[fisherman123]

Hi Everyone,
I posted a message a week or so ago, but I cannot find it, so I will post with updated details. I believe I can get the help I need here, and I hope lots of you reply with your ideas.

I am a 36 year old male. I have been on Oxycodone (Immediate Release Oxycodone, which is percocet, without asperin in it). Just straight Oxycodone. I have been on it for about 2 years. Taking 120mg per day, once a day in the AM.

About 2 months ago, I started taking Oxycontin. For the first month, I was taking 120mg, once a day. Then, the second month, I have been taking 240mg, 3 times per day. Don't ask me how I jumped up that high...

So for the last 30 days, I have been taking 240mg of Oxycontin, 3 times per day.

I went to a doc, he gave me sample suboxone, told me to stop the oxycontin and in the AM, (24 hrs after my last dose of oxycontin), to take 1 Suboxone pill(I believe it is 5 mg...it is a light tan pill). He told me to let it disolve under my tongue. He said if it doesn't help, take another right away, and if I need another later in the day, take it, but if not, just try to take 1 per day in the AM, only if I need it.

So here is what I did? I took my regular 240mg of oxycontin the AM. I didnt have ANYTHING else for the rest of the day, or evening. This was a shock because I thought I was hooked, and I thought my body would start to go crazy! but it didn't! (Maybe I am not too deep in it and maybe I can get out!)

So in the AM the next day, i felt very bad, shakes, etc etc, and i took just 1 40mg oxycontin, and it made me feel better! I was good all day, and the next day, I felt bad when I woke up again, so I took 1 40mg oxycontin!

I am on my 3rd day, and the same thing happened!

So I never took the suboxone. I am wondering if I can ween myself off of the oxycontin?
Since I am taking 1 40mg pill per day, I think I may cut it in half and try a 20mg tomorrow morning.

i am trying to do this without taking that suboxone. i am scared i will get hooked on that and won't be able to quit it. the doc told me that most people who get on suboxone never stop.

can someone tell me, am I doing the right thing?

Will I be able to ween myself off of the oxycontin this way?

Can I hurt myself by doing it this way?

ALSO: Since I have been taking the oxycontin, my right ankle has swelled up. It has been like this for the past 30 days.
Any ideas of why it is like this? I assume it is because of the oxycontin? Is this a side effect of the medicine?

Also: This HURTS me to ask, and I am afraid to read the answer to this: I didnt realize it, but 240mg 3x per day is WAY too much. Someone told me that is WAY above the maximum amt per day.

Can someone tell me: is it possible that I have done some damage to my kidney/liver? PLEASE don't scare me! I have only been on this high dose for 30 days. I am so scared. Should I get blood tests done?

For some reason, the last few days, I have had lower back pain, both sides. I take tylenol and it stops the pain. Is it possible that my organs are shutting down? PLEASE dont scare me! I am scared to read the answer to this one...

And for anyone reading this msg board, thinking about getting into percocet or oxycontin, i hope you see how it shatters people's lives...don't get into it!! STAY AWAY from these pills! They are so addicting and shoud be outlawed!

Thanks and I will be checking for answers. I ASK GOD, JESUS, and YOU to help me get through this.

GOD BLESS!

The Fisherman

[klopper22]

About the swelling...the only ways I can think of right now why one ankle would be swollen from OxyContin is if you dropped an adequately sized bottle of it on the ankle OR always twisted the same ankle on the way to get a pill, etc.

Seriously, yes you can slowly wean yourself off the Oxy much like you have found by incrementally reducing your regular dose. Thru trial and error (at times), you'll find the right dose for each span of time while coming off the drug. You just must be dedicated to what you know is the right thing to do and don't ever lie to yourself. The more you lie to yourself, the more likely you'll start believing yourself...it really isn't/wasn't that bad taking Oxy, you can handle it now - no need to quit, it isn't worth quitting-it's too hard, etc. When you believe your own lies, you have a part of yourself do deal with that is very illusive and hard to pin down and you begin chasing your own tail and get lost again. Keep your eye on the prize. I heard a saying recently that I like a lot; LOSERS FOCUS ON WHAT THEY'RE GOING THRU BUT WINNERS FOCUS ON WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO.

