percocet

I was looking for some information online and found your site.  I have been on dialysis for 7 years due to lupus.  Initially I took no pain meds for several years.  Then I had some problems and began taking Percocet.  I have now been taking Percocet for several years.  Usually about 2 a day in the morning only, but sometimes I need to take more (not very often)   #1 am I additicted because I don't take it around the clock and it should be wearing off after so many hours?  #2  I dont have too many side effects that I can identify,  maybe more constipated, but I offset that with herbal stuff.  I was reading someone elses comment that they had no sex drive and I did not realize that was related.  But I have no need for that in my life right now.       Mostly I take it for energy at this time.  I can't barely get up sometimes and it makes a real difference. I realize this is not a good plan.  
But what I really want to know is can long term taking this at this amount cause numbness or decreased sensation to my legs and feet?  I have a lot of medical things going on due to my history of lupus and currently being on dialysis so I don't know which thing causes what.  #3  Also, although I seem to feel "energy"  when I take it, could it actually be responsible for some of my long term fatigue?

[chelyknits]

It's really hard when you come to this point when you realize you are either developing a dependancy or are hooked on your pain med.  I knew I was addicted when I realized it gave me energy to do things.  That's when I began taking it more and more.  You may not take it around the clock now but the potential is there if you seek that 'energy' which i think are really just cravings fufilled, more often.  i don't know about any numbness or decreased sensation, it has never done it to me and i've spent half of this past year on vicodin and the other half on percocet in high amounts.  i am attempting withdrawel right now and am exhausted.  i would love that 'boost' it seemed to give me, but i know i need to find that boost within myself and you should be very careful now before it gets worse.  good luck!

[GoingToMakeIt]

Pain meds are addictive but just because you take them doesn't mean you are addicted. If you find you take them just to feel better or justify taking much more than prescribed, you may have a problem. My concern would be the dialysis part. There is Tylenol in most pain meds. That is hard on your liver. Can you discuss this with your DR or the dialysis center?
Remember too that as we take pain meds, our body actually produces pain so we will feed it pain pills! Since being off pills, my pain levels have actually dropped. I know it doesn't make sense but it is true.