feelalone

Happy New Year Everyone:
I am looking for some support please. I have taken oxy for 2.5 years. I stayed steady at 10mgs every 6 hours. Recently, my tolerance went up basically overnight. I now need 15-20 mg to stave off WD's. I don't know why the 10 mgs won't work for me any longer after staying steady for so long. At about 5 hrs, the withdrawals are unbearable. I, at one point, was able to get myself at 10 mgs every 8 hours. I don't know why this has changed. I suffer anxiety and panic attacks, shaking and inability to move, breathing issues, and severe pain. I want off this stuff and am GOING to do this. I can't go cold turkey because the WD's are unbearable and want to taper. My problem is that I have 40 mgs pills that I cut in 4's and now have to cut a larger "quarter" portion that is never consistent. I don't know how to cut these to taper. Other than cutting them in 4, it is too hard to get them consistent. I would like help from my doctor, but am so fearful to talk to her. I have tried 4 times in the past 1.5 years to tell her about my use, but chickened out. DO doctors prescibe these pills for you as you withdraw, or would she leave me to fend for myself? I really need some suggestions. I have considered substitute drugs such as sub, but am so afraid of side effects. I'm just so scared and confused. This has consumed my life, crying constantly because I don't see a way out, I'm afraid I won't make it out. I feel alone and would feel better if I had support.

RedManc7

Understand your pain as a heroin addict other then constipation lol no real side effects to subs I don't reckon, you can taper down, I went from 40+ mgs day one to 16mgs day 2, then 8's then a few 4's. Off em now. Will get some so if I ever get tempted I'll take one of them instead of scoring. $150 a day of smack did me for 2 years then I finished up with a $600-900 a day habit. Dunno why. Just happened.

feelalone

Thank you! Makes me feel better knowing someone else's done it. Do you mean you went from heroin, right to the subs the next day and it within for five days you were clean? Good for you! That is amazing I am so proud of you. I can't take this financially anymore either.

liv1ce

As a fellow oxy user I don't quite understand your level of pain and withdrawal while you are still consuming the pills. My usual advice is to just cut the leash and get on with the cold turkey as it really isn't all that much to fear. If your symptoms are real and not just brought on by anxiety and fear then I would definitely recommend you talk to your Dr. They are well acquainted with addiction to pain meds and I guaranty they see it ALL THE TIME so don't be afraid to talk to a DR. If she somehow doesn't understand then find another one as she certainly should be sympathetic and help you.

I am a cold turkey fan as I just need to get it over with. The Dr. will give you more meds but then what have you accomplished.

We ALL come here fearing withdrawal and that is an absolute fact. Read here for a while and you will see it over and over and with it you will see us addicts running in circles and jumping up and down trying to avoid what we fear most QUITTING!

RedManc7

Yeah I stopped smoking H & snorting smack and coke on Friday 19th. Hammered the subs into me the next day and cracked on. Been offered heroin a few times since (I'm on holiday now in Asia) but my resolve is strong this time. I think I've finally accepted im an addict and will be for life. Just gotta be a clean one :-) you can do it, just got to proper want to stop.

four812

have you tried 12 step meetings?

EyesOfAStranger

Hi feelalone (but you're not ),
The increase in tolerance is completely normal, and the very reason that opiates are just not sustainable for long term use. Your body just eventually adjusts to the meds, and then requires more and more.

Any doctor worth their weight would certainly help you to taper off, especially if they were the ones that prescribed them in the first place. My experience though is that tapering usually does not work, and often just prolongs the misery. I've tried many a time, and have been successful a couple of times, but more times than not could not stick with the taper. I also think it's better to just jump off cold turkey - ride out the withdrawals and get it over and done with.

I really hope you give this a go, as your usage will only continue to increase and things will get worse and worse. I know how scary the thought of withdrawal is, but usually the anxiety of it is worse than the actual act. You can stop this now before it spirals even further out of control. Stick close to here, you will see you are not alone dealing with this - we all truly understand! Best wishes to you

Kate96

I went cold turkey 20 days ago. It took me a week to work up the courage to do it. The fear of WD was worse (for me) than the actual physical symptoms. I worked myself into a tizzy over what might happen.

I'm not saying you should do the same, you have to do what's right for you. For me a doctor wasn't an option. I live in a small town and I couldn't have it getting out in any way shape or form that I was using!

Clay601

Cold turkey was the only way I ever could quit anything. Took making my mind up that whatever pain was coming I deserved from feeling good for so long. I would talk to your doctor. 40mg oxy nothing to play with I'd be a mess if a doctor ever put me on those. Tapering can work, just has never worked with me but I have NO self control when I have the pills, only can I see clearly when off them for a bit. Its only my 9th day free from oxycodone and its felt like a life time. Good luck, you can do it.

feelalone

Thank you Everyone! Just hearing there are others who are supportive helps! Cold turkey is not an option for me. First off, if I could do it, I cannot take the time off work. But mostly, physically I can't do it. I get violently ill, and would do ANYTHING to stop how horried it is. It's just something I could never do. I know everyone says that's the way to go, I appreciate that, but it isn't for me. Someone said I was afraid of quitting, Not a chance! I look forward to nothing more! I can't wait to be human again, to be free of this! To live positively and live a great life! the though of quitting ACTUALLY puts a smile on my face |
As for a 12 step program, my main concern is removing the physical withdrawal and being off them. I will be in therapy, but once I'm clean, I will be forever. There is not a doubt in my mind.
As for the doctors, these were not prescribed to me. That is where my fear lies. I would like to look for a doctor in my area that has experince with this.

cleaninLI

Feelalone..eyes is correct...you are not alone!

I was afraid of cold turkey too. I've done it many times but it was hard. I get what you are saying...but a taper off fast acting opiates is worse. You are drawing out the pain of wd. I like red's plan. If you go to suboxone.com there is a search of doctors near you. make some calls and get an appt. They will help you get off your DOC in a way that won't be so painful.

Marcus

So feelalone are you prescribed these pills or not? Your first post says yes, but second says no so just wondering. I would think if you do have a doctor you trust you could definitely talk about tapering down if that is truly the way you want to go. Trying to taper when all you have are 40's is going to be very tough. You will need to get smaller dosages to be able to do it right. It can work if you truly want it, but tapering is normally much harder than cold turkey (for addicts at least). Good Luck!

youngconfused

I know it's hard to have the courage to talk to your doctor but this is your life... Today I had to have balls and tell my dentist I was on subaxone it was embarrassing but a girls overheard me and said she needed help too. For your health you should talk to a doctor .. About quitting