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Avatar universal

Day 50...anxiety percocet/vicodin withdrawal

Hi everyone, sorry to keep posting but you all are my angels. I am starting day 50 and my heart pounding has now transitioned into anxiety, like week 3 anxiety....I was doing better the past few days and even had a few hours where I wanted to jump up and down because I felt so much better.
I haven't been taking anything for the anxiety and I really don't want to start, I am hoping that this is just another transition before the anxiety stops.
Many who have helped me know I am withdrawing from Percocet/Vicodin.

I have been reading posts and see this anxiety flare up seems to be normal and that around day 80 to 90 it gets a lot better, but I have also noticed a lot of people who get relief had to start antidepressants and anti anxiety meds.

I have never had anxiety in my life and thankfully haven't had to take antidepressants.

Do you think this will resolve on its own or will I have to eventually go on meds?  Thank You
10 Responses
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Avatar universal
Thank You Both for your words of wisdom, I made it through last night and feel like every day behind me is one I will NEVER go through again. I read up about PAWS and it does help to know my Brain is healing. I have a Stressful job and I know that is adding to this, although at one point in my early withdrawal I was fearful I was going to have to quit my job because the anxiety was SOOO bad. I think Im am going to do anything it takes to not have to take any medicine, I afraid of all medicines now

My symptom list is sporadic intense anxiety, increased heart rate (does anyone know when that will end?), sneezing, runny nose,  feel really achy in the morning like I am 100, and insomnia (although I am thankful to get about 4 to 5 hours at a time, I still remember those all nighters in early withdrawal), sporadic waves of crying and rarely random bizarre thoughts

Thank You all for your continued support, I couldn't have made it this far without you.....SERIOUSLY:))))
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
This is totally normal and unfortunately a part of the process. Just know you are doing great and on the right track.... You will have many ups and downs and some moments you might not be able to explain... This really is all normal and part of what you have to endure to get back to you... Don't worry about needing medication for this, chances are you won't need a thing once this all smooths over for you, but if you end up needing something for a while, don't worry about it. The alternative is still being jacked up on pain pills as opposed to just dealing with one symptom of recovery....relax and focus on the positives of what you are doing, not the few negatives. You are doing a wonderful thing for yourself... Keep it up!!!!
Helpful - 0
5005025 tn?1370787022
Hi there,
I think if you made it through 50 days without meds, stay that way! I was given antidepressants after I detoxed because my drug of choice was tramadol, which works as an antidepressant, and I was in bad shape before tramadol due to depression, so I decided to take them, and I'm not sorry I did. They got me out of bed and back to work. And I will begin weaning off of them as soon as my doc feels I am stabilized. But if you have not needed anything yet, I bet you won't need them if you just hold on and get through this rough patch. I know how hard anxiety is, I have battled that for years and self medicated with alcohol along with Xanax from a doctor, and I ended up in a detox to get off both the booze and pills 17 years ago. When depression came back 5 years ago, I self medicated with Tramadol, and here I am again, coming off an addiction from those monsters. So yeah, I agree with everyone, you and doing great and this too shall pass! If it doesn't, cross that bridge if you get to it and do what a trusted doctor tells u.
God bless!
Lisa
Helpful - 0
5347058 tn?1381188426
Have you ever heard of PAWS? If not, you should look it up. It's post acute withdawl syndrome and it usually kicks in around the 2nd or 3rd month. Seems to be a lot of debate about when it most commonly starts and not everyone gets it. It can cause the depression and anxiety, emotional turmoil, all that good stuff. It does pass though. We get it because our brains are healing and learning how to produce the chemicals that are lacking after opiate use. You should do a little research on this. I know for me it helps to understand exactly what's going on inside me and why. It also makes me realize that I'm still healing which means someday soon I will be better! You really are doing amazing. 50 days is something to be proud of. Just keep reaching out when things get rough. When you get frustrated because the healing is taking to long, just look back at how far you've come since that first week! It just takes (dreaded, nasty word!) time, time, time!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks for your post, I am trying hard to push through today and have been hit in the last few hours with crying spells? 50 days is sooo long and I am just praying for the strength to keep pushing through this. I have no desire to ever take pain medicine again, I just want to get through this. I know it just takes time and I am trying to keep letting it pass.
Helpful - 0
4522800 tn?1470325834
Hey, You just keep posting away. Thats what this site is all about. The anxiety was very normal for me as well.I mean coming off three drugs it was on the Moon!!! You got some great advice from our MH friends above. I would just give it TIME. You might notice it does move like a Turtle and we tend to get so so so so Frustrated..Just hang on tight to your Surf Board because you will be up on the Beach and then be feeling the Sand between your Toes.
Yes, try to stay away from any mind altering drugs and let the Brain heal naturally for at least 6months.Now that is just from my experience. Then you can see how you feel..I wish you the best and watch out for the Sharks while you are on that Surf Board..haha!
Bless
Helpful - 0
5347058 tn?1381188426
It won't last forever. That I can promise you. Hang in there!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks for your posts, I'm gonna keep pushing through today and hope for a better tomorrow.  I have never had anxiety before this,  please tell me this won't last forever. I am praying to God for strength.  Thank You Both
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I know it's easy for me to say... But if it were me I'd continue onward like you have been and always stay in the now with the symptoms with the attitude of seeing what tomorrow will bring. You have had a good glimpse of how good it's going to get, and that is a positive to cling to.

I saw the drugs for anxiety and anything else mind and mood altering as an additional can of worms to have to deal with later if I wanted my life back as it was before I started out on my disaster with opiates, alcohol, Elivil, weed and Ambien. But that's just my opinion and what I did this last time getting clean. I waited it out and I think, after 9 months, that my life is finally coming into some really good light. I told my doctor about my anxiety, sleep problems and he wrote me a script for Xanax .25 saying its a "small dose". Screw that s--t! Small now, dope house later. I'm an addict!!
Helpful - 0
5347058 tn?1381188426
I am on day 90 today and for me the anxiety has been the biggest hurdle. I have always dealt with anxiety and now I really have to watch myself. I quit drinking caffeine, I try to exercise a little every day, and I am just always watching for the tell tale signs of an anxiety/panic episode. Ups and downs are normal. Our brains are healing themselves, and it's best to let them heal without more medication. I would try to tough it out. It does get better. Maybe check into some behavioral and cognitive therapy. That can help a lot with managing your anxiety. I've tried just about every med out there for anxiety. I've suffered from it my whole life. Most anxiety meds either don't help, or create more problems like rebound anxiety/panic attacks. Plus we have to worry about the addictive nature of the benzos. Talk to your doctor if it becomes debilitating, or continues to flare up daily. This is totally normal though. It does get better the more time you put in. I hope this resolves soon, and you start feeling better!
Helpful - 0
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