much from me , my children my husbund my family , my job , ,i nearly died so many times when talking oxycontin and that wouldnt stop me all i would think  is about how sick i would get , i would cry so many nights and i wouldnt go out any more , i was always in the house , it takes so much from you , i would lie to so many people , i would lie to the doctors i was seeing , i did so many things to get my oxycontin  i missed out on my  children growing up , on there birthdays on so much , iwas so young when i started , that i wasted 12 years of my life and i cant get it back ,, i nearlly burnt the house down so much with my kids sleeping , because i would smoke and fall a sleep . and that wouldnt stop me  ,as i think now , i say to my self what kind of person am i ,, i wont and dont blame any one but my self , i chose to take oxycontin , i was seeing so many doctors to get it , and it wasnt hard at all to get it ,, they would give it to and give me extra sripts  , so i would always have it ,i would get so sick if i didnt take the mediction on time and if i was out i have to be home on time ,, to crush my tabblets in a plate and inhale it , thats how bad i was and that what a addict i was , ,, i stoped cleaning , cooking , stoped talking to my chirldren , thats what oxycontin dose , my daughter would be in the kitchen  , cooking 4 her and her brother  , and i would be lyin down  and she was only 10 , she clened and donr so many thing that i should be doing , but all i cared about was my OXYCONTIN,,,,,  there is much i can say that i did and went thought , takin this oxycontin , bit now i will tell you how i got off it ,,,,,, 2007 i got out of bed as i did every day went to the kitchen crushed my pill and inhaled it , and  had a really bad fit , i was bleeding so much from my nose and mouth , and found my daughter huging me and crying and saying to me ,, mum mum ,, i love you , why are you doing this , why are you taking oxycontin , we all love you , dont every think we dont , i need you mum , i need a mum in my life  and that really hit me ,,thats same day i went to see the doctor and told him what was going on , and told him that i dont want him to give me oxycontin , even if i beged for it ,, and also went to every doctor i have seen and told them the same thing , and also when to every chemist  and told them if i come with a sript , not to give it to me , and the next day i took the kids to my sisters  and came home  ,, flushed all the tablets i still had left and closed all the house windows and said i will never take a oxycontin again ,,, the with draws where so bad that all i wanted to do was die , and beged 4 my body to be normal ,, i wont even say how i felt because every time i think about it i feel sick ,, its been a year now that i am clean and yes i do have my life back ,, but there isnt a day that i dont think of oxycontin and how it took 12 years of my  life ,, but all i can say id i have my kids back now , and im happy ,,,,,, janah    

[somebody167]

was taking 15-20 norco a day plus whatever valium and xanax i could get.  Quit cold turkey4 days ago,  felt like helland still do started taking some tyloxand back on some valium but i'm not sure it's the real stuff.  does anyone know how to tell if valium is real?

[Sportsguy86]

You guys do realize this thread is from half a decade ago, don't you?

[Flutterby111]

Very well said.  Love it.  And it's very true.  I've done it.  But sometimes, there are other tools needed as well, just to HELP assist in kicking that demon down!  What a great outlook though! ☺
♥
flutter

Lucky~
you're right about medicine can help, but being a small part of the picture, I couldn't agree more, but I don't like how you generalize the "everyone" on this forum is focused on how science can make their addiction "go away".  To say "everyone" is simply untrue.  But you are right, there is NO WAY science/medicine is going to cure one's addiction. There absolutely has to be therapy, aftercare, NA/AA, spiritual guidance, SOME sort of soul searching and working on addressing the addiction face to face, and dealing with it.  There's definately no such thing as a pill remedy when it comes to addiction.  But it can be a tool...I think.  I hope.  I'm trying it anyways.  But c'mon man, you can't say everyone here wants science to make the addiction to "go away".  I'm speaking of course on behalf of myself, but MANY others too.  

[LateAugust]

Absolutely loved your post,  written so eloquently.  Thank you so much,  for saying what many think, but find hard to put into words or the courage to post.  

