Addicted to Percocet

[Scared_in_Georgia]

I am SO glad that I found this site and really hope that there is SOMEONE out there that can help me. I am 29 and recently hurt my back, the weird thing is I had NO idea how I did this. After a couple weeks of the pain getting worse and nothing over the counter helping me I went to the ER. The pain was SO SO SO BAD that I had no choice, I couldn't even walk. While there they did an MRI and found that I did have a serious injury and set me up with a back doctor for surgery. He tried to put the surgery off and hoped that in time the injury would heal itself. During the weeks of waiting he put me on Lortab 10mg and I was treating them like candy(they did nothing for the pain but did give a good buzz). After not sleeping and hurting all of the time I went back and told him this just wasn't working, he then put me on percocet 10mg. I am now taking 4 pills at one time and go through a bottle in 2 days. I finally had surgery a month ago and the pain is still VERY BAD, not from the actual surgery but the same pain as before the surgery. I am taking the pain meds to relieve the pain and they do VERY LITTLE, it just dulls it enough for me to get out of bed. I know until my back is fixed I have to take them, they are all that helps but I also know that I am addicted to them and will soon be taken off.....THAT SCARES THE HELL OUT OF ME. About a week ago I ran out of the percocet and spent a night in HELL!!!! I had NO idea what was going on - I couldn't sleep, I hurt ALL over from my head to my toe, I was shaking, and wanted to die. That was the worse feeling I have ever had in my life. I am now SO scared to come off of this but so badly want a normal life. If anyone was taking percocet and quit PLEASE PLEASE email me at ***@**** with what you did to get off without the bad withdrawals....I have no insurance so I cannot afford detox treatment.

Thank you SO much!!

Bridget

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

Can you ask your surgeon to refer you to a pain specialist...they can help you get through this.

[slandis75]

Please get a friend or a loved one that you can trust and who will not judge you to stay with you for a little while during this time of pain - it's amazing what a little mental support and love can do for you.  It is awful to deal with withdrawals, especially as bad as they must have been from your description.  But the bigger thing to worry about right now, the much scarier thing than the withdrawals you will feel today, is HOW BAD will it be if you wait to get off them until your even MORE dependent?  This should scare you into making up your mind about what to do, whether you wait or you get help now, at least you will realize that IF you wait a year from now, or 10 years from now, it's going to be at least 10x harder and more painful than whatever you're experiencing now.  Not only that, but how much of your life would you have missed out on?  How far do you have to go to hit rock bottom before you decide to quit?  It's up to you, but face it - the withdrawals are scary and they hurt like nothing else anyone can imagine, I know from experience, but I also known that in the long run you're going to have to face it SOMEDAY, or you will end up dying or homeless, or ruined without anything or anyone if you don't give it up because you are too scared of a little pain today.  I don't mean to demean the amount of suffering you have today, but it pales in comparison to what you will feel if you are withdrawing a month from now, or longer as your body is more and more hooked on the drug.  Wouldn't you rather do it now, when it's not nearly as bad as what it would be (what it definitely will be) later?  Believe me, you don't know the pain of withdrawals until you've experienced it numerous times - it can ALWAYS get worse, and believe me it will the longer you are on it.  But, there is hope!  Even without health insurance, you can always take yourself to an emergency room when you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms.  Just be sure to tell them the nature of your problem so they don't make it worse and give you a new kind of addiction (like a xanax or a valium, or anything else that's highly addictive).  The benefit, even if the can't physically ease your pain is that you will feel safer knowing that when you are scared and experiencing pain, it will be done in an environment in which you will feel safe. Most of the withdrawal problems are mental - half the battle of withdrawals is being calm.  Knowing that you're going to be okay in the end is the key to successfully getting over it.  You need to find a support system to either be at home with you to watch over you when you go through this or take yourself to the hospital.  Just make that decision to quit now and it will be less scary sooner rather than later.

[Scared_in_Georgia]

Thank you so much for responding to my posting.  Everything you said is true and I know this.  The problem is that my back is still not fixed and without this pain medicine I can't even get out of bed.  I have  had a family member that "said" he had back trouble and everyone in the family (even me) doubted he had a real problem and was sure he was only wanting pain meds.  He has been on these meds for a few years now and will tell you he just likes the buzz.  I on the otherhand do not take them for the buzz, I don't get a buzz at all.  I have been given Diluad (unsure of the spelling) and Oxycotin (unsure again) neither of the two do I take, they don't help at all.  The ONLY pain med that seems to take some of the pain is the percocet.  NO med takes all of the pain but in order to get out of bed and shower I have no choice but to take it.  I have even talked to my doctor and let him know that I am very worried about being addicted to this and he does agree; however, he said until I can have my second surgery I will need to take it if I don't want the severe pain or I can not take it and take the pain (a pain I can not even begin to describe).  I am only 29 years old and very angry that I have to feel this way and have back problems at such a young age.  I feel like I am missing out on life, not from the pain meds but because I hurt too bad to ride or go anywhere.  I almost feel like my life is over.  I don't want you or anyone else to think I am taking and well, I am far from well.  I just want so badly to be fixed, get off of the pain meds and go on with a NORMAL life, a life that I should enjoy.  In your posting you stated that you know from experience, did you have a back injury and have to take the meds or was it something that you just took?

