I am assuming you have discussed this with your doctor. Why not try skipping a day between pills and see how that goes.

Skipping a dose might work. Or lengthning the time between them Ask the doctor if there is something a little weaker that she could take instead. Or perhaps a non-time release pill that you could split. Some of the other opiates come in liquid form. That might be worth trying.

The advantage in time release is that she only has to take it twice a day. With other types, it would be more often. But that would also give you a better way to manage it.

Good luck!

However, at her age, I wouldn't worry about her being addicted. Her comfort is the most important thing now. The oxycontin also probably keeps her calmer too.

So here is the basic question....

Why do you want to get her off of the drug? I agree with Agnespuffin, don't worry about her being addicted, just worry about not giving her too much new stuff to deal with and continue to keep her comfortable.

Is there a medical reason why you want to reduce her dose or cut it off? She's 95, right? That's one of the all-time most difficult drugs to get off, from what I understand. How much stress can she stand?

Not "worried" about addiction per se. As I said, she manages quite well and the pills are neither expensive nor inconvenient and they don't make her "dopey". Still has all her marbles. Quite intelligent/observant/intuitive. Mood swings have never been an issue with her with or without the narcotic. No need to "keep her calm". Main issue, actually, is the constant management of constipation and the dietary balancing act that requires. (Zelnorm used to be a Godsend but was pulled from the market a few months ago.)

Upon "skipping" a dose, she can feel the affects within hours. Within six hours, things are very uncomfortable. At twelve, her day is ruined and most of the next will be, too. Been there, done that. Serious withdrawal is no joke! Last successful attempt got us from 30mg to 20mg -- a 1/3 cut. It was rough for a week but endurable. Based on that experience, I'm very wary of attempting a 50% cut because of available dosage-size of the pills.

Seizing on the idea of non-continuous release versions of same drug. Maybe smaller doses at more frequent intervals? Like maybe Roxicodone -- which does come in 5mg tabs?

Have you checked out this site? http://www.drugs.com/oxycontin.html

It looks to me as if it is available in liquid and as Roxicodone. The sizes are available down toward the bottom of the article. Constipation is a big problem, I know, but I honestly think that she will continue to have that problem regardless. Her age may be as much a problem as the drug. Things just don't work well. It's unlikely that her bowel function would return to a normal state.

I have to take a hydrocodone cough medication from time to time because of severe bronchial spasms. I love the way it soothes the aches and pains too. I'd be hooked in no time if that's all it did.....But I sure do hate that constipation. It's no joke! It's liquid so I only take less that 1/2 the regular dose. I just wish they could mix it up with prune juice or ex-lax or something. LOL

Here is a link that might be useful: compare dosage

Boy do I MISS all of you! Al was on percs and then was changed to morphine and then something else, just shortly before he passed. he was on these pills for about 10 years, the percs started not to have any effect on him and he was in pain, so the doctor changed it. Al's doctor is the best cancer doctor in northwestern ontario, (for our new friends Al did not have cancer), and he was not concerned with being addicted to painkillers. but there were times that Al would run out of his pills and would have to wait 2 days or so to have them refilled (since these are a narcotic then can only be refilled avery do many days, for him it was 21 days). i saw how "touchy" and crabby he would be. sometimes Al would take his "as needed" - 2 pills every 4 hours, sometimes not. i would let her be, but that's my opinion.

agnespuffin......

Thanks for site. I am familiar...one of the places the Roxicodone idea came from. We have long had oxycontin liquid (5mg/ml) on the shelf for "breakthrough" pain. It works quickly -- which used to be important -- but doesn't last long. The pills are 4-6 hours which may serve better for our intentions of easing off the oxycontin gradually.

heydeborah....

May, indeed, just leave it alone. Over the years we've learned how to manage the constipation issue although it can be a terrible thing if ever it gets out of control -- which it has on a few occasions. Would like to get off of the drug -- which no longer serves any purpose except to avoid withdrawal symptoms. Would like to think getting off of it would take the constipation issue off the table. May be mistaken in that thought, except that otherwise she is, indeed, doing wonderfully well. Have every reason to believe her guts are fine except for this interference.

Seeing Dr. tomorrow for routine check-up (same gerontologist who's ably managed her various troubles for 12 years). Will bring this topic forward and see what suggestions come -- including maybe just leaving it alone.

Did you get her to the Doctor yesterday? If you did, I hope he was helpful.

Take care!

Sorry for disappearing. Things got a little crazy for a while.

Dr. suggested decreasing just one of the 20mg doses -- which we did. Reduced that dose to 10 -- a 25% cut. Rough couple of days, then not too bad, then OK. Stayed with that for a couple of weeks, then attempted same decrease with other dose. No go...first day unbearable.

At these levels and with lowest-dose available being 10mg, this next reduction amounts to 1/3 decrease. Obvious indications with single attempt, this cannot be accomplished.

If Dr. and I cannot get on same page with this, I'm going to leave it alone. Seems silly to me. What's the big deal with substituting 5mg Roxicodone for touch-up while we try this? Will broach topic again at next visit. However, no sense ruining her life over it. We're OK for now.