Oxycontin withdrawal

[Oxyclean]

I have been tapering my amount of Oxycontin for about a month now. I am down to 10mg in the AM and 10mg in the PM. My doctor had me taking them three times a day before. I really feel the difference with the twice a day dose. He is having me cut down 10mg every week. I was fine until this week. Does anyone have any advice for me? I can not stand the weekness in my legs already and I am not finished tapering. I am really afraid of cutting down to once a day on Tuesday.....help!

[kmu3]

Hi, just letting you know your not alone with the sleeping problem. I went cold turkey of Oxys after 2.5years and am now on day 18 Oxy free! Ive never had a sleep problem in my life until i went off Oxys and since quitting came, insomnia! It was so bad that i only slept every 2nd night but is just now starting to back off and im back to sleeping every night. Even tho it is broken sleep but at least it is sleep, so there is light at the end of the tunnel, so hang in there and keep persisting!

[Lester1968]

I just did what you're about to go through. I tried to do it cold turkey but just COULD NOT DO IT. I smoked pot to help with nausea and vomiting. That only lasted only one day(thank god). Lots of hot baths with Epsoms Salt ( really helps with soar muscles and restless legs)and some Lavendar oil( relaxes the muscles amd the mind. Also helps with sleep. If you like Tea, camomile, Sleepytime, and Tention Tammer tea helps to relax. Ginger tea and peppermint tea also help with stomach issues. Drink as much water as you can. Room temp works best for me. If it's to cold it shocks my stomach and makes me more likely to puke( the goal is NOT TO PUKE). If your fortunate enough to have access to Valium, Ativan, Xanex they also help with a lot of different things such as; muscle cramps, anxiety,agitation, restless legs and sleep. If not the the above things help a lot. One last thing, a friend gave me a small piece of an orange strip. They told me to put it under my tung and let it devolve. Within 30mim. I was feeling much better. It was callers  Syboxin. Really helped just the one time.

[vietvet173]

I agree I came down 10mg every 2 months of oxycodone down from 110mg a day to now taking 60mg a day with very mild withdrawal. My doctor fortunately asks me what I feel is best. We discuss it. The Doctor this person has seems to be reading too many medical journals and doesn't take input or discuss what might be best for his or her patient his doctor makes the decisions ...PERIOD ...Speak up it is your body.

[skylark96]

Hi, I took Ativan and suboxin when I withdrew from fentenoyl patches.and oxy The first time I tried to withdrawl I only had the suboxin and I too took it too soon. It was the worst day of my life. So I had to go back to the patches. I went back to the Dr and told him what happened. So he told me to try again waiting to take the saboxin until I was is withdrawls and gave me a perscription for ativan. The second go around was better but the first day was still the worst day of my life. You need to expect that. I have an anxiety order already so the withdrawls made it 1000 times worse. The ativan helped. Maybe not the first day, or even the second bit then it started to help. I only stayed on the ativan and suboxin for 3 weeks because I did not want to trade one problem for another. That seemed to really work for me. But do not go into it thinking the astivan and suboxin will make you feel better because it does not, at least not at first. But it does take enough of the edge off to make being in your skin almost barable. At least that was my experiance. But then I was stuiped and started taking oxy again because of the cronic pain. I thought I could control it because I was not taking it to get high, it was just for the pain. At least that is what I convinced myself at the time. Also my anxiety got worse and worse as I took more and more, so then I started taking ativan everyday. Now I am addicted to both and am facing the horrid withdrawls again. I have been through withdrawls several times at this point because of running out of the pills too early. Each time I go through it I feel like my soul and strength get weaker. This time I am not lying to myself about why I take the pills and know I will need a lot of help and support to finally kick this. I hate these drugs with a passion. Because of my addiction I have had so much loss. I have lost my job, my house, relationships, and my self respect. I spiraled into a deep depression where most days I cannot get out of bed. I am 42 and living in my parents garage because I am unable to work or even function anymore. Then recently I had an epiphany. I finally realized that I was a true attict in every way and it has ruined my life. So this time going into the withdrawls I have a new attitude about it and am determined to get my life back! I have been a doped up blob long enough! So I started watching what I eat and walking everyday, thinking only positive thoughts to get up my strength to go through this process again. I am not going cold turkey though I just don't know if I can do that again! I am weaning myself off a little at a time while I force myself to get up a walk and do things other than staying in bed. I have cut back 15mg and have 60 more to go. I have had a set back but only one and I did not let that deter me. I accepted that I made a mistake and went on with my plan to change my life. I am on week two and its been hard as hell but I will get through this and get my life back! Sorry I did not mean to go off on myself. I hope some of this helped you.