Again, thanks so much for your reply.  It is so nice to know that there are people out there that care for people that they don't even know.

[toyoungforpain]

I am 24 have have had three back sugeries. I have cronic pain, and was told last month that it wont go away and I have to deal with it. I had been on 80 mg. of oxixontin a day and I told them I wanted off. I would rather deal with the pain (I am not sure how much the meds were working anyway) than be physically dependant.

I am on my third week of tapering and I am worn down. The sweats, insomia, aches, anxiety, depression. I see what all this pain meds. did to my body and I want out. I am young, recently married and unable to work due to all my back problems.

To all out there going throught this, you are not alone. This is harder than my spinal sugery in many ways. I feel as though my body is betraying me. (and I am tired of feeling like I am going to crawl out of my skin becuase I cant stay still.)  I releize that the lack of sleep I am getting is probly making everything seem worse, but that isnt much help!

[toyoungforpain]

I dont know how I hurt my back either. One day I thought I pulled something (My pain is L5, S1) and my husband told me to go to the doc. That was two years ago, and becuase of my age alot of surgeons wouldnt touch me. Lucky I found an amazing surgeon, but he told me there isnt anyting he can do and that this pain I have is it.

I think hopelessness is the word for how I feel. How can my body as such a young age be doign this to me.

[shawnee k]

Hi everyone; this is my first time in any kind of forum.  I a female, 32 years old and my story begins 3/15/06.  I twisted incorrectly (this is the day I gave notice at my employer that I was leaving to begin another job) and later that night I was unable to walk to go to the  bathroom.  Doctor, Chiro and ER diagnosed as sciatica....about 3 weeks.   I did not for the first two and lived on percocet in order to just get out of bed.  I started the new job and lived on percocet to make it through the day any where from 5-10 pills of perc 10/day.  Finally on 4/7/06 I got over the sciatica for about 2 hours.  I then slipped in the kitchen of my house and  did the splits; I felt things ripping in the groin area and hurt real bad.  Had enough perc to get me through weekend.  Called  doctor; they could not see me; to make a long story short they wanted to send me to pain management doc without even looking at second injury.  My husband got the doc on the phone 9 days later and I went in; she sent me for an x-ray to rule out bone stuff (with my insurance you have to do x-ray before mri).  Everyone from the doc, to the pharm, to even my husband was thinking I was a drug seeker.

I had the x-ray done and low and  behold I had broken the "neck bone" between the ball of the hip and the femur; totally displaced.  I must have cried for an hour; not due to pain but to the  validation that I was taking massive amounts of painkillers for a reason.  I was promptly admitted; now have 3 screws in my hip and due to the fact that the blood flow was  impeded for 9 days am looking at possible partial hip replacement w/in next 1-2 years.  I am without pain at the moment but am going through some horrible withdrawal symptoms from being on such large dosages of percocet for 2 1/2 months.

Any advice on how to handle the withdrawal would be helpful.

[giddychic]

I have had about 30 surgeries in the last 9 years and been on plenty of pain medication----It can get addictive if you don't stay on top of it.....the best way for me to get off of them was to startlike on Mon. take my normal amount....Tues Wednesday then Thursday I would knock some out and take that dosage for three days then do it overuntil you are down to one pill a day-----you do not want to quit cold turkey------you will have withdrawels quickly and they are not fun-------

[Arawana]

I hurt my back about 15 years ago.  The first 12 years I did all the stuff I was suppose to do, but I continued to have back pain, injections, NSAID's, Physical Therapy more steriod injections etc.  Then about 3 years ago, I started seeing a Pain Management Doctor.  I will probably get a lot of flack for saying this but I think the Norco 10's have been a blessing so far.  Yes I am most likely addicted, I average about 3 to 5 per day.  I never take more than 5 in 24 hours, it's my self made limit.  Then once I feel the need to go to 6 per day, I start what I call my pull back phase.  I get it back down to 3 per day.  Then over about a month I will get back up to 5 again.  Then I start the process all over again.  Could I stop tomorrow? No, I would have to go through withdrawals just like anyone else.  My life is good, other than I work way to many hours and I don't see  my wife enough.  I stopped excersising about 6 months ago, need to start that back up again soon.  But what I would like to ask is?  Is taking 4 or 5 Noroc 10's really that bad?  I get rid of my pain, I feel a little good, it get's me through the day when I'm tired?  Should I quit? Is this bad for me?  I see people doing 30 pills per day, and yes I think that's insane.  I taper out my 3 or 5 throughout the day so I don't take them all at once.  I am not here to try and justify that it's okay, please don't get me wrong.  In fact I feel like it's wrong, but I am not sure why it's wrong?  If you someone has some comments to me one way or the other, I would like to here them. Remember: I will not ever take more than 5, that is my rule and I've stuck to it for 3 years.  I have a very good and successful job and I have a lot or responsibility, I have to be functioning and able to work everyday.

