After my successful ADR surgery 5 short weeks ago (tomorrow), I had absolutely no problem cutting back from 120mg/day of OxyContin to 30mg/day in the span of two short weeks.

Since then, I've substituted Vicodin for the Oxy and have been VERY uncomfortable. I saw my pain doc today and asked him about a taper schedule. He started writing something that would take me a couple of months to taper off. I don't want to suffer withdrawals (even mild, intermittent ones) for 2 months and I don't want to keep taking opiates for 2 more months if I don't need them!

I've only been off the Oxy for 4 days now, so I'm going to wait a few more days so that's all the way out of my system before I start.

Anyone gone cold-turkey after a long time on opiates?

Anyone used Clonidine and Valium to combat withdrawals?

Thanks in advance for the help.

Mark

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*** L4-5 and L5-S1 Disc Replacement (SB Charite III) 9/20/02 by Dr. Zeegers, AlphaKlinik, Munich, Germany ***

2/25/00 Microdiscectomy/laminotomy L4-5, 10x15x7 mm left paracentral protrusion

9/23/00 CANCELED L4-S1 360 fusion CANCELED

9/15/01 emergency microdiscectomy L5-S1, 14x13x10 mm left paracentral protrusion

Both discectomies resolved hip/leg/foot symptoms, but left the underlying back pain. Residual left foot pain and numbness. Lost axial reflex (left ankle).

Researching artificial disc options. ProDisc vs. SB Charite III looks like a toss-up, but you can see which one won.

*** The AlphaKlinik was wonderful. My expectations were high, but the clinic, it's staff, and Dr. Zeegers far exceeded them!!!

The worst part about cold-turkey opiate withdrawal is the agitation, restlessness and insomnia. Restless Leg Syndrome can be a temporary problem, and it can drive you NUTS. If I were you, I'd do the taper!

have a great day!

"We" a bit impatient here? I'd think that everything you've been through, you'd be ready to give the ol' bod a rest?

I don't understand the position your coming from but that is your decision. All the research, comtemplation and finally the choice to go to Germany for what appears to be a successful conclusion; many may only continue to have a lifelong problem, I don't understand the rush.

You need to ask yourself WHY you are doing this to yourself?

Is it because you want to see how successful the surgery was with respect to reducing your pain? If so, please remember that you are going to have pain from your surgery ANYWAYS for at least a few more months, so that can't be a legitimate reason.

Is is because you just want to be over and done with your back pain experience???? If that is it, you might just be on your way to a normal life, and if that is the case, why rush and SUFFER?

Is it because you just want to get off the meds? Well, my dear friend, you are so close!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You must be sure to take care of yourself and respect your body that HAS been reliant on these freaking meds.

So, my advice is still the same........go over to the addiction forum and post a message to Fred asking him for a relatively aggressive taper schedule using roxicodone.

I care about you and want you to be OK in all ways. Please remember the advice you gave me and put your body and your health in front of your short term wishes to just get off the meds.

You will be narcotic free! Just do it in a sensible way!

Please call me or email me (better) and let's set up a time to talk.

Love,

Karen

P.S. I did take Clonidine and it really helped!

Edit to add: I agree with goodbirdie that the restless leg syndrome is awful and that is what got me freaky deaky (and not just restless LEG syndrome, but restless BODY syndrome) when I went through damn withdrawals. What a wake up call about these meds!

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42/F/Mother of two beautiful sons.
Congenital defect in lower spine.
Severe stenosis, L5-S1 spondylolythesis grade IV with L5 spondylolysis.
Pain started 2/00.
11/06/00 Decompression and L5 Gill type laminectomy and L5-S1 posterior lateral fusion with pedicle screws and rods with autogenous iliac crest bone graft harvest.
AOL IM: DesertWoman01
Email and MSN IM: desertwoman42@hotmail.com
Enjoy life! This is NOT a rehearsal.
As close to pain-free as I could hope for! My recovery just took a long time (18 months).
Off all pain meds!

But CLONIDINE I do have a little experience with. As you probably already know, Clonidine was originally only a blood pressure med. It's alpha blocker w/ sedative effects. I think it's used to avoid WD because it causes sedation and blocks addictive cravings of alcohol, nicotine, and narcotic withdrawal w/out using another addictive drug.

I have 2 bipolar kids that have been on Clonidine as a sleep med. for years now (otherwise they'd be awake till 4am!). It's definately sedating...not a fun side-effect in your case - but if you're really bent on getting off Oxy faster, the benefits may outweigh the sleepiness(?). Of all the meds my kids have tried or are on, Clonidine has been the easiest to tollerate by far.

Love,
Shell

Since my pharmacist said that it would take 7 to 10 days for all the Oxy to leave my system, I'll wait until then. That's Tuesday...4 days from now. I see my GP then and he is a medications nerd... he loves to talk about receptors, absorption rates, etc... I'll ask him. Until then, I'll try to continue an intelligent taper.

Note that my pain management specialist blessed the cold-turkey plan and prescribed the clonidine and Valium.... I'm not doing this on my own. I may have a fool for a lawyer, but not for a doctor! lol

I'm taking 1/2 of a 7.5 each 2 1/2 hours. That's an oxy equivalence of 25mg... that's a small, reasonable step for me.

My problem has been sleeping though doses and winding up way behind. I catch up with the second dose, then I forget the 3rd dose because I don't have pain to tell me I need it. Then, I wind up behind again.

I just got a watch with a countdown timer to keep me on schedule. I'll continue a rational taper until Tuesday, then decide.

One suggestion that my pharmacist made was to taper the oxy quickly, while increasing the clonidine to compensate for the quick taper?

Thanks for caring,

Mark