[joann1975]

This post is an old one you may want to repost so it will be a current one.

[mr.lucky66]

you have a point playboy. Here on this forum everyone is focused on how science can make their addiction go away. The point they miss is that detox is only a small part of recovery. It should be an inside job or maybe spirtual, not medicine. Medicine can help but it's only a small part of the picture

[Playboy123]

No program, medication or doctor will cure you. Maybe prolong the inevitable and subdue the pain until you have to face what's been coming. Recovery is found in one way. And this way has a 200% success rate. There's a place DEEP DEEP inside of us all where we can all sit and dream..........accomplish anything.  I found my place sparked by a childhood memory. You know, before any of this when the world was a playground and there wasn't a worry in the world. It may be different for some but that did it for me. Once you find this place hold on and NEVER let go. Then when you come face to face with that demon, not that addiction or that disorder or that disease, that demon, smile: because finally you are stronger then him/her. The day you kick that ******* demon into the ground and take it's last breath you will know it and you will have gained a piece of your soul back and also a new piece that will enlighten you. Also, when going through withdrawal smile and think about how beautiful life will be sooner then later.

God Bless

[minime]

Just got off the phone with some people who are trying to find out more about Subutex.  It is NOT available to the general public and there is no date set for when/if that will happen.  

Also, the sublingual tabs are MUCH more potent than the 0.3 injectibles.  Even with a lower rate of absorption because it is taken sublingually instead of IM, the tabs are way more potent.  Think about it 8mg vs. 0.3 mg.  That is why they scheduled it as a III instead of the V (injectible is V).

Whether taken sublingually or injected, Buprenorphine is a very potent pain killer.  People don't realize it because it has little to no side effects.  Although it may not give a "high" like oxys or percs, it does give an overall feeling of well-being.  Many feel very energetic while on it.  After taking it for awhile, you WILL develop a physical addiction to it.  It is an opiate, so don't let anyone tell you you cannot get addicted to it - you can and you WILL feel withdrawal symptoms if you stop it.  Obviously if you taper very slowly, those feelings will be much less.

Suboxone is available now and if you don't have any intention of injecting it, you should have no problem taking it instead of the Subutex.  The Naloxone is only activated upon injection.  Otherwise it remains inactive.

I have done a great deal of study on this drug and have spoken with many doctors and people involved with the manufacturing and distribution of this drug.  Anyone trying to find Subutex at a pharmacy will be out of luck.

[minime]

I spoke with the president, Charles O'Keefe, of Reckitt Benckiser in Richmond, VA.  I've spoken with many people including those at Samhsa.  I don't know how your friend got ahold of Subutex, but it isn't yet available.  It is supposed to only be dispensed by a doctor in his office - similar to Methadone dispensed by a clinic.

[hyjack]

I know someone from California that is currently taking Subutex, so I am not sure who your information is from.  The manufacturer is overseas, so did you speak with the actual manufacturer Reckitt Benckiser or someone from the US?

Buprenorphine can also be compounded for people that oppose needles but VERY expensive. My prescription for one month is
almost 800.00. Luckily, my insurance covers compounding.

A very low dose of buprenorphine can ease many withdrawal symptoms while helping with pain.  However, injectible buprenorphine is much more potent than sublingual, since it has to go through the digestive tract.  

I take it for pain management now.  The effects are so miniscule, that it is almost like taking nothing at all.  I am prescribed 8 mg./day, but if I don't need it, I don't take it and have no withdrawals to boot.

It's definitely worth looking into.  An addictionologist would be your best bet to prescribe it for you.  ASAM.org will give you information of addictionologists in your area.

I hope this information is helpful to someone.

[Ewizz]

I read your post about Bupronex, you are the first person I have heard of that is on maintenace dose like I was.

I was addicted to Oxycontin, went to a doc that geve me Buprenex IM and I've been on that for three years doing .3mg (1 ampule) as a maintenance jsut to feel normal. I was at a point where I had resingned myself that I would be on this stuff the rest of my life, because I couldn't even tolerate the discomfortae of withdrwal for any length of time , and that it made me feel good, except for the wicked hangover.

