getting off percs and morphine

[newbygirl123]

I've been taking up to 75 mgs of percocet a day, and at night up to 75 mg of morphine. I would take 7.5 mg of Rhovane (sleeping pill) every night as well. 2 years I've been on this stuff, and it's ruined my life. I don't even know where I begin, and the drugs end. Chronic shoulder pain is what made me start, but life's challenges alone is what kept me on them.
About a month ago, I decided to get off these pills. Although I never felt "impaired", I did feel "good"- and somewhat numb. It helped immensely with anxiety- which my profession in law enforcement seems to be proned to. I decided to try and taper down to get off of them...I'm down to one- 5mg percocet a day, in the morning. I am still, exhausted. I still need to take Immodeum. But I feel dizzy alot- and like little lightening bolts zap through my brain- does this sound normal?

[newbygirl123]

The after care I've chosen to do involves all nature therapy-i.e. acupuncture, chiro, massage etc. For the mental part, I went to a support group yesterday during the day for people in my line of work (no outsiders allowed), and then last night I went to an N.A. meeting. I'm caught between a rock and a hard place, because I'm dependant on narcotics for pain, but I'm addicted to them for anxiety and coping mechanisms. I want my life back. I'm also joining the local YMCA this week, and plan to do swimming and yoga, coupled with 20 minutes of hot tub action for my muscles. At this point, I'll try anything!

[mellie4]

Dependent versus addicted can be complicated.  To be honest, I never understood it until I ended up on percocet after a surgery.  The surgery failed and I had 7 more, along with many procedures and medication.  I see a pain management physician and they prescribe my medications.  I have always been super aware of addiction due to being married to an addict.  Some of my doctors think I worry needlessly about my medications, but I've seen far too many people go from being dependent to addiction without even seeing it happen.

So dependence is when your body is physically addicted to the medication and if you stop, you'll go into withdrawals, just like someone who is addicted.  The difference would be the mental part.  I don't crave oxycodone.  I don't ever take more than I'm prescribed (and often take less than I'm supposed to, which, according to my doctors, is not a good thing as the pain gets out of control.  I don't run out of my medications or have multiple doctors prescribing for me.  I only get my pain medication from my pain specialist.

I would tend to agree with gnarly; that you're using it not only for the pain but for other reasons as well.  Not everyone that's addicted needs to be "impaired."  I never feel "impaired," but I know that with the amount of medication I'm on I'm not on the top of my game.  So, for instance, I would never drive if I've taken the medication because I feel like my reflexes wouldn't be what they should be, even if I feel "normal."

If you have chronic shoulder pain, it's possible you are only dependent.  But it's also possible that you went from dependency to addiction.  Where do you get your medication from?  What other things do you do for your shoulder pain?  If you're going to get off narcotics, you do need an aftercare program.  Not many people are successful without it.  But you also need a plan for your pain.  Serious, chronic pain can set anyone off.

And I was not offended in any way by your question.  I'm sure there are people that are on here who wonder why I am if I'm not addicted.  I've had a lot of experience with addiction after being married to an addict for 18 years.  My boyfriend/ex-BF presently has gone from using Percocet for a serious neck injury to abusing them.  It's how I initially found this site.  He went into withdrawal after running out of his prescription 2 weeks early.  He's a perfect example of someone who started taking Percocet for a legitimate reason and somewhere along the way started abusing it.  (His mom died and he was having trouble with his daughter.  He had some depression.)  He is still trying to say he's only dependent but not addicted.  (Which is why at the moment he's my ex-BF.)  But he has ran out of his prescription several times.  He does not take his medication according to his prescription.  When he runs out, he's asked me to "borrow" some until his prescription comes in.  When he gets his prescription filled after running out, he says it's not going to happen again, but yet it does.  I'm not sure what's going to happen with him.  I'll be supportive as his friend, but I'm not willing to be in a relationship with another addict.

I hope your questions on addiction versus dependence were answered.  If not, ask away.

[gnarly_1]

HI and welcome to the forum...your question dependant vs addicted is a little complicated to answer ...if you have been taking that much and taking it as prescribed for legitimate pain you could be just dependent but you post tells me your also taking it for the anti/anxiety effects and its numbing effects as well...that is when you crossed the line over to addiction...addiction need to be treated differently you need to work a recovery program otherwise you may find yourself on a merry go round of getting off of them only to be back on them in a mater of months or yrs addiction is a desiese of the mind it never goes away at best you can live in recovery witch once you get there is a beautiful place but you can never drop your guard or ever take narcotics again without some extream  measures in place like someone else hold your pills and only dose you as prescribed and also from a legit doctor not some dr feel good that over prescribes...you have done a great job tapering off but I feel you have crossed over the line...usually if your asking yourself the question its a problem...recovery care is the solution ...good luck and God bless......Gnarly          

[newbygirl123]

Hi there
Well, I went for acupuncture for 1st time at my chiro's office yesterday. To be honest, my neck and shoulder does feel a bit better. But, I am still on the 5 mg of percocet at this point, so I am not 100% sure. I did however, find a doctor of chinese medicine that is very highly recommended, been at it for 30 years-ive heard its better to see the real deal- so i have an appt with her on the 18th of this month. I will let you know if i feel any different after that appointment!
Dependant vs. addicted- tell me the difference...(I mean this with much respect)

[mellie4]

I really like your comment on "I'm trying to focus on my goals, not my obstacles."  I've never heard that before.  Good luck with your journey.  I'm on meds for chronic pain from failed hand surgeries and RSD.  I'm sick of them but still on them (though at this point just dependent and not addicted, and don't want to get addicted.) Massage therapy wouldn't work for me but I've thinking about acupuncture; how have you found that?  Helpful at all?  I'm afraid to stay on the meds and afraid to get off them because of my pain.  Even the medications don't help kill it.

I find everyone on here to be really brave and it inspires me that people go through this and find their way out of some truly horrendous situations.

[newbygirl123]

Tomorrow I go to a support meeting for the 1st time...so, today was what I am hoping was the last day with the 1 percocet tablet I have been taking. I think it's psychological at this point.... trying to figure out how to manage the pain I'm in without these meds...Ive recently started acupuncture, combined with massage therapy (which leaves me pretty much debiliated for 2 days from the pain of the intenseness of the masseur), along with chiropractic care...
Last week I did take over the counter sleep medicine, along with gravol. But I haven't taken anything in a few days. I do sleep, but wake ever few hours. It's more the anxiety at this point on what's to come. I'm also returning to work on Sunday, for the 1st time since beginning of May. This is a HUGE stress, given nature of my job...
I m trying to focus on my goals, not my obstacles...
thanks for the comment :-)

[LeaAnn807]

Hi!  The need for immodium is totally normal!!!  The zaps are normal too.  I'm not sure about the dizziness.  Exhaustion is normal.  Are you taking anything now, at all?  Even to sleep?  Insomnia is usually a big problem for people who are detoxing.  When do you plan to stop completely?  You will need lots of support!!!