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Oxycontin Addiction for My wife and I
I have been taking Oxycontin for almost 2 years now.Before then,I was taking Vicodin regularly for 3 years. My dosage for Oxycontin started at 80 mg. per day to 320 mg. per day at the end. My wife started to share my medicine about a year ago.She did this to save our marriage. In the end, she was taking 80 mg. per day.I have been wanting to get off these medicines for the entire time I was taking them, but I was prescribed them from a doctor and he made it seem like it was ok.As all of you who are probably prescribed them,you should know that you keep getting the urge to take more and more.We have 5 children and I was running out of my meds before I was supposed to. 21 days ago,I made a decision to go to another doctor and get something to help me get off of them.I lied to him and told him I was getting them off the street.He was sooo kind,and gave me a prescription of Methadone 10mg 2 a day.I took 6 a day.By the time it was time for me to get my next prescription for the Oxy., I decided to try and get it. "Big Mistake!"...at first, only.The pharmacy had known about the methadone, even though I went to a different pharmacy.Both doctors dumped me flat.With 5 children, I would never get these things off of the streets. Ever!My wife and I are on Day 7 off of the Methadone, and day 21 off of the Oxy.We are suffering horribley, but to my surprise, she is suffering much more then I.I will not go to a doctor at all to get any medicine to help with my "manifested" pain or the withdrawals.We just read the Thomson method and tonight started taking the Multi-viteman.How can we sleep
Please try this, it helps. Hot Epson salt baths, mega doses of VITamin D-3. take multivitamin and take Vitamin B-12. I have been on Fentanyl , oxy, AND You name it for four years. If you can get help try and if not, it will take a few weeks for the RLS to go away. Drink Protein drinks, Drink Gatorade for electrolytes. I did and all of this seemed to help
Yes! I would suggest Lunesta over ambien. It works great & doesn't gave the potential for abuse like Ambien. Muscle realxers are also a good option since they ease the RLS & make you pretty sleepy. I hope you guys get through this. Just remember that every ****** day brings you 1 day closer to freedom!!
The problem with oxycontin and methadone is they are long acting opiates in contrast to short acting like oxycodone. Oxycodone will be out of your system at the most in 3 days and everything is over. But long acting that most clinicians either don't care or don't have the scientific knowledge behind it (I"m a phD in biochemistry and MD genetics), do not explain to the patient.
Its possible first 3weeks you did not have withdrawal or much of it and timeline is hard to establish but could take at the most 2 months. Similar situation is with Suboxone: it is a very long acting opiate as well. Yes its great to get people of the street drugs but pl do not use to get off methadone or oxycontin, you'll be in the same situation of withdrawal with suboxone. It seems you are doing great. Hang on, take vitamins, meditate (i know it is very hard in this situation, talking from personal experience) and workout in gym that helps a lot. thanks.
Its possible first 3weeks you did not have withdrawal or much of it and timeline is hard to establish but could take at the most 2 months. Similar situation is with Suboxone: it is a very long acting opiate as well. Yes its great to get people of the street drugs but pl do not use to get off methadone or oxycontin, you'll be in the same situation of withdrawal with suboxone. It seems you are doing great. Hang on, take vitamins, meditate (i know it is very hard in this situation, talking from personal experience) and workout in gym that helps a lot. thanks.
Don't worry, I truly believe that you've made the right decision. While Methadone may not be the answer for all, to some of us, it's the best thing that's happened. I am currently going to a clinic daily. I havn't used one single time since I've been taking Methadone. Methadone may have very well saved my life, and I'm almost positive that it has saved my unborn child. And the clinics don't give you enough to make you high or overdose you or anything like that. Also, the rumors that Methadone is really bad for you are just that, RUMERS. Of course as with anything else, if abused THEN it's toxic. If you talk to your doctor at the clinic or do research on it, you will find that Methadone is a lot LESS toxic than any other Opiate. Stick with the clinic for as long as you feel the need. It's completely safe and supervised. Please keep us posted on how you are doing also :) Thank you...
~Riki
~Riki
I feel absalutely horrible Jonik.
To be blunt, I went to the clinic this morning.
