Weaning off Percocet after 3+ yrs of daily use

[VScottV]

Day 9  (Sat)
Well, made it thru another day without cheating and also taking vicodins too!  I slept last night without a sleep aid.  My pain level is doable (5-6) this AM.  I intend to stick with the new plan…

Sent: Saturday, November 12, 2011 9:34 AM
Subject: RE: HEY HOW YOU DOING????

To be honest, the 6 hour intervals waiting between pills was making me absolutely nuts (it was all I thought about)...  So, a couple of days ago I jumped ahead to what the doc intends to do next week anyway, and have been cutting the pills in half, but taking them more often...  In other words, I'm only taking 5 mg, 4-5 times a day, so still only taking the 30 mg per day as he prescribed...  < May not have been the best the idea, but I didn't know what else to do...  (So, I take a 5 mg at 9AM, 5 mg at Noon, 5 mg at 3PM, 5 mg at 6PM, and 10 mg at 9PM).  The mental habit is the worse part of this!  Of course, it's not helping the pain as much only taking 5 mg, but eventually I wont have any pills, so I'd better get use to it.  

It's scary thinking about what I'll be like when that day comes without pills...  Not sure what/how to handle the psychological addiction part that I didn't think I'd have, but apparently do... Rehab is not an option, no Insurance + I cannot leave the dog for weeks even IF there was some facility that is gov assisted, nor do I want to go to one of those places for heroin addicts or whatever...  I'm hoping that as the doc cuts backs the amount of pills per day, that it will get easier - the mental addiction, because it will be gradual...  Not sure how I can have an addiction to something I don't even knowingly get a buzz off of??  Very scary & depressing.  

[VScottV]

Mitch,  kudos getting off that kind of dependacy (240 mg a day)?!  Whoa!!
I actually only started the gabapentin last night and another this AM, and I gotta say it does seem to help!  It's helping the pain some *unless I'm just having a good day), gives me energy, and seems to have taken away the percs craving....  Maybe it's all in my mind because of what you wrote, time will tell, but thanks!   Scott

[Ann2497]

Percs are devil pills!

[VScottV]

The devil pills definitely do not work as well as they did when I first started taking them, but they still dull the pain...  The pain level has been stable actually, 5-6 typically, sometimes elevates as it normally does:  1st thing in the AM, later in the day, and of course it spikes when I do anything too aggressive: like painting...  I started taking the gabapentin last night, only have taken 2 so far - last night and this morning, so by Thur when I see the doc I should have an idea whether they're helping or not... I am soooooo sick of thinking & talking about the stupid percs as I'm sure you're sick of hearing about them!  I cannot wait until this is done once & for all!

[VScottV]

Where R Ü ???

[VScottV]

You guys are awesome!  Margaret, thanks so much for your kind words and support.  I could NOT live on what Disability would pay + I can work... My doc did give me a script, which I've had filled, for Gabapentin.  I just haven't started taking it yet because I figured how will I know if it's working, if I'm still taking 30 mg of oxy...  I will ask him about Clonidine too.  No, they never take my vitals at the surgeons office, only my urine...  ô¿ô

Day 10  (Sun)
I got thru another day with NO vicodins!  I did take 3.5 pills yesterday though… It’s when I drink, when I’m bored, that I can justify taking a little extra, and I believe that’s when the buzz comes into play – when mixed with the booze…  I slept real well last night without a sleep aid.  I thought I had taken a xanax before bed, but it was still sitting on the dresser this AM, so I forgot to take it and still slept fine!!  Only got up to pee twice.
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Date: Sun, 13 Nov 2011 06:44:53 –0500
I was kidding when I said you are taking to many pills.  I understand what you are doing and why.  You are in a hurry to get it done and over with.  I would be the same way.   LUV YA
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Yes, in a hurry, but not the main reason I jumped ahead to next week's plans early...  I could not stand the waiting to only take a pill every 6 hrs, especially the hours I chose (9AM, 3PM, 9PM)... I chose those hours to make it convenient for Claire & me whereas I have to schlep over to her house 3 times a day or whatever... So, yes I'm already doing what will happen anyway this coming end of week via the doc (effect Friday), but it was more because I was missing the frequency of taking a pill big time...  I don't understand how my body apparently is addicted to a drug that my mind doesn't knowingly get buzzed on... Unless it's ALL mental and not physical, or both...

So, now I have no problem only waiting the 3 hr in between taking a 1/2 pill...  Anyway, I'll need to prob bump back the frequency of taking them from every 3 hr to every 4-5 hr next...  That's when I'll know where I'm at, and I'll start taking the Gabapentin too for the pain.  I'll see what the doc thinks when I see him on Thur.  

It is gorgeous here today, going to be in the low 80s, sunny, very low humidity!  I intend to paint today at Michael's, after I go thru the want ads, but there's not much in there per usual... A job would REALLY help me with this!!  I'd be busy then and would not have time to think about a stupid pill...

Have a great day ALL!

[snakejones]

Hi, Scott, I'm Margaret--pleased to meet you! You are a very good writer and can be a very funny one, too. But I can also feel that black emotional undercurrent in your writing as well. I know that things are hard for you, and I admire you so much for doing this. Do they take your vital signs at the surgeon's office? If your blood pressure's high, or even if it's normal, you are a good candidate for clonidine, the B/P med that helps with withdrawal, too. I'd be amazed if your doctor wouldn't give you some. I believe it is not too expensive, either, as it is an older drug. Have you also looked into disability benefits? I hope you will not be offended at the question; after everything you've gone through, you would certainly be justified if you wanted to go that route. You seem very smart and creative; maybe there coud be a way you could use the barter system for things like acupuncture, shiatsu, etc. like take care of their foo foo dogs or walk 'em, or some other kind of goods or service. That's what mankind did before money, and does to this day!
I wish you a blessed, comfortable night. Keep us posted!