Oxycontin withdrawal

[LuluDavis]

My husband has degenerative disc disease, failed back syndrome.  He has been on oxycontin for several years, currently 20 mg, twice a day.  He also has percocets, for break through pain.  He goes through the VA for his meds.  He is also a pot smoker...  They did a random drug screening, and he tested positive for the pot.  The VA called today, and will not prescribe the pain pills anymore.  My husband says he is kind of relieved, wants to get off of them anyways.  He has two pills of the oxycontin left, as tomorrow was when they would be refilled.  He also has 17 percocets left.

Can someone tell me what we can expect for withdrawal symptoms over the next few days?  We are facing this as a family, and want to do what is best to help him through this.

Thank you.

[LuluDavis]

OK, so I sat here with him, and read him the posts, and offered to let him use of of my laptops to post.   He is more of a lurker, though.  He'll red, and I am reading to him from here.  I am inspired by what I read here.  THANK YOU GOOGLE...  that is how I found this site.

Today we talked more about this, and feel real good that it is right, and he is so ready to do this.  One thing we have learned, from reading here, possibly a lot of him pain could be related to the oxycontin.  Am I to understand that this drug is so addicting, that when you miss one dose, you feel it?  Husband says, "How do I know what is pain from this drug, and what is pain from my back?"    

We both appreciate the kind words, and I am sure I will be in and out through the coming days.    

[toxictome]

Welcome ...this is a great place for help and support. Can't you sit him in front of he computer and show him how to navigate this site. I think it would really be beneficial to him to be able to read over and over what to expect and how to cope with it. He will find he is not alone........but if not...relay the info to him..it just might help him to pass the time when he feels like s**t. We've all been thru it, going thru it right now..or thinking  about going thru it.

Good luck and  keep posting...alot of great info here..

[whiff]

Just think, in a lifetime, two weeks is nothing.  He'll get through it, especially with the support of his family.  My withdrawal was not as bad as I thought it was going to be but it was still difficult.  I had the support of my husband and that helped A LOT.  It was actually kinda nice to get taken care of for a few days.  Rent lots of movies and just pretend he has the flu and just take it day by day.  Each day will present some challenges but just always see that there is a light at the end of this tunnel.  He won't feel that way forever.

Good luck!

[Clamity2]

All of a sudden alot of people on VA and medicaid benefits got shut down. The people I know got meds that arent as addicting I guess.
Glad he decieded before that it was time to stop and live , anyway, so it was his choice not thiers so they just gave the boost he needed to hurt enough.
Life is so much better when I don't have to think about my pills as top priority.

[LuluDavis]

Thank you for the quick responses.  I really appreciate the support.  

My husband has been on the oxycontin for about 10 years.  He went through two major surgeries, and actually was on much higher doses in the past.  Within the last two years he has tapered himself down to the 20 mg twice a day.  He did this on his own, no urging from his doctors.

He is not internet savvy, but I am.  I told him I found this forum, and have read your responses to him.  I am already less scared, knowing what to expect, and feeling prepared.

What is amazing to me is that the VA doctor just cut him off, has not offered any help, or advise, about withdrawal.  She said she would see him next week, for his regularly scheduled appointment.  

[road2recovery]

WOW!!  maybe a blessing in diguise..No not maybe a definted yes!!!  Would he get on here and read????  and post..It will help him so much..
I am so glad that you are supporting him...
how many yrs has he been on?
I was an addict to lortab, not familiar with OC's but many on here are..
It will not be easy, but he can do this...
Wishing you luck!!
r2r

[Clamity2]

Hi Lulu I'm a USAF vet myself. I recently went through withdrawals two months ago. I used for years. I didn't have anything to taper with I used whatever I could get until it was gone. But as Ibkleen said it is uncomfortable. He can do this. one thing I kept on saying to myself was "I've had worse flus and hangovers" I can do this. It only takes a week or two before you really start saying it is behind you phsyically. I could funtion in the real world after 3 days but didnt have to at a high brain level thank God.
He can do this. I kicked addictions butt and I'm a girl so I know he can right.??

[oxyaddict420]

Sorry to hear about the circumstances, but it is a good thing for him to get off these horrible oxy's!  I am on these as well, and they are horrible and evil.. Im glad to hear that he is actually happy to hear that is is going to have to get off of them, since most people would get pissed off and upset..

I would use the pills he has left to do a little taper to help ease the withdrawls.  Have him take the oxycontin first, and then only take around 3 of the percoset for the first 4 days and then then vut them into halves and then take a 1/2 a pill less each day after that.. This should help ease the withdrawl, but if he just wants to take them all and then c/t off them that will work too, but it will be a little more uncomfortable though..

BEST OF LUCK!

[IBKleen]

He is going to be uncomfortable for about a week. Sweats, chills, rls, bathroom runs, headache. He will also have increased pain. It is ONLY the withdrawal that will produce the pain and it will subside once the physical withdrawal is over.

There is a lot her can do to keep comfortable. Hot baths with epsom salt. Push fluids. A heating pad on his calves. Soup...tea. All things to make him comfortable. Imodium is very helpful. Any potassium supplement and bananas.

It will be rough, but it is doable.