how long do withdrawl symptoms last

[cpgirl]

I have been taking oxycodone for about 2 years.  I have gradually gone up and up on my dose, but still suffer with problems with pain and headaches.  My Dr. and I came up with a plan to go off of the meds cold turkey.  I was taking about 60-80mg/day depending on the day.  She prescribed me .05mg of clonidine, zofram, lorazepam and something for my stomach.  I took 5mgof oxycodone on day one and 5mg on day 2.  Today I have not taken any oxycodone.  Today has been the worst, although the first 2 days were not piece of cake either.  I am hoping that I will wake up tomorrow and feel a little better.  Am I in denial about this?  My kids will be coming back from their dads on wed morning and I need to know if I am going to be able to deal with this.  Like I said, I am hoping day 3 is the worst and that I can deal with day four and that after that I will be feeling much better.  Any input?

[Carlito1]

Do you remember having headaches while working out? I'm going through this now. I'm not new to sports or working out but I'm on my 6th day clean and having headaches/clogged ears sort of thing. Thank you for your time.

[dillon1954]

EXCUSE CAP LOCKS BUT CANT SEE WELL..MY NAME IS JERRY I SUFFER FROM A PAINFUL NERUO DISEASE CALLED PLS IT IS A RARE FORM OF ALS YOU SUFFER FROM THE MUSCLE AND NERVE PAIN BUT DONT DIE IN THE 3 TO 6 YEAR TIME FRAME.
AFTER MANY FALLS I DAMAGED MY CERVICAL SPINE HAD MAJOR SURGERY TO SAVE MY WALKING ABILITY.MY PAIN MANAGEMENT DOCTOR WHO HAD ME ON 30MG METHADONE 3 TIMES A DAY ADDED OXYCODONE 15MG WHICH I DID NEED FOR THE PAIN..WELL 7 MONTHS LATER I STARTED WAKEING UP FEELING TERRIBLE CRUSHING CHEST HARD TO BREATH AND SO ON....AFTER SEVERAL RESCUE TRIPS TO ER FOUND THRU ELIMINATION I WAS GOING THRU WITHDRAWL.( NOTE I DO HAVE HEART AND LUNG ISSUES)BUT EACH TIME BP CO2 INTAKE AND BLOODWORK DID NOT SHOW ANY INDICATION A HEART ATTACK.
SO TO END THIS STORY I GOT CLORIDINE AND VALIUM TO START THE OXYCODONE WITHDRAWL.TAKING AS LITTLE VALIUM AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF BREATHING AND USEING METHADONE.ON DAY 2 AND FEELING MORE AGGITATED THAN ANYTHING ...I CANT DO WALKS YOGA JUMP IN THE TUB AND SO ON WITH NERUO MUSCULAR DISEASE..SO I MOP THE FLOORS PACE THE HALWAY AND PRAY THIS PASSES REAL SOON AND WHEN IT DOES HOPEFULLY CAN DRIVE AGAIN I AM GOING INSANE..WIFE WORKS BUT MISSES WHEN EVER I NEED TO SEE DRS.WHICH ARE MANY AT THIS TIME.OH THANK YOU ALL FOR LETTING ME VENT A BITAND KEEP UP THE HELPFUL POSTS.
GOD BLESS JERRY

[matt977]

I have been on morhine 10 years. Had to get in touch with my true self. For the last 2 days I have been spacing my 4 hour pills to 12 hrs. I stopped to day. I feel like crap, Vomiting inculdied. I cantt write anymore....

[itsajurney]

Well I've been reading all these posting and I must say, I ha e a lil hope, I have been abusing pain meds for the last 4 years, not just one, but multiples, I didn't have an underline reason for taking them, but I found myself in a bad place n it seemed to take away all my worries, n now 4 years later I find myself taking them just to function on a every day  basis, I've made a promise to myself that This is it!!! I'm ready to end this miserable chapter in my life, i am VERY afraid of withdraws, n how ling they last but i am ready to do it. So thank u everyone who posted about there experience because it makes me feel like i can do it too. Good luck to all who r still on there journey.

[itsajurney]

Well I've been reading all these posting and I must say, I ha e a lil hope, I have been abusing pain meds for the last 4 years, not just one, but multiples, I didn't have an underline reason for taking them, but I found myself in a bad place n it seemed to take away all my worries, n now 4 years later I find myself taking them just to function on a every day  basis, I've made a promise to myself that This is it!!! I'm ready to end this miserable chapter in my life, i am VERY afraid of withdraws, n how ling they last but i am ready to do it. So thank u everyone who posted about there experience because it makes me feel like i can do it too. Good luck to all who r still on there journey.

[drugfree140]

Yes I have to agree with the side affects of this drug.
I am also right at the moment in the middle of withdrawals from the crap.
I have to be honest it was good to have a supply through out this last winter.
My experience right now isn't so pleasant. keep up the good work keeping off them because it's damn hard to kick the addiction. Heaps of water vitamin and get a hold of some urals and flush it out of your system faster.
I'm semi okay now but I do know it's a long way to go yet, especially when you have chronic back pain.

