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My 69 year old dad has been on 30mg of Oxycodone a day for the last three years, thanks to his primary.This in addition to Wellbutrin, Celexa, meloxicam and a host of other drugs for his out of control diabetes. How do we wean him off safely?
You should consult an addiction specialist. Oxycodone is serious stuff and you can't just abruptly stop taking it. I've researched it and it has the same properties as HEROIN. My mother is also addicted but won't admit she has a problem so I can't get her to stop taking it. It's very upsetting.
My advice would be to find a new primary and work with that doctor to wean Dad off the narcotic. There are many other excellent medications out there to deal with the gout/arthritis, not just to cover up the pain, but to heal the problem. My husband is going through the same thing right now...after gall bladder surgery he had a gout flare-up in first one knee, then a foot, now the hands, but he has it under control. For several years the protocols set out for physicians to follow when treating patients stated that it was not humane to let these people be in pain....regardless of whether or not they really were....the end results are that there were addicts created. Now the "powers that be" have awakened and decided there is a a problem and maybe narcotics shouldn't be handed out so freely. Just a little background here because so many think it's the fault of the person taking the medication....it is to a small extent, but when you understand addiction it's easy to see why it can so easily happen. Good luck to Dad and to you!
any primary doctor that would keep a person on that drug for 3 years needs his license revoked and put in jail!!!!! You need to consult a "good" doctor and wean him immediately! There are alot of non-addicting medicines out there for pain and diabetes can be somewhat controlled through diet. He gets rid of the oxycodone and I'd bet he'll get rid of the wellbutrin and others!! Be patient with this but get it under control! God Bless!
GOOD MORNING, I AM A CHRONIC PAIN SUFFERER DUE TO THE RELENTLESS PAIN IN MY PANCREAS, AND SEVERE NEUROPATHY, AND, I AM DIABETIC AS WELL. I HOPE THIS REPLY TO YOUR POSTING GIVES YOU A LITTLE MORE INSIGHT ON YOUR SITUATION. FIRST I WOULD LIKE COMMEND YOU FOR REACHING OUT FOR FURTHER HELP TO BETTER YOUR FATHER'S SITUATION. I TAKE PAIN MEDICATION DAILY. I KNOW FIRST HAND THAT YOUR FATHER, AT NO FAULT OF HIS OWN, IS ADDICTED TO OXY. IF HE TAKES IT MORE OFTEN THAN PRESCRIBED, OR HE STOPS GROOMING, OR HE IS UNMOTIVATED TO DO THE BASIC THINGS IN EVERYDAY LIFE. THEN HE IS ADDICTED AND WILL NEED HIS DOCTOR'S HELP TO SLOWLY MAKE THE TRANSITION TO A LONGER ACTING MEDICINE THAT IS NOT SO HARD ON HIS LIVER AND KIDNEYS. IF YOU OBSERVE THAT HIS PAIN IS FOR REAL, AND IT'S CHRONIC EVERYDAY PAIN; THEN HE WILL NEED PAIN MEDICINE. UNTIL A NON ADDICTIVE AND NON NARCOTIC MEDICINE IS DISCOVERED,THIS UNFORTUNATELY MEANS THAT HE WILL BE DEPENDENT ON SOME TYPE OF PAIN MEDICINE FOR NOW. I HAVE PERSONALLY GONE THROUGH MANY DIFFERENT MEDICINES, UNTIL I FOUND THE ONE THAT WORKS FOR ME. I FOUND THAT THE KEY IS TO BE BRUTALLY HONEST AND ASSERTIVE WHEN SPEAKING TO YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT YOUR FATHER'S SITUATION. WRITE DOWN ANY AND All QUESTIONS THAT CROSS YOU MIND BEFORE YOUR FATHER'S NEXT DOCTOR APPOINTMENT. DUE TO MY NEUROPATHIC AND PANCREATIC PAIN, I WAS PRESCRIBED OXYCODONE, AS WELL.OTHERWISE REFFERED TO AS"PERCOCET,", 2 TABLETS EVERY 4 HOURS. THIS EQUALED 12 PILLS A DAY. IT WAS MURDER ON MY LIVER AND KIDNEYS BECAUSE OF IT'S MAIN INGREDIENT, CALLED ACETAMINOPHEN . WHIICH IS KNOWN AS TYLENOL. IT'S A VERY TOXIC SUBSTANCE. SO THE LEADING PAIN MANAGEMENT DOCTOR CAME TO MY HOSPITAL ROOM AND STARTED ME ON 30 MG OF METHADONE. METHADONE'S ORIGINAL DUTY WAS TO SLOWLY GET PEOPLE ADDICTED TO OPIATES SUCH AS HEROIN, PERCOCET, VICODINE, ETC. I WENT FROM 12 PILLS A DAY TO 1 TABLET 3 TIMES A DAY. AND, METHADONE IS ACETAMINOPHEN FREE. IT IS ADDICTIVE,NO DOUBT. BUT, IT IS FANTASTIC FOR TREATING PAIN AND IS FAR BETTER THAN THE OTHER MEDICINES.FOR ME, THE BENEFIT FAR OUT WEIGHED THE RISK. LIKE