[donolan]

I have come to a wall. Was on 4 x 10 mg / day for seven years.  Began snorting a few years back and six months ago decided that now in my 60's had to quit.  Hell for first week or so and after three weeks got to one 10 mg per morning.  Have tried to get rid of last one but just feel anxiety from morning to night.  I know social and physical activity is a help.  Went to naturopath and  a natural thing call RED REISHI has been wonderful for moods, and depression.  Can't wait till my old supply of oxy runs out so no more bumping.  Oxyneo will have to do eventually...

[Pen64]

Have been Oxy free for almost three weeks now. Am on low-does Norco and almost off. Something I don't see much mention of here is Insomnia - Anyone else? I CAN'T sleep at night - restless limbs and joint aches. I finally do sleep 4-5 hours during the morning/early afternoon. Am on Lexapro for depression, which is an SSRI, so it could be adding to this. Should also mention that I gave up a Chronic Pot smoking habit several Months ago. Nice to be almost clean but want to Sleep! Advice? Anyone?

[Branzee]

I am in the position as you. I'm down to 10mg in AM and 10mg in PM. He has me on this dose for 3 weeks. I'm on my first week and it's killing me. I tried taking 2 Percocets around lunchtime to take the edge off and I'm also on Clonidine which seems to help a bit. I'm sure the withdrawals would be worse if I wasn't on them. I was on Oxy for medical reasons and had no idea this would happen when getting off them. Try getting Clonidine as I find it helps some. I'm in the exact spot you are in. I can only tell you how im coping and hope it works for you. I have the weak legs and hot flushes and lack of energy to name a few. It's the worst feeling and I hope you get through it. Let me know how you make out. Brandy

[betteroffwithout]

Yeah,I believe so long as this site exists and opiates exist someone will always be searching for help. This site gives insight and hope for many an addict as myself.From personal experiance and reading on several sites !Looks like tapering off is the best/easiest way for most.Its just like anything elese though,YOU HAVE TO WANT IT ! I would try a benzo maybe inbetween.Maybe 1/2 an ambien.The better thing to do would probably be honest with your doctor and ask him/her for help.I know what your going through and hope the best for you.It looks like your someones mom please dont let him/her down.I'm in a huge mess with the opiates too.I have found if you keep giving in to opiates,opiates will keep on taking.Oh yeah ,if you let them they will take your money,love,love life,job,future,children,and every thing in sight.dont let that happen I almost did.Please be strong and be aware this is a desease and can be the biggest monster you have ever seen on screen or off.Get off this ride and stay off! ! ! ! ! Best wishes and stay stong

[zoesmom1117]

is anyone still out there??? these posts are pretty old but I need help...going to try to do this on my own...but only cuz I don't want to tell my family!! They know I have been relapsing but think I am off and I can't stand to see there pain and disappointment..

[Tdefee]

I am on mu second day off oxycontins and took suboxone too early which thru me into the worst withdrawal I've ever felt in my life!!! I trusted the subs were going to help but they are the worst thing I've ever taken. I'm going out of my mind & my skin. It's so horrible I can only lay here in pain & anxiety worse than you can imagine!! Help! Should I take Ativan????????

