I just realized...

[pickledkittie]

I think that I might be addicted to medications...Well, at least in the sense where I feel like I NEED them in order to sleep. I suppose that would be called "Dependency" but, I feel like that is still an addiction.

Anyhow, for the last few years I have struggled with sleeping issues. Actually, I have for my entire life but I have just recently begun using medication to fight the problem. I use to take sleeping pills prescribed by doctors but, I was taken off those because the doctor believed my insomnia had improved.. So, after that, I began taking Nyquil every night before I had to go to bed, even when I wasn't sick. I found that I couldn't get a good night's sleep unless I had it in my system. Each week, I would go through a bottle of the stuff. I've since stopped, realizing that Nyquil can damage my liver.

However, last week I was in a car accident. The doctor's gave me oxycodone and it really helped me sleep. Also, I found myself enjoying the "fuzzy" feeling that would come over me whenever it first started to kick in. For the last few days, I have felt like I have to have the oxycodone in order to sleep correctly, and to feel less in pain. Even though I am suppose to be off the stuff by now, I think that I am absolutely hooked. I don't know what to do because I am certain that I am hooked on sleeping-aids but, I don't want to have doctors prescribe me strict sleeping aids in fear that I'll get hooked on those!!!

Has anyone else had a similar issue and, how did you manage to cope?!

[gloomy]

I was once addicted to tylex, which is a strong codeine based painkiller, it helped me sleep too and of course gave me that warm fuzzy feeling.  I was prescribed it for pain after giving birth.

What I did was I halved the amount I was taking for a couple of weeks, so I would take the four lots of two pills per day, and I cut down to twice a day for two pills, then once a day 2 pills, then once a day 1 pill. Then stopped.  You can cold turkey off the oxycodeine if you want and the withdrawal will last approximately 5 days, with withdrawal symptoms being felt after 48 hours, the worst symptoms are loose bowels and stomach cramps and a dip in mood, you may even cry.

I just read another post of yours and you said codeine doesnt touch you, but this ocycodene has codeine in it.

[ocdengineer]

Gloomy is right on.  Slowly taper off and it may be wise to discuss this with your doctor, so you can avoid this problem in the future.  Have you tried Melatonin for sleeping?  It is nonaddictive and really does work.  I used to take it with Valerian root and I don't think I have ever had such blissful sleep in my life.  They work amazing together, both can be purchased at a health food store, and neither is addictive.  Keep us posted on your progress.

Take care,
OE

[apple]

Indeed the nyquil was my friend for a very long time.  I switched to the melatonin and it works great, and doesnt affect other medications.  
Valerian root is good for most people as well.  I cant take it or other perscription sleep aids as I am very tired the next day.  Just wanted to back up what ocd said.

Try it and let us know if it helps you.  

[pickledkittie]

Yeah, I just realized the codeine-oxycodeine thing. What I was actually thinking of was vicoden; vicoden doesn't have much of an effect on me.

[pickledkittie]

Thank you all. I'll be sure to try the melatonin/valerian root. I know that becoming dependent on these other medications can be potentially harmful in the long run but, for the moment I am actually in pain. I've just noticed that I really enjoy the feeling of oxycodeine, and am afraid that I will become dependent on it like I did with Nyquil and other sleep-aids.