I've been taking 10mg of oxycodone every 4-6 hours for the past 3 months (I had a series of 2 major surgeries in Feb). My doctor says it's ok to stop taking it now - but how do I do it without experiencing withdrawal symptoms? I tried going cold turkey a few days ago and it was terrible!! I was anxious, stressed out, had cold sweats, rapid heart beat and I couldn't sleep at all.
So what should I do? I think I should cut back slowly a bit each day - but how quickly can I do it wouthout having terrible withdrawal symptoms? My goal is to be copletely off the medication in about 6 days (because I'm soo... tired of being constipated all the time). Any tips, suggestions or ideas for how to taper it off is much appreciated.
2007-04-16 15:21:13 · 3 answers · asked by ALLaboutDC 3 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Pain & Pain Management
Cut back a few mg every three days. If that's too much cut back every seven days.
To help with the withdrawls take hot bathes with 2c. of dissolved Epsom salts and soak for 30 minutes. The skin is the biggest organ of elimination and this will help pull out the drugs.
Drink lots of water and 2c. a day of fresh carrot juice. You can take 500mg of calcium and magnesium twice a day to help you relax and it will also help with your constipation . Drink chamomile tea throughout the day to help you stay relaxed.
use a powdered fiber supplement twice daily to pull the drugs out of your intestines where they can store.
If you have any further questions please let me know,
Bille77
2007-04-16 15:34:42 · answer #1 · answered by Cherokee Billie 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have a similar situation going on. I have had 3 surgeries in 6 months and have been on oxycontin/oxycodone every since. I stopped cold turkey about a month and a half ago. It was horrible...migraines, nausea, hot and cold flashes, night sweats, insomnia. It lasted about 3 weeks and then slowly I started getting back to normal. I am back on the medication now because of an unexpected surgery and complications with that surgery, so I am not sure what I will do next time. Ask your doctor about suboxone, an opiate blocker, I think that is what I am going to do this next time.
2007-04-16 16:12:18 · answer #2 · answered by pobrecita 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you should be able to kick this shortly. Start weaning yourself now, cutting back to 1/2 a pill every 6 hours, or stretch the time longer between doses. After 4-7 days, try cutting back some more. If you have problems quitting on your own, let your dr. know about it. He can prescribe something to make your detox less painful. Sleep helps, if you can, dr. may prescribe some valium (strongly recommended short term). Hot baths do help...sometimes when nothing else will.
Good luck.
2007-04-16 16:02:15 · answer #3 · answered by ~RedBird~ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A competent doctor would not cut you cold turkey off heavy narcotics. Most doctors taper a patient off slowly at an appropriate level for the patient. I have had a total of 17 surgeries. I was in a horrible car accident, and my back was broken in several places, as well as internal organs ruptured. I have a terrible time going off each time, but the Dr's have learned what level to taper me off. I hope you find a Dr. that gets it. Good luck on your journey!
2007-04-17 09:43:12 · answer #4 · answered by White Rose 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i've been addicted to opiates for 8 years now. my favorite way is to go get a bundle and just chill out...it takes the edge off too yet taper off towards the end of the bundle and you should be straight....if not just substitute 1 for the other..
2007-04-16 15:29:41 · answer #5 · answered by RollinonE 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