Weaning off pain meds
 

I had back surgery 2 months ago and I was prescribed Oxycodone/Acetaminophen 10-325MG TB 1-2 tablets every 6 hours as needed.

The 1st 2 days I took 1 pill 3 times a day and on the 3rd day I dropped to only 1 pill before bed. For the past 2 months the one pill worked great allowing me to sleep all night and without much of a hangover the next morning. It even took away my chronic cough that I was afraid might effect my fusion because it can become somewhat violent.

I have started weaning off the drug because my pain doesn't warrant it. I went from 1 pill to 2/3's for a few days with interrupted sleep but not terrible. Last night I dropped to 1/2 a pill and I could not sleep. I had sweats and chills and feel basically awful today.

I have zero experience with pain meds. My thoughts about the oxy was it was more important to get a good nights sleep for my back to recover. Now I'm realizing that I have a new thing to deal with and I don't know the best method or even if I should wait one more month until my fusion is supposed to be accomplished. If any of you have experience or knowledge about the best way to get off this stuff or any thoughts please respond. Thank you. carol

PS: I also posted on the "Medications and Treatment" forum in case this is not the proper place for my questions.

Hey Carol
 

the only advice i can give is to do it slowly. if you have a pill cutter make it smaller very gradually.....

You are a dear girl Debi and I appreciate the support. I am especially frustrated because everyone at the doctor's office and the hospital told me the pain meds were a very important component of my recovery. No one mentioned anything about withdrawal. I feel foolish for thinking just 1 pill would not cause a problem. Now I know better.

It might not even be withdrawal at this point. How long since the surgery?

It's been 2 months.
 

Another thing to consider is I am a small women (4'10'' weighing about 95lbs.) and that could factor as the dosage was not adjusted. I guess it could have been some type of bug based on the symptoms, but I'm thinking withdrawal because besides not being able to sleep I had hot flashes, chills and the runs. I looked up withdrawal symptoms for the drug and they were all there. The suggestions online were to titrate so slowly your body doesn't feel it. So I'm going to try 3/4pill for 5 days, 1/2pill for 5 days, 1/4pill for 5 days and then 0.