Oxycodone withdrawal

[Mgold55]

Hello all. I have a quick question. I?m on day 7 today of withdrawal from 2.5 months of 60mg oxycodone per day normally taken at night as one big dose. I went to Er last week because day one I had bad palpitations and they gave me clonidine. I been taking it but last night I decided to give it a break and see how my body responded after 6 days. I could not sleep at all. Thus I assume the clonidine was masking the withdrawal effects because now even on day 7 I still have muscle aches tiredness, insomnia , chills, goosebumps. I thought the physical stuff would be gone by now because I only took it for a few months? Also about clonidine does anyone know if taking clonidine prolongs the withdrawal timeline ? Any guess as to when my sleep will be back to normal ? This is horrible without clonidine still at day 7 even though I read online normally worst is day 4 and 5 then after a week normally people get well? Or am I mistaken? Thanks in advance

Michael

 

[Mgold55]

Also failed to mention I had bad mood and suicidal thoughts plus depression in days 4 and 5 but now those are gone.

 

[EPL1]

Hi Michael and welcome,

Depression after quitting opiates is common. I'm glad that's over for you. I can't imagine your WD's will go on for much longer since you were only on them for a short time.

Did you have a surgery or injury that required you to take Oxy for a short time?

Hang in there, I ct'd off my rx'd opiate pain medication 2 months ago. Be kind and patient with yourself. I think things will get easier for you from here on out.

Hugs,
here for you anytime your friend,
Ash.

Ps, Go over to the sober living forum on here and post, lots of supportive people over there for you.

Also failed to mention I had bad mood and suicidal thoughts plus depression in days 4 and 5 but now those are gone.

 

[Mafioso]

Physical dependence can occur very quickly, particularly with fast acting opioids like oxycodone.

Physical WD usually last from 2-4 weeks. I would guess most all of your physical symptoms will have almost entirely dissipated by day 14.

Things like depression will probably linger for a month or two in your case, having a relatively mild drug history. For some, the post-acute withdrawals can linger for years.

The clonidine was/is probably masking or alleviating some of the symptoms. I don't have much knowledge and no experience with it, but from what I have read about it I do not believe it will be "extending" the withdrawal period. It's not an opioid and doesn't appear to prevent your body from recovering from opioid dependence, so if it helps then keep taking it as prescribed. Some caution may be wise though, as there are reports of people abusing it with a combination of other drugs. The reports stated that it was typically people in recovery for opioid dependence.

People always say "one day at a time", which has it's merit, but I think it is also to keep the bigger picture in mind while taking one day at a time. You don't have to have it all figured out, but know that the darkness will lift. Hold on to hope and believe things can get better because they can.

 

[Xorkoth]

The clonidine will not hamper your recovery. it's often recommended as a "comfort med" when withdrawing from opiates.

Day 7 should be near the end of your acute withdrawal, although some symptoms persist occasionally for longer. Then there is PAWS (post acute withdrawal syndrome), which affects people differently and lasts longer the longer you were on opiates. In your case I wouldn't expect long. But there can be residual restlessness and depressed mood for a while after the acute withdrawals are done. The best things you can do are:

Exercise: very important, working out will get your body producing endorphins which are our natural opioids, you'll fill those receptors and it will go a long way towards helping you feel better

And also, doing things that make you feel good and happy. Fill your time with things to keep you occupied and busy and feeling enjoyment. Part of recovery from opiate addiction is retraining your mind to feel good without opiates... and a lot of that has to do with whether or not there are things in your life to replace opiates. Otherwise it'll just feel like there's a big opiate-shaped hole.

 

[hikfromstik]

^^^^^ great info . Clonidine is good when your in full blown withdrawal, but at a certain point they will make you feel worse . They also cause rebound high blood pressure and some anxiety. I took mine for 9 days and next day I started feeling better. Hang in there, you should be getting close to the end of the worst.

 

[Cyc]

I take about 150mg over 4 days once every couple of months (that's all my dr. will prescribe) and I've never gone through bad withdrawals, but even at that dose I can feel the depression, lack of energy and my body being on edge.

I couldn't imagine what 60mg over a few months would be like. Glad you're over the worst of it.

 

[Shady's Fox]

Have you talked to someone about your feelings, like a close relative or a friend? Or at least did you do anything to not think off it?. Try to free yourself in a way, meditate have some fun with something, listen or make music, etc. Most of DTS have depression and isn't really okay to give the same answer to anyone but nothing else can be done. You have to get it off your mind with a hobby, travelling, walks things that you usual do daily, try some games on PC if you are passionate see a comedy laugh, so on.

 

[ElleAZ]

Clonidine screwed with my blood pressure. My normal pressure is generally 110/78 or similar. On clonidine, it shot up to 180/110 and then dropped to 71/50. So please be careful with it. That made my symptoms of anxiety, fatigue and dizziness worse.I had to go into the hospital to come off of Oxycodone and clonidine together. My dependence was only 3 months long, post op.