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Suggest Ways To Wean Off Oxycontin
Question: I have been taking ocycotin - 5mg- just to help me sleep at night. It has been wonderful but I am finding that I do not go to sleep without a tablet. I have been taking it with 10mg. dose of Endep. I have continued just with the Endep,but still no ocycontin, no sleep. I have done the usual, read, walk a bit but I find I just give up after a few hrs. Should I take 1/2 or 1/4 of sleeping pill to help me clear my dependancy. It is not serious and the dosage is small, but my back pain after a fusion (S1/L5) again disturbs my sleep, which adds to the back pain. I want to nip it in the bud, but already I am finding it difficult. My lifestyle is back friendly with pilates and appropriate exercise. I have had it suggested by my doctor that I take one Endene during the day if I want to re-establish old activities such as bushwalking, tennis and light dancing. I would limit these to a minimum, but I became depressed last year after giving up "my life" after reinventing myself over and over. Thank you for your assistance.
Brief Answer:
Gradual interruption.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
I must say that that dose is a small one fortunately. However generally speaking an opioid like oxycontin must be interrupted gradually. As you yourself suggested, try 1/2 for a couple of weeks, then 1/4 for a few more weeks before interrupting at all.
However the success depends also on the cause for the lack of sleep. If the reason for not being able to sleep is the pain (as opposed to the removal of the oxycontin sedative effect), then since the pain chronic source remains, there is the possibility that you'll need it again for your pain. Since other pain killers like Ibuprofen gave you problems, that is a possibility.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Gradual interruption.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
I must say that that dose is a small one fortunately. However generally speaking an opioid like oxycontin must be interrupted gradually. As you yourself suggested, try 1/2 for a couple of weeks, then 1/4 for a few more weeks before interrupting at all.
However the success depends also on the cause for the lack of sleep. If the reason for not being able to sleep is the pain (as opposed to the removal of the oxycontin sedative effect), then since the pain chronic source remains, there is the possibility that you'll need it again for your pain. Since other pain killers like Ibuprofen gave you problems, that is a possibility.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your quick response (in fact while I was doing my daily stretching/pilates to keep up the fight!)
I was suggesting taking 1/4 to 1/2 sleeping tablets, not the Tagine (oxycotin). My own doctor was against me mixing the opiate aid with the sleeping tablets. Surely, after 24 hrs., it would be okay to take over the counter sleeping tablets. Also, are these sleeping tablets addictive ? I am thinking taking just 1/4 sleeping tablet, with a natural herbal sleep aid: this surely is safe.
My lack of sleep is a combination of both the pain and the opiate dependency. I am currently on top of pain through a fairly disciplined regime. I therefore tried sleeping with just the Endep but gave up at about 1.30 am. I now realise that I am now dependant on the Tagine. Last night was the third time I tried to get to sleep this way without luck.
Presumably, it would be silly to take an Endone before an activity/sport during the day. This was my plan and, as long as I am sensible, my doctor felt this was satisfactory. I would assume I take a break from the Tagine, then do my activities.
I do appreciate being able to chat about this: last year was quite depressing as I crossed off my activities one by one. I am looking at keeping up my lifestyle with my mind young and energetic, my body letting me down. I feel that this is a challenge presented to nearly all of us as we age.
I was suggesting taking 1/4 to 1/2 sleeping tablets, not the Tagine (oxycotin). My own doctor was against me mixing the opiate aid with the sleeping tablets. Surely, after 24 hrs., it would be okay to take over the counter sleeping tablets. Also, are these sleeping tablets addictive ? I am thinking taking just 1/4 sleeping tablet, with a natural herbal sleep aid: this surely is safe.
My lack of sleep is a combination of both the pain and the opiate dependency. I am currently on top of pain through a fairly disciplined regime. I therefore tried sleeping with just the Endep but gave up at about 1.30 am. I now realise that I am now dependant on the Tagine. Last night was the third time I tried to get to sleep this way without luck.
Presumably, it would be silly to take an Endone before an activity/sport during the day. This was my plan and, as long as I am sensible, my doctor felt this was satisfactory. I would assume I take a break from the Tagine, then do my activities.
I do appreciate being able to chat about this: last year was quite depressing as I crossed off my activities one by one. I am looking at keeping up my lifestyle with my mind young and energetic, my body letting me down. I feel that this is a challenge presented to nearly all of us as we age.
Brief Answer:
Read below
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for providing some more info and clearing a few things, I thought you meant reducing gradually oxycontin, now I understand. Also I am afraid I am not sure what Endene is, the first time you mentioned it I thought it was the brand name of oxycontin in your country (same drug can have different brand names in different countries). Now that you mention it to be Tagine I realize that is not the case, but while I can find Endep from searching the internet, I do not find any medication called Endene. Could there be a spelling error perhaps?
In the meanwhile my suggestion remains to try and reduce Tagine as gradually as possible as I mentioned above. While I understand your doctor's fear of mixing to products together, personally I would concede on the use of a herbal supplement. These products are not free of risk for dependence though (small but present), so you should try to limit their use only to occasional use not every day. Since 5mg of Tagine is a low dose I believe you should be able to get off of it from a pharmacological dependence point of view, as I said main reason of failure would be if pain plays a major role as sleeping aids do not do much for that.