[Kalio1]

Your story sounds like mine, I broke a disc, had surgery but was left with sciatica. I tried everything they said, still had the searing pains, numbness and limp. Thru pain management therapy I am now able to control the pain, live a decent life and function. I use 3 to 4 Vicoprophen a day. That is the point of "pain management therapy" to manage your pain. I am like you, I do NOT take any more pills than the doc has ordered. I too try to knock a pill off when ever I can and cope with the pain, to see if I can do it I guess.
I do not feel I am addicted, far from it. I see it as the tool to manage my pain and live a good, painfree 9or as close to it as possible) life. Don't beat yourself up, the meds are designed to help people like us. People who judge us do not suffer from the pain nor waLk in our shoes, so don't listen to them. Remember, drug "abuse" is using drugs for reasons other than for what they are intended, you are using them as they were intended to be used, that certainly does not make you an addict.
Congrats on finding a solution to your pain, don't bother thinking that controing your pain makes you an addict.

[Ron Mexico]

Hi.  This is my first post here, so I'm not entirely sure that this is the appropriate thread for this post, but it's the closest topic relating to my problem.  I don't have any physical maladies that warrant narcotic analgesic prescriptions.  However, I find myself 4 months into an addiction to MScontin (Kadian to be specific) as well as oxycontin.  My daily dose of these meds ranges from 100-200mg of each one. My tolerance to these meds has become so strong that my dose-level just to avoid w/drawal Sx sometimes exceeds 200mg per day.  I've been trying to kick the habit cold-turkey and made it 4.5 days.  However, today was a breaking point for me and I took 2 10mg hydrocodone about an hour ago b/c I'm feeling sooo awful.  I have a phobic vomiting fear (emetephobia) and found myself unable to cope with the nausea.  I have been prescribed Xanax for over 10 years for horrible anxiety which is largely related to this vomiting fear. As I've been trying to get off of these meds, my anxiety has ramped up beyond belief.  Over the past 4.5 days, I've lost 15lbs due to diarrhea, vomiting and being to nauseous to eat (as well as too scared to eat b/c I'm so scared of throwing up again).  I live on the border of Mexico and it's incredibly easy to go to a pharmacy there and obtain these meds.  So there's my background.  Here are my questions:
Am I doing myself any favors if I were to try and taper the rest of the way?  Since I'm been chewing so much MScontin, might it be possible to switch to hydrocodone at low doses and get some relief from the withdrawal symptoms?  Does the person who is taking 100mg of MScontin per day have a stronger or more difficult path ahead of him than a person who has been taking 100mg daily of hydrocodone?  I grossly underestimated the power of these medications.  Thanks.

[Rez de Aiya]

Hi everyone, this is also my first post here.  I have multiple medical issues, and being that I'm a 34 year old public school teacher and still function on par, I often feel like I'm 70 years old.  I've been taking 60 mg. of oxycontin extended release, and 80 mg hydrocodone daily for spinal disease and slipped disks at L5, L6, and C5 for about 2 years.(My neck is only a bulging disk, but causes migraines as well, which I take Relpax or Fiorcet.)  I do see a pain specialist and internist and I've had two surgeries on my back to minimize the disks, but nothing now seems to work on my physical symptoms.  
I feel like my life is a losing battle.

I've taken antidepressants for 12 years, due to several major depressive episodes, and also take xanax 1 mg. 3x's day, which helps my anxiety issues and helps me to actually work and take care of my family. (This medicine helps me the most.)  The doc. wants me to take Abilify, which I can't stand since I'm a complete zombie...I really hate that medicine.

Also, my thyroid has a large growth and doctors want to remove it, and I have bad skin problems, psoraisis (psoriasis), that worsened considerably over the last few months.  Psoraisis (psoriasis) is also of arthritic form, and affects my hands and knees.

