Need advice quick!

I've been taking low doses of Percocet since July 2010. I've had three surgeries, and major stomach pain so have been taking prescribed Percocet for the pain. At most I've taken maybe three a day, most of the time just taking a half of one at three meals in order to eat. I stopped taking them on Sunday evening, was my last one. Monday afternoon I started with abdominal pain, pain in my back, a high fever, and diarrhea. I've been to the hospital twice, had two CT scans, they can't find anything wrong with me. It's now Thursday and I'm still having abdominal pains, and severe diarrhea. Could this be withdrawl (withdrawal) from the Percocet? I never considered that I even had a problem. Never had much of a strong desire to take them other than to be able to tolerate food better. Does this sound like withdrawl (withdrawal)? And from such a low dose??

[Defcon]

It is absolutely withdrawal. The good news is that it will pass soon since you've not been taking much. These are classic symptoms. Most of us here have experienced them and now it sounds as if you are also.

[dominosarah]

Have you  talked with your doctor about this?  The high fever and severe diarrhea concerns me.  Your intake isnt all that high but some of the achiness is wd.  Are you drinking fluids?  Dont want to get dehydrated.

[Mami26]

Wow. I thought I had the worst flu of my life, or that I had an appendicitis or gall bladder attack. I didn't understand why if it was the flu, no one else was getting it or my bloodwork wasn't coming back abnormal. I'm so glad to be getting rid of this stuff. Never again will I take it. Scary part is that I have at least one more surgery in the near future for my foot. Not sure what I can do about the pain medications as I do not want to ever go through this again. I've never been so sick. I'm really blown away by the fact that I'm having such severe withdrawls and was taking such a low dose. I'm completely freaked out...any advice on how to ease the symptoms? I'm already underweight, and have lost about 5lbs in two days. Can't keep anything in.

[ImDONENoMore]

I agree - fever seems a little strange - is it possible you might have come down with something during this time?  Our immune systems are compromised during withdrawal so it's easier to catch a cold or the flu.  Just something to consider.

Good luck to you!  :)

[Mami26]

I've seen two doctors in two days, been to the hospital twice. It literally JUST occured to me that this could be withdrawal. Just trying to figure this out and thinking of anything I've changed and that was the only thing. Nothing different. The fever was only on Monday night. Spiked to 102. Since then I've had a low grade temp of 99.1-99.5 and that's it.

[ImDONENoMore]

And remember, withdrawal mimics the "flu" so sometimes its hard to distinguish between the two.

[dominosarah]

Please get ahold of your doctor and tell him/her what is going on.

[Mami26]

That's just it, I've seen several doctors and they aren't coming up with anything else. No abnormalities in bloodwork or CT scans. Can anyone give me any advice on how to ease the symptoms?

[dominosarah]

Can you take immodium?

[Mami26]

I'm guessing I'm going to have to try Immodium. Just afraid it's going to make the stomach cramping worse.

[dominosarah]

Can you or someone get some of those pedialyte popsicles?  You dont want to get dehydrated.  

[ImDONENoMore]

I had the same initial fears about immodium a-d too as I had some pretty bad GI issues while taking the opiates and after I quit.  But it worked SO well, it was actually amazing.  I would think you should be okay as long as you don't have any pre-existing stomach health concerns and since you said you'd been checked out by the Dr.'s already, I think you'd be okay.

:)

[Mami26]

Thanks. I will probably resort to the Immodium. I'm laying on the couch for four days now, lethargic feeling. I feel like my muscles weigh a ton a piece. Is that normal also?

[Defcon]

Yes, it's normal. I've posted this before in a few threads but I'll post it again. I was lethargic for over 2 weeks last time I quit. This time using my method I cut it to 4 days. After that I felt fine.

You know what I did for energy. I bought a huge jug of protein powder from Wal-Mart for around $28. I mix two scoops in the morning with milk and two scoops around 7pm with milk. It has an incredible amount of amino acids and good stuff for your body. It increased my stamina and the body aches were very reduced. But good luck brother (or sister)

[ImDONENoMore]

True - VERY normal!!  It felt like I was a 1000 lb. turtle trying to walk through caramel.  Weird, I know, but that's what it felt like.  But it eventually goes away you'll see!  :)

[Mami26]

Day 9- and I feel so amazing!!!!!!! I really didn't know just how "bad" and fuzzy all the medications that I was taking were making me feel. I was taking some stuff for nausea, and using it to also help me sleep. Since I've stopped everything, including the Percocet I've been waking up at 7am every morning, wide awake, not feeling super tired. I'm functioning much better. Taking 1000mg of Tylenol a couple times a day to combat the normal achiness I suppose just of life, but I feel so much better. Won't ever touch that stuff again. And you know what my doctor did?? Sent me home a prescription for Percocet to help with the pain I was having....I tore it up. I'm so glad to be off of it. And I thank you all for your help and advice. It was a rough week, but I'm so glad it's over!!!!

[Dav125]

Hang in there..You may have some lingering symptoms such as down days, low on energy, some restlessness and sleep "might" be good one night and not the best the next over the next 10 days or so. Recognize it for what it is and keep moving forward..

Most Dr's out there just don't understand the extent wd's can be from these meds if taken regularly for a few weeks.. Even at low doses or taken as prescribed. Its not a fun lesson to learn by any means. I kinda read the riot act to my Dr last time I saw him when he tried to switch me to tramadol from the new oxycontins which were causing unexplainble itchiness and allergic type reactions. I finally said "enough" over the Holiday's and took my medicine (meaning wd's) which had me haywire for 2 and a half weeks before things got noticibly better..It was due to the large quantities I had progressed to as my tolerance went thru the roof. Thank God that nightmare is over for me..Never again do I want to test that ground..

Your making huge progress here so keep moving forward. If headaches or aches get ahold of you in spells, jump in a hot shower..Its like it "washes" symptoms away..Your going to be fine :)