But here are the reasons why that decision was made. First off, I called my father. He is currently my sponser or support. He went through all of this when he was younger. After speaking with him, and letting him know what was going on, he suggested that I go.
Last night, I had a very bad moment of weakness, fear, crying, etc. My wife is in soooo much agony, that I can barely look at her without crying. I can't stand to see her in so much pain and emotional stress, when all of this was my fault in the first place. I also have no right to tell her how she should get off this medicine. She didn't make the choice to quit. It was more mine. She does want to quit though. We had already planned on seeing a doctor today for as much help as possible. the reason why I chose the clinic, was becuase it was:
A. Controlled - I wasn't aloud to have possesion of any of the medicine. I took it all there.
B. Far away - I have to be there every day. It's 50 miles away from my home to the clinic. I will not want to continue that for long, just for the shear cost of it. I can't!
I feel that the program "can" work for those with the resolve and fortitude. Both of which I believe I have. There are some other personal factors regarding my family that helped make this decision. I am currently unemployed, and if I don't get a job this week, we could be kicked out of our home. Going through what we were going through, I couldn't barely watch television, let alone go out and hunt for jobs.
I hope some of this makes sense Jonik. Please let me know what you think.
To be blunt, I went to the clinic this morning.
But here are the reasons why that decision was made. First off, I called my father. He is currently my sponser or support. He went through all of this when he was younger. After speaking with him, and letting him know what was going on, he suggested that I go.
Last night, I had a very bad moment of weakness, fear, crying, etc. My wife is in soooo much agony, that I can barely look at her without crying. I can't stand to see her in so much pain and emotional stress, when all of this was my fault in the first place. I also have no right to tell her how she should get off this medicine. She didn't make the choice to quit. It was more mine. She does want to quit though. We had already planned on seeing a doctor today for as much help as possible. the reason why I chose the clinic, was becuase it was:
A. Controlled - I wasn't aloud to have possesion of any of the medicine. I took it all there.
B. Far away - I have to be there every day. It's 50 miles away from my home to the clinic. I will not want to continue that for long, just for the shear cost of it. I can't!
I feel that the program "can" work for those with the resolve and fortitude. Both of which I believe I have. There are some other personal factors regarding my family that helped make this decision. I am currently unemployed, and if I don't get a job this week, we could be kicked out of our home. Going through what we were going through, I couldn't barely watch television, let alone go out and hunt for jobs.
I hope some of this makes sense Jonik. Please let me know what you think.
Try a Methadone Clinic. If you tell them your situation, they will most likely take you, then you can be weened off of the meds under dr. supervision instead of putting yourself through hell by going cold turkey or trying to ween yourself and possibly falling back into addiction. Here is a really good website for finding a clinic near you. Please check it out and keep me posted...
http://www.usnodrugs.com/rehabs.php/US/
http://www.usnodrugs.com/rehabs.php/US/
DO NOT go to a methadone clinic!!!! You do not need methadone at this point!!!!!
Do not get yourselves addicted to methadone it is a VERY awful drug. It gets into your bones! It rots your teeth,among other things. its a dangerous drug. Stay away from the meth please!!
The worst part of your withdrawl is over!! You two were going through oxy wd while on methadone. Methadone does not postpone oxy wd. It masks it. The worst physical wd symptoms should be gone at 3 weeks, and detox depression/sleep issues can last probably up to 4-6 weeks so you're almost there! you're almost through this. Please if you are going to go on meth you may as well just stay on oxys!!!! You actually have done this detox the right way, ( except you should have a sleep aid) You used the meth for just long enough to mask the worst oxy wd, and in 14 days, meth wd, should be minimal. you are doing this right. stay on the path youre on do not go backward by getting back on meth. YOU DONT NEED IT! I told you my suggestion--PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!!!! Do yourselves a favor and GET SOME SLEEP AIDS!! Consider antidepressants!
