Off the Oxycontin.

[Hermes]

I have been taken low doses Oxycontin for years - 5mg/day and for the last 3 month 10mg slow release nightly, without the 5mg/day, - for a vaiety of fairly serious pains.

Trouble is, they don't really work after a while, and then there are all the warnings about addiction and the temptation to take ever increasing doses.

Well no more I thought last week, and stopped cold turkey. No big deal during the day but at night, for the 6th night running now, I get 'restless legs' and tons of leg cramps.

I know I will tough it out, but I wonder if anyone here had had a similar experience and if so, what did you do about what seem to be relatively mild withdrawel symptons.

 

I read on the Internet (where else) that leg cramps and restless legs can be symptons of low electrolyte levels, so I went to the Healthstore and was recommended a bottle of minerals. They come fron the Salt Flats of Utah (Ogden). Had I known that last year when I rode thru there, I would have scooped me up some brine.

Actually 99% of the sodium has been extracted.

Hope that will work.

 

Any thoughts.

 

 

 

[John Ranalletta]

Hope you feel better whatever course you choose...

 

-------------

 

You haven't been channeling Rush Limbaugh, have you?

[Dave McReynolds]

so I went to the Healthstore and was recommended a bottle of minerals. They come fron the Salt Flats of Utah

 

I take a squirt of Concentrace in a glass of water, which may be the same thing you're talking about, every morning when I take my vitamins. I've done that for years. In fact, I attribute all my good looks, charm, vitality, and mental acuity to my daily squirt of Concentrace (right). No, the bottom line is, I don't know which, if any of the vitamin/mineral products I take does me any good, which is why I've made a firm rule for myself that all of my vitamins have to fit on a certain shelf, and if I want to try a new product, an old one gets kicked off the shelf.

 

But I do firmly believe, backed up by all the folk wisdom in the world, that I need to take trace minerals, so it has been a long-term resident of the shelf.

[markgoodrich]

Dunno why you'd need a special supplement; eat a banana a day, drink plenty of fluids, or even drink some Gatorade or other sports drink, for the cramps.

 

RL is now treated with a variety of Parkinson's medications. I refuse to take what I consider a "nuclear option" for a minor, irritating issue. 1mg valium or other benzodiazepene (clonazepam is my preference due to the lack of "hangover" in the morning will almost always both tranquilize me enough to sleep through the "jimmy leg" and reduce the twitching...the benzodiazepenes were originally developed as smooth muscle relaxants; only when they were found to tranquilize did they become used more for mood changes. 1mg is such a small dose there is no particular symptom I notice, other than perhaps drowsiness. It's also very cheap. The biggest problem will be convincing an MD it's a better idea than Mirapex or the other Parkinson's stuff.

 

Good luck.

[Rinkydink]

+1 on the banana. Seems I read or heard somewhere that quinine (tonic water) is good for cramps. YMMV

[Hermes]

Thanks John , and thanks to all replies.

Dave, it sounds like you got the same stuff I have. A bit smelly and not too tasty, but if it works ...hey.

 

markggodrich, you are offering up a number of options. The Gatorade is not good for me on account of the high sodium content. The benzidiazepenes sounds interesting and if I can't get rid of it with 'natural' minerals etc. I will consider that.

 

rinkydink, I do take Nova Quinine, but it doesn't help me much.

 

[Lets_Play_Two]

I have been taken low doses Oxycontin for years - 5mg/day and for the last 3 month 10mg slow release nightly, without the 5mg/day, - for a vaiety of fairly serious pains.

Trouble is, they don't really work after a while, and then there are all the warnings about addiction and the temptation to take ever increasing doses.

Well no more I thought last week, and stopped cold turkey. No big deal during the day but at night, for the 6th night running now, I get 'restless legs' and tons of leg cramps.

I know I will tough it out, but I wonder if anyone here had had a similar experience and if so, what did you do about what seem to be relatively mild withdrawel symptons.

 

I read on the Internet (where else) that leg cramps and restless legs can be symptons of low electrolyte levels, so I went to the Healthstore and was recommended a bottle of minerals. They come fron the Salt Flats of Utah (Ogden). Had I known that last year when I rode thru there, I would have scooped me up some brine.

Actually 99% of the sodium has been extracted.

Hope that will work.

 

Any thoughts.

 

 

 

I work with addicts and alcoholics every day. Opioid (pain meds) withdrawal is one of the toughest and usually involves phantom pain and difficulty sleeping for a variety of reasons. I wouldn't trade one narcotic (Oxycontin) for another (any benzo), both being very addictive. Sounds to me like you are having some withdrawal symptoms. I would suggest lots of fluids and advil for any pain. It might last a week or two but it will go away.

[markgoodrich]

Good points, no, excellent points. My recommendation for the clonazepam (Klonopin) had nothing to do with cramps or pain, but with the RLS, which has driven me nuts for decades. I see it as a much more benign solution than the heavy-duty Parkinson's meds the Pharmas are pushing to the docs. I often go days or even weeks without taking it, then may have a spate of one night after another where one or the other of my legs takes off wandering around the bed.

[Casey]

Easy on the minerals! You'll find yourself giving birth to a kidney stone. And brother, let me tell you, they HURT!!

 

+1 on the bananas for potassium. Gatorade type sports drinks are ok, but if you're not using them to replenish the electrolyes you've lost from sweat, they can cause some serious constipation. We've learned that the hard way (no pun intended) here in the desert where Gatorade is free. We had some backed up flight crews, and that's not good.

 

Best of luck in whatever you do, you'll be glad you got that monkey off your back before he turned in to a 500 lb gorilla.

 

Casey

[Hermes]

Where else could you ask a frank and personal question like mine and get a bunch of straight and thoughtful answers.

Thanks again.

 

I never thought such a low dose of Oxycontin would present a withdrawel issue. I am sure my problems are minimal but I assure you RL and cramps are no fun at all.

 

Yessir Casey, I am glad I took the plunge and the monkey will stay of my back.btw, are you currently deployed? If so, I doubly appreciate your reply, I understand there are some troubles down there??!