The white witch refuses to abdicate

[kc7jty]

I'm in the process of weaning myself off the oxycodone I've been taking daily for months, and not daily for years before that.
Thought I was doing fine as I got down to one 5 mg pill daily (was taking 8 at the peak). Yeah, there were some aches and pains, and the expected feeling like crap but I could handle it (so I thought).
Decided I'd just quit (5 days ago). Hey, after all, I was down to only one a day.

Ha ha!
4 days of feeling extra crappy, I could handle. 4 days of diarrhea, just a nuisance. The upset stomach, hey I'm determined to do this. 4 days straight of being completely LOCKED OUT from being able to get to sleep. UNCLE!

Took half a pill (2.5mg) last night, and after 2 hours it was like being back in mommy's womb. I fell asleep like a baby.
Did some reading on the subject and it looks like I've got a good ways to go, even to spacing the half tabs down to once every 3 days.

If you ever take this stuff, think about this post........

[KG4CGC]

I don't know how they do it today but in the past, if you were under pain management in the British system, the doctors would work carefully with you to not only make sure you got relief from pain but also when the time came, to gradually back you off the drugs, sometimes heroin, until you were off the drug with no withdrawal.

I wish you the best of luck, Bill. It's a hard row to hoe.

[w2amr]

I'm in the process of weaning myself off the oxycodone I've been taking daily for months, and not daily for years before that.
Thought I was doing fine as I got down to one 5 mg pill daily (was taking 8 at the peak). Yeah, there were some aches and pains, and the expected feeling like crap but I could handle it (so I thought).
Decided I'd just quit (5 days ago). Hey, after all, I was down to only one a day.

Ha ha!
4 days of feeling extra crappy, I could handle. 4 days of diarrhea, just a nuisance. The upset stomach, hey I'm determined to do this. 4 days straight of being completely LOCKED OUT from being able to get to sleep. UNCLE!

Took half a pill (2.5mg) last night, and after 2 hours it was like being back in mommy's womb. I fell asleep like a baby.
Did some reading on the subject and it looks like I've got a good ways to go, even to spacing the half tabs down to once every 3 days.

If you ever take this stuff, think about this post........
Thanks for the warning, I will avoid that shit at all cost.
I take 10 MG Ambien/zolpidem tartrate before bed. Just strong enough to take off the edge and help me fall asleep.
Good luck Bill.

[N8YX]

Over the years I've had prescriptions for Oxy, Vicoden, Percoset and a number of other strong painkillers.

Rule #1: Take the stuff for 3 days to a week max and if the pain persists, seek additional treatment (not in the form of narcotics). You have to find a pain management specialist or become one yourself. IMO, too many physicians are willing to band-aid symptoms with a pill instead of treating the source of the problem. A herniated disc or chronically irritated nerve will not fix itself.

[suddenseer]

Thanks for the warning, I will avoid that shit at all cost.
I take 10 MG Ambien/zolpidem tartrate before bed. Just strong enough to take off the edge and help me fall asleep.
Good luck Bill.I only take 5mg of the same sleep medicine. My last endoscopy/colonoscopy, I was aware of the whole procedure, but could not move(not good). I complained to the doc about it. He told me the sedative for the procedure was the maximum dose he could inject without getting arrested. He added that the ambien caused tme resistance to the drugs. He told me to stop taking ambien 6-8 weeks before the next procedure.

I have never done oxycodone more than 2 weeks. Bill, I hope you can kill the witch, but long term pain management you might need this for awhile. My friend has a morphene pump that delivers nano gram doses directly on the nerve cells. He has absolutely no side effects otherwise. He can drive while the pump operates.

[rot]

If you ever take this stuff, think about this post........
Thanks Billster...I do and I will.
At this time, I'd puke and crap my pants daily for a shot at getting out of this f#$king wheelchair. It sucks huge.
I don't see how people committed to these things do it.
If I see anyone in a wheelchair with a smile I'm amazed.
rot

[W3WN]

Thanks for the warning.

Three thoughts come to mind after reading this whole thread:

Third, my wife was pretty smart to decline to take the narcotics scrip the doctor insisted she have on Saturday (she may have blown an ACL, we find out this afternoon)

Second, no offense to anyone, but somehow, my diabetes doesn't sound so bad all of a sudden.

And the number one response:

Good god, are we starting to sound the old pharts nets that used to be on 2 meters locally most mornings (and are still on 75 phone evenings) complaining about our aches & pains, and one-upping each other over medical conditions? Not a good sign, not good at all! I'm too young for that schnitz!

[KG4CGC]

I'm considering getting back into yoga. It aligns the spine and nerves.
Sorry to hear about the wheelchair, Rot.

[w3bny]

Ugh...I feel for you. Seriously, and don't take this the wrong way please...Have you tried going to a NA meeting. At least someone there knows what its like to try to get off an opioid even if yours wasn't illicit. Its still a physical withdrawal that others may be able to help you or talk you through.

Take with grain of salt and dont forget, you can beat her into submission. You can be strong!

[w2amr]

I only take 5mg of the same sleep medicine. My last endoscopy/colonoscopy, I was aware of the whole procedure, but could not move(not good). I complained to the doc about it. He told me the sedative for the procedure was the maximum dose he could inject without getting arrested. He added that the ambien caused tme resistance to the drugs. He told me to stop taking ambien 6-8 weeks before the next procedure.

Thx for the tip Tim. I'm due for a rotor rooter job in Dec, I'll keep that in mind.

[kf0rt]

Thanks Billster...I do and I will.
At this time, I'd puke and crap my pants daily for a shot at getting out of this f#$king wheelchair. It sucks huge.
I don't see how people committed to these things do it.
If I see anyone in a wheelchair with a smile I'm amazed.
rot

WTF you doing in a wheelchair, Rotley? (Will read more). That sucks!