I MENTIONED EARLIER; TO MANAGE A PERSON'S REAL CHRONIC PAIN AND PROVIDE RELIEF FOR THE PATIENT, I FOUND THAT I WAS GOING TO NOT BE AFRAID OF TELLING THE DOCTOR THAT I AM DESPERATE FOR RELIEF AND, AT MY WITS END. DON'T HESITATE TO COMMUNICATE WHAT WAS PREVIOUSLY PRESCRIBED, ON MY LAST VISIT IS NOT WORKING.BEFORE I FOUND THE RIGHT MEDICINE FOR MY SITUATION, IT DROVE ME SOMETIMES TO CONSIDER GIVING UP AND ENDING IT ALL. GOD SAVED ME AND PROVIDED ME A DOCTOR WHO UNDERSTOOD CHRONIC PAIN AND HOW IT CAN AFFECT ONE'S LIFE AND THE OTHERS AROUND THEM. IF ALL ELSE FAILS AND YOUR FATHER'S PAIN IS NOT CHRONIC, THEN GRADUALLY GETTING YOUR FATHER OFF OF OXYCODONE UNDER A DOCTOR'S SUPERVISION IS THE WAY TO GO. I TRIED A COUPLE OF TIMES IN THE PAST TO STOP TAKING OXYCODONE COLD TURKEY. BOTH TIMES I SUFFERED A SEIZURE FROM WITHDRAW. I HOPE THIS HELPS YOU AND I WILL PRAY FOR YOU AND YOUR FATHER. MAY GOD BE WITH YOU AND I HOPE ALL ENDS WELL. SINCERELY, JOSEPH.
Your Dad cannot stop oxy on his own. This is a very powerful medication as are the other prescribed meds he takes. Managing pain medications as well as his Wellbutrin (which I assume is for depression) requires a pharmacologist or a psycho-pharmacologist. (A psycho-pharmacologist is a psychiatrist who is extremely adept at managing medications.) You should take your father to a new Primary Care Physician and at that time ask about how to wean him off the oxy. You should also request a referral to be evaluated by a pharmacologist. It is possible to manage and later a pain management specialist might be an alternative. It is really important that you find out exactly how these medications are interfacing. Have you looked into changing your Dad's diet? Gout can often be controlled with dietary changes. Why is his diabetes out of control? Does he take insulin shots? I'd like to hear more about his actual physical condition. He's a young man and there might be things you can do to ease some of his pain through diet. So if you want to share more here, I'm happy to chat with you about it.
What issues or problems are these medications causing your Dad? Perhaps you should get a second or third opinion about your Dad's medication. But, I would be really concerned about trying to take him off pain medication without hospitalization. I have a friend who's mother who was dependent on a similar medication, and one daughter thought she should not be taking it, and of the other daughter didn't see it as a problem. They took turns taking care of their mother, and the mother died during the time with the daughter who thought her mom should not use that medication. Very tragic situation. Please get as much medical advise and supervision as possible.
My mother has been taking the drug for 5 years or more for severe arthritis pain. About 4 months ago we went on wheat-free food plans and after about a week she stopped asking for pain medication. Now she takes it once or twice a week (vs. 3 times a day) when she has pain at night. We are so fortunate, and I am grateful she was willing to change her diet in the interests of her health.
Oxycodone also causes depression. A friend of mine, in her forties, on oxy for 5 years for back pain, tried to get off it herself, it is like heroin, so despaired she overdosed, leaving a wonderful man she was about to marry and two children from a previous marriage. Such a waste. My doctor says no one should ever be prescribed this drug, it is so addictive and becomes so ineffective after such a short time.
I, too, was worried about the effect of oxy on my daughter's liver and kidneys. She developed an addiction over several years, due to a painful condition. Then one day her heart simply slowed to a stop. When a person is already prescribed a lot of Percocat, all it takes is a little too much, one time. Needless to say, I wish I'd know this sooner!
I would like to add that talking with a trustworthy pharmacist before taking you father to a new doctor might help you to have the names of medications that would help him with his pain. Most of the time pharmacists are more knowledgeable than doctors are about medications since this is their field of expertise.
