Hello to all who read this section! I had never been a regular pain medication user, myself, until after a serious motorcycle accident in Oct. 2004. As a recovering addict, this process has been a learning experieince and a shift in the ridged views I had adopted when I was a member of NA.

EXPERIENCE:

I'm an "old hippie" - some call "yuppies" - from the "70's; however, during my periods of use (from many different substances) I was also able to maintain control enough to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration. For approximately 10-12 years, I worked as Office Manager/Collection Specialist for several businesses. Money was good - and, affording the "white color" substances of choice, I was able to maintain my habit - plus, make a comfortable home for me and my two boys (left their father when the youngest was 18mths.)

At the age of 40, I hit my life changing bottom. I couldn't hold down a job - it got in the way of my using. My 2nd husband was doing 1 1/2 years in prison for drug related charges and my two boys were "temporarily" being taken care of by their Father - "Until I could get myself together."

EDUCATION:

The next 8 years of my life, my whole existance was based on the meetings, people in recovery, and expanding my education. In 1995 I became a "Certified Criminal Justice Addictions Professional", in the state of Fla. I earned my "Certified Addictions Professional" credentials in 1998; and, shortly after that, finished my" Master of Science" in Substance Abuse Counseling and Education from Nova Southeastern University, Davie, FL.

One month after opening a private practice in Ormond Bch., FL, I was involved in a serious motorcycle accident. After 11 surgeries over a 1 1/2 year period, I had become reliant on different pain medications - depending on what procedure had just been done to my left leg. That's right - I thank God the only immediate, serious injury was my left leg, from the ankle up to the lower knee. However, after having gone through the leg surgeries, I was able to dissertane how much damage had been done to my cervical spine (I had already been diagnosed with Degenerative Disc Disease about 10 yrs prior to taking three tumbles over the Fla. flat lands at the age of 50!!! LOL"

PAIN MANAGEMENT AND THE RECOVERING ADDICT:

Have gone through much during the last 4+ years. Have relapsed at least once - but, always get back on track by applying what I learned on the street and from the books. The most successful way I have found to reduce my pain level down to the point that I can be a productive, mobile member of society and keep my "addict self" from relapse is to place the prescribed amounts in a daily planner for one week in my own bathroom . The remainder for the month stays with a trusted custodian.

By the way, when the accident happened (October 15, 2004), I was a dissertation and two courses away from earning a Ph.D. I think more research should be done in the area of "The Disease of Addiction and Pain Management" - how's that for a book title?

Anyway, after leaving my "pain management doctor" (he's actually answering the questions of why I hurt in the specific areas that cause the most pain) this past week, I stopped at a convenience store, thought I had locked the door - however, came back with my milk - only to find my pharmacy bag gone from the back floorboard. Have been through police reports, physician notification and trustee issues - but, had about ten Percocette's - 10mg/650 in my daily dispenser. Now I'm trying to figure out, if I space the relievers throughout the next week, will my urinalysis show positive for oxycodone on Thursday (exactly one week away).

Does anyone out there know how long Oxycodone, 10/650mg. Will stay in a regular user's system, if reduced from 40-10mg. Daily over a 7 day period?

The half life of oxycodone is 3 - 4.5 hours. Basically, half of what's in your system is gone every 3 to 4.5 hours.

I don't know what the detection limit is. That's what you'd need to know to figure out if it will be gone or not.

Yes, I did know the half-life for Oxycodone - but, thanks for trying to answer. My question is actually going to require some "guestimation". I have a rather high metabolism; however, have not been very mobile without the proper dosage. I am also an avid drinker (NO ALCOHOL!) BUT, lots of juices, several cups of coffee, milk and an occasional soda.

1st rule is going to be 5x the half life, almost all off it will be gone. Habitual users will push this limit downward (longer time to be gone). High metabolism will push it up (shorter time to be gone).

Your suggested "book title" is interesting. I'd like to give my $0.02 opinion.


Being pre-disposed for addicting bahaviors is a bad one. That's the hardest one to control.

In general, I believe the following to be true:

1. Regular use over time will case a necessity to increase dosage.

2. Pain trigger must exist or will exist before/after medication is taken.

3. To reduce the amount needed one need to medicate early. It doesn't mean pre-medicate. Kind of means going to get a tooth pulled? Medicate. Get tooth pulled. Hurts less. Like Novacain.

4. amount of med necessary for adequate pain relief may be dependent on weather, gender, race, sex etc. No one size fits all.

5. Try to find another substance that is not adicting to lessen the amount of a pain reliever. e.g. back pain --> muscle relaxer in combination

6. The choice of pain reliever for any given acute pain can and should be up to the patient. Say choice between percoset and oxycontin, for example. In other words both are prescribed.

7. Dose should be patient variable. Oxycontin should be given in say 10 mg doses, if one normally uses say 40 mg. Now, any intermediate dose is possible. Oxycontin can't be cut.

Above from experience.