The Oxy stuff here always comes from oral surgery. My teeth suck; got some Percocet around here somewhere, but won't use it. Fed up, thinking of getting implants, but that'd delay retirement. America and pain, they go hand-in-hand.

[W3MIV]

America and pain, they go hand-in-hand.

So true, but it is usually at a site far lower than the mouth. ;)

[kf0rt]

So true, but it is usually at a site far lower than the mouth. ;)

My nuts itch?

Ahhhh... when I was younger and drugs were fun...

[rot]

WTF you doing in a wheelchair, Rotley? (Will read more). That sucks!

The Oxy stuff here always comes from oral surgery. My teeth suck; got some Percocet around here somewhere, but won't use it. Fed up, thinking of getting implants, but that'd delay retirement. America and pain, they go hand-in-hand.

It's just a temp piss and moan here. I had a right knee repair done in April..was doing great on crutches stiff legged with no bend...hit 30 deg bend and busted my ass again for the final blow out. Now i've been ordered into "the chair" until I get the whole thing redone and replaced and such in July. I should be good to go by Labor Day. I've gone over backwards twice in "the chair"...can clear most of the doorways except the bathrooms. Getting to the dumper and shower are a bit iffy but our shower has lot of clearance to hold a place to sit. Always a fun time in the big house. Grass is pretty damn high getting to the radio barn so that is on hold.
I had a guy build me a ramp to get on the front deck so that's nice.
Been popping the 10 mg oxys as well..i just don't hit the ground as gracefully as I once did and shit hurts.
rot
rot

[KG4CGC]

The ground is harder now because of the Right Wingers.

[kc7jty]

Ugh...I feel for you. Seriously, and don't take this the wrong way please...Have you tried going to a NA meeting. At least someone there knows what its like to try to get off an opioid even if yours wasn't illicit. Its still a physical withdrawal that others may be able to help you or talk you through.

Take with grain of salt and dont forget, you can beat her into submission. You can be strong!

Tnx for the support. I'm determined to beat this evil gal. I'm just surprised how small a dose is able to keep one off the skids. My doctor is not only fully supportive and trusting me with what amounts I need to keep cutting down, but expects me to do it now that the original pain is over.
It's just gonna take longer than I thought.

BTW: Short term use of hydro or even oxy in not a problem. It's when your body fully adjusts to this stuff over the long haul that makes it different.

All the best for your knee getting back on the straight and narrow asap, Rotley.

[K7SGJ]

It wasn't but a very few years ago I was taking 2--7.5Mg tabs of oxy every 4-6 hrs or less. In time, the quantity increased as the time interval decreasedT, and the dosage went from 7.5 to 10mg. This went on for several months. I even got up in the night once or twice a night for a dose, Problem for me they weren't very effective as time went by and I took more, more often. It became apparent that this activity had to stop. It really fu my body in many ways. I just quit wham bam and thought I was going to die. It was awful. Stomach cramps, constipated, sweats, every muscle in my body ached. Kinda of what a couch potato would feel like the day after doing an iron man competition. I was more worthless at work than usual, and contemplated a room at the Hotel California. However, after two or three weeks of drying out, things started to get better. Eventually you return to normal, whatever normal might be. One thing I have noticed is that nowadays at preop or postop it takes a shit wad of iv morphine or Demerol to begin to do any pain management. Normally that stuff would knock my dick in the dirt, but not now. Guess I fried the pain center or something.

Hang in there. In a few days it starts to get better. Although you get too wired to sleep when you want to, just try to sleep when your able. You'll get back on your sked sooner or later and be better for it. I almost guarantee that in the future you will look at those little white bastards as rat poison. I do because each time it was harder to stop than the time before, and I don't think I have any more withdrawals left in me.

Good luck,and when you feel better, join me on the beach, just down from the island bar. Where the gentle trade winds blow softly through the Coconut palms. In the shade of the palms are 2 Barco loungers with a pole holder on one arm, and on the other, a holder for one of those world famous umbrella drinks to sip while catching a few MAHI for the Island BBQ. Drinks are on me.

[kc7jty]

tnx

[suddenseer]

The ground is harder now because of the Right Wingers.You got that right. Since the 70's cops have been yelling doctors how to practice medicine. Studies have shown that the post surgery healing phase is longer now, than then. A body stressed with pain will not heal as fast, duh. Most physicians would rather have a patient get by with Tylenol, than risk losing their license. Once again in knee jerk umerica the 1% is enough reason to punish the 99%.

[KB3LAZ]

The only thing Ive ever taken was sleeping meds and I no longer do that either. They used to turn me into an emotional zombie, merely a ghost of my former self. As far as narcotics go, fortunately I can say that I have never had a real need for them. I did mess up my back a few years ago but refused pain killers as I always will if possible. As it is I have an addictive personality and am predisposed to narcotic/alcohol abuse if you believe scientific studies related to genetic abusers.

As far as this particular drug is concerned, an uncle of mine was prescribed them and after extended use he grew rather addicted to them. Even after spending some time in the hospital without them the first thing he did when he got out was find himself someone willing to sell a script. After some time he tried to kick his habit to no avail. Recently he found a way to do it, needless to say the wrong way. He took the whole script. He now resides in a state mental care facility. It would seem that a multitude of so called medical aides lead to more problems than they are worth IMO.

Hope you kick it mate but do so safely.

[KG4CGC]

The real "kick" about the whole OXY thing is that it was sold to doctors and pharmacists as a non-addictive pain medication so when it first got approved, they handed it out like candy.
Heroin does indeed have medical uses but our cultural wars saw to it that it wasn't going to happen.

[kc7jty]

Took 1/3 tab (1.66 mg) too early last night but got to sleep after a little over an hour anyway. Things are looking up.