Aa
Am I in withdrawal? Am I tapering too fast?
Hi all. I'm new here and need some help.
In July of this year, I was diagnosed with extreme chronic tendonitis and was given Percocet 5/325. From that time until mid-August, I only took two tablets at night for the pain. Never during the day, as I needed to function. Then I had surgery in mid-August, after which I was in BAD pain. For about two weeks after surgery, I took FOUR tablets per day. Then around early September I went to three tablets a day (one in the afternoon, two at night). About a month ago, the pain started to become manageable so I started cutting my afternoon pill in half, then in quarters. I left my night time does as is. I did however, start feeling some anxiety and just general unwellness when I started tapering my afternoon dose. Last week I decided I wanted off for Percocet for good (I only have about 45 pills left anyway), and started tapering my nighttime does by cutting it by one-quarter pill each night. So each night, I'm taking about 1.25/81.25 than the previous night. In addition, yesterday was the first day in about three months that I didn't take ANY in the afternoon. SO yesterday I was down to 1.25 pills total. Tonight I'll take 1 pill. Tomorrow night .75 of a pill, and so forth.
I really feel like hell and have for the last 3 weeks or so... anxiety through the roof, heart pounding/palpitations, stomach upset, tiredness but inability to sleep well etc. Given the relatively low dose I was on (even at the height of my dosing) and that it's been about 4 months, am I tapering too fast? Am I in withdrawal? I need to start feeling better really soon. Can anyone share any advice with me?
BTW I should mention I have anxiety issues anyway, and have for years... maybe this is all in my head...
In July of this year, I was diagnosed with extreme chronic tendonitis and was given Percocet 5/325. From that time until mid-August, I only took two tablets at night for the pain. Never during the day, as I needed to function. Then I had surgery in mid-August, after which I was in BAD pain. For about two weeks after surgery, I took FOUR tablets per day. Then around early September I went to three tablets a day (one in the afternoon, two at night). About a month ago, the pain started to become manageable so I started cutting my afternoon pill in half, then in quarters. I left my night time does as is. I did however, start feeling some anxiety and just general unwellness when I started tapering my afternoon dose. Last week I decided I wanted off for Percocet for good (I only have about 45 pills left anyway), and started tapering my nighttime does by cutting it by one-quarter pill each night. So each night, I'm taking about 1.25/81.25 than the previous night. In addition, yesterday was the first day in about three months that I didn't take ANY in the afternoon. SO yesterday I was down to 1.25 pills total. Tonight I'll take 1 pill. Tomorrow night .75 of a pill, and so forth.
I really feel like hell and have for the last 3 weeks or so... anxiety through the roof, heart pounding/palpitations, stomach upset, tiredness but inability to sleep well etc. Given the relatively low dose I was on (even at the height of my dosing) and that it's been about 4 months, am I tapering too fast? Am I in withdrawal? I need to start feeling better really soon. Can anyone share any advice with me?
BTW I should mention I have anxiety issues anyway, and have for years... maybe this is all in my head...
Hello, i dont hear anyone talking about the sweats,does this happen,is this a problem,i have been taking methadone and oxycodone for 11 years,i quit taking the meds. because i dont want to be dependent on anything ever,i had a motorcycle accd. and broke my t-6 vertebrae and they gave me this in the hospitol,anyway i'm a month in and still sweating bad,never really had any other symptoms other than profse sweating and some muscle spasms, ,im tired of taking prescription drugs ,Ithink they are the worst thing for you and have so many side effects, anyone else sweat from withdrawl
So good to hear from you today! I'm SO glad you are hanging in there and getting better. The anxiety does come and go. Still does for me but I know if I make myself calm down and breath thru it then it will subside. Takes time to heal but know this for sure....you are well on your way! I read your post above about how you never considered yourself an addict. For what it's worth there is a difference between addiction and dependency. It really sounds to me that you might be just dependent and not necissarily an addict. Addicts will resort to any means necessary to get their fix even if that means buying illegally or moving to other substances when they can't their preference. They might lie, steal or do whatever to get the next high. For me, I never did any illegal stuff and I always got my prescriptions filled in the alloted time and took (for the most part) as prescribed. It wasn't until I ran short on a refill one day that I realized I might have a problem and I started researching. Through no fault of our own, we have become dependant on these things but we can and will break that dependency. Thank God that you and I both had the sense to realize when a potential problem was about to turn into a nightmare. It could be so much worse. Be proud that you are where you are and that you took a stand to fight this before it got worse. Good luck! I'm so happy for you!
Hi
So glad you are feeling better.
The pounding heart thing is anxiety and you make it worse when you think about it. I had an anxiety attack after I talked with you yesterday just because I was thinking about it.
Crazy eh. Try the deep breathing and also pick up some valerian root and the drug store or Walmart.