My philosiphy-THE LESSER EVIL
If sleep aids help you ride this wd through and keep you off oxys- take them
if antidepressants keep you/your wife from caving and getting back on oxys- take them
if SHORT TERM ( 4-5 days max) valium helps keep you off oxys- take it
if you think methadone is youre answer you're wrong. methadone is not the lesser evil - it is worse. Only my opinion, but trust me my husband is a 6 year narcotic addict and has taken every drug under the sun- he will not ever go on methadone again. the stuff is toxic. and even a slight overdose ( sometimes accidentally caused by the dr/clinics misdosage) can kill you.
You are almost through this ok, believe me its going to start getting better. You two are done the worst physical wd. Thats gone after 2-3 weeks. its just the sleep/anxiety/ mental part now. Hang on until 5 weeks you won't believe the difference and you'll have your life back.
5 weeks for a life of freedom- its worth it.
Do not get yourselves addicted to methadone it is a VERY awful drug. It gets into your bones! It rots your teeth,among other things. its a dangerous drug. Stay away from the meth please!!
The worst part of your withdrawl is over!! You two were going through oxy wd while on methadone. Methadone does not postpone oxy wd. It masks it. The worst physical wd symptoms should be gone at 3 weeks, and detox depression/sleep issues can last probably up to 4-6 weeks so you're almost there! you're almost through this. Please if you are going to go on meth you may as well just stay on oxys!!!! You actually have done this detox the right way, ( except you should have a sleep aid) You used the meth for just long enough to mask the worst oxy wd, and in 14 days, meth wd, should be minimal. you are doing this right. stay on the path youre on do not go backward by getting back on meth. YOU DONT NEED IT! I told you my suggestion--PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!!!! Do yourselves a favor and GET SOME SLEEP AIDS!! Consider antidepressants!
My philosiphy-THE LESSER EVIL
If sleep aids help you ride this wd through and keep you off oxys- take them
if antidepressants keep you/your wife from caving and getting back on oxys- take them
if SHORT TERM ( 4-5 days max) valium helps keep you off oxys- take it
if you think methadone is youre answer you're wrong. methadone is not the lesser evil - it is worse. Only my opinion, but trust me my husband is a 6 year narcotic addict and has taken every drug under the sun- he will not ever go on methadone again. the stuff is toxic. and even a slight overdose ( sometimes accidentally caused by the dr/clinics misdosage) can kill you.
You are almost through this ok, believe me its going to start getting better. You two are done the worst physical wd. Thats gone after 2-3 weeks. its just the sleep/anxiety/ mental part now. Hang on until 5 weeks you won't believe the difference and you'll have your life back.
5 weeks for a life of freedom- its worth it.
My wife and I just read your comment and it helped out a lot. Thank you for that.
Would you or anyone have any advice to how long we would really be off of the drugs?
What I mean to say is that after we stopped the Oxycontin, we started taking Methadone for 14 days and "did not" taper off of them. Those were also cold turkey. I don't believe that we created an addiction to Methadone in only 14 days, but I honestly don't know.
Also, with that in mind, you had said that we were 3 weeks clean, and we, technically, are, but would the Methadone have just postponed the actual withdrawals of the Oxycontin? Or....did we honestly skip the first 3 weeks of the Oxy withdrawals alltogether? The Methadone actually made it seem as if there weren't any withdrawals from the Oxy at all. But then again, I was taking 6 10mg per day of those.
And the one question that has yet to be answered is the timeline for the withdrawals. Does anyone know how much time we should be expecting to go through this dark place?
Thank you for the answer to the depression timeline, Jonik, and thank you for your support.
Would you or anyone have any advice to how long we would really be off of the drugs?
What I mean to say is that after we stopped the Oxycontin, we started taking Methadone for 14 days and "did not" taper off of them. Those were also cold turkey. I don't believe that we created an addiction to Methadone in only 14 days, but I honestly don't know.
Also, with that in mind, you had said that we were 3 weeks clean, and we, technically, are, but would the Methadone have just postponed the actual withdrawals of the Oxycontin? Or....did we honestly skip the first 3 weeks of the Oxy withdrawals alltogether? The Methadone actually made it seem as if there weren't any withdrawals from the Oxy at all. But then again, I was taking 6 10mg per day of those.
And the one question that has yet to be answered is the timeline for the withdrawals. Does anyone know how much time we should be expecting to go through this dark place?
