Starting to wean off oxycontin

[Cakedec]

I am 5 weeks post-op from my posterior surgery T5 to L5, healing very well and doing fine. My surgeon's office told me that I wouldn't continue on the oxycontin 12 hour once my first month prescription was gone, so this past weekend I started cutting back (by not taking my daytime dose). I had the 5 mg immediate release so took those instead. Bad idea! I was sweating, hot and cold chills, shaking, dizzy, nauseous, down in bed. Called the dr's office and they said to just cut the 12 hour in half and take a half every 12 hours.

The symptoms have gone down (still there, but to a milder degree). The nurse told me to stay at this dose through the week until my symptoms all go away, then call Tuesday again for further instructions (I will have only 2 tablets left at that point).

Has anyone else been through this withdrawal thing, especially with the oxy and how did you get through it? Do they ever give you something else to help? Not that I want to get on anything else that might be addictive. I am willing to get by with the extra strength tylenol, just so tired of this withdrawal thing.

Thanks for any help.

Deb

[bbest]

Wow, Deb. Sorry you have to go through this. I am still on oxycontin (12 hr. extended release). There was a time back in June when I stopped taking it for 3 weeks or so and only took percocet. I didn't have any withdrawl symptoms at that time. My understanding is that withdrawl symptoms disappear on their own after a period of few days. You might want to ask if there is something they can give you anyway.

I hope you feel better soon.

[katblack]

Sorry you have to go through that girl. I know it sucks.

I'm being weaned off the pain meds and having a different issue.
My stomach ends up in a bad way.
Cramping, the diars, vomiting, inability to rest or sleep.
I'm thinking I have an ulcer from taking pain meds the last 5, almost 6 years now, straight.
I have been on some sort of pain medication for all these years so cutting back and down, my stomach is like ripped to hell.

I need to call my doc and see what they can do.
I was hoping I'd be able to hold out till my next appointment in November, but I really don't think my stomach and symptoms are going to let me wait that long especially if they keep cutting my doses down.

[macky]

Katback, please contact your doctor and go and see him or talk to him by phone. It sounds as if they are weaning you off the meds too quickly and your body is reacting badly.
I have been told by the best of experts that when going off pain killers and the like ,that it has to be a small bit by bit process. Like, for instance I bought myself off meds stronger than oxy contin for my pain, by taking a quarter of a tablet less for 2 to 3 weeks, then dropped another quarter and so on.
I do know that the withdrawal is only supposed to last a week or so but it can really knock you around, so your doctor has to be told.
I have a very supportive doctor and am very lucky. Every doctor has different ideas but I think you will find that they do not want you to suffer. That applies to you as well Cakedec. xx Thinking of you.

Macky

[makaylasmom]

Withdrawal is un-needed

I went thru withdraw after going off of the pain patch. There is a patch they can give you called Catapress which can make you not feel the withdrawal symptoms. I used it and within an hour or so (truley not joking) I was able to get some rest- FYI- withdrawal can last up to 2 wks!!!! They also gave me some Valium to calm my nerves thru this process. I am fine now- but the 3 days I went thru withdrawal was the worse of my life. Call your doctor and tell them you want the patch- well worth it!!!!!

[lelc2002@yahoo]

