I cracked a couple discs in my back & have been using Oxocodone for a couple of months. I'd like to get off of them, but find I am wide awake. Anyone have any suggestions on how to get off them & be able to sleep at night?
coming off opioids is not something you should do alone or without proper medical advice and assistance. It can be dangerous and leave you with long term problems like post acute withdrawal syndrome. Not sleeping was just one of the problems I experienced during withdrawal and is apparently common. Researching on the internet can leave you confused and scared which is the last thing you need if you want/need to detox. I had a bad detox due to misinformation and 3 years on I still "rattle" and am lucky to get a good nights sleep. If you havnt already then go to your g.p. or prescriber and ask for help. Even doing it right can be extremely difficult. Act now dont keep taking and making the problem worse. I was prescribed oxycontin and oxynorm together with pregablin. I had a post op open wound with a severed nerve and had pain for 9 months. Looking back with knowledge I have now I would rather have screamed in agony than take that medication in the way it was prescribed to me. Painkillers are necessary and beneficial but you have to be looked after properly by your health providers and you shouldnt need to look for help from non qualified people like me.
Go before its got a grip and I hope you have an easy time as some can.
slowly- thats how you need to go - talk to your doc- do not just quit otherwise you will enter a world of pain- the WD's from opiods are bad- trust me - after a couple of months even if you are sticking to the prescribed dose you will have some level of physical dependance (do not confuse that with addiction). with your DR help it should not be a major problem- unfortunately your sleep pattern may take some time to return to normal- best of luck with them, i am sure yoou will be fine.
Hi Debra, I also have an opiate problem due to a Rd accident. For years now I have been hooked on morphine. You now find yourself in the same predicament as a "Junkie" I'm sorry to say. By that I mean it's cold turkey time. It can be done, the only reason people relapse is because they are addicts by nature. In theory, providing your not one, a few weeks feeling sh*tty should allow you a fresh start. Relapse is down to the mind set of the drugs being a solution in life. A genuine person merely hooked through physical dependency should get through it and stay off! You will be looking at about 3 to 4 weeks of lethargy, nausia, maybe stomach cramps and the runs. For me, the worst part is the insomnia brought about by tons of neurodrenalin. Day 6 or 7 is the worst and then you feel the same but each day it becomes less sh*tty until you feel right. Sleep wise, it can be 2 to 3 months before your sleep patterns return to absolute normal. Try to take ot baths and showers during the 1st few days. They seem to help. Weird things will occure, I.E. the urge to masturbate* and finding aromas and odors rather horrible.
* Not in all cases but it has something to do with your body "switching" back on again.