Thank you for the answer to the depression timeline, Jonik, and thank you for your support.
Try and be positive and be proud of yourself. 3 weeks cold turkey?!! You two have a lot of strength. Don't let the withdrawl fool you into thinking you're weak. After 3 weeks, things should only get better from here. Believe that with all of your mind, heart, and soul.
I am not a Dr. but weve been through this, heres my advice,
Sleeping:
Getting off of oxycontin without sleeping pills is (in my opinion) insane!!!
Imovane is a very effective yet non addictive sleeping pill that some walk in clinics will give you especially if you tell them your situation.
Not only does it help with sleep, it helps with rls and anxiety. When my husband has bad anxiety he'll take a half of an imovane and lie down for an hour and it totally relaxes him. Now sleeping pills are generally to be taken at night for sleep purposes only however, when youre going through severe oxy wd's if taking half of a sleeping pill during a panic attack keeps you off of oxys and valium, i'de say its the lesser evil. Sleep is key to any type of healing. It will do wonders. I would never detox without a sleep aid.
You said you did not want to go on valium and although it is good to have during the worst 2-3 days of wd it is highly HIGHLY addictive and should not be taken for longer than 4-5 days. If you think oxy wd is bad,,, Valium wd is a living nightmare, psychologically. Lorazepam binds to your receptors for a much longer time than oxycodone. Valium half life is like 200 hours! So I'de say have a few valium on hand for emergencies IE: severe panic attack but that's about it.
You said your wife is having severe depression. When my husband decided to detox off of oxys he immediately started taking effexor. As a woman I can tell you from personal experience( and I'm somewhat generalizing here) but I don't find it shocking that your wife is'nt fairing as well emotionally with the wd. Women are generally more emotional, hormones etc.. so I am not surprised she is suffering more than you on the depression side. I would suggest she look into her options of getting on an antidepressant. Effexor is designed to help with anxiety, and depression,, although again there's an upside and a downside. Effexor has taken me out of a severe depression within a week or two. It totally eliminated panic attacks, it is like a miracle drug in this respect ( for me it was) HOWEVER, again the wd's are a nightmare and you have to taper off this med. I found it a lot easier to taper from effexor than a narcotic though, b/c you dont have really a psychological dependancy, or attatchment to it the same way you would say to percocet/ oxys. Because effexor doesnt make you "high" My suggestion is to take a very low dose enough to take the edge off for short term until the detox depression ( about 6-8 weeks) is gone, and then taper off.
good luck
I am not a Dr. but weve been through this, heres my advice,
Sleeping:
Getting off of oxycontin without sleeping pills is (in my opinion) insane!!!
Imovane is a very effective yet non addictive sleeping pill that some walk in clinics will give you especially if you tell them your situation.
Not only does it help with sleep, it helps with rls and anxiety. When my husband has bad anxiety he'll take a half of an imovane and lie down for an hour and it totally relaxes him. Now sleeping pills are generally to be taken at night for sleep purposes only however, when youre going through severe oxy wd's if taking half of a sleeping pill during a panic attack keeps you off of oxys and valium, i'de say its the lesser evil. Sleep is key to any type of healing. It will do wonders. I would never detox without a sleep aid.
You said you did not want to go on valium and although it is good to have during the worst 2-3 days of wd it is highly HIGHLY addictive and should not be taken for longer than 4-5 days. If you think oxy wd is bad,,, Valium wd is a living nightmare, psychologically. Lorazepam binds to your receptors for a much longer time than oxycodone. Valium half life is like 200 hours! So I'de say have a few valium on hand for emergencies IE: severe panic attack but that's about it.
