Tapering off

i am not a doctor, but I am a RN with almost 15 years of experience. So take my suggestions as just that, my suggestions.

The FIRST thing I would do is ask why your doctor is making YOU go through withdrawal. They do keep track of this, and I am sure that you are not the only patient being screwed over by this so called professional. If he is not, or his partner is not able to provide a script for you to get a refill, then you should report this doctor to the board for patient abandonment. This does not sound like a well-run office. My pain doctor has a PA in office who can see patients if need be if the main doc is out. But this physician not doing what he promised, getting you adequate medication, and leaving town without a backup plan for his patients is a joke.

I see that you have 30 pills left (10mg?). I am so tired right now, so please forgive me but I don't know if I understand how much you have been taking. It sounds like you are taking 30 mg q 8 hours? Is that right? 90mg per day??? How many days will you need to scrimp for??? (I am so angry at your doc's office right now). If you can reply back and tell me the answers to those questions, I can help you figure something out. I would seriously consider calling the doctor again, since it sounds like you'll run out before monday. If that other doc won't see you, and you're due for medicine (and no one knows when "doc" will be back? what a crock!!!!), tell them you'll be calling the board of medicine right after you hang up with them. I bet they'll see you immediately. The way they are running their practice is horrible. I would never put up with that treatment. That doctor of yours can be charged with a whole lot of things for doing what he's doing to you.

Anyway, please tell me if I am right about your dose, and tell me how many days you will most likely need to taper. Oxycontin tends to be one of the more difficult drugs to taper, in my professional and personal experience. Not trying to scare you here, just being upfront. Have you ever taken any other kind of medication besides Oxycontin??? Please consider calling your doctor's office tomorrow and let them know they can't do this. You should NOT have to suffer in pain because this doctor is not in the office. The same thing applies if this doc had to go on medical leave, someone would have to step in and take over for his regular patients who need monthly scripts. I am just SO ANGRY!!!!

Anyway, I'll shut up now. I would be more than happy to help you out as best as I can. As a fellow pain sufferer, I empathize greatly with those in pain.

Okay, the first thing I am going to tell you is only for your safety: PLEASE DON'T CUT THOSE IN HALF!!! Despite it ruining the time release (and they won't work for the 12 hours, it will rush into your system and then back out, causing harder w/d), you could overdose. PLEASE don't do this. Also, your doctor can release you from his care if he found out you did it. I don't want to sound judgemental here, cause I am not, I UNDERSTAND being young and being in pain. I've been in pain since I was 21, from a back injury lifting a patient. I didn't start opiate therapy until 5 years ago, and have been on chronic routine dosing for 3 years. I am only 30 now. So, I know. I know. And I am so sorry for you. My life has been ruined from this. No work, no money, legal problems due to no money, etc. It sucks.

Please email me and I will help you figure out a taper. I don't want to do it in a public forum.

Can I ask if you took a acid-reducer with your Norco? I know a lot of people have difficulty with those types of meds, that are combos with tylenol. I mean meds like: Prevacid, Nexium, Pepcid, etc. Those usually help tremendously with the ulcer, and also eating a small snack or milk with the medication helps, at least in my experience with working with pain patients. It is always a very individualized thing, finding that balance.

Usually, docs in the area form opinions about "other" pain docs, and thus "trust" some, and don't trust others. This is clearly the case in my area. My doc, for example, will only give scripts on the first visit from those docs he "trusts". People who were unfortunate enough to unknowingly go to another doc (usually because that's what their primary told them to do, or what their insurance will cover) before switching to the other doc get denied medication until pharmacy records, tests, medical records, and a background check and a visit to the in-office addictionologist are all clear. I feel for those people.

I am trying to further my education in effort to be able to specialize further in this area, and help those in the medical community understand chronic pain. Unfortunately, chronic pain is not given attention in medical schools, and even acute pain is given a quick look and then dropped, usually with a warning about prescribing opiates for all those "drug seekers". Then when these young docs go into the real world, in residency, they usually have a ill-informed attending over them teaching old habits and handing down old attitudes. Nursing is no better, and I would say at least 75% of the nurses at my last job had NO CLUE of the proper treatment for chronic pain. I am in no way saying ALL nurses/doctors have no knowledge, but it is a huge problem. A HUGE problem. Most nurses/docs have been "burned" by a "drug-seeker". I HATE that term, and let me say why: because if someone is in PAIN, they WILL SEEK MEDS (DRUGS) to EASE THE PAIN. I cringe when I hear that term.

Anyway, did you ever call the office about this doctor and what poor treatment he has given you??? If he can't adequately treat his patients, then he needs to be reported. As well as his office. He is mis-managing his whole practice, and I am sure you are not the only patient being screwed over.

In addition, I would LOVE to talk to another "younger" person who has suffered with pain. I have not been able to find many out there. Please click on the link in my profile and email me and I will try to help in whatever way I can. Take care.