[GRAMS_GOT_ADDICTED]

I am on day 5 of cold turkey withdrawals from 160 mg's Oxycontin and 30 mg's Oxycodone per day, prescribed by my Family Dr for chronic pain. My dosage started off low and was increased over time, over a period of 7 years. I tried to quit once before about 3 years ago, but after a week of incredible suffering, I returned to the med's. This time I went to a pain specialist and asked him what he would recommend to help me with my withdrawals as I felt that I was very addicted to the pain med's. He gave me a prescription for Gabapentin - now if you look up this drug, it will tell you that you 'could' experience depression. Add that to coming off Oxy and you could have a recipe for disaster. The first day was so bad that I couldn't make it without my Oxy - I "had" to supplement myself with a couple of pills as the pain and discomfort was so excruitiating I couldn't bear it. The second day I was dissapointed with myself for supplementing and went cold turkey. It was the worst day of my life, really. I have never been so sick and I wanted to die, literally. I am sure that the Gabapentin was helping as I was not going into convulsions, though I felt like I was on the verge of it all the time. I literally could not function that day and it was horrid. I don't want to scare anyone out there, but if your on this drug, get off it as soon as you can, don't put it off, don't wait till later. It just makes it harder and harder to quit and withdrawal is worse. I was having hallucinations and loss of vision, severe cramps, restless legs and arms, severe diarrhea, no energy, muscle aches and a general "I just wanna die and get this over with feeling". Day 2 was a little better and I could lift my head from the pillow and the hallucinations stopped. Day 3 and I was able to sit up in bed and actually have a conversation with someone. Day 4 and I really started to feel better. Day 5 and I feel worse than Day 3 and 4. I am very jittery and anxious. I have not slept more than 4 hours a night since I quit and I'm exhausted. I am sure that I'm suffering from dehydration and I am shaking and cold, especially my feet. I can't get warm no matter what. I am determined to see this through to the end; I've come this far that I won't quit now. I still have the drugs available and in the house - just in case I couldn't do it again but I won't touch them. I am determined to lick this. I feel it came with a heavy cost as I've been living in a fog for years, aggitated all the time, withdrawing into myself and my pills. I am lucky that I have a great man who has stuck by me through this and stands strong beside me now. I did it for him, but I am doing it for myself. I hope that it gets easier soon. I came on here to see what information was available and have read hundreds of posts while I lie here (again) in my bed hoping to feel better. It has been inspirational and enlightening to read these post's and know that I'm not the only one. That there are people who have suffered as much and more than myself. It helps me to move forward, it reminds me that I'm doing the right thing. I don't know yet how I'll manage my chronic pain. This pain specialist told to come back and see him after I'm done withdrawing and he'll help me find pain management that works for me.

Thank you to everyone who has poured their hearts out in these posts. I appreciate reading all your stories. I wish you luck in quitting and I hope, like me, that you'll never, never want to be hooked on Oxy again.

[cyn671]

ok here goes........ I had a bad fall in 8- 2008 that ended me up having 15 surgerys on my right leg, I live in GA but had to travel to CA to a specialist (he reconstructed my entire leg)  in order to save my right leg, I've had to give myself antibiotics, (veins) due to sever infection, I did this for over a  yr. but guess what I'm getting at is I have never done drugs (not illeagally) but since this accident I have been on masassive amount of narcotics, um... in the hospitals Liquid daladid (cant spell) Morphine, and since 2008 I have been perscribed 40 mg. oxycotin 3x a day, plus 10mg of oxcodone 4x a day I havent  taken any where near what my docs perscribed but I have taken much, and now my docs  (pain clinic doc, not my 2-surgens) is wanting to take me down slowly, she's going down on the oxycotin  (not the oxycodone)  she says that is the worst one is it??? I have a chance to go back to a job I truley loved prior to all this, as I do have perscripions for both oxycotin and oxycodone, I do not want massive amounts to show up in my urine (I have to submitt to a drug test)  so as of today I have stopped all of the drugs, I typicaly took 1-40mg of oxycotin every am before I got out of bed cus if I didn't I felt like **** (guess that's a sign of addition hu) so today I have felt really bad, even felt like I have the flu , cant beleive this drug can do this!!!!unbelievabale!! just wondering how long i will feel like **** even tho I basickly took on a daily basis 1-40mg oxcotyn & 1-10mg  oxycodone sometimes not even the oxycodone but always the 1-40mg of oxcotin am I going to go thru withdraws for days??? does anyone know how long?

