Aa
Need to help my boyfriend
I found this site last night. It's scaring me. My boyfriend is starting Percocet withdrawal. He's in agony. I need to help him and I'm not sure what to do. He's scared. (He's not a kid, 45.) He thinks he should be through the withdrawals within a day and I told him I don't think so.
He was taking Percocet for a neck injury and started upping the dose. His prescription was for 10 mg. 3 times a day. He hasn't had any in a few days. He thought he wasn't going to get withdrawals and they started bad yesterday. He's weak, diarrhea, aches, and trouble breathing (which I think is anxiety.) He can't really eat but no vomiting so far. Neither of us no what to expect. I think not knowing is making this far worse on him. He also has the sweats and the chills and feels like he has a fever but no actual temperature.
He does not want to go to detox. (He was in an alcohol detox in January.) I read some things on here about the Thomas recipe. I also read things about using Clonidine and tapering. I'm wondering if to get him out of his misery I should give him a Percocet and then help him taper off. (I have some from a recent surgery. But I don't want to do anything that will make it worse. I want to help him feel better.)
How long do the withdrawals take? If the withdrawals started yesterday, is he at the worst of them now? He's been taking the Percocets since '07 I think. He's been escalating the dose himself (for legitimate pain. He's awaiting neck surgery.) He has an appointment with the neurosurgeon on Tuesday. I just want him to feel "normal" and feel stronger. He really thinks he's dying. (He's a strong guy.) He doesn't believe withdrawal can be like this.
Any answers to my questions are so appreciated. It's killing me hearing him. I want him to come stay with me so I can get some healthy food and fluids into him.
He was taking Percocet for a neck injury and started upping the dose. His prescription was for 10 mg. 3 times a day. He hasn't had any in a few days. He thought he wasn't going to get withdrawals and they started bad yesterday. He's weak, diarrhea, aches, and trouble breathing (which I think is anxiety.) He can't really eat but no vomiting so far. Neither of us no what to expect. I think not knowing is making this far worse on him. He also has the sweats and the chills and feels like he has a fever but no actual temperature.
He does not want to go to detox. (He was in an alcohol detox in January.) I read some things on here about the Thomas recipe. I also read things about using Clonidine and tapering. I'm wondering if to get him out of his misery I should give him a Percocet and then help him taper off. (I have some from a recent surgery. But I don't want to do anything that will make it worse. I want to help him feel better.)
How long do the withdrawals take? If the withdrawals started yesterday, is he at the worst of them now? He's been taking the Percocets since '07 I think. He's been escalating the dose himself (for legitimate pain. He's awaiting neck surgery.) He has an appointment with the neurosurgeon on Tuesday. I just want him to feel "normal" and feel stronger. He really thinks he's dying. (He's a strong guy.) He doesn't believe withdrawal can be like this.
Any answers to my questions are so appreciated. It's killing me hearing him. I want him to come stay with me so I can get some healthy food and fluids into him.
My BF is a bit better, I think. I told him all of the tips I read. I wished I could have been with him to help him through it. But I'm still recovering from a serious concussion from a serious car accident last Wednesday and can't really drive.
What bothers me though is he goes back and forth about what's going on. He's not being truthful. First he says it's the withdrawal, then says it can't be. I know he's lying to himself.
There's a water main break and you can't drink the water in his town. They found this out yesterday around 5. Now he's saying that's why he's sick because of bad water. But when I pointed out he's been withdrawing since late Wednesday he ignores it.
I think I'd feel better if he just admitted it was withdrawal. He's still very weak, no energy, some vomiting and diarrhea but not like before. This is hell seeing someone go through this. I appreciate all the tips.
What bothers me though is he goes back and forth about what's going on. He's not being truthful. First he says it's the withdrawal, then says it can't be. I know he's lying to himself.
There's a water main break and you can't drink the water in his town. They found this out yesterday around 5. Now he's saying that's why he's sick because of bad water. But when I pointed out he's been withdrawing since late Wednesday he ignores it.
I think I'd feel better if he just admitted it was withdrawal. He's still very weak, no energy, some vomiting and diarrhea but not like before. This is hell seeing someone go through this. I appreciate all the tips.
Thanks for the tips. I do know about addiction, just not about withdrawals. The truth is, he is dependent. As far as addicted? Not sure. I just read a whole book on it. I'm on it myself through a pain clinic. I've had 8 surgeries in the last 3 years with 1 more to go. I'm on a high dose. I always take it appropriately and probably not often enough, according to the pain docs. After hearing him and reading here, I'm afraid for me when I need to go off. But I'm guessing the pain clinic will deal with tapering me.
Truthfully, I think his problem INITIALLY was he was undermedicated. He probably needed a higher dosage to cover his pain. But he refused that. Then he ended up taking more of the prescription he had and running out.
He's afraid to tell the doctor about this because she's a new primary care doctor (though I've encouraged him to. I know her and she's excellent.) He HAS to go to work on Monday. I got him out yesterday, today and tomorrow, but he has to be able to go Monday. Trouble is he's a mailman and he is not in any condition to carry a mail bag and walk 6 to 8 miles.
He lives about 35 minutes away. I have 4 kids and I can't go back and forth. I told him I'd come get him and bring him here for the weekend and make sure he was comfortable and fed well. (And I have enough space that he'll have privacy and no one will know what's going on.) He says he's too sick to even get in the car.