Of course it's great that you remain active, that has beneficial effects both on your sleep as well as for other systems in your body.
Read below
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for providing some more info and clearing a few things, I thought you meant reducing gradually oxycontin, now I understand. Also I am afraid I am not sure what Endene is, the first time you mentioned it I thought it was the brand name of oxycontin in your country (same drug can have different brand names in different countries). Now that you mention it to be Tagine I realize that is not the case, but while I can find Endep from searching the internet, I do not find any medication called Endene. Could there be a spelling error perhaps?
In the meanwhile my suggestion remains to try and reduce Tagine as gradually as possible as I mentioned above. While I understand your doctor's fear of mixing to products together, personally I would concede on the use of a herbal supplement. These products are not free of risk for dependence though (small but present), so you should try to limit their use only to occasional use not every day. Since 5mg of Tagine is a low dose I believe you should be able to get off of it from a pharmacological dependence point of view, as I said main reason of failure would be if pain plays a major role as sleeping aids do not do much for that.
Of course it's great that you remain active, that has beneficial effects both on your sleep as well as for other systems in your body.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
It must be difficult with different names for the same drugs. Just to clear, both tagine and endone are oxycotin: tagine however is slow release which is just perfect for a long night's sleep. Such a shame.
Tonight I will try a 1/2 sleeping tablet together with a herbal tablet. This should work and the following night I will try the herbal on its own. Maybe I can use this system for a few days to see how I go. I know that the sleeping tablets can also be addictive. After a time (say two weeks) of no oxycotin I feel I should be able to take one low dose during the day if I want to play a sport - only for a limited time of course.
May I also have your opinion on a doctor's advice some months ago. He suggested I just relax with taking pain killers as I am over 65. I this stage I should not worry about dependency as, either just become dependant or I am older enough not to become dependent. I think I have proved him wrong. Your second opinion is appreciated.
I have been on a waiting list for pain management for some time. Thanks for helping me with these queries which have been on my mind for some time.
Tonight I will try a 1/2 sleeping tablet together with a herbal tablet. This should work and the following night I will try the herbal on its own. Maybe I can use this system for a few days to see how I go. I know that the sleeping tablets can also be addictive. After a time (say two weeks) of no oxycotin I feel I should be able to take one low dose during the day if I want to play a sport - only for a limited time of course.
May I also have your opinion on a doctor's advice some months ago. He suggested I just relax with taking pain killers as I am over 65. I this stage I should not worry about dependency as, either just become dependant or I am older enough not to become dependent. I think I have proved him wrong. Your second opinion is appreciated.
I have been on a waiting list for pain management for some time. Thanks for helping me with these queries which have been on my mind for some time.
Brief Answer:
Read below
Detailed Answer:
Ah I see now it's Endone, not Endene, that is why I couldn't find it.
Regarding the question on painkillers and age. There are several types of pain killers options:
Most harmless option is acetaminophen, not that powerful, but no harm in trying and if effective you can use it even at your age.
Other option is the class of nonsteroid antiinflammatory drugs. These ones carry a potential for gastric ulcer and bleeding, high blood pressure and kidney function, that is why it s recommended to keep their usage only when really necessary at your age, so it's not a question of dependence. You have already tried one drug of this class and stopped it due to side effects, Ibuprofen.
The other option are opioids like Tagine or Endone that you take, their problem is the dependence issue that's why again are used only when strictly necessary.
There is also drug which modulate chronic pain usually either antidepressants or antiepileptics, efficacy is variable. You are already taking one which is Endep (amitryptiline).
So I believe you can safely take acetaminophen, continue Endep (if no major side effects), exercises and physical therapy for your back. If the pain seems not to be dominated, then resuming opioids like oxycontin might become an occasionally necessary evil, trying to keep watch on dependence and tolerance.
I hope to have been of help.
Read below
Detailed Answer:
Ah I see now it's Endone, not Endene, that is why I couldn't find it.
Regarding the question on painkillers and age. There are several types of pain killers options:
Most harmless option is acetaminophen, not that powerful, but no harm in trying and if effective you can use it even at your age.
Other option is the class of nonsteroid antiinflammatory drugs. These ones carry a potential for gastric ulcer and bleeding, high blood pressure and kidney function, that is why it s recommended to keep their usage only when really necessary at your age, so it's not a question of dependence. You have already tried one drug of this class and stopped it due to side effects, Ibuprofen.
The other option are opioids like Tagine or Endone that you take, their problem is the dependence issue that's why again are used only when strictly necessary.
There is also drug which modulate chronic pain usually either antidepressants or antiepileptics, efficacy is variable. You are already taking one which is Endep (amitryptiline).
So I believe you can safely take acetaminophen, continue Endep (if no major side effects), exercises and physical therapy for your back. If the pain seems not to be dominated, then resuming opioids like oxycontin might become an occasionally necessary evil, trying to keep watch on dependence and tolerance.
I hope to have been of help.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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