[BostonJay]

Hi everyone,,,

Oxy COntin is prob the worst withdrawel i ever had,,,,,Im a recovering herion addict also,,,I have 3 years Oct 8,,,,  I advise anyone  tryin to come of Oxys is,,,  Hot showers,,,  solid food,,,  and lots of support,,,,Its so easy to think we can take one and be fine,,but the truth is these opiates take your soul,,,,Myslef I went to detox to get clean becaus enothing else was working,,,If your reading this post  you at least seeking help,,,thats great,,,But the moral of this story is get help,,I lost my only two brother to Oxys and Perks, I wish they got help,,but they never got the chance,,,,You can do it,,,  Put the effort you did getting high,,into  gettin off them

[CocoConigz]

I am currently on day 12 of my detox from oxycodone.  I have arthritis throughout my spine and a mass in my cerebellum that causes blinding headaches.  With that I was in pain managment for almost 4 years.  This is the longest I have ever gone without my meds.  I have bypassed the flu symptoms, the anxiety, and the awful leg cramps at night but I cannot seem to get passed the cravings.  I feel pretty good,  my pain exists with or without the pills.  I am tired of being under there control and do not want to go back.  Will I always crave???  What can I do to rid myself of that??  Oh  yes,  by the way,  I have been taking vitamins, a probiotic and I just added b12 and regained some of my energy.  I hope someone will find that helpful:)  

[this_big]

Hi, Ive noticed you only made posts on older threads. Go to the top of this page and hit the green "ask a question" icon. Put in the title something like suboxone and permanent withdraw. You will get alot more feedback.Just copy and paste this question there. I dont know much about sub, but there is a ton of ppl here that do..Good luck

[tryntogetwell]

I have a question for anyone who may have the answer. I have been opiate dependant for three years. I am on suboxone now. I wanted to know if it is possible for someone to have permanant withdrawl symptoms.

[sarah145]

To make a long story short, I was prescribed 100 mg of morphine with 10 mg of methodone for pain from multiple surgeries over 4 years ago. I still have many medical issues, but no longer want to take these da*n things. So whats my doc do, he puts my on Oxy's 80 mg 3 times per day with 10 mg of methodone.  I do have 1 mg lorazepam to help with the anxiety, but just don't know where to start!! Do I just stop cold turkey and deal with it or what ?? Just need some guidance please guys/gals!  Thanks for your help!!

Sarah

[mjlalla]

To all: I am 18 days off of oxycontin at 160 mg per day. After careful consideration and previous experience I chose to go cold turkey. The bottom line is there is absolutely no "easy" way to do this. You must mentally prepare yourself for sufferring and then as you suffer you must constantly remind yourself that it will be worth it. Being a slave to narcotics is no way to live. As you go through the suffering of withdrawal you will feel like it is the hardest thing you have ever been through. The first few days your body and mind will tumble into complete choas. All your systems will rebel against your decision to deprive it of the opiate. Because your body and mind have changed to life including an opiate, when the opiate is gone you will go through an incredibly painful adjustment. This absolutely can not be done without sufferring. Take courage and know your suffering is not permanent. Your body will heal. You will get strong again. Your mind will become clear and life will become beautiful. Do not look for any easy way through this because you will only prolong your pain. If you taper off be aware that once you go to zero you will go through withdrawals and it will feel like death but you will get better. Stay away from methadone and suboxone as those will only continue to hold you prisoner. Face the pain. Face the suffering. Pass through it and don't give in and your body will heal. Success to all.  

[mellie4]

Not sure if you realize the original post here is from 2003.  You might do better to post a new question; you'll probably get more responses.