He's home alone and so weak and I'm afraid he's going to fall down or something. I know he's not keeping anything in and I'm certain he's dehydrated. (I took care of my mom when she was dying, and I'm good at that. I know I can help him feel a LITTLE better and build up his strength.
I think he was hoping to taper off. Get a percocet to feel better and then start tapering down. Trouble is, Tuesday's doc appointment they're going to tell him he needs it until the surgery. It's a terrible Catch 22. I don't see how he can possibly go to work in this condition.
I told him to check this website so he can get more informed. He's not even feeling okay to do that (and he's a huge computer geek.)
Do you think he's really at the worst of it now and he will start feeling better anytime soon? He's convinced he's sick with something else, that withdrawal just can't be this bad, but I know that's what this is.
Truthfully, I think his problem INITIALLY was he was undermedicated. He probably needed a higher dosage to cover his pain. But he refused that. Then he ended up taking more of the prescription he had and running out.
He's afraid to tell the doctor about this because she's a new primary care doctor (though I've encouraged him to. I know her and she's excellent.) He HAS to go to work on Monday. I got him out yesterday, today and tomorrow, but he has to be able to go Monday. Trouble is he's a mailman and he is not in any condition to carry a mail bag and walk 6 to 8 miles.
He lives about 35 minutes away. I have 4 kids and I can't go back and forth. I told him I'd come get him and bring him here for the weekend and make sure he was comfortable and fed well. (And I have enough space that he'll have privacy and no one will know what's going on.) He says he's too sick to even get in the car.
He's home alone and so weak and I'm afraid he's going to fall down or something. I know he's not keeping anything in and I'm certain he's dehydrated. (I took care of my mom when she was dying, and I'm good at that. I know I can help him feel a LITTLE better and build up his strength.
I think he was hoping to taper off. Get a percocet to feel better and then start tapering down. Trouble is, Tuesday's doc appointment they're going to tell him he needs it until the surgery. It's a terrible Catch 22. I don't see how he can possibly go to work in this condition.
I told him to check this website so he can get more informed. He's not even feeling okay to do that (and he's a huge computer geek.)
Do you think he's really at the worst of it now and he will start feeling better anytime soon? He's convinced he's sick with something else, that withdrawal just can't be this bad, but I know that's what this is.
Hi,
I know he feels like he is dying but he isn't. He was on them for quite some time and it is going to take him a bit to feel good again.
As suggested, keep him as comfortable as you can. Hot baths are soothing and make certain he stays hydrated. Try and get him to eat some soup and maybe crackers or toast.
The idea of giving him one of your pills to ease his withdrawal is a bad one. He has come this far and he is almost through the physical part. Since you don't seem to know much about drug addiction (good for you) then I can't see you knowing much about tapering and how to devise a good plan. What are you going to do when he starts crying and begging for just one more? And believe me, he will.
I think his best bet is to get honest with his doctor right now. He/she can prescribe something to ease the withdrawal.
Also, if you can get him to come on and at least read some of the posts it may help him to understand that so many of us have been where he is and so many of us have made it through.
Please keep posting and let us know how you are both doing.
I know he feels like he is dying but he isn't. He was on them for quite some time and it is going to take him a bit to feel good again.
As suggested, keep him as comfortable as you can. Hot baths are soothing and make certain he stays hydrated. Try and get him to eat some soup and maybe crackers or toast.
The idea of giving him one of your pills to ease his withdrawal is a bad one. He has come this far and he is almost through the physical part. Since you don't seem to know much about drug addiction (good for you) then I can't see you knowing much about tapering and how to devise a good plan. What are you going to do when he starts crying and begging for just one more? And believe me, he will.
I think his best bet is to get honest with his doctor right now. He/she can prescribe something to ease the withdrawal.
Also, if you can get him to come on and at least read some of the posts it may help him to understand that so many of us have been where he is and so many of us have made it through.
Please keep posting and let us know how you are both doing.
hey i dont know too much about percocets but usually whatever is in your system takes atleast three days to be out of your system.. have him talk to the doc to let him know that he wants to get off the pills and i know the doctor will understand.. i did that a few years ago and she helped me with everything.. and tell him that everything he is feeling is the withdrawls so no im pretty sure he isnt dying, but he needs to get checked out and u dont need to go to detox. if the doc prescribed them then im sure he will help you
Hi~ All of this is normal. If today is the 2nd day without Percocet,then he's got a day to go at this rate. It will gradually decrease. Do not give him a Percocet at this point.
He's well on his way! The opiates are eliminated by 72 hours. That is the hardest time.
He needs fluids and OTC's for symptomatic relief of diarrhea,tonic water for restless legs, vitamins,hot baths,tea etc...all comfort things/foods. A heating pad for chills. Mostly he needs to eat,drink and eliminate. He will be okay. He can call his doctor,which is always smart,explain what's happening and maybe get some meds for help. Withdrawal is definitely like this. It's like the flu and lasts about a week with every day a little better.
Post back with more questions and good luck~
Vicki
He's well on his way! The opiates are eliminated by 72 hours. That is the hardest time.
He needs fluids and OTC's for symptomatic relief of diarrhea,tonic water for restless legs, vitamins,hot baths,tea etc...all comfort things/foods. A heating pad for chills. Mostly he needs to eat,drink and eliminate. He will be okay. He can call his doctor,which is always smart,explain what's happening and maybe get some meds for help. Withdrawal is definitely like this. It's like the flu and lasts about a week with every day a little better.
Post back with more questions and good luck~
Vicki
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