Tapering

[Izzygirldog]

Hi all Short story I've been on opiates since 1999  the last 6 years mostly 5 mg oxycodone 3 to 6 a day I quit in the past but it's been awhile I started taking 2 a day one at noon then one at 4 trying not to get the legs going ,I tried coming off of duragucis patch 50 mg about 7 years ago lung cancer I went one day and night my wife thought I was having  fits my legs were jumping all over next day went to dr he put me back on to tapper,I'm just sick of taking them having to worry about getting them not running out,anyway last 2 days bad stomach pains could It be from cutting down? I have no energy when I take my 2 pills I feel better but I have to stop I figure I go to 1 after a week maybe cut in half 1/2 am 1/2 pm for a few weeks then just half for a few weeks I have plenty of omodium Any help appreciated
Take Care red

[Merri123]

You have to do what is best for you. I hate when people say it is stupid to taper. No matter the dose, your body is used to it and will wd. Sometimes just as bad. I know. I did the taper and when I got down really low, it end was still hard.

You are at 5mg now. You can cut them in 1/2, then in quarters and it should be easier on you.  It is your body. Like Purrfeckly said, you have had health issues. Be safe.

[msdelight]

Yes it is a respiratory depressant. How are your pain levels from the accident?

[Izzygirldog]

I want to thank all of you, your right about opiates and copd it makes harder to breath at times

[msdelight]

Hey Izzy,  I understood what you were saying and I stand by my first answer. I'm so glad you seem ready to be done with these devils. You have been through so much and have come such a long way, and it's time. Opiates are a terrible choice for someone with such compromised lung function. The sooner you're off the better because as you said, you don't want to go that route again. 10 mgs can't be touching your pain. There are other choices. Pain management could try injections if not contraindicated, and you have the nsaids and others. Hope your not on plavix or coumadin. Anyway the time is now. Let's do this!

[vicki595]

Have you thought about treating your addiction? There are many recovery programs you could check into...

The symptoms you're experiencing are coming from your decrease in dosage. Just wait until you feel better before you make the next drop. So, if you prefer to taper just do it slowly. We can't advise any more than that because it's against forum guidelines to give tapering advice.  

Talk with your doctor about this as well.

[Izzygirldog]

I've been taking stuff like this since 1999 I no 5 mg Is not much but the more I take the more I want ,over the years I've been on a lot of opiates,last time I went to my pain management  a few weeks ago and she thinking of putting me back on the patch I don't want to go that route,I just have to get off of this stuff !I would say I'm addicted

[Izzygirldog]

No all I take is 5 mg oxycodone

[Izzygirldog]

I had one lung 2006, second lung 2011 I take this stuff for pain from a truck wreck in 1999 both hips replaced,back operation ,1/2 of thyroid ,non cancer
Lung cancer 2 Times

[vicki595]

Okay, wait...are you still using duragesic patches?

And someone above said it is not safe to taper. It is a safe method of detox.

You're not taking very much at all as far as oxycodone goes...but I hesitate to suggest anything because I don't know where the duragesic fits in to all of this.  Can you clear that up?

[Pat1956100]

Hi Izzy,
How long has it been since you had surgery for lung cancer?  You said you liked the energy the oxy was giving you.  Is that why you take them or do you still have pain?
If you have been cleared of health issues and are down to 10mg per day, I would agree it would be easiest to just stop.  That is a pretty low dose, IMO.

[PurrfectlyKrazy]

P.S.  If you run out of meds I suspect you are addicted to the meds now so your wife and you will have to make a pact.  Hubby only gets the meds from me (which seems silly since I'm an addict myself but I got clean first so I could help him).  I give him his long acting pain med once a day....I'm allowed to give him one regular pain pill IF he has really bad break through pain.  So far it all has worked well...in fact hubby is now taking care of his own pain meds and is sticking to the plan really, really good.  IF you really want to do this then do it.  Just know one thing...it will be a slow process but safer for you AND you will have kickback pain because your brain will want those opiates.  Hang in there because the pain will lessen up.

You can also ask for lidocaine patches and voltaren gel to help with pain (non-opiate and non addictive)

[PurrfectlyKrazy]

Hi hun

My hubby is only a couple of years younger than you with a transplant, 2 open hearts and lung surgery due to cancer under his belt.  He too was put on all those drugs.  I really can't advise you on tapering but I will tell you how my hubby is getting off the drugs.

First he talked to his doctor and his doctor tapered him off all the pain pills first.  With the Duragesic Patch he switched my hubby to a long acting pain medication (pill form) which he is now tapering down (all in all a 6 month taper).  

You really, really need to do this under the care of your doctor.  All of hubby's doctors flat out told me that to do it any other way was very dangerous and I suspect it could be dangerous for you too.

Talk to the doctor who prescribes your opiates (should be primary care but whoever is doing it).  Tell that doctor that you want to know what life is like without the opiates and that you want to be taken off slowly and responsibly okay?

Many Prayers coming your way