withdrawal of oxcycontin, How long to get off? Any tips to handle withdrawal? Have been on 20mg morning, 40mg night. Have reduced over 4-5 days to bout 15-20mg morning and night. But have been getting a lot of hot/cold shivers, nausea, loss appetite, back and body pain and been very depressed and teary. Trying to hang in there but it is really hard. Am I trying to get off oxcy too quickly? Is there any advice anyone would like to share.
Q: oxcyxcontin withdrawal
Answers (4)
11/19/08 11:04pm
Reducing an opioid doseage by half withing 5 days is a bit fast. I usually like to recommend reducing by 15% every two weeks (depending on the opioid). Withdrawl symptoms can be partially treated with an anti-nausea medication and clonidine (a type of blood pressure medication).
Now that I have been trained to prescribe Suboxone ( which means I have a special license), I prefer to convert someone to Suboxone for a softer landing. The conversion process is a bit rough because you have to be in partial withdrawls from an opioid before switching to Suboxone. But, once stabilized on a doseage, tapering off is gentler than what you are experiencing now. You can learn more information about Suboxone on www.turntohelp.com.
What ever your reason for weaning off OxyContin, you do not have to do it alone. Your doctor should be able to guide you through the process or you can find a doctor trained to handle chemical dependency issues.
Dr. Christina Lasich, MD
11/19/08 9:09am
Re: Oxycontin withdrawal - absolutely, I've experienced it. Needless to tell you - it's horrible. Suboxone is a good treatment option and also helped with pain. It seems that we need to be "switched-around" regarding pain meds as we get "tolerant" to them after a short time. I've tried all kinds of "alternative" methods of pain management to no avail and just want to function in this world. So... I've found that I need to be on whatever pain meds even to have the ability/energy to seek-out other treatment options.
11/19/08 9:15am
Dear Vicki, I was particularly attracted to your post as I too, had a partial discectomy. That is when all of my problems started. Soon thereafter, I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. It was a progressive thing and then hit me very hard. (Woke-up one day with obscene pain all over my body). I am currently amidst a "long-distance"treatment protocol thru a doctor in Alabama who wrote the book, "Treating and Beating Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue" but he also deals with other pain issues.
5/ 7/10 3:36am
I was on Oxyxcontin 20 mg/40mg. It only stays in your system for 8 hours.
or if you have been taking it consistently everyday over a long period of time, you are Psychologically addicted. I too suffered sweats, shaking, nausea, body pain etc..when I tried to withdraw.
Try this to withdraw: When you get those symptoms take a shower, Afterwards try to read a book, watch a movie, get involve in a social conversation, telephone a friend..etc. anything to distract your mind's craving..in otherwards create a different sensation w/mental activity. " Distraction is the Key word.."
Your'e doing Good lessening the meds. In about 10 Days You should be your Old self. Hint: People on Narcotics have widely dilated pupils." Check yours'...
Best Wishes
Nancy
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Who is your Doctor and how ca i get in touch with him. I live in Alabama and suffer as well. Thanks