How Long On Average To Build A Resistance To Oxycodone 20mg 2x A Day?
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How long would the average person expect to get by taking 20mg Oxycodone 2x a day, before the body builds up a resistance and the MG has to be raised? I know lots of people are taking 60mg at a time doses of Oxycodone and I REALLY hope for that not to happen to me! So, how long can I expect to get by on 20mg 2x a day? I can not sleep taking Oxycodone, so I can't take 10mg 4 times a day. I tried and stayed up all night 2 nights in a row. I'm almost 70. I have been taking Oxycodone for over 15 years, but, 15 years ago, I just took 10mg on days that work left me in agonizing pain for a few days after. I have had arthritis in my spine since 1991. That was when it was first seen, as I got a cat scan, Xray, or MEI - I don't recall and the doctor showed me it on the monitor. I was in the hospital, from falling of a a 1/2 story roof and landing on a wood deck. From then on, the pain increased. Then a car accident in around 2010 put me in the hospital and they said I had herniated and bulging discs - I don't recall them specifying how many? Anyway, then more and more often I needed to take the Oxycodone for constant pain, that would get worse, after each time I pressure washed or cleaned a roof. Up to this point, strictly out of fear of addiction, I never-ever-took it more than 3 days a week and usually 2-but steadily, every week, by 2013. In 2014 I had 2 heart attacks [don't know that they count for anything] and also in 2014 I was in a bad car accident.
Someone ran a red light and flipped my van over. Again, hospital said herniated discs, but this time, they said 2. One in my lower neck and 1 in my lower back and quite a bit of arthritis [degenerative] Then in 2015 another heart attack and another car accident. Again, someone ran a red light and destroyed my big GMC truck and the 6x10' trailer, with 2 tanks = 150 gallons total + 2 big pressure washing machines and about 600' of 6000psi pressure washing hose = heavy stuff! and another 250' of 3/4" garden hose, plus other equipment = a very heavy trailer! The SUV that hit my tryck passenger door, knocked me into a jack knife and I hit a new style 1' tall curb, went over that, crossed a sidewalk and was stopped by another cement curbing in town, that separated the bushes from the walk. I was knocked unconscious and the hospital said 3 herniated discs, plural bulging discs [don't recall how many?] and arthritis in my entire spine. After that 10mg would not touch the pain, so I started on 20mg, but still, out of fear of addiction, never took it more than 3 days a week - EVER, but I definitely took it 3 days every week. 1 year and a few days ago, my family doctor said he was no longer prescribing any narcotic pain meds and sent me to a pain doctor. He gives me 120 10mg oxycodone a month and I have taken 20mg 2 x a day ever since and just sit in a chair with ice packs after each new increase in pain, due to some sort of work and then switch to wet hot packs - each for 20 minutes to a half hour at a time 4 or 5 times a day and it helps some. I have noticed a reduction in how well the 20mg has been working lately. It seems it used to reduce my pain level by around 50% and now, closer to 33% or so. I don't want to take more, if I can avoid it, but I'm unsure of how to live with the pain and have any kind of life, to speak of?
I have too many friends and acquaintances at work, who had bad experiences with surgeries. Some say it helped, but then some of them say, a year later the pain returned and they needed another surgery! But, most say "DON'T GET BACK OR NECK SURGERY! YOU'L BE SORRY!" I have an unnatural fear of surgeries anyway, so that's out, unless absolutely unavoidable! Any ideas or advice? Medical marijuana is in Florida now, but from what I hear, it's complicated to get a card for it and I don't know if it would work anyway? What do you all think? Also, back to my original concern too - How long does it ordinarily take for a person's body to become resistant to a 20mg dose, so that it must be increased? I know every individual will be different, but there must be some norm? I ask, because, as I said, I feel like it's not working as well as it used to? PS: I was actually on Percocet 10/325 up until 2 months ago. I read about liver damage from Tylenol and asked my doctor if I could just get Oxycodone alone and he had no problem with that. Well, the site said to give a detailed description and I tried! LOL. I will appreciate any suggestions. I wondered about: would it be reasonable, to switch to a different opioid? Like Hydromorphone etc etc etc? I forgot to mention! I told my doctor about this and 2 months ago, he added 15mg Morphine sulphate 2X a day, but I got bad reactions and stopped it after about 10 days. I told him and he just said "Okay"?
11 Replies
Re: Suzie (# 10)
I will try that! I very much prefer not to raise my dosage! Can you give me an idea of "Periods of time"?
How long do you stay on a lower dosage? That will, of course, mean a higher pain level, until I go back up. Also, after going back up, how long does that last, before the circle begins again?
Thanks for your personal experience advice!
My experience (I'm your age) is when I start to feel like I'm building an opiate tolerance instead of increasing the dosage I decrease the dosage for as long as I can stand it. Then, when I go back to the regular dosage it is like taking it for the first time again. I feel this makes more sense and is easier to manage and avoids the opiate roller coaster.
