Weaning off oxycodone

[larbec7]

Im in pain managment and taking 6 10 mg oxycodone a day for two yrs. What is the best way to wean off?  How many a day and for how long?  Uve gone ct and that's not fun

Thanks

[larbec7]

Never heard of a pain psychologist. I will look into that. Thanks

[marycarmel]

I had the exact same problem.  I was at the gym for 1.5 to 2 hours a day, 6 days a week.  On the meds, couldn't do it.  I'm slowly getting back into my routine. There are days that I think maybe I should have stayed on most of the drugs because the pain is there 24/7.  And all my doctors, primary care, pain management and orthopedic think I should go back on a long-acting with breakthrough but I'm not.  At least not for now.  If it gets really bad, I will take something but I've found I can manage the pain with a lot of other things (prescription gels, advil, lidoderm patches, etc.)  And with a clearer head I've found I can distract myself and sort of remove myself from the pain.  Hard to explain.  It took me a while to get there.  Have you ever seen a pain psychologist?  Mine wasn't a huge help but was a bit of a help.  

[larbec7]

Thanks om. My problems are deep I guess. I love to exercise and since on the medication I have lost the desire. I've lost the desire for a lot of things and I am blaming the drug. I need to do some soul searching that's for sure.  I am in pain 24/7 but don't think about it too much BUT when on the narcotics I feel as of I have to get off in order to be "normal".  Exercising is just one thing I liked to do as an example

[marycarmel]

I'm not a martyr :)  I will take prescribed narcotics as needed.  I just don't want to be dependent anymore.  They way overmedicated me and my type of pain doesn't really respond to most narcotics.  I just didn't like the way they kept escalating my dose.  What they had me on was ridiculous. But I do believe that no one should suffer in pain and there are many people who need to be on them on a life-long basis.

[omhome]

what i have seen is the recommended taper rate is about 10% every 10days to two weeks. It can be quicker or slower depending on the individual. Slower seems to be best but as stated some people just can't do a taper. Easier to cold turkey if it is not time release and if it is a lower dose.How you are feeling is normal if the taper is too fast. Be kind to your body. It is ok for you to take medication for your pain! People need to change their attitudes about opiates and those of us who benefit from them. So---excellent ideal to clear the receptors etc. and see where the pain is at. larbec and mary!! there is no need for you guys to be suffering so much. maybe you could consider your doctors advice (which is usually in the other direction ). Remember to breathe and take little mini-breaks from all the worries---just for a moment---refresh!!  om   yogadon

[larbec7]

What do you mean?  We stick out like a sore thumb?

[Life360_Dave]

Even the mental part is physical. The opiates were blocking all pain we were in before even the small aches of everyday life. These small pains we got used to and would take an asprine to help. Now we feel every single pain and hits us from all directions, runny nose, weird leg feelings, back neck ache and we just want the pain to stop. Even the taste of food and cigarettes are different. We dont blend in the world anymore and we stick out like a sore thumb. This is the mental part!

[larbec7]

I am taking my time.  A lot of this is soooooo mental.

[marycarmel]

Sounds exactly like my situation.  My doctor thought the same thing.  I still have a lot of pain and do take oxycodone on an as needed basis.  I only take it when I get up to about a 7 on a 1 to 10 scale for pain.  I use other methods,  though I was not approved for acupuncture.  Keep hydrated; it can sometimes be hard depending if you have bad withdrawal symptoms.  Just take your time.

[larbec7]

Thanks Mary.   My doc wants me to stay on them. He says I will be in too much pain without them. I just want to clear my receptors , try acupuncture and some natural herbs.

Maybe I feel like I do because I went from 60 mgs a day to 35 mgs within 24 hrs. Now week two of that dosage I am beginning to feel decent. I will reduce by 10mg a week and see how I feel

[marycarmel]

Can you talk to your pain management doctor about a taper plan?  I was in pain management but they were not on board with me coming off the medications so I sort of did by myself, with some help from here.  With tapers, the slower the better. I don't think it's a good idea to drop your dose every day; that seems too fast to me.  I'd try every 3 to 7 days.  Stabilize at your drop; then drop a little.  If you go too fast, you'll wind up in withdrawal in spite of tapering.

[larbec7]

One question is will I w/d the whole process through weaning?

[larbec7]

Thanks all. Like I said, I've been taking 60 mgs a day. Just trying to taper off. I've gone ct but do not have enough time to take off work. I was just curious what others have experienced and how they tapered.  

[GarbageAddict360]

You have one of two options, either you can quit cold turkey or taper slowly.  A lot of find tapering to be very difficult because if we have the pills we want to take them all.  It takes a great deal of will power to taper.  As ballgame said, we can't give you specific tapering advice but I can tell you that taking less each day at a slow rate is best.  As for the symptoms you are experiencing, yes they are very normal.  You will feel like you have the flu for about 5 to 7 days.  For stomach issues, get some Immodium.  Its a life saver and it will help with cravings too.  I found that Theraflu helped with my runny nose and body aches. Also taking Magnesium and Potassium will increase neuromuscular communication which help with cramping and muscle aches.

[larbec7]

Just to bring u up to date.  6 pills a day for 2 years and I cut back to a whole pill when I wake up and half a pill every 3 to 4 hrs for a total of 3 1/2 a day for past week. I'm getting really bad stomach cramps, unmotivated, runny nose. Is this normal?  I know I had this when I went cold turkey but no diareah