Weaning of Oxycontin

[Lindy]

Can someone please tell me if I am currently taking 30 mg Oxycontin 2 times a day is it possible to wean myself off this medication without any of the terrible side effects that come with it? Can I slowly taper off without the depression and the willies and everything else that goes along with it? I have been on this medication for 8 months. I take it for Fibro. I have had it with the running out too soon. Vacations ruined because I have run out. Visits to emergency rooms in towns where I am on vacation. I want to try to wean off myself first then get outside help if I cant do it alone. But can someone tell me how  can do this?  Thank you for reading this and any response you can give.

[tom to Lindy]

just a word from the un-wise but experienced about Xanax or any benzo used with opiates like Oxy or Vicodin: I have what is called in medical catch-all jargon "degenerative disk disease" and need daily painkillers in order to support a career and family. I was able to control my use of opiates for more than 10 years. There was, of course, tolerance and escalating dosages, but I functioned in all the normal aspects of my life - work, marriage, kids, friends, bills, taxes and so on ... But then I added Valium, later switching between Xanax and Klonopin (doesn't really matter -- same brain receptors). The benzo affected me like alcohol in that it acted as a disinhibitor, breaking down the common-sense limits I was able to put on my opiate use. In addition, and probably more to the point, relying on an outside source to cope with anxiety caused by own natural ability to cope with anxiety to completely fall away. Someone better educated about the brain's relationship with benzo's could explain it more fully, but the result was that, by using benzos to cope, I effectively stripped myself of any natural ability or inclination to cope with anxiety in healthy ways. The Xanax literally created the need for more of itself -- a self-purpetuating drug that had the unfortunate side effect of causing me to increase my opiate use. Whatever your condition, I strongly urge you to very slowly wean yourself off the benzo (you MUST do it gradually or you could siezure -- I know from experience). Talk to Brian on this subject. He is well informed and, I believe, a medical professional of some kind. I know he will back me up on this.

[From Aunt Lindy to Mariah]

Thanks for the response. Bonnie I think we are in the same boat.  I was thinking maybe doing 20 in the am and in the eve. for a while. Then start using my 10 mg in the am and eve. It helps me for what I take it for but I am tired of feeling like a prisoner to meds.  I am currently taking an antidepressant and Xanax when needed. I dont like the Xanax it makes me too sleepy and sometimes depressed.  I am also doing meditation, acupuncture and massage.  Bonnie keep me posted on how you are doing too. This is such a great site. If it was not for everyone on here I would feel so alone with this. No one in my family knows of my inner torment that I go through. One on hand the meds really do work. They help me for what they are supposed too and at the same time I fear going off of them.  That is why I supplement with holistic approaches too. Thanks again, you all are so terrific to me.

[To Lindy From Bonnie]

I was told you can wean yourself off any meds. but if you are on the same type of oxycontin i am on it will be difficult. I am on the time released pill,they are too small to break in half and its not safe to do it that way since they are time released.I am also on 30 mg a day ,but I take more than that.I have a spinal disease and I am wondering how I could even cope without the oxycontin but like you it is also ruining my life.I cant even leave the house if i dont have the pills with me.I also suffer from panick /anxiety attacks and take xanax for that ,I am so affraid of how my body will react without the oxycontin ,since anxiety is a side effect with withdrawl i am fearing I may go crazy.I am very freightend of the road I must go down soon.I hope you get the answers you need and know that you are not alone ,I feel your pain too. Bonnie

[Brian to Sick and Scared]

Tapering is actually more difficult with oxycontin because, as the prior post says, if you break the pill in order to reduce dosage you will cause it to increase the amount hitting your system at one time (since it will not be time released).  I would speak with your doctor about either using buprenorphine to detox you (and you can use it for your fibro; however, it is only in injection form at this time) or, your doctor can prescribe a sufficient amount of hydrocodone which you can then use to taper down.  Your doctor can also prescribe other medications such as clonidine for any withdrawal symptoms.  Buprenorphine is your best bet.  Good luck.

[Sherriq]

Lindy,

I can't answer your question directly, but the question of tapering has been addressed before in this forum - several times, in fact.  Browse through the archives and the other postings regarding Oxycontin - especially responses by Brian.  He has written about it to others and given them some possible ways to do it.  But - I must tell you - don't make it hard on yourself.  The very BEST way to do it is with professional help - especially  since you have other medical concerns.  

Please keep posting - you'll find a lot of good people and good support on this board.  Many of those who post here have been through or are currently going through withdrawal from Oxycontin - they'll be here to help you all the way.

Take care, and let us know how you're doing.
Sherri