taper or cold turkey?

[badheadaches]

Hi,
I've been reading the posts, and want to know any recommendations for tapering or going cold turkey.

I have been taking 10-15mg of oxycodone every 4 hours for 3 months.  I started taking the pain meds due to debilitating headaches.  I had surgery 6 weeks ago, and would like to quit taking these pills.  At this point I can tell I am physically addicted because I am having classic withdrawal symptoms.

My doc has suggested I taper down by one pill every couple days.  Tapering by this method would take roughly 3 weeks.  Does anyone have any recommendations if I should do this OR just go cold turkey?  Any advice would be helpful.  At this point I am SO sick of taking these as they are controlling my life (having to pick-up a script every week, remembering to not leave the house w/o them?!? Ick)

Thx

[gnarly_1]

hi  your habit is a short one and your dose although steady wasent all that high .....its always smart to talk to the doctor first and you did a short taper then just tear the band aid off and get er done is a good way to go long tapers su ck I was stuck on methadone and was forced to taper 8 1/2 mo.....no fun at ALL but what your thinking is very doable let us know when its time to pull the plug in the mean time post for support wile tapering it is often not very comfortable to do keep us posted good luck and God bless.....Gnarly

[atthebeach]

well that is great. so you have a plan in place. is someone going to hold the pills for you?
clonidine helps to lower blood pressure. how long will the taper take? do you have a date to go cold turkey?
debbie

[badheadaches]

I talked with my doc, and I've decided to taper down to 6 pills a day and then go cold turkey.  She is prescribing clonidine to help with the withdrawal symptoms.  I also checked out the Thomas Recipe to help.

Thanks for all the info, and the well wishes.  I will update as I begin the process.

Thx again.

[Iwantanewlifenow]

I'm a bit confused..You said you were taking 10 pills a day every 4 hours?? Not enough hours in the day ..and night...for that to be possible.....So I don't know if I read that wrong..I just like to have a clear understanding so please don't take it the wrong way..Maybe you meant 10-15mg every four hours..I read it as ten 15mg pills every four hours..Anyway..that is neither here nor there...That being said..everyone is different and so are their circumstances...Support..kids...a job..lifestyle..eating healthy...Too many variables...You will feel some WD's..either way..Only you know what will work best for you and what you can handle...If the tapering is working and you're experiencing minimal symptoms...don't fix what is not broken.

Ativan is a short acting Benzo with it's own WD's..Yes it may help..but you can become addicted very shortly and I've heard they are wicked to come off of...Try some 5-HTP...Decaf Green Tea...and the aforementioned Thomas Recipe.All have soothing and calming effects...There is just no easy/pain free way of getting off...Best of luck.

[badheadaches]

Thank you for the most helpful answers!

I apologize for any questions that were in violation of the forum.  I haven't ever posted to a website like this before.  Your responses confirm what I suspected:  it might be better to rip the band aid off quickly!  (At least for me)  Three weeks of withdrawal symptoms, even though they might be less intense, would suck.

I've been tapering for 4 days so far, and I've been able to stick to the tapering schedule.  But I like the suggestion of having someone hold the meds.  It would make it so much easier cuz it can be difficult.

I'll discuss these options with my doc.  You said you took clonodine, i've also read that ativan can be helpful.  Are these essentially similar products?  I will talk with my doc to see what she suggests.

I will let you know what I decide to do.

Thanks for all the info.  I feel much better about making a decision.

Thanks!

[tgtiffany]

IBKleen's post says most everything that I would say.  Keep your head up and you will get through this no matter which road you take.  You can make it :)  

[overopiates]

I was taking the same amount of lortabs daily for a long time.I personally went c/t about45days ago.I know tapering isn't  something I could do because of self control and my husband was/is thrilled about me getting off&would have held them but I could've guilted him etc for extra but honestly when u take them and overtake them having them around is torture I hear tapering is like a long w/d so I just quit.It SUCKED big time but I was feeling better after day3&tons better after a week(getting some endorphines back naturally which felt great).I took clonidine that was prescribed which was SUPER HELPFUL to me but can u talk to your doctor about your options for taper or c/t and if you.need any meds to help.with the w/d.I don't wanna violate any forum rules so I want to make it clear I was prescribed clonidine&anxiety meds for MY w/d each person is different there is the Thomas recipe people rave about if u.can't see a doctor.good luck.

[Bad_Obsession]

Like IBKleen stated...I would ask your doctor if it's okay that you go CT, before moving forward.  Your doctor has advised you to do a taper, cut one pill every few days, if I read correctly?  Did he/she suggest a taper for medical reasons?  IF you talk CT over with your doctor and he says that it's okay....if it were me, I would take that route.  I would just rather get it over with than drag out the WD symptoms for 2 or 3 weeks.  But really...everyone is different, and everyone recovers differently. Since you haven't been using that long, it may be a cake walk for you.  I am coming off of a (aproximately) 25 pills per day habit, and I did it CT....and although the WD was pretty bad...it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.  But anyways...I'm rambling.  Talk it over with your doc to see what he/she suggests and go from there.  Let us know what is decided and we can help you thru this.  Congratulations on deciding to get off of those evil pills.  You are doing yourself a huge favor by doing it now, instead of waiting.  God Bless!

[IBKleen]

Hi & Welcome,

In case you have not tried before, tapering is tricky business. As you begin to drop your dose you will begin to feel the withdrawal and that is where the problem lies. A lot of people cannot take the slow method and choose to just rip the band aid off and get it over with. You and your doctor should decide what is best. If you decide to taper, it is best to have someone help you by holding the meds and dosing them to you according to the doctor's schedule. At least that way you will avoid the temptation of going off of the plan.

Since you have only been on the meds for a few months, you may not suffer too much with the withdrawal. I don't know anything about your medical history so that is just a guess. Either way the withdrawal will last about 5 or so days and then you will begin to feel better.

Once you and your doctor decide what is best, we can help you with remedies that worked for us to help ease the process. Let us know what you decide.

Also, we do not comment on tapering schedules--it is a violation of our community guidelines and it is something you and your doctor must decide.

I wish you the best.