It helps with anxiety a lot. If it gets too bad, talk to your doctor and tell him you are having anxiety attacks.
I know how terrible they are and it is really scary.
So glad you are feeling better.
The pounding heart thing is anxiety and you make it worse when you think about it. I had an anxiety attack after I talked with you yesterday just because I was thinking about it.
Crazy eh. Try the deep breathing and also pick up some valerian root and the drug store or Walmart.
It helps with anxiety a lot. If it gets too bad, talk to your doctor and tell him you are having anxiety attacks.
I know how terrible they are and it is really scary.
Same goes for me! Darn if I didn't get sciatic yesterday after hauling a 50 lb bag of chicken feed! Oh well bought bio freeze this morning for the pain and took 2 advil.. You did a great job! Oh and I never intended to make you feel like an addict, I was just referring to myself! I know I was!
Take care
Take care
Thanks again for all the encouraging words, folks. I think the worst is over. I don't feel sick but still feel sort of dizzy. What's most troubling is still my pounding heart - admittedly I think it's a little better today but it's still there to the point that I'm having trouble even sitting down, for some reason I notice it more when I'm sitting (or laying). If that would just settle down,, I'd say I'm in the clear.
It's been quite the experience. Going through what I went through (or still am), I can't even imagine what withdrawal was like for those who took much higher doses for longer periods of time... it's unreal. I've said it before but narcotic painkillers = never again. I'll deal with the damn pain.
It's been quite the experience. Going through what I went through (or still am), I can't even imagine what withdrawal was like for those who took much higher doses for longer periods of time... it's unreal. I've said it before but narcotic painkillers = never again. I'll deal with the damn pain.
Congrats on jumping completely off. Sorry I haven't posted back in a couple days but glad to see yu are feeling ok. I kinda figured u would actually feel better faster of u just completely quit reason being is you can really only taper so far and at some point you will have to go thru some kind of withdrawal and as low as u were down to withdrawal should be pretty mild and you should be thru the worst of it and your body will now start trying to straighten itself back out. Just be strong and hang in there and you will make it. As far as the being an addict part don't worry about that we are all addicts and its just part of life and something we have to live with but don't sweat it. This is if y are an addict because from what I have read of your post I can honestly say in my personal opinion it seems like you were more dependent than an actual addict and one big reason I say this is you have control over the meds and I know this because u actually did a taper had the meds but even tho u felt bad didn't continue taking more and more until u felt better which is what an addict does. As an addict I cannot and could never do a taper because if I had 400mg I'm gonna eat it all today not thinking the least bit about tomorrow if the doctor says take two for the pain I'm gonna take ten and so on and so fourth but either way congrats and just keep your head up and stay strong.
Good Luck and Godspeed
ABritt
Good Luck and Godspeed
ABritt
I think you would be surprised how many of us were on prescription pain meds from our doctors! Mine never tried to treat my problem just mask with pain pills! Honestly right now I am pain free. When I was on the pain pills I hurt all of the time! I read the body has a wonderful way of treating pain on its own. But I must admit if I get a headache I still grab an Advil migraine. But I have a lot to learn and I want to find alternative ways to treat pain. Maybe massage or acupuncture??? Something to think about?
I know what you mean about the palpitations. I was hanging onto my chest trying to stop my heart from beating out of my body.
The deep breathing helps with that.
Getting outside is a good idea.
Even if you just go for a walk.
I couldn't deal with people when I was having a panic attack and I owned a retail store lol. Luckily I had an an employee who would serve the customers while I was at my desk eating bread or something and doing my deep breathing.
This is all perfectly normal. Don't beat yourself up. You should be congratulating yourself for recognzing it and stopping.
The deep breathing helps with that.
Getting outside is a good idea.
Even if you just go for a walk.
I couldn't deal with people when I was having a panic attack and I owned a retail store lol. Luckily I had an an employee who would serve the customers while I was at my desk eating bread or something and doing my deep breathing.
This is all perfectly normal. Don't beat yourself up. You should be congratulating yourself for recognzing it and stopping.
Ugh. I meant "NEVER considered", not "NEED considered". Just goes to show how my nerves are right now...
You know what upsets me the most? I need considered myself "addicted" to these pills, but I suppose I was. I was taking them for pain, per doctors orders. I guess I unknowingly became addicted, even at the relatively small dose. I know it's not necessarily my fault, but I'm angry at myself for not stopping sooner. Maybe if I had, I wouldn't be in this position right now.
Hi Pat, I take Klonopin for anxiety. I actually doubled the dose this morning. I've had anxiety issues for a few years, but NEVER have I felt like this. The most troubling part is my heartbeat - I just can't sit still because it makes my whole body shake. Then I'll have a palpitation that just sends my anxiety through the roof. Even though the cardiologist said my heart is fine, for some reason I'm terrified I'm going to have a heart attack.
