I've read a good thread from last year about narcotic withdrawal, coming off 5mg oxys.

I'm on 5mg Targin twice a day. Targin must not be very common, it has only ever been mentioned twice in OCF, both by Australians. Targin is oxycodone and naloxone. The naloxone is an anti-opioid agent which kills the "high" and also prevents the bowel falling asleep and constipating. I was hospitalised in April for constipation, and I've been on Targin ever since. I was on a nightly Endone as well but we stopped that a while ago.

I have the same body pain described in the narcotic thread. The throat/swallowing pain is down to 2 or 3 out of 10, but when it comes anywhere near the 12 hour mark on my Targin, I am like an old man. Body aches especially in my back, at least 5 or 6. Its real pain, real discomfort. Its not made up or in my head. I get no high or anything pleasant out of the Targin other than the absence of the pain.

I've said many times to the doctor, if these symptoms are just dependence or addiction and I just have to go through some discomfort while I come off them, just let me know and I'll do that. But she has consistently said that if the pain continues then the body is saying it needs it. The RO concurred when I saw him last month.

I am 6 months out from treatment. I'm just starting back at work, half days a couple of days a week. I could not hope to be better supported at work, but its pretty overwhelming going back after 9 months (so many well meaning well wishers asking how I'm doing, but really driving me nuts). In the last week or so I've noticed a real increase in this back pain, and the 12 hourly Targin is barely managing it. I'm worried it might be related to some underlying anxiety about work. I don't feel anxious about work, but the timing can't be a coincidence.

Of course I know I'm not an addict, that implies some manner of choice. But am I dependent? I know we say a full recovery can take a couple of years, but how long is too long for painkillers? Is this "body pain" thing part of the recovery or a symptom of dependence? I have had some similar muscular pain before, but that was caused by anemia because of the low protein diet. I had bloods done yesterday so the doctor can eliminate that when I see her next week when I'll have a long chat about everything.