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How To Taper Off OxyContin 20 ER?

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Posted 4/22/2016 2:14 PM (GMT 0)
My doctor & friend of 20+ years announced yesterday that due to his frustration with DEA monitoring and the hassle of having to list every schedule 2 prescription he writes in their database that he will no longer be prescribing ANY schedule 2 meds.

So, as a chronic pain sufferer who has been taking OxyContin ER 20mg four times a day with Soma 4xday for over ten years I need to taper off the OxyContin somehow. Btw, my doctor kept saying "it's not about you it's the DEA. I have taken the same dose for the entire 10+ years and have been a responsible user of this medication.

I have about 40 20's left. My question is how can I taper off a time release pill? I have already started taking two instead of four and I'm ok other than having more pain & am planning on taking only one in a few days.

I'm concerned that after taking only one per day then stopping entirely, due to the fact it's a time release pill I will still go through significant withdrawal.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what I should do? Cut the one in half and take it twice a day before stopping? My doctor left me high and dry with no apparent regard or sense of responsibility? I would appreciate any suggestions you all may have.
Thank you in advance.

Chas
Posted 4/22/2016 2:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hello & welcome to the forum. I suggest talking to your dr about splitting the pill to make sure its ok to split it. Some meds you cannot split so make sure these can be. Unfortunately, we are seeing this very thing happen all over, many drs are getting out of pain mgt completely. This war on prescription pain medications has really caused so many problems for legitimate patients.

You should talk to your dr about getting him to rx a Clonodine patch, its a 7 day patch often used for withdrawals. Make sure you eat well, stay hydrated & get some imodium in case diarrhea hits. The patch will really help you.

I hope this helps you out.
Posted 4/22/2016 3:22 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Susie for your suggestions.
Posted 4/22/2016 3:55 PM (GMT 0)
In the meantime ask your Dr friend to assist with finding a new pain management Dr ASAP. You should not have to suffer simply because he nolonger wants to enter information into the database. It is time consuming but how can you do your job holding to the oath he took by refusing to first do no harm and treat your patients pain or at the least help them find someone who will. I hear you saying you go in for meds and he out of left field informs you he will nolonger prescribe because it's time consuming not because you violated any contract or rules and didn't even provide you with 30days notice?
Posted 4/23/2016 2:36 PM (GMT 0)
Just wondering how you're doing. After reading so many posts saying the same thing, I think we're all concerned about the 180 that is taking place.
Hope you're doing ok.
Posted 4/26/2016 5:51 AM (GMT 0)
What database is he talking about ? The Prescription Montoring Program Database that all states have has nothing to do with drs entering information. The pharmacists enter the information when a Schedule II prescription is filled.

I'm not sure why you call this dr your friend. Do you and he socialize ? Having a good dr patient relationship doesn't mean that you're friends. Personally, I would not expect a dr that was also a friend of mine to treat me in this manner.

I also suggest that you get a copy of your medical records from this dr and read them. A lot of dr will not prescribe Soma with opiates any longer. Also, the CDC came out with new guidelines that recommend a patient not take more than
90 mg Morphne/90 mg Morphine Equivalent Daily Dose. Perhaps he is getting rid of patients that he thinks are taking too much and that they would be resistent to reducing their dosage and other medications.

A new dr may or may not prescribe you the meds that you have been taking and/or the dosages and other meds.

Extended Release meds Cannot Be Cut. Talk to your pharmacist.
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