[sockitahme]

Hey Everyone thank you for all the support on this forum. My bf and I are tyring to quit Oxycontin. Today is our first day without anything. We split one Valium & a hydrocodone earlier but are still feeling anxious and restless. We were spliting about 80 mg (4-5 pills) a day. Tapered ourselves off and did about 60 mg (2-3 pills a day), lowered 60mg (2 pills a day split), then 30 mgs,

This is tough. I feel so restless, anxious, runny nosed, and sleepless which are the only things that are bothering me. My poor bf has the sweat/chills, restlessness, anxiety, everything. At least we're doing to this together and supporting each other so that helps a lot.

Now that Thomas Detox...does it really work and how long should you do it to help relieve some of these withdrawal symptoms we are going through? Anyone have personal experience with the Thomas Detox?

[Addictedtoeverything]

There in virtually NO WAY to get off Oxy's by tapering. You must get Suboxone.

I am only 7 days off the Suboxone right now-I tapered the Oxys down to 80 MG from 180mg/day and then started on 2mg Suboxone twice a day. After 2 weeks, down to 3mg/day and so forth until after 2 months or so, i got down to about 1/10th of a 2 mg/day. I know this seems a miniscule amount but i was unable to quit that amount for at least a month. On this dosage i still had some WD symptoms. I was freezing in 76 degree temperatures for one.

Finally i flushed my remaining Subs and forced the issue- had bearable but still pretty rough WD's. If i hadnt flushed the Subs i would have taken them for sure.

Luckily I had Ambien and Lunesta for sleep but unluckily I am addicted to them also and they are the next thing for me to quit.

The DRs i have spoken too have NO CLUE about addiction at all. You will get better advice here or at Topix-Just search 'topix oxycodone forum' 100 times the size of this board.

Even if you have horrible pain -my advice is to take whatever non addicting things you can find rather than opiods. All the science says quitting Oxys is far more difficult than Heroin. The Drs will never tell you that especially if you go to a pain clinics. Pain Clinics are run by lazy Drs and people that dont care. They write for 25 patients a day at $150 each, get rich and dont give a f*ck about you at all. Opiods WILL eventually take over your life. You will have night sweats like mad and some of you will be unable to pee without sitting down in a relaxing enviro without noise. This alone will ruin your life. I know.

[jabird652]

i have had a love/hate relationship with oxycontin for the past 3 years. I have 3 herniated discs and some days are quite difficult to get through, even with the pills.The meds enable me to do things around the house that need done i.e laundry, dishes, vacuuming. My problem is that in the past 3 years my doctor has to increase my medication due to my body becoming immune. I am now taking 4 40mg  oxys, per day at this rate in 5 years I am gonna be taking enough oxy to kill a horse. Because all the storys above literally made me reevaluate my day to day life, I will be talking to my doctor about weaning off this evil drug. When that day comes I will be coming back to this site for support and help. Good luck to everyone above and God bless.

[GHnyc]

Hey Oxysufferer.. first of all let me say that after reading your post that I am praying for you now. In fact I just stopped typing and said 1 Our Father and 3 Hail Mary's just for you so that you continue on in your fight and never ever submit to anything along the way. Please go on.. you've gotten over the worst part if you're almost a week away from taking an opiate.

I'm on week 3 off opiates but I had to go on a benzo at night for sleep (Klonopin 0.50mg/night) w/o I can't sleep and I'm a bad sleep anyway so after being on oxycontin 3 years and oxycodone another 3 and percs b4 this for 2 years (8 years altogether for back injury too)- I had some really scarey nightmares..  just for that reason alone I decided to get off this stuff.. it's just not good for people for long term chronic pain use.. opiates do things slowly to the human being we can't see it but if you look back you'll see a whole lot of nothing going on while on them. If I'm wrong, say so.

So go on stay strong and do this.

gerry

[GHnyc]

You can so do this.. everyone who wants to do this.. It is being done by probably millions of people who are fed up and caught up in the addiction of opiates.

Keep doing this people.. remember nature has provided us with everything we need.. everyone has everything.. with exception to some of course who are born with defects, diseases etc.. I am not talking a/b them. I am talking about the rest of us!

God Bless.. and Please Do Not Miss Out On The Help From God, Jesus, Mary & Joseph. Oh boy I hope none of you are atheists.