Oxcodone tapering

[Badbackdad]

Im a 53 year old male that has been on pain meds for my back for 7 years. I have been tapering down 4/ 15 mg oxcodone , over the last last 2 1/2 months , taking one pill away per month under Dr. Supervision. I got down to a quarter of one tablet every 12 to 16 hrs. I decided two days ago to stop taking them. I have been experiencing trouble sleeping and anxiety for the last week to ten days. It is more acute over the last 40 hrs since i stopped all together. I'm trying find out when that gets better. I don't feel like doing much and mind is focused on every negative thought possible. I'm trying to figure out what to expect further with withdrawals, since I stopped after tapering down.

[Badbackdad]

thank you

[msdelight]

Fantastic job! Congratulations on. 16 DAYS!!!

[Badbackdad]

16 days off of OXY .I used the tapering method.  I experienced mild withdrawals along the way. Mainly anxiety,and problems sleeping. When I quit totally 16 days ago. I had 5 tough days of anxiety and depression, along with trouble sleeping, but not the severe withdrawals that occurs with the cold turkey approach. I didn't use the valium I had prescribed, because I didn't want to start another addiction. I couldn't use clonidine , because of my blood pressure condition. Im using Lynesta if I can't sleep, one out three nights I can sleep without anything. Im going to therapy to learn to retrain my brain to deal with stress, anxiety and sadness. Your mind forgets how to deal with those issues, when has OXY to deal with those issues. I don't have any craving to take the drug, Im mainly dealing with anxiety and depression and trying to do it naturally through therapy. I hope this helps someone out there. The posting I read and the comments from other members helped my get through this. Thanks to those responded to me when I was in need.

[marycarmel]

Clonidine is not habit forming.    I would try to stay away from the Valium if possible.

[Badbackdad]

Thanks for the encouragement!

[Badbackdad]

Is the clonidine habit forming. My pain doctor will prescribe it, but my family doctor prescribed Valium for the anxiety, I was having heart palpitations from the anxiety. I'm hesitant to take the Valium, since it can be habit forming.

[Badbackdad]

Thanks! I took the Melatonin and slept 10 hrs ,no weird dreams. I had no energy left last night , but I'm having a better morning

[jerry4664]

You should feel better in a few days eat some vitamins and loats of fluids just be strong in the head and keep the body moving best you can and by day 8 you will look back and go WOW I'm making progress just keep on keeping on. PILL FREE

[marycarmel]

Ask your doctor for Clonidine.  It's an old blood pressure med that helps with withdrawals.  (And nerve pain.)  I think the way you tapered you'll find it will help a lot.  For sleep, Melatonin may help or Alteril.  Both are all natural and don't cause any dependence.