You said your wife is having severe depression. When my husband decided to detox off of oxys he immediately started taking effexor. As a woman I can tell you from personal experience( and I'm somewhat generalizing here) but I don't find it shocking that your wife is'nt fairing as well emotionally with the wd. Women are generally more emotional, hormones etc.. so I am not surprised she is suffering more than you on the depression side. I would suggest she look into her options of getting on an antidepressant. Effexor is designed to help with anxiety, and depression,, although again there's an upside and a downside. Effexor has taken me out of a severe depression within a week or two. It totally eliminated panic attacks, it is like a miracle drug in this respect ( for me it was) HOWEVER, again the wd's are a nightmare and you have to taper off this med. I found it a lot easier to taper from effexor than a narcotic though, b/c you dont have really a psychological dependancy, or attatchment to it the same way you would say to percocet/ oxys. Because effexor doesnt make you "high" My suggestion is to take a very low dose enough to take the edge off for short term until the detox depression ( about 6-8 weeks) is gone, and then taper off.
good luck
My biggest advice is taper down and not cold turkey
I know you have stopped for a long period of time already but I remember after 7 days of cold turkey I broke down and took 10 ml of my kids cough syrup. I felt so good that I thought that it was a temporary relief but I never again felt as bad as I did before I took it. Somehow our body copes with the w/d much better if we do it slowly over time. I don't recommend going back but consider a small dose daily that slowly drops to nothing over time. When I told my family doctor that my specialist had told me I had to go cold turkey she said that was next to cruelity and that she always tapered her patients and had a 100% success rate with much less discomfort.
Its just a suggestion. I recommend that you give you tapering amount to someone you can trust and have them give you your daily dose so that it is not in your hands so you wont be tempted to do more.
Take care and I have prayed for you both. You are doing the right thing and you will get through it.
Your friend
gsmith4489
I know you have stopped for a long period of time already but I remember after 7 days of cold turkey I broke down and took 10 ml of my kids cough syrup. I felt so good that I thought that it was a temporary relief but I never again felt as bad as I did before I took it. Somehow our body copes with the w/d much better if we do it slowly over time. I don't recommend going back but consider a small dose daily that slowly drops to nothing over time. When I told my family doctor that my specialist had told me I had to go cold turkey she said that was next to cruelity and that she always tapered her patients and had a 100% success rate with much less discomfort.
Its just a suggestion. I recommend that you give you tapering amount to someone you can trust and have them give you your daily dose so that it is not in your hands so you wont be tempted to do more.
Take care and I have prayed for you both. You are doing the right thing and you will get through it.
Your friend
gsmith4489
Thank you for your support Gsmith. I do not think that I will be returning to a doctor for some time. So I believe that the Codine Cough medicine won't happen. Although, after last night, I believe my wife is going to go to the doctor and try and get something to help us sleep. It's been 8 days without it, and that is the "only" part that is unbearable.
2 Questions for anyone:
1. Will the sleep medicine from a doctor really help?
2. Considering the wierd circumstances from above, how long can we expect to be going through all of this horrific symptoms? Or will there be different end times for each?
Thank you for your prayers.
2 Questions for anyone:
1. Will the sleep medicine from a doctor really help?
2. Considering the wierd circumstances from above, how long can we expect to be going through all of this horrific symptoms? Or will there be different end times for each?
Thank you for your prayers.
Sorry, ran out of space. We are not sleeping and last night we actually accomplished about 4 hours of absalutely restless sleep.We both have forms of RLS and it is horrible.Nyquil, Tylanol PM. Nothing works.Can't and "WON'T" get Volume. Considering the post above, how long can we expect not to be sleeping, even remotely comfortably? And, how long does the stomach pain last? My wife is horrible depressed, and I have been "unbelievably" upbeat for almost the whole time. The sweats seem to be disapating with me but not her.She has been crying for the first 3 days non-stop,then off and on after that but still has a horrible headache and pain in her eyes.I feel that the RLS is coming from my stomach hurting and being swolen and it feels like it's pressing the muscles against my siatic nerve. Causing, only my right leg to go crazy.We both want off this drug more then anything, and we "are" off this drug.I'm very sorry that everything in these posts are so bouncy.We have been reading other posts non-stop and haven't come accross anything close to our case. Hopefully the story is clear enough to get a few answers.We love all of you for your accomplishment for getting off this drug and that is why we wanted to share our story.It is good to know that we are not alone.We are considering ourselves at Day 7 at this time, even though we are of the Oxy for 21 days.Do we have that right?Any suggestions or advise would also be great.
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