Until you have personally suffered from chronic pain, as Joseph above has, be very patient and understanding with the person suffering the pain. Often, narcotics are the only answer. I have read so many times on here of people just wanting to "get their parent off pain killers" without seriously considering the effects for the patient. No one should have to suffer needlessly. It is important to be concerned about addiction, but the alternative can also be far worse for the person suffering.
I know what you're saying. When I was in the hospital, I was put on IV Dilaudid every 4 hours. I must have been in the hospital approximately 6 days and I got that IV Dilaudid up until the time of my release. I did not even think that the doctor should have sent me home with some regular Dilaudid pills so I could be gradually be weaned off but he didn't. I had an appointment the very next day at the pain clinic. How I got there, I do not know. I was having the worst withdrawal from that IV Dilaudid that I ever thought possible. The thing is, I had nothing to compare it to. I have never used any kind of street drugs and most of the hard core pain medication like oxycodone, morphine and Darvon I have strong adverse reactions to.
I also have diabetic neuropathy and take Lyrica. If I miss 2 doses, I can immediately tell. I also have gout and take Uloric because it is easier on my kidneys than the Allopurinol.
If you want to wean your dad off oxycodone, I think I would consult a pain management doctor as to the best and safest plan of action. I know you should decrease his dosage gradually. Perhaps the doctor could prescribe 20mg of oxycodone for a while and if your Dad is content with that then have the doctor decrease the dosage to 10mg until he is off altogether. However, it will have to be replaced with something else; you do realize that don't you?
Anyway, I hope this helps you out. I wish the best for your Dad.
I suffer with neuropathy in my right foot caused by nerve damage during a total knee replacement surgery four years ago. During the first year I was hooked on Oxycodone after months of "treatments". I got so sick and tired of the drugs and being "out of my mind" that I just stopped taking Oxycodone one day cold turkey. THIS IS NOT THE WAY TO STOP TAKING OXYCODONE! Even after I re-started taking the Oxycodone again for 3 days I wanted to die. After that experience I worked with my doctor and followed his dose reduction plan to the letter. Over a period of weeks was able to get off the Oxycodone. As a suggetsion try getting the blankets off his feet at night. I was not able to sleep because of blanket weight and friction that caused me severe pain. Nighttime foot pain brought about by his blankets might be causing him not to sleep. Sleep is a critical component of healing and if he does not sleep all his problems will appear woese to him making him more dependant upon the drugs. Sleep heals the body and clears the mind.
Is this what your father wants? I'm 68 and take Oxycodone for neuropathy and it allows me to get out of my house to do the things I need and want to do on a daily basis. Without the Oxycodone I could barely walk 2-3 blocks. Yes, it is addicting but so what. I would rather be addicted to a drug that helps me be normal than be stuck in the house as an invalid.
I has a Dr. That was prescribing 8 80mg Oxycontin for 3 yrs, with 30mg valium, 1mg Xanax daily for Severe spinal stenosis. . He abruptly stop seeing me and didn't wean me off the meds. No other Dr's would prescribe the same meds I was getting.( I had a copy of all.my medical records). No one would help me. So I went through Hell for 2 weeks on my couch Cold Turkey. It can be done, but it were the worst 2 weeks of my life.
well it is either what he is taken or eat nasiads of all kinds which cause ulcers which can cause bad problems to stomach hemorrhaging Which they can die from that .. and more problems then that . All medicines have risks .
My father-in-law well his doctor told me and my ex husband and I never forgot it ! He is a drug addict wanting pain killers for the pain in his upper left shoulder that always hurt him and he would walk around holding it all the time and we even begin to think .. He is just putting on for the pills .. Then we all took him to nashville to a dr there thinking he has turned into a drug addict for pain killers and here to find out Last stage Lung Cancer ! And that rotten md that said that to us got a ear full and did not last in that town long ! He died months later ! I hate when Doctors play God ! and claim they know it all !
Then my beloved mom who I miss everyday loyally trusted the dr I even went to .. In 2005 complained to this internal medicine dr who is still in practice here ..My mom was having nose bleeds and coughing up blood and he would keep saying it was her hytial hernia . for a long time keept saying it .. She would tell him that it was hard to swollow and she left his office that friday and we took her to the emergency room because of the caughing up blood and they put her in the hospital and gave her tests and a x ray etc and it showed up 4th stage lung cancer ! she died in hospice sept 2006 That rotten dr to cover his self on my moms medical records claimed my 73 year old mother was going to la waightloss centers of america why she was losing so much weight fast .. My whole family after years of going to him .. Quite him and I tell everyone his name in this town ! Never Trust your doctors ! Get another option . No matter how many years you go to them ! No doctor wants the best for you ! I have failed to see that one yet !