While Buprenex does not get you high like Oxy it does produce a mild euphoria that is very short lived.
ABout a month ago an old freind from my drug party showed up with 100 oxy's. Not having been high for 3 years the temtation was too great and I have been taking 160 mg of oxy . Now the party is over and I need to get off the oxy and back on th Buprenex...I would like to know more about what you doctor has told you about the use of Buprenex...You can email me direct at BlueHawaii_***@****

ALOHA!

[freezing]

Subutex and Suboxone are now available in pharmacies that elect to purchase it from the manufacturer.  The Gov't site: http://www.buprenorphine.samhsa.gov/faq.html#13 details the facts about it's use and more.  Best wishes to all.  I hope this can help some of us.  (Be aware that if you bring the 'script to the pharmacy, as opposed to have the certified physician call it in, you waive your rights under CFR 42.) -fricken freezing (w/wife yelling at me)!

[minime]

I've spoken with the manufacturer, and Subutex is NOT available yet and it won't be available in pharmacies.

[HarleyCat]

Jim misses you. Since he can't post on this forum, he wants to give you the addy of the site he is on.  But I don't want to post it on here, or I will get ????  Email me and I will give you the web address.  Thanks,  Harley

[minime]

My insurance covers the Suboxone.  I pay $31.30/month for Suboxone - much cheaper than Bup which was not covered.

[minime]

I have to point out that Subutex is not available yet, and it won't be available at the pharmacy.  It will only be doled out by a doctor in his/her office.

Suboxone is working fine.  I am struggling with determining what dose is right for me.  I don't have much to report since it has been a relatively short time for me.  Finding a doctor was the hardest part.  The list of doctors on the Samhsa website isn't very accurate.  Most of the doctors I called weren't "ready" to start Suboxone treatments or were charging exhorbitant prices.  Unfortunately, doctors are ready to screw addicts some more with making desperate people pay crazy prices...as I always say, there are no breaks for addicts.

I'll write more when I have a little more experience with it.

Harley - I keep seeing your posts about B'Belt.  Does he need my help with something?  Feel free to write about it on the forum, as I keep my communications strictly on the forum...no secrets here I guess.

[mrmichael67]

Of course, I meant for you to do anything through your doc, which I assume is where you get your meds in the first place.  I was just trying not to state the obvious.  Methadone will block other opiates no matter what your history is.  That is just a property of it.  Just try to discuss it with your doc.  If you were to do a search on methadone, you could see what that opioid does.  The blockade effect that it posesses is one reason why they approved it back when for use in a clinic setting.  It would help keep heroin use down, or at least they hoped it would.  If a heroin user stable on high dose methadone uses heroin, they have to take a whole lot more to even feel it.  And, heroin is just another opiate.  Methadone will block all full agonist opioids, which oxycodone is.  I am just trying to pass some info along that you should know.  I am not suggesting you take any amount of anything.  I just think people should be educated about the meds they take.  And I was just trying to help.

[freezing]

Bodymechanic, wow, 1mg/day.  what were you coming off of?  

(I was on 3mg of bupe twice a day, IM, and it didn't cut it.  6mg x 3 was good, but I only had enough to do that for two days.  they switched me to oxy 20mg x 3 which was a nightmare, very depressed and constipated.  

What formulation are you taking, sublingual or intramuscular, or other?  

I don't care about the cost if it is a relatively good solution.  The Doctor every couple weeks is a lot better than methadone clinic every morning, being treating like a convicted prisoner.)

minime, would you please share more details about your Subutex experience so far?

Thanks!

-----------
PS-all-  I apologize.  I did not mean to pass judgment on NA (or anything or anyone) at all.  It just wasn't good for me.  Please don't take offense, as truly none was intended.  It is surely wonderful for many/most.  I don't judge anyone nor their actions.