Hi Deb & all,
I was on the Oxycoton back when I went to Kessler Rehab. The Doctor there finally found that the combination of the oxy & percoset worked well for me & controlled my pain level. Unfortunately, they seemed to be trying a couple different drugs before they got it right that first day/evening there....not a good start on Pain Management for me...luckily, I only suffered one evening but it was not fun at all!
When I got home from the Rehab(about 2 1/2 weeks later), I took the oxycoton along with percoset for about 4-5 more days. At that point I felt that on taking the oxycoton dose in the evening(at 8 p.m.), I felt almost over drugged . Yes, it eliminated any pain & numbness but it seemed to be overkill. So, I did not take it the next day & I seemed pretty good so I continued not taking it. Keeping in mind, I had only been on it since the Rehab which was the week before... Since then, I have stayed on the percoset as needed. I had been taking 2 tablets every 4 hrs but yesterday & today have been extending the time period to 5-6 hrs in the day time. If I just am numb in the ribs, I take nothing until I feel about a 6-7-8 on pain levels.
I spoke to the Pain Management Doctor last week(I will see him next Thursday). He said I really should have slowly got off the oxycoton by only cutting 1 dose a day... But it was too late! He asked me if I felt weird....I had felt ok...but perhaps a little chills that evening... He also said to keep up the percoset regularly because that would fill in for the missed oxycoton....
I hate to ramble on but I think people coming out of this surgery should be somewhat aware of what drugs they may be put on.....Lynne

[Cakedec]

Probably affects people differently

Hi Lynne,

Glad to hear that you didn't suffer after effects stopping the oxycoton. Maybe you weren't on it long enough. I am one of those people who is really sensitive to medications and I was on it for 4, now 5 weeks. It was the only thing that controlled my pain well enough. However, I think that maybe the dr. should have said something to me like, "some people do have to get off of this medication slowly as it may be addictive and hard to get off of".

They did not refer me to a pain specialist, just said at my post-op appts. that they wouldn't continue me on the oxy and that I would have to wean off of it. I think patients should be given more information on the meds they are on.

Am doing better now that my dose is stable, but dread going the next step down in dose next week. I'll be talking to them again Tuesday to see how they want me to do it.

Makayla's Mom --I'll ask them about the patch.

Glad to hear that you are doing well. I am just tired a lot yet and shaky (anxious, maybe?) My mother is coming to spend the weekend and am looking forward to that as she has not seen me post surgically yet. I'm sure she won't be able to resist "mothering" me so I'll try not to let it bother me!

Deb

[lelc2002@yahoo]

Deb----I am glad they are weaning you off the oxycoton because somewhere I heard that it's harder on your digestive system (ie., constipation worse) It seems to me that everyone is different on how they handle the pain levels so therefore people are put on different pain killers..... But I totally agree with you that patients should be made more aware of the drugs and side effects of.... hang in there & soon you'll probably just be on good ol' tylenol....Lynne

[katblack]

Katback, please contact your doctor and go and see him or talk to him by phone. It sounds as if they are weaning you off the meds too quickly and your body is reacting badly.
I have been told by the best of experts that when going off pain killers and the like ,that it has to be a small bit by bit process. Like, for instance I bought myself off meds stronger than oxy contin for my pain, by taking a quarter of a tablet less for 2 to 3 weeks, then dropped another quarter and so on.
I do know that the withdrawal is only supposed to last a week or so but it can really knock you around, so your doctor has to be told.
I have a very supportive doctor and am very lucky. Every doctor has different ideas but I think you will find that they do not want you to suffer. That applies to you as well Cakedec. xx Thinking of you.

Macky

I have to wait till Tuesday now as it's a long holiday weekend here. I might try emailing his nurse and see what she says or even if she answers her emails on long holiday weekends.

Thanks!

[macky]

katback thats a great idea to contact his nurse, gosh I do hope she helps. I reckon the meds that Makaylas mum as spoken about sounds great,, thats the go i reckon. xx

Macky

[sweetness514]

I have to wait till Tuesday now as it's a long holiday weekend here. I might try emailing his nurse and see what she says or even if she answers her emails on long holiday weekends.

Thanks!

Kat,

I hope you get better. Also, thanks for posting about Activia on your blog, I have a weird stomach flu or my liver is freaking out(not sure what's wrong but let's just say I don't feel so hot), and this yogourt is helping. How the internet and sharing can help, it's amazing

[katblack]

Amazing that Activia is.
It is really helping me get my stomach sorta sorted out.
I eat one every day and it is working.

Glad it's helping you as well.