I'm a fully qualified personal trainer and lucky I will be right now winter is over to target the painful areas before next winter so I don't end up on these narcotics again.
Good Luck with your own fight, cause your not alone with going thorough this heaps of people are too.

[lulu747]

I hope today is a better day for you...Good for you for saying no to your mom's pills...The last thing you want is to trade one pill for another right now.  You're doing so well-be proud of yourself.  Your pain levels should regulate soon and as for the anxiety?  Exercise and staying busy are the best things.  Hang in there....Lu

[cpgirl]

Thanks everyone.  I am still having a lot of anxiety and pain.  I am not sleeping because of pain, but that is where I was before the narcs, so I guess that isn't a big surprise.  I can't tell anyone else this, because it is going to sound so awful.  But, something happened yesterday that I just have to share.  I ran out of Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) and I didn't have any refills left.  Since my doctors office is closed until Tuesday.  So I called my mom to see if I could have a few of hers until I can get mine refilled.  She said yes, but she wasn't home.  I went over there to get a few and I know she has Nucynta and Tramadol there.  It was right next to the Flexeril.  And even though I was in so much pain and really was feeling like I would do just about anything to make it go away.  But I didn't take any!!  I wanted to, but I didn't.  It might not make sense to anyone else, but that was a big thing.  I am committed to getting off and staying off any narcotics and so I was really proud of myself!  Anyway, hopefully today will be better.  Thanks all

[lulu747]

Those are good alternatives.  Yoga has changed my life and my pain levels in ways I cannot even tell you.  I was in a lot of pain for the first ten days of detox.  But my pain levels lower every day I'm off the opiates and I can tell you I am coping better than ever before.  It's a process and you need to be patient...Your brain/body need to heal and it's going to take awhile.  You didn't get here overnight and you won't get back.  I know how stressful nursing school is-I've done it.  But trust me when I tell you that you are going to function much better than before.  Take the little victories and don't be too hard on yourself.  You will find you are able to accomplish more with each passing day.  I am constantly amazed at what I am now capable of!  Keep going and searching for alternative pain management.  And be proud of yourself....You're doing great.  Happy New Year...what a great way to start....Lu

[cpgirl]

I just read through my post and it seems like a little incoherent rant!  I was trying to say that I just graduated from nursing school.  I think that today is going to be a little bit better, but I am still pretty anxious.  It ***** that it is a holiday weekend and that I can't talk to my Dr.  The only thing I have for the anxiety is lorazepam and I am terrified of getting addicted to something else. On Monday I am going to go to the acupuncturist and try to find a chiro that my insurance accepts.  But my Dr.'s office isn't open until Tuesday.  Anyway, I managed to go through my mound of paperwork this morning, so that's something I guess!
Thanks all!

[Wanttobebetter2011]

I'm only on Day 7, but I know what you mean about the feelings of depression and sadness, and the very thought of doing anything productive scares the **** out of u.  It passes little by little everyday for me.  Several people have told me to take one moment at a time and don't think about all of the things you have to do tomorrow or the next day.  Just focus on today.  Keep posting and reading! People do care on here and will help you the best they can.  God bless and I will pray for u!

[cpgirl]

Thanks for asking.  It is really nice to know someone cares, it isn't like anyone around here seems to care all that much.  I guess I am in a point of the wd that I wasn't expecting.  I made it through the hard part, but I just hurt so much now.  I guess I knew that I was going to probably have all of the chronic pain that I did before, but it just seems really intensified.  I have no idea how I am going to deal with this now.  I can't live in pain all the time.  Not that the oxy really helped it go away, but it at least took the edge off.  I know that it isn't an option for me to go back to it, even though my dr mentioned that she thought I might end up back on them after I did this.  Another thing is that I just have so many things going on in my life right now.  I just (like 1 week ago, 2 days before I started the cold turkey).  I have to study for my boards, and with Christmas, New Years and one of my children's birthday coming up in a few days, I am totally overwhelmed.  I am feeling kind of sad and depressed and having a hard time dealing with all of this and the kids.  Is that normal?  Did any of you experience depression?  How long did it last?  Thanks again, like I said, it is nice to know someone cares!
  

[atthebeach]

Please let us know how things are going.
Hope and pray all is well with you
Debbie

[lulu747]

Just checking in...I know the clonidine makes you weak and sleepy...Try to take it when you plan on resting/sleeping...You're lucky if you can sleep(:  Glad to hear you're doing so well.  Your pain levels will increase while detoxing because it's traumatic for the body...But if you hang in things will normalize and you'll have a way better idea of where your pain level is really at.  I am living through my first PMS in 2+ years without opiates...and normally I would be rolling around in agony, popping breakthrough meds, and generally hating my body and life (I have sever endometriosis) Instead-I have been on two dog walks, went shopping, cleaned the house and now am going to relax in the sauna.  Who would have thought?  