And he also had her on nasiads for her arthritis so he thought that caused the coughing up of blood .. My mom refused pain killers .. only when she died two days before she would let them give her morphine !!!!!
30 mg for 3 years does NOT make him an addict. The fact that he has been on the same dose should be an indication that he is NOT an addict. I would be MORE concerned with the other medicines.
My mom had been on oxy for 3 years for hip pian. She finally had hip replacement and rehab and all went well but she was still doing the oxy, falling, sleeping all day etc. I worked with her to cut it back very gradually. She realized she didn't need nearly so much as her stupid doc was allowing. He was no help in our case. Almost one year later she is doing well, much more Mobile and active and takes one half pill as needed for her many aches and pains. I understand there are many different situations that require different approaches, but I feel in some cases pain pill addiction can be dealt with by well informed family intervention.
Please seek the advice of a qualified pain managment MD and a psychiatrist with experience working with addictive medications. We have a warped view of "addiction" yet 10 -20 percent of our population is dependent on daily use of alcohol. Alcohol kills 100k people per year in the US. Opiates kill less than 10k. Which is the more dangerous drug? You need a proper assessment by professionals rather than rely on public opinion.
First of all oxy needs to be tapered off. It's long term side effects are worse than the pain. Neuropathy is greeted by either gabaprntin. The gout is tested by allopurinol. There are also lidocaine pain patches that are safe. Your primary took the easy way out for himself. Also give him his last dose of gabaprntin at night. As it provokes sleepiness along with temapsxam which has little or no residual in the am. You are in chRge if his good so his blood dugar in fact should be normal. If it's. It I the house he can't eAt it. Gluten free has always helped. Good luck
I am dealing with this with my mother. Was addicted to fiornal for many many years with headaches. Then when my grandma passed she moved close to me and we finally got her into rehab for it. She did great and said she had a whole new way to deal with pain and other outlets to help her. Fast forward months later and she has neck surgery, and got addicted to Diludad. Doctor wouldn’t prescribe anymore so she went to her regular doctor and now he gives her Oxy. She abuses it and runs out 2 weeks before (like right now) and then goes to urgent care for a new prescription till the doctor renews hers. I’ve gone to her drs with her and therapist, and my husband has come (she is a Paramedic so sees his happen all the time). And the doctors basically say they won’t refill it early and if she is in pain she is in pain. She stated 1 doesn’t work for her anymore so she takes 2. Chances are she takes up to 6/day. We are building a new home and she will have a casita type area for us to be near her. But I’m so severely depressed having to deal with a mother like this. I am 38, she is 68. Please, Advice?
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APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
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I AM A CHRONIC PAIN SUFFERER DUE TO THE RELENTLESS PAIN IN MY PANCREAS, AND SEVERE NEUROPATHY, AND, I AM DIABETIC AS WELL.
I HOPE THIS REPLY TO YOUR POSTING GIVES YOU A LITTLE MORE INSIGHT ON YOUR SITUATION. FIRST I WOULD LIKE COMMEND YOU FOR REACHING OUT FOR FURTHER HELP TO BETTER YOUR FATHER'S SITUATION. I TAKE PAIN MEDICATION DAILY. I KNOW FIRST HAND THAT YOUR FATHER, AT NO FAULT OF HIS OWN, IS ADDICTED TO OXY. IF HE TAKES IT MORE OFTEN THAN PRESCRIBED, OR HE STOPS GROOMING, OR HE IS UNMOTIVATED TO DO THE BASIC THINGS IN EVERYDAY LIFE. THEN HE IS ADDICTED AND WILL NEED HIS DOCTOR'S HELP TO SLOWLY MAKE THE TRANSITION TO A LONGER ACTING MEDICINE THAT IS NOT SO HARD ON HIS LIVER AND KIDNEYS. IF YOU OBSERVE THAT HIS PAIN IS FOR REAL, AND IT'S CHRONIC EVERYDAY PAIN; THEN HE WILL NEED PAIN MEDICINE. UNTIL A NON ADDICTIVE AND NON NARCOTIC MEDICINE IS DISCOVERED,THIS UNFORTUNATELY MEANS