Silkie, I admit I haven't taken any vitamins, but I do have some multivitamins - I'll go ahead and take one as I don't see it doing any harm! Also, that coffee idea is a great one. I too need my morning coffee but I don't think the caffeine is doing me any favors. I'll try the half decaf/half regular.
I think going out yesterday helped, I felt decent while I was out, so I'll do that again today.
Silkie, I admit I haven't taken any vitamins, but I do have some multivitamins - I'll go ahead and take one as I don't see it doing any harm! Also, that coffee idea is a great one. I too need my morning coffee but I don't think the caffeine is doing me any favors. I'll try the half decaf/half regular.
I think going out yesterday helped, I felt decent while I was out, so I'll do that again today.
I also used to find eating something really helped. Even if it was a piece of bread. Just put something healthy in your body.
Oh, I haven't tried it but many people have suggested valerian root for anxiety.
Oh, I haven't tried it but many people have suggested valerian root for anxiety.
Yes anxiety is part of it. I'm on day 10, are the vitamins helping? The addict in me needs a pill to feel better so i am trying all sorts of vitamins. The l-tyrosine made me very anxious. Then I noticed my other best friend coffee started making me feel bad! I've always been a huge coffee nut. So I'm not mixing decaf with regular and it helps! Just keep telling yourself and this too shall pass. It will get better, a nice hot bath always works for me, or a brisk walk outside. Finally tried some 5htp an amino acid once a day and I think it helped a lot. It will go away, just your brain wanting the pills, totally normal!
Take care
Take care
Yes it is normal and it is crippling.
What do you take for anxiety??
Sit down and try some deep breathing. Slowly in through your nose and out through your mouth. Hold it for a few secs before you let it out.
It really helps.
I have had many, many panic attacks and I know what you are feeling.
Keep posting, I will be here.
What do you take for anxiety??
Sit down and try some deep breathing. Slowly in through your nose and out through your mouth. Hold it for a few secs before you let it out.
It really helps.
I have had many, many panic attacks and I know what you are feeling.
Keep posting, I will be here.
Sorry to keep beating a dead horse, but the anxiety this morning is CRIPPLING. My heart is pounding so hard my whole body is pulsing in time with it. I can't even sit down, I'm pacing my house. I took my anti-anxiety meds - in fact doubled the dose - but I don't feel any better. I feel absolute terror. I was feeling better yesterday, today is far far worse in terms of anxiety. I can't deal with it. Somebody please tell me this is normal and that it will go away. I feel like such a wuss.
It's great that you were able to get out of the house! Good job! You sound like the worst of the physical is over. Keep the mentality you have now so you can kick any cravings you might have (hopefully you will never have any!). Remember where you've been and how hard you worked to get where you are. Best wishes for you! Keep checking in...
Thank you AMom and Pat. Yes my last pill was Monday night around 7pm, none since then. I know I said it before but I'm certainly not going back, ever. I actually just finished running some errands - still not feeling well but I couldn't sit around the house any longer. I think being out did me good. Maybe I AM through the worst of it, I wish I knew for sure. But the fact that I'm not sick enough (at the moment!) that I need to stay in the house, is, I think, a good sign.
I don't miss the Percocet at all, not even a little. No cravings etc. I agree that I've probably been in w/d for a awhile, and now that I went c/t nearly 2 days ago, I'm ready to be better!
Thanks again for the encouraging posts.
I don't miss the Percocet at all, not even a little. No cravings etc. I agree that I've probably been in w/d for a awhile, and now that I went c/t nearly 2 days ago, I'm ready to be better!
Thanks again for the encouraging posts.
I agree with AMom. I think you are going through the worst of it now.
You just went into full withdrawals when you stopped because you had been in withdrawals for so long. I did that my first time too. I had been taking about 20 a day and then went cold turkey and then ended up taking 2 a day for about a week. I was in withdrawal the whole time and it just prolonged everything. I felt sick for about 3 days and then felt better.
The anxiety is a big part of it. Try the valerian root for it.
Keep posting. I want to know how you are doing.
You just went into full withdrawals when you stopped because you had been in withdrawals for so long. I did that my first time too. I had been taking about 20 a day and then went cold turkey and then ended up taking 2 a day for about a week. I was in withdrawal the whole time and it just prolonged everything. I felt sick for about 3 days and then felt better.
The anxiety is a big part of it. Try the valerian root for it.
Keep posting. I want to know how you are doing.
You are awesome! You're now on day 2 with none, right? It sounds like you have been w/d for a while now. This is probably the worst of it. Hang in there. When you get to day 4 clean you should start feeling better. Day 5 is even better than that. I was a Norco 7.5/325 - 6 pills a day addict. On my day 5 I woke up and the world felt like a totally different place. I felt good...like I used to feel before the drugs. Keep posting and keep fighting even it's ONE minute at a time. Don't worry about tonight or tomorrow. Its not here yet. Live for right now making the choice to not go back. You can do this. Best of luck!