I don't recall seeing anything about the oxy use being substantiated by a physical need. Do you have some kind of pain you need to treat?

[melinda7.5]

Hi fisherman
I'm just wondering how you took those oxycontin,they are time released...
so if you took a 40mg it is = to 8 5mg perc's over about 8 to 10 hr...
so if you cut it in half and take half of the pill you will get 20 mg of oxycontin all at once... so you can do it but it gets a little tricky if you start cutting them in half...
I have done it a time or two it can be done...
I just wanted you to know what will happen if you cut that pill open...
talk to us and let us know what your doing...
Melinda

[RubyDean]

fisherman, you seem like you have really good intentions to get clean, and get off opiates. I would say since you have (had) a whopper of a habit per day, then it will take a whiole to get you down, but if you are doing well at 40mg oxy per day, then keep that going, and try hard to do the 20mg per day. For me the hardest part was sleeping and at night, so if you can hold off in the morning to take your dose in the afternoon...just a thought. And keep going down, it will be hard and you will ahve some really rough hours to push through, but no pain, no gain. When you get down lower, try to go 36 hours between, or at least try to hold out longer than 24hrs. Keep us posted. If you ever decide to go on suboxone, then make sure you talk to robert, and get inducted as low as possible.

[mtroublex2]

Fisherman, you are doing the right thing to get off oxy. If the pills are not scored so you can break them, contact your doctor to get the lower dosages prescribed so you can continue to get off it. As for swollen ankle, my father has been on Oxy 260mg for about 15 years. He has swollen ankles and one hand and arm are swollen. For some reason it causes water retention resulting in the swelling. It will go away or you could get meds from doc to get rid of the water retention if it doesn't go away after you are off the oxy. As for the concern about your organs shutting down, I don't think that is the problem. Check out the withdrawl symptoms of Oxy. Some include muscle, bone pain, spasms, and back pain. I think that is what you are experiencing. Good luck and hang in there. I wish I could get my father off the meds as he has been rushed to the hospital a couple of time, including this week, unresponsive. It is a result of his meds. He takes several others in addition to the Oxy. It is a very difficult situation.

[mottam]

fisherman:
Congratulations on your quest for an opiate-free life.

I do not have any answers for your swollen ankle. Maybe your primary care doc can help? Did you fall or twist it?
Is he/she (doc) aware of your situation, or is that the doc who has been prescribing that medication for you?

I am an oxy addict also. I see you are having some health concerns related to your abuse. First, let's get off of the opiates. I am NOT a doc, but if you do not have yellow eyes/skin, problems going to the bathroom, swollen legs - bleeding from your extremities - chances are you aren't at acute liver/kidney failure. However, again, I am NOT a doc. My brother had liver issues, so I have some experience. The liver is an amazing organ when it comes to "bouncing-back".

You pose some valid questions/concerns. When I went to my primary care doc to get help with my problem (addiction) he ran a complete CBC. My liver and kidney enzymes were normal - that put my mind to rest and able to focus on my addiction. Do you have the ability to do the same?

As stated MANY times on this site, getting off of the pills is the EASY part, staying clean is the hard work.

You are going to experience all kinds of stuff during w/d: Insomnia, diarrhea, nausea, running, stuffy nose, cough, sweats and chills, all kinds of pain. When I was going through w/d, my lower back hurt like crazy (although my neck is where I had my surgery), and it seemed as though every bit of dental work I had done in my life - I was feeling all at once.

I am only 2 years older then you, with a similar opiate history. You are going to be OK. Address all of your medical concerns with a doc who you trust. Be honest with him/her, or you are not doing yourself any good.

If you go the sub route, MANY on here can help you. If you go c/t - many on here can help you. AS LONG AS YOU MAKE THE HONEST ATTEMPT TO STOP - YOU WILL SUCCEED.

Keep posting - we are here for you.

Stay strong, and let us know how you are doing.
It may feel like hell now, but it gets better - promise. Then, you will finally be FREE!

Talk to you soon.

Kindest Regards
mottam