I also tapered from Oxycodone. It took me a number of months to do so under my family doctor's care. In all honesty, I think your doctor is absolutely correct in what he is prescribing as your withdrawal times. studies have shown that a slow detox from an opiate brings the most success as far as no relapses occuring.
I know how antsy we can get in tapering... we want to be done with it all. This is where the discipline needed for a taper comes in. We stick to the schedule!! When we do, we don't have to 'jump' off at the end, we can merely walk off.
Few are the daoctors who work with us on a slow taper. Although it may not feel like it, he truly has your best interest ay heart. Stay with it, Arianna. slow, steady and successful. All the while, your brain will be adjusting to producing the needed chemicals more and more again naturally. It takes time, It is all a process. It will be over eventually and I do believe you will be glad you followed through on a slow taper.
Wishing you the best
reach
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to reachout For This Useful Post: Arianna2 (03-08-2012), Phoenix (03-08-2012)
Dear Reach, It was good news to read your post. Another one with a slow taper. And yes, my dr does have my best interest at heart. I guess I didnt get here in a day, I cant expect to get out of it in a day.
What a wonderful forum this is. Each and every person who gives a moment to give a word of insight or encouragement helps so much. It is funny, my family is in full support of me, but it really doesnt help much because they have no idea what I am going through. It is the people here, the ones who are suffering or have suffered that give others hope and help.
It has become my lifeline, a place I can come without stress, and accepted for who I am.
Thanks to you Reach, and to all the others who have posted.
The following user gives a hug of support to Arianna2: roxy43 (03-08-2012)
Day 11 in the world of detox. I guess I am sorta proud of myself, that even though I *crave*, I dont give in. I even slept past the 8 hour mark, and took my pill after 9 hours instead. Just one small victory, but still HUGE to me.
I find it amazing that people do this cold turkey and say that at day 5-6 they are coming out of it. Good Grief!! I am just tapering, so still taking the drug and at day 11, can still feel it. I sure do applaud all you out there that have the strength and determination to get it done quicker Kudos to you!!
The following user gives a hug of support to Arianna2: Phoenix (03-09-2012)
Yes you are right the slow taper is best. The doctor does have the best interest of the patient when recommending to take it slow. Rushing often leads to relapse.
Woot Woot Woot!... This has been the best day so far. I see progress and want to cry out of sheer joy.
Why do we get in a rut of thinking it will never change? I know I am nowhere to home plate, but today, it was better I expect some ups and downs, but I finally see a glimmer of a light at the end of the tunnel.
Thank you all so much for your comments and hugs. I know youve heard it all before, but you truly make this a place to come for help, care, ideas, and support.
I dont even remember how I found this site, but I am sure glad I have.
Hugs all
The following user gives a hug of support to Arianna2: reachout (03-17-2012)
Eating crow today. Today was so much worse than yesterday. Guess I over did it. My PCP thinks something else is going on.. It is 2 weeks today.. I would think I would have adjusted to the newer level by now
The following user gives a hug of support to Arianna2: Phoenix (03-12-2012)
I've been following your posts and the others have given you great advice. Stick with your doc and the slow taper, it's the only way to get off the Oxy and stay off it...if you rush it, odds are you'll jump right back on it the first time things get rough. In one of your posts you said you fight the urge to take a stronger pill, do you still have some of the 10's? If so, I'd advise you to throw them out, you don't need that temptation around when your tapering. Remember, what your feeling now is just a reduction in meds, it's technically not even withdrawals....so when you think of rushing the taper think of what the real withdrawals will be like, trust me, they make what your going through so far seem like a walk in the park....not something you want. You seem to be doing really well on this plan, stick with it...don't be afraid to follow your docs advice, he's done this many times, I'm sure. A few more months might seem like a long time, but look towards the main goal and what the prize is....freedom from the Oxy forever, it's worth it! The Lyrica should not cause you any additional body aches or pains, don't be afraid to give it a chance to work.
Hang in there and keep up the good work.
kat
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to katlin09 For This Useful Post: Arianna2 (03-13-2012), Phoenix (03-13-2012)
[QUOTE=katlin09;4944054 Remember, what your feeling now is just a reduction in meds, it's technically not even withdrawals kat[/QUOTE]
Gosh Kat, I thought the cravings were the withdrawal. I didnt like the other symptoms, but they were a piece of cake compared to watching the clock. I do still have bottles of the 10's. Maybe you are right and I should dump them.
Sure is nice to know others care enough to post a reply. This is a very hard journey. But knowing others have walked my path before me, sure makes it seem doable.
And my newest appt with my PCP, had my Lyrica changed to Cymbalta. She is hoping to help with the pain, depression and anxiety. I am hoping too. I might be able to get a better grasp on this if I wasnt so down and afraid at the same time.
Yes state of mind is a big part of it....the more positive your thinking, the more positive your outlook....the easier it is....not to say that any of it is easy. The mental aspect is the toughest....it seems like we can always find things to overcome the physical parts....but the mind likes to play games with us...and there aren't simple fixes for it...my shrink has a favorite saying, "Fake it to make it".....you get your head set on a certain path and you fake your way through each day, telling yourself that your there until you get there.....it's better than giving up and letting the doubts, sadness, anxiety and fear win.
UGH.. State of mind. If you wanted to find someone the complete opposite of positive it is me. I like the idea of faking it. Maybe a bit of the time it would actually become a reality. I am still counting on a bit of help from the Cybalta. I know from experience, when I see a little bit of progress, I can get myself in a better place.
