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Avatar universal

Oxy help

I am trying to taper off oxy - started at 80mg xr am/pm plus 4 15mg sr, now I've gotten down to 20mg am and 40mg pm plus 3 15 mg sr a day - I decided in early November I just wanted off (was in car accident) - I started feeling generally sick, depressed and so tired - I struggle with major depression so went to my psych first, he decided I had some seasonal disorder and gave me more antidepressants and told me to sit under a special light, still felt horrible, went to family doctor, she ordered a thyroid test, I decided to look up withdrawl from this drug and was simply floored to find out I think that is what is wrong with me - I have all the typical symptoms - night sweats, insomnia, no energy, spend all day in bed, extremely depressed, just feel like I can't find the energy to do anything - it all makes sense I think?  

Does anyone know how long it takes to taper from the dose I'm at?  I have 4 kids at home, 2 in college and 2 married - I have so much to do and I can't seem to function and the guilt is just ripping me apart - I've been at this dose now for a week and today is the first day I even feel fit to drive - when I started this my doc told me not to worry about withdrawl - it would be slow and I would be ok - well, sorry but I think he he was so wrong - I just wanted to know if someone could please help me with this and tell me if it's better to go slow or not - I have never felt like this in my life - I never took more than I was supposed to so I never thought I'd get addicted but I know that's what's wrong - I don't have anyone to talk to - none of my friends really know what's going on but my family is suffering - I've struggled with  past narc addiction a long time - it was NOTHING compared to this - sorry this got so long- I'm just really upset, scared,and overwhelmed with my whole life right now - thanks Jo
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271792 tn?1334979657
I don't know what you want to talk about...nor do I know what you mean by "safe". Let's put it this way--I don't know your name, age or where you live, so you are safe as far as that goes. If you want to talk personal with someone, you can click on their nae highlighted in blue...and you can send them a message.

A lot of people here care hun...you can trust that. You are not alone. Everyone here is recovering or trying to.  

Recovery is about getting clean and also about staying clean. It effects you physically, mentally and spiritually (and I am not talking religion). Once you get past the physical withdrawal you can begin to work on the other areas.

I guess I can understand why your doc wanted you off the break-thru meds first, but you will have to switch from the oxy's as you taper down because, as we talked, they cannot be broken in half.

I hope you keep posting and letting people here help you through this. Take care.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
thanks again.  I have asked my dr several times about which pills to stop first - the extended release or the regular - she keeps saying she'd rather I stay on the extended and get off the 15mg breakthru - (I thought that seemed backwards?) up until several days ago when I figured this was w/d - I had never taken the quick release except when I actually have pain - now I do find myself taking them around 1:00 just to "feel" better physically.  I don't have an issue talking to the dr - they all know about my narc addictions in the past -

is this a fairly safe site to talk about stuff?  I'm pretty sure this oxy has also made me pretty paranoid - but if it's safe, I have another problem I need to address and get help with but b/c of past problems - it makes me nervous to post about it -

how long have u been oxy free?  once the pills r stopped, does it still take awhile to get back to yourself?  tkx again - I have to say I didn't think I could ever post on a site - but it is reassuring that at least someone is out "there" who cares and offers personal feedback -
Helpful - 0
271792 tn?1334979657
Good Morning!

It does sound like withdrawal. Like I mentioned, if you are taking controlled release meds, the taper is much faster and you will feel it--you ARE feeling it! You will really feel it if you go down another 20 mgs. That is a big jump for those particular meds.

It is great that you have a rapore with your new doctor. If you want to get off the meds, then it is time to get honest with her. She can help you with a schedule as well as changing your meds so that you don't jump down so fast.

I admire the fact that you want to do this and you took the first step. Follow through and get with your doctor.

As far as the guilt of anything you did to your loved ones--that will have to be dealt with after the physical withdrawal. It WILL have to be dealt with for sure, just not right now. Take one step at a time.

Let us know what happens with the doctor. Take care of yourself.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
thanks everyone for your quick responses - 1234betterlife - do my symptoms sound like typical withdraws even though I'm tapering?  I feel almost 100% sure but wanted some feedback before I see my docs - just to clarify - I take 20mg extended release every am and 40mg extended release at bedtime - in between I have 15 mg breakthru (oxycodone) and have gone from 4 of them a day to 3 or maybe 2 if I can stand it - I've been at this level for almost a week - and like I said, yesterday was the first day I actually did anything functional - I just guess I need some feedback that this is why I'm so sick - I've had tons of bloodwork etc and nothing is wrong physically they say -  I want to feel confident when I see the doc and tell her I feel that being sick is a result of the reduction of meds -

If I go down one more time this week to 20mg at night instead of 40mg - will it mean more w/d symptoms?  I know this sounds stupid - I should have known this drug was as bad as I heard - but I was in so much pain I didn't care I guess.  Does this happen everytime you taper no matter how slowly?  I think if I can just makey myself 100% sure that this is what is wrong, at least I'll be able to understand - I worry over really weird things and this is one of them now - I know that sounds odd but I tend to be very controlling or something and have a need to know for sure - so I figured if any of you have tapered on the extended release oxys maybe you could offer what you went thru -

I do think w/ds from any narc suck - how do you get thru each day with kids and not feel guilty for messing them up?  I've put my family thru a lot from past addictions - but I didn't expect to have any w/d from oxys b/c of what the doc said - I have a new female doc I can talk to and she does know I want to taper off - but hasn't yet offered a concrete plan - so I'm just trying to take less and less of the extended release - sorry - I feel like this is probably pretty boring -  but right now I just don't have anywhere else to ask questions - I wish I had something funny or witty - I feel like a complete blob right now - but thanks anyone who can give me some advice Jo
Helpful - 0
279300 tn?1326746678
hi jo, it does feel very scary and overwhelming. we all understand that. it sounds as though you have a lot of wonderful reasons to continue with your taper. oxy was my problem and it can be done. just try to relax and the fear will calm down. i just wanted you to know it can be done. like ibkleen said it is hard to taper without your physician due to the extended release nature of these meds and if you cut or chew them it is furthering the problem. can you talk to your physician?
Helpful - 0
347379 tn?1201220913
Hi, not really sure how to tell you to tapper.  Ive been going at my own pace so I dont freak out/  I have kids at home and a crazy job that I have to fuction for!  I went from 50mgs or so down to 25mg and seem to be managing that ok.  My addiction is Hydrocone.  Its not the same as yours but any w/ds suck and we can all relate!  I know how you feel and sometimes just hearing that can help.  Please hang in there and dont give up your doing great sounds like your almost there.
Helpful - 0
271792 tn?1334979657
Hello and Welcome!

If I had 8 children, I would be tired too!!! Just trying to make you smile.

So, right now you are taking 20 mg Oxy in the morning, and 60 mg of slow release toward the evening? Sorry, I couldn't understand it.

If that is correct, you will need to speak with your doctor regarding tapering. You cannot do a traditional taper with those meds because you cannot split them.

Have you spoken with your doctor regarding your concerns of addiction and getting off the pain meds? I would think together you would work on this and get a plan.

Let us know.
Helpful - 0

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