[atthebeach]

hey how are you feeling?

[cpgirl]

Yes, the children came home.  It was fine except that my back hurt really bad, which is probably from falling asleep funny with the heating pad.  I also had to back down on my clonidine dose because it was making me so sleepy.  I think today I am going to try to do it without the clonidine all-together.  

[atthebeach]

thats great you are feeling better. many times the fear of withdrawal is worse than the actual withdrawal. take hot baths, use a heating pad, take ibuprofen. you should beable to re-evaluate your pain within the month.
did your children come home today?
you are doing great. keep up the good work.

[cpgirl]

I am actually feeling pretty good today.  I am still really fatigued and have some achiness.  I think the hardest part has been that I still have all the chronic pain issues that I had before, so I am having pain on top of some of the withdrawal.  I hate to say it, but this really hasn't been that bad for me.  I guess maybe it is because people had prepared me for it to be so bad.  Thank you for the encouragement!

[atthebeach]

How are you doing this morning?

[littlebit667]

Days 3-4 were my hardest.  After that is was mostly restless legs issues and cravings.  If you can stay busy it will help. Get out of the house with the kids and do anything to stay away and busy.  That is what seemed to help me.  

I kept telling myself...YOU HAVE the FLU!  It will be over and I will feel so much better.  My brain seemed to get that and settled down a little.  It is hard, but doable!  The Thomas Recipe (bottom of the page under Health Pages will help.  I did not to the tranquilizers and had to cut back on the Ltryosine, but the rest really helped.  Imodium, Imodium, Imodium (liquid or pills if the liquid can't be found or you can't swallow it) will help.  I took double the dosage for a few days (personal choice) and it helped so much..even with the withdrawals in general and the opiate trots which sucked.  

Hydrate and eat!  Even if it is just a little every hour or so.  You have to eat something to keep your energy up as much as possible.  

If you have Restless legs..it is hit or miss what works.  Walking seemed to help me some.  Hot bath with epsom salts..a little.  I finally had to get my doctor to refill my restless legs meds (non addictive) to get some sleep.  If nothing works,your doctor might help.  

One hour at a time is all anyone can ask.  After 2 weeks it gets a little better and I started to say, One day at a time!  Your brain will do all sorts of things to get you to take a pill.  I found if I was hungry..the cravings got worse.  I would try to eat a banana, a few grapes or a few crackers to get that under control.

Good for you.  I hope all goes well.  You have made a good start coming here....this site has helped me so much!!!  Keep posting!!!!!

[atthebeach]

sorry for the typo (on my phone) (definitely.)
You can do this.you will beable to function. Do things in little increments. Then rest. Baby steps. One minute at a time.  Force yourself to move around it is better than laying around. Make sure you get some nourishment.yogurt,soup,crackers,smoothies,milk shakes.
Sending hope,encouragement,prayers
Debbie

[lulu747]

Hi there and welcome.  I am on day 20 off of 100 mg of oxy prescribed for pain and I went cold turkey.  I used clonidine and oxazepam and zoplicone for sleep-but only because I had been on these medications for several years as well.  I would agree with atthebeach and say get rid of the pills-they prolong the misery.  I suffered terrible migraine headaches and increased pain while on oxy and both disappeared once the medication was out of my system.  Yes detox is hell-but you survive it and your life is much better and brighter on the other side.  I have several chronic illnesses and nerve damage and pain.  I do yoga, hot baths, massage, infrared saunas and take tylenol arthritis twice a day.  I still have pain but it is manageable and my quality of life is much much better off the opiates.  They mess with your pain sensors and brain chemistry.  The clonidine will really help you-keep a watch on your BP.  I lived in the bath tub for the first five days.  Vitamins are really important.  Try to take the benzo's only at night to sleep and be careful they are addictive and you can become dependant on them if taken too long.  It's good that you're doing this-and even better that you have the support of your doctor.  Feel free to come on here and post and ask for whatever help you need-you will receive it.  Your kids will understand that mom is sick-if you have help it's better.  You are giving them (and yourself) a great gift by stopping the pills-they are never good long term.....Sending support....Lu

[cpgirl]

I took just the one pill to try to make it through some family things for Christmas that I had too. They didn't really do anything for me anyway.  My kids are 11 1/2, 10 and 6.  I am hoping that having 1 more day at home will make it that I am fairly functional by the time they get here.  I don't really have much choice in the matter, those are my days and I am NOT telling my ex about this.  Thanks for the suggestions.

[atthebeach]

Welcome.the pain and the headaches can dedinirtelty get worse on the meds. After your detox try alternate pain management physical therapy, massage,acupuncture. If you were going ct why did you take oxy on days 1 & 2? you should get rid of all the pills. The meds the doctor gave you will defintely help with the symptoms of withdrawal. Stay hydrated. Take hot baths with epsom salts. Magnesium,calcium and zinc supplements help. Take walks. The physical symptoms should be over in about a week.
You kids can think you are just sick. How old are your children?