Thanks. I have no intention of caving in - I HATE Percocet and just the thought of taking one makes me feel even sicker. My problem is I'm impatient and I want to start feeling better now! I've been feeling like hell for weeks as I slowly tapered. My chest pain and tightness is what concerns me the most. The cardiologist ran some tests and assured me that the pain is not my heart, it's anxiety, but for some reason I have trouble believing that.
Anyway got a little off track there. The thought of this getting WORSE in several days time is crippling. I want the worst to be now while I (luckily) have the time to get through it.
Anyway got a little off track there. The thought of this getting WORSE in several days time is crippling. I want the worst to be now while I (luckily) have the time to get through it.
Great job on stopping the percs altogether. Today is my day 1 without any as well.
I think because of how you tapered you are in full withdrawal right now.
You seemed to be in withdrawal even when you were taking them. The really bad feeling won't last too long. I think you will be feeling better by the weekend.
Hang on tight because you have been through a lot for this and if you give in now it will just prolong everything.
Make sure you take imodium and drink lots of fluids. If you can't get anything down, try the boosts or ensures.
Keep posting and let us know how you are doing.
I think because of how you tapered you are in full withdrawal right now.
You seemed to be in withdrawal even when you were taking them. The really bad feeling won't last too long. I think you will be feeling better by the weekend.
Hang on tight because you have been through a lot for this and if you give in now it will just prolong everything.
Make sure you take imodium and drink lots of fluids. If you can't get anything down, try the boosts or ensures.
Keep posting and let us know how you are doing.
So I didn't take any Percocet last night, first day/night since July I haven't taken any. I actually did sleep eventually, but to my surprise had the restless legs for about an hour or so. When I got out of bed this morning, I felt pretty ok - I was surprised actually at how ok I felt. That was 3 hours ago though - now I feel TERRIBLE. Nausea, dizziness, chills, slight pain/tightness in chest, runny nose, scratchy throat, having trouble thinking straight, etc. There's no turning back now, I guess I'll just have to ride this out and hope that all of these symptoms are indeed withdrawal. I'm glad I took the big step last night - no Perc at all - I really hope I start feeling better soon. I hope to feel better by this weekend, as I really want to see my son. Thanks again to you guys, I've had so much help and encouragement from you already. Please wish me luck as I continue to try to get through this. SICK!
Try to keep remembering that no matter what your withdrawal symptoms are, the one thing you are guaranteed is that they are temporary! Your brain is trying to trick you into believing that you can not possibly make it without taking a pill to make it manageable. Your brain chemistry is not your friend now because it is lying to you. I cold turkey detoxed from 20-30 10/325's a day for over 5 years. Many of the wonderful people here have done this and have incredible success stories. Make the commitment and just don't take a pill for the next hour....then the next hours, and so on. You really can do it.
The help and advice I've gotten here so far has been extraordinary, and I thank everyone for it. Still, I have nagging doubt. Yesterday, I only took one 5/325 pill and managed to survive. However I took it a little later at night than usual and I noticed my body getting really jittery before I took it.
As I mentioned probably numerous times, over the last 2 or 3 weeks I've been tapering by one-quarter pill each day. Tonight, I'm not planning on taking ANY - in other words, dropping by dose to nothing by a whole pill. If I already feel this bad doing only one-quarter each day, what will dropping the entire does do to me?
Again, I would love to believe that the w/d symptoms I'm having now are at their worst - I'm really trying to believe that - but I'm still having my doubts. All I can do right now is dread what tonight might be like. I've got anti-anxiety meds and stocked up on vitamins and Valerian tea, but still... I want so badly to do this but I'm terrified. Am I being irrational? Today could be the worst day of my life so far, and I feel it's about to get even worse...
As I mentioned probably numerous times, over the last 2 or 3 weeks I've been tapering by one-quarter pill each day. Tonight, I'm not planning on taking ANY - in other words, dropping by dose to nothing by a whole pill. If I already feel this bad doing only one-quarter each day, what will dropping the entire does do to me?
Again, I would love to believe that the w/d symptoms I'm having now are at their worst - I'm really trying to believe that - but I'm still having my doubts. All I can do right now is dread what tonight might be like. I've got anti-anxiety meds and stocked up on vitamins and Valerian tea, but still... I want so badly to do this but I'm terrified. Am I being irrational? Today could be the worst day of my life so far, and I feel it's about to get even worse...
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Addiction: Substance Abuse Community
Is treating glaucoma with marijuana all hype, or can hemp actually help?
If you think marijuana has no ill effects on your health, this article from Missouri Medicine may make you think again.
Julia Aharonov, DO, reveals the quickest way to beat drug withdrawal.
Tricks to help you quit for good.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