Goodness, when do these cravings stop. I went to lie down and fell asleep. Falling asleep during the day is just something I dont do. I can count on one hand the number of times that I have in my adult life. But I woke with a start, heart racing, shaking like a leaf. I looked at the clock and sure enough, it had been 7 hours 45 minutes since my last pill. I cant seem to get past that.
Hard to imagine that this is only psychological. I know that my PTSD aggravates this, but I feel body symptoms of a "need" to take my next pill. And about a half hour after I take it, I can feel my body begin to relax. I have never felt a high from taking them. All Ive ever felt was a decrease in pain and my body relax to where I am not so tense.
Ive not read too many people who have done a slow taper and how they felt during the taper. But those who have done it cold turkey say that you begin to climb back out of it within 4-5 days. Surely that cant be the end of it?? Am I normal? The heebie jeebies scare the crap out of me. I keep having thoughts like.. maybe if I take a 1/2 pill more......
Trying not to cry in Michigan
The following 2 users give hugs of support to: Arianna2 1mortime (03-16-2012), Phoenix (03-17-2012)
Hang in there!! I am not tapering from oxy but I am tapering from methadone and I decreased 5mg every 7days in the past 3 months. (was at 90) I am currently at a low 5 mgs and can tell you that once I got down to 20 mg I felt every 5 mgs that I came down for atleast 4 days out of the 7. This last decrease has been the hardest and the crazy thing is that I didn't even really feel it till the 3 day after I decreased my dose. (knowing that methadone has a long half life) Thing is, you are doing what you need to do in the safest way possible and I wish I had done the same as you rather than turning to methadone for help. Hang in there!! I will be going down to 2.5 mgs in a couple days and after that I will begin to skip days and I am so not looking forward to it but it has to be done so I am gonna have to stay as positive as I can. Try to remember what you are doing this for!! GOOD LUCK
The following user gives a hug of support to 1mortime: Phoenix (03-16-2012)
The Following User Says Thank You to 1mortime For This Useful Post: Arianna2 (03-16-2012)
Thank you 1mortime for your response. So many people struggling, so many different scenarios, and yet we all share the same pain. Before I joined this Health Board, I knew there were others in the same boat as me, but certainly not to the degree it is.
Isnt it nice to know that you are not alone. That when you feel that you just dont want to do it anymore, that you can come somewhere to hear others' stories. The best part is reading about those who have succeeded. I hope someday I will be posting that same story.
BTW... my pain level is really low today. I am hoping more and more that it is the Cymbalta. It sure helps my mental balance not to be in so much pain while trying to detox.
Good Luck to you 1more, I hope you reach your goals as soon as possible
What a yummy day I had. My pain level was so low, I was able to get outside in my yard and do a bit of gardening. I have been inactive for so long, it was hard work, but I did it. And by being active, my eyes weren't on that everlasting clock, so before I knew it, it was time for my Oxy.
What a wonderful thing to happen... to actually miss the clock watching
I wonder if every drop in dosage will procure the same symptoms, or am I going to be surprised with each drop? Anyone out there who can share about whether their symptoms pretty much were the same, or was it a toss up each time?
During the past 2 weeks, I would say over and over "I cant do this" .. today I can say.. "I KNOW I will do this"
You say youcan already tell that something is missing. That is your body trying to adjust to the reduction of the drug. Your mind comes in and says, oh, I can't do this, I don't want todo this but your mind also knows you must do this. There will be game playing of course. Will you allow all this game playing to take over or will you see it for what it is and face that wall and then walk through the drug-free guilt-free door when it is time?
What happened with your PTSD> Was it something someone did to you? I have learned that if I allow it to consume me and run my life that I have allowed someone or something to have power over me. It is frightening but what you do here and now can also be very strengthening. Do you want that strength?
Sincerely, searchin
The Following User Says Thank You to Searchin For This Useful Post: Arianna2 (03-18-2012)
You read about these folks who do a short taper and 5 or 6 days in they notice a difference and things are better and they feel good etc. What they don't come back and tell you is that a few days after that they crash and go crawling back to the pills because they can't handle it, it's too much. Short tapers aren't all their cracked up to be. You end up back on the drugs in no time and belive me it's not where you want to be not to mention all the agony you went through for nothring.
Cravings are hard, just like wih coffee or caffiene or cigarettes of anything else that our bodies get use to, drugs are just as bad....are bodies get used to having them, and when we decresae them our bodies recognize the difference and they want that difference quick.
No Katlin, I don't want to go backwards. I sorta wondered about all that, but nobody ever posted after the fact that they ended up back on drugs. And I guess there are those few who actually conquer it that way, but few and far between.
I take your advice wholeheartedly and appreciate it so much. This journey is so difficult, and hearing thoughts, ideas and concerns from others do so much, as you are well aware.
One thing I can be thankful for (in a way) is that I lost my job over this whole mess. If I had the added stress to hurry because I had to work, it would probably have defeated me.
I look forward to the day when I can post help on here to others because I had won the battle.
Does anyone have any ideas to combat my restless legs other than a piece of rope!! I have been taking Magnesium and eating bananas and the minute I try to sit still, my legs have a will of their own. Thank goodness I take meds for sleeping, my legs would drive me nuts.
Kudos to you!!