THAT HE WILL BE DEPENDENT ON SOME TYPE OF PAIN MEDICINE FOR NOW. I HAVE PERSONALLY GONE THROUGH MANY DIFFERENT MEDICINES, UNTIL I FOUND THE ONE THAT WORKS FOR ME. I FOUND THAT THE KEY IS TO BE BRUTALLY HONEST AND ASSERTIVE WHEN SPEAKING TO YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT YOUR FATHER'S SITUATION. WRITE DOWN ANY AND All QUESTIONS THAT CROSS YOU MIND BEFORE YOUR FATHER'S NEXT DOCTOR APPOINTMENT. DUE TO MY NEUROPATHIC AND PANCREATIC PAIN, I WAS PRESCRIBED OXYCODONE, AS WELL.OTHERWISE REFFERED TO AS"PERCOCET,", 2 TABLETS EVERY 4 HOURS. THIS EQUALED 12 PILLS A DAY. IT WAS MURDER ON MY LIVER AND KIDNEYS BECAUSE OF IT'S MAIN INGREDIENT, CALLED ACETAMINOPHEN . WHIICH IS KNOWN AS TYLENOL. IT'S A VERY TOXIC SUBSTANCE. SO THE LEADING PAIN MANAGEMENT DOCTOR CAME TO MY HOSPITAL ROOM AND STARTED ME ON 30 MG OF METHADONE. METHADONE'S ORIGINAL DUTY WAS TO SLOWLY GET PEOPLE ADDICTED TO OPIATES SUCH AS HEROIN, PERCOCET, VICODINE, ETC. I WENT FROM 12 PILLS A DAY TO 1 TABLET 3 TIMES A DAY. AND, METHADONE IS ACETAMINOPHEN FREE. IT IS ADDICTIVE,NO DOUBT. BUT, IT IS FANTASTIC FOR TREATING PAIN AND IS FAR BETTER THAN THE OTHER MEDICINES.FOR ME, THE BENEFIT FAR OUT WEIGHED THE RISK. LIKE I MENTIONED EARLIER; TO MANAGE A PERSON'S REAL CHRONIC PAIN AND PROVIDE RELIEF FOR THE PATIENT, I FOUND THAT I WAS GOING TO NOT BE AFRAID OF TELLING THE DOCTOR THAT I AM DESPERATE FOR RELIEF AND, AT MY WITS END. DON'T HESITATE TO COMMUNICATE WHAT WAS PREVIOUSLY PRESCRIBED, ON MY LAST VISIT IS NOT WORKING.BEFORE I FOUND THE RIGHT MEDICINE FOR MY SITUATION, IT DROVE ME SOMETIMES TO CONSIDER GIVING UP AND ENDING IT ALL. GOD SAVED ME AND PROVIDED ME A DOCTOR WHO UNDERSTOOD CHRONIC PAIN AND HOW IT CAN AFFECT ONE'S LIFE AND THE OTHERS AROUND THEM. IF ALL ELSE FAILS AND YOUR FATHER'S PAIN IS NOT CHRONIC, THEN GRADUALLY GETTING YOUR FATHER OFF OF OXYCODONE UNDER A DOCTOR'S SUPERVISION IS THE WAY TO GO. I TRIED A COUPLE OF TIMES IN THE PAST TO STOP TAKING OXYCODONE COLD TURKEY. BOTH TIMES I SUFFERED A SEIZURE FROM WITHDRAW. I HOPE THIS HELPS YOU AND I WILL PRAY FOR YOU AND YOUR FATHER.
MAY GOD BE WITH YOU AND I HOPE ALL ENDS WELL.
SINCERELY,
JOSEPH.
I also have diabetic neuropathy and take Lyrica. If I miss 2 doses, I can immediately tell. I also have gout and take Uloric because it is easier on my kidneys than the Allopurinol.
If you want to wean your dad off oxycodone, I think I would consult a pain management doctor as to the best and safest plan of action. I know you should decrease his dosage gradually. Perhaps the doctor could prescribe 20mg of oxycodone for a while and if your Dad is content with that then have the doctor decrease the dosage to 10mg until he is off altogether. However, it will have to be replaced with something else; you do realize that don't you?
Anyway, I hope this helps you out. I wish the best for your Dad.
Sincerely,
Been there and done that
As a suggetsion try getting the blankets off his feet at night. I was not able to sleep because of blanket weight and friction that caused me severe pain. Nighttime foot pain brought about by his blankets might be causing him not to sleep. Sleep is a critical component of healing and if he does not sleep all his problems will appear woese to him making him more dependant upon the drugs. Sleep heals the body and clears the mind.
me. So I went through Hell for 2 weeks on my couch
Cold Turkey. It can be done, but it were the worst 2 weeks of my life.
that he has been on the same dose should be an indication that he is NOT an addict.
I would be MORE concerned with the other medicines.