5 years of what the docs call Neuropathy and 5 years of oxycontin. I've never been satisfied with the diagnosis, but have never gone through with Pain Management, though I now have to. It all started due to my HIV meds. I've been HIV positive since 1990. Over the years my "Neuropathy" symtoms became worse. For the past 3 years I've gone through hell with the hardest thing in the world to describe, but I'll try. My entire body starts to feel kind of stiff, numbing and then the damn spasms! They don't stop! Its pure hell and it doesn't go away unless I take oxycontin, well now its oxycodone. Like everyone else I started on a lower dose and gradually got up to (2) 80mg's a day which has now changed to (5) 30mg's a day (Medicade reasons). I've never abused it and have always taken only what I was prescribed. In fact I've never wanted to be on the crap, but its the only thing that helps. Now back to the symptoms... agony, swinging my arms and legs in every direction hoping to find a second of relief, but can't. Panic sets in and I obcess over not finding a comfortable position. The burning of the hands and feet alone would then be a wonderful miracle, but it doesn't happen. Its the most uncomfortable and agonizing aches and pains you could feel. My entire body feels like I've had a never-ending FLU with the body aches and pains. I have taken the oxy pills earlier than I should have, but I have always made my prescriptions last the month. About 2 years ago a doctor tried me on Dura-Gesic patches, 150 mgs every 3 days and it was the worst experience in my life. I ended up in the Emergency room twice in 1 day, but somehow stayed on them for 3 weeks. 1 of the weeks I got absolutely no sleep at all. I spent each night (7 or 8 nights) bitching out loud and keeping the family awake. I felt horrible in every way imaginable. Another strange thing is that although normally it starts by the time I'm due another pill, I have gone well over a day with no pill and no pain. Its rare, but its happened. I have good weeks and bad weeks, but all are ok if I have the oxy. I've tried Neurontin of all strengths, nothing! I've tried morphine, anxiety meds, percacet, vicoden, demerol and nothing else works. I've probably tried another 10 meds but can't remember all the names. Still only oxy will work. I'm tired and I can't imagine going the rest of my life like this. If anyone knows anything that may be related to this please email me joss1000@aol.com I need to find a better way of life. I'm 41 now and afraid to leave home because of this crap. I'm always afraid of having another week or more of no sleep with the constant spasms and aches. Hope to hear from someone soon. Jim