I was gonna tell the poor guy to maybe find a different living! Sounds like he's really messed up physically...& I love in Alaska..and a LARGE # of people I know are on med. Maijauna. But up here it just got legalized--& mostly they use it to make brownies/cookies. It gives the body alt of relief, w out getting u to wacked out. Also...I was on oxy for many years..I ALWAYS w/ take 1 IBU w/ it. The caffeine in the IBU semana to help. It opens up the arterys, helps w circulation, which reduces pain. Good luck , Sir!
Chuck, in my opinion, your medical history is very complicated and very A-typical. Because of this and your age, I urge you to work with a pain or orthopedic doctor. It’s going to be a journey, my friend and you’ll have to remind them ( and maybe yourself ) of your injuries when they make you feel like an addict.
I am still awaiting for answer to my first question. Which has been four weeks or more.
David(#1) I saw that you suggested that Chuck try Kratom along with his Oxycodone doses. He said he was located in Florida, and Kratom isn't illegal there, except in Sarasota county in Florida, it's illegal by county ordinance there. Just wanted to add this info in case Chuck lives in the county in Florida where it's illegal.
Re: David (# 1)
way to go David! Finally a well though out and intelligent response! And I must agree with your response.. I rode the"roller coaster" of pain meds for 15+ years, and I don't think that it really matters why you take them or who you are, tolerance to this type of medication is just a given. I have never known of anybody that does not gradually have to increase the dose. The body and brain get used to the med and will need more and more to get the same effect. I use Kratom from time to time and I truly believe that it helps! I haven't used med marijuana, But have many friends that swear by it.. I have also found that Fiorinal (not a narcotic) also helps tremendously. I also have been taking many vitamins and supplements, high doses of Omega 3,6, and 9. It's been almost a full year since my last opioid and my pain is down from an 8+ on the pain scale to about,at most,a 2.. I have 3 herniated discs in my mid back and severe degenerative disc disease of the C spine. Hope this helps!
You may have tried this, but I take oxycodone 3x a day and I couldn’t sleep through the night. Pain management suggested extended repease medication and I balked for awhile. I got desperate and tried oxycontin at night and it’s amazing how different it is even though it’s the same medication.
Chuck. It seems like you've gone through hell with ur health and I'm glad ur taking it day by day. My question is. Why did ur primary Dr take u off and what Dr in what state did the send u to (pain clinic)?
I was on Oxy. 10 three times a day for about two years before it seemed not to be working. I was taking it along with hydrocodone 10/325. I have been on hydro. for about 12 years now and it seems work well for me for fast pain releafe. I am now on Hysingla ER two times a day along with hydro. three times a day. It seems to be a good combo for me. This now makes about four combos I have been through. I also take Gabapinton three times a day for fibromyalgia.
We are all different and have to make some changes along the way. I wish you the best on your journey. Read, ask questions, and seek help in planning your own medical plan.
RE: "How long would the average person expect to get by taking 20mg Oxycodone 2x a day, before the body builds up a resistance and the MG has to be raised?"
There are many variables to take into consideration such as: Each individual's medical history, body chemistry, pain level, drug tolerance, hours in between dosing, the quality of the medication itself (i.e: inferior binders/fillers or not), some brands/generics containing a small percent less active ingredient (i.e: 18mg instead of 20mg as listed for XTAMPZA ER), not knowing which manufacturer's brand or generic you might get at your next refill, age, weight, etc, etc...
You provided a wealth of information in your post, which is very helpful, but I believe the answer to your question will still come down to trial and error with all things considered. If there is some degree of "norm" or common ground to all of this, I think the Oxycodone itself would have to be more consistent, but pharmacies keep switching manufacturers, brands and generics around as drug companies continue to play musical chairs buying eachother out and then changing the quality of their product(s) hoping patients who take their medication everyday don't notice the difference. If you ask me, I think they're trying to wean society off of opiates altogether with half placebo pills.
RE: "It seems it used to reduce my pain level by around 50% and now, closer to 33% or so. I don't want to take more, if I can avoid it, but I'm unsure of how to live with the pain and have any kind of life, to speak of?"
Have you ever considered trying Kratom in between doses? Green Maeng Da or Red Bali specifically? If not, I'd feel like I'd be doing a disservice by not encouraging you to at least investigate this option.
Medical Marijuana in the form of THC and/or CBD can be very beneficial as well. Personally, I think between it and Kratom you'd have a powerful natural alternative at your fingertips. I'm still of the opinion from personal experience that Kratom is better for pain than Marijuana, but together they make a great team when taken responsibly. No one has ever died from taking Kratom or Marijuana separately or together, yet the FDA & DEA keep spewing out propaganda like a PEZ dispenser.
At any rate, I realize I can't answer all of your questions without having enough personal experience in the matter to give sound advice on switching opioids, etc, but hopefully the info that I could provide will open up the option for another avenue of treatment that may not have previously been considered and hopefully allow you to continue to take your 20mg Oxycodone without worrying about having to up your dose every so often.
Wishing you good health always!
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