Percocet Addition...Shakes

[oxleg1]

Percocet Addiction...Shakes...Help!

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Hello,

I am a 40 year old male and have been taking percocet for about 2 years. It all started when I injured my leg 2 years ago. I was given percocet and have not stopped taking it.

I am not taking it for pain. For the past year or so I have only been taking it for the relaxing feeling. I NEED TO STOP!

I only take 2 10mg pills in the morning. (10 / 325 percocet). Nothing in the afternoon and nothing in the evening. Just 2 in the morning and it makes me feel good for about 3 hours.

The problem is that now I am getting shakes. Usually in the late afternoon, and always in the evening, I am getting shakes on the inside. Not bad shakes, just slightly. Sometimes I still get it in the AM even after I take the 2 pills. But not always in the morning, but definately always in the evening, and alot of times in the afternoon. It is not bad and doesn't keep me from sleeping.

This is scary! I am NOT going to increase my dosage. I need to stop NOW before this gets worse.

First question: Are the shakes just because my body has a tolerence to the percocet? Is it possible that the shakes may be some other problem, like with my liver or kidneys?

Second question: If I try to stop cold turkey, what effects will I feel? Someone told me that I will get shakes but they will only last 1 week or so. Is this true?

Third question: Is it possible that I may have some liver or kidney damage after being on this for 2 years? I started with one 5mg tablet 3 times/day and when my leg was better, then I was increasing and taking once a day, and as I said I am now on 2 10mg pills in the morning. I don't want to increase. I want to stop NOW! But is it possible that I have done some liver / kidney damage? Someone told me that with the little bit that I have been taking, I probably haven't done any damage, but I wanted to see what others think.

I am praying every day for GOD to help me stop this and I know HE will help me. And any advice / info that I can get from this forum will greatly help me. Once I get off of this, I want to help others get off of it too. Maybe I will be able to monitor this forum and answer questions for others in the future to help them stop.

Thanks so much and I am looking forward to your help and information.

[sadinmichigan]

yeah it does sound like w/ds..It's great that you want to stop..Your dr. can do a simple blood test to check kidney and liver enzymes..etc,,it should be done anyway for alot of meds out there. i was taking my hydros for a couple years and my dr never did a blood test until i asked him to..We are all here for you , this is a great place for support.

[worried878]

do keep us updated on what you plan to do..lots of support here

[Yoda99]

Worried's advice is good.  At your low dose, you can start tapering now and even though when you finally get down to zero and you'll have some withdrawals, I think you will be better prepared for it.
Let us hear from you,
Yoda

[PillPoppinGreenEyedGirl]

Im so sorry u r going through this, but I doubt that you did permenant damage.. Ive been addicted to pain killers almost 9 yrs,taking upwards of15-20 at one time. I'm trying to quit now and am having a hard time Ive relapsed 3 times so I know the withdrawls only last about a week at most. but you should have blood work done just in case. Good luck!!! if you ever need to talk i know what its like.

[NautyOne]

Sounds like withdrawal.  The shakes as long as its not like a Parkinson's Shake.....is probably anxiety.  I would get it at the exact times that you are, and it is one of the bad side effects of the meds.  I would definitely try tapering.  Your gonna feel it, but not like you would if you totally stopped C/T.  As far as kidney or liver damage, anything is possible, but I always thought that when I started taking less.  Stress and anxiety go hand in hand in this deal.  PM me if you want help with tapering.  I will do what I can.

God Bless,
Nauty............

[worried878]

Possibly like yoda said...your tolerence is climbing and your body wants more...you have a dose every 24 hours and are feeling wds in between...i was a daytime user and never took a hydro after 4-5 pm and would feel wds each morning...i did not know this til later..i thought it was hot flashes in the mornings..felt clammy...you may want to try tapering or taking 1 in the morning and one in the afternoon then go down from there to halves...or you could ct...the health pages has the thomas recipe and the amino protocol, and a tapering article...it is good u did not listen to your body and increase your dose or this would have become more difficult to quit..keep posting

[Yoda99]

1)  Not quite sure about the shakes without any other symptoms.  It could be that you have built up a tolerance and you're body is craving more.  Good time for a physical with your doctor though.
2)  You'll feel like you have a little case of the flu.  Even though you have been on a small dose, you have been taking them for two years so you'll still have withdrawals and they aren't pleasant.  But you'll get through the worst of it in about 3 days and then you'll start feeling better.
3)  There is a certain amount of tylenol that we can supposedly take daily without causing damage to our liver.  I forgot what mgs it is, but you can do a search.  You probably haven't caused any damage to your organs but your doctor can order tests.
Now's the time to quit.  Take a stand, make a plan, and do it.  We'll help you!
Good luck,
Yoda