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How fast should you wean off Oxycodone?

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Posted 7/21/2018 4:44 AM (GMT 0)
Hi!

I've been on Oxycodone for 4 months, and before that, Hydrocodone for 6 years for left leg radiculopathy (and failed disc surgery.) Coincidentally, almost the day I switched over, I began suffering from severe radiculopathy in my "good" leg from another disc herniation at L5-S1. I had surgery again, which unlike the first one I'm pretty satisfied with, and I guess all the details don't really matter, but the upshot is that my pain doctor says I can't keep taking the opioids along with Valium, which I began when the horrible leg cramps kept me awake. (Black box warning for interactions, so of course, I get it.)

So I chose to try the Valium alone. So far no major issues, but I am feeling a bit weird - slightly sharper pain, exhausted, yet agitated. Going from the 7.5 tabs of Oxycodone 3X a day to a half, then quarter of a tab 3X, and starting tomorrow, none, seems pretty darn fast to me!

Or is this usual? Thanks for any input!

Debbie
Posted 7/21/2018 11:43 AM (GMT 0)
Debbie, over what length of time is this taper to be done? The symptoms you are describing are consistent with withdrawal issues. If you find the symptoms to be too much ask the dr for a Clonodine patch this will help with that.
Posted 7/21/2018 3:59 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much, Susie, for getting back to me.

Yeah, I guess that information would have helped ;) My tapering down was only 9 days total!

Maybe because I'm also on the Valium and Gabapentin, the doctor thought that was long enough, but at this point I sure don't. I did take an extra Gabapentin (300 mg) last night, which I know the doc would be ok with because she's suggested it in the past. I slept better, but still feel weird.

Of course, it's now the weekend. I called the pain clinic yesterday afternoon but all they could do was say they'd relay the message on Monday...my own dumb for waiting. I do have some Hydrocodone left over from before I switched. I'm tempted to take a few halves of those now and then...but don't want to get kicked out of the clinic for it, so I'm waiting for the green light.

Clonodine does sound good to me, from what I'm reading. I'll suggest it when I talk to the clinic on Monday.

Have a good weekend,

Debbie
Posted 7/21/2018 10:00 PM (GMT 0)
Achybody:
9 days is a rapid period to taper from physiological dependence that you would naturally acquired from being on opiates over several years. Yours is less a taper . . . And more akin to falling off of a cliff.

Withdrawal symtoms can be severe (diarrhea, chills, drenching sweats, muscle spasms) and nothing to joke about. I experienced a serious withdrawal response in the early days of being prescribed opiates. I ran out of a prescription for dilaudid without filling the next refill, not understanding of the serious downstream effects. Getting me stabilized required an inpatient hospital admission.

Quinine water helps to ease leg cramps that accompany opiate withdrawal (same effect as a Clonodine prescription). Electrolyte supplements such as Nunn’s tablets and Emergen C are also helpful in taming discomforting symptoms. Benedryl or similar anti-histamine can ease itchy, watery eyes.

I empathize with what you are going through. Withdrawal is no fun. I hope the worst of the withdrawal experience is soon behind you:
Karen
Posted 7/21/2018 10:14 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Karen. I appreciate your compassion, especially when you are obviously going through so much yourself.

I hope you're feeling ok too.

Debbie
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