I have a couple of questions:  I have noticed that my hair has been thinning and has lost it's usual luster. Could this be from the medication?  Also, I've been having night sweats that feel almost like withdrawl.  Could that be linked to my thyroid issue?  Lately I've felt like an old lady who can't get around, is dizzy and doesn't want to get out of bed.  I've gained 20 pounds since the issues with my back prevent the kind of exercise I used to enjoy, and this extra weight is making the pain even worse.  I know from hearing horror stories about withdrawing from opiods that it's terrible, but at this point I feel that my medication is at least allowing me to live life and participate with my children to some extent.  

Does it sound like I'm taking too much medicine?  I've tapered off of it before.  I get kidney infections due to a prolapsed uterus and bladder, and often have to take strong antibiotics to recover, all the while the doctors want to do a hysterectomy.  Are the pain medications contributing to my ailments such as kidney infections?  Could they be exacerbating my psoraisis (psoriasis)?  How will my struggle with depression change once we taper off these pills?  Sorry It's so much; but these problems are not nearly as bad as my mother's with her bone pain/meds.  That will be a different post!
Thank you all for listening!

[Frankie01]

Hello to all,

Founf this site and was so relieved to feel like I have some company. I have been taking percoset and other ppain meds for about 6 months for a chronic neuopathy problem and thys rae just zapping me out. Finally spoke to the doctor after the 4th and just realized that I had to stop. Finally got a prescription for xanax and hope this will help wean me off of the opiates. Looking for someone to talk to and give some advise on if the xanax will help me some. Its been rough so far and the heat in Florida makes it worse. Hope to talk with someone.

Frankie

[Frankie01]

Looking for some help with weaning off percoset and using xanax. I am new to this site and have been using the prescribed meds for about 6 months. Finally know that I have to stop and am looking for whatever advise and support I can get.
Frankie in Florida.

[Immanuel]

Hey Frankie 01...I'm a studying psychologist, and recovering addict of Methadone. And dude, trading one for the other DOES NOT WORK! In actually, Xanax has bad withdrawal effects as well. In layman's terms, xanax helps the brain fire through the nuerotransmitters a certain way...by stopping the use of the med., that 'spark' the med creates for the brain is missing, therefore many complications may occur. Not too familiar w/ them, but I witnessed a friend seizure from not having his xanax, which is a possible side effect of this med. NOT trying to scare you, just inform. However, getting to the point of your insomnia, things like Valarian Root and Melatonin don't have much affect. I sought out a psychiatrist who was familiar w/ these types of addictions, and so he prescribed me an anti-depressent(high anxiety/low depression which goes w/ withdrawal)which will allow me to finally sleep peacefully called Remeron. Hence the key wording 'REM' which as you know is our deepest sleep. And now, I seem to be sleeping too much actually, so he doubled the dosage(this particular anti-depressent works in a weaker state when dosed w/ more) to alleviate my long sleep habits.
I hope this works for you! Below this section, I'm going to talk about how any opiates, and Methadone affect the mind & body, as well as what supplements there are to repair the body to it's "natural state"...this is for ANYONE suffering and looking for the ONLY TRUE answers, NOT other meds...
Methadone is one of the most physically dependant medication invented in the 20th century. The reasons: its long half-life (24-36 hrs), it's a synthetic morphine, and the diabolic symptoms of withdrawal & the length of the wtdrwl symptoms. Methadone, like all opioids creates changes in gastrointestinal function...meaning that any food you eat, absorption of the vital nutrients are impaired. This, of course, affects the body negatively. Aches and pains, sore joints, chronic fatigue, sleeplessness, high anxiety/low depression are signs & symptoms of the deficiencies. Methadone effects brain neurotransmitter function and production. It causes havoc in the pituatary gland (produces adrenalin) which causes one to suffer chronic fatigue. All opiates down-regulates opiate receptors in the body which accounts for the long-lasting aches & pains of wtdrwl. Its particularly important w/ methadone wtdrwl because left untreated, the symptoms can last for months. The longer one takes methadone, the more profound the changes in mind-body function.
Regardless how much you decrease your dosage intake before quitting, there will be some level of wtdrwl. Studies show little difference of wtdrwl intensity between 1mg & 80mg. The wtdrwl is unique to ea. individual. Some can come off 65mg uncomfortably, hardly breaking a sweat while others coming off of low doses suffer PURE AGONY (such as myself, BUT comin' off 40mg). A strong rule to live by is: TREAT THE INDIVIDUAL, NOT THE DISEASE.
I detoxed off methadone cold turkey at home(not clinically recommended)! Even if you should try out-patient, and you're interested in how to repair their body naturally such as I did, I'll list the supplements essential for withdrawal recovery along w/ what their function is below:

ORAL NUTRITION - (CORRECT PROTIENS)proteins are building blocks for neurotransmitters(receptors)& building blocks for our 'natural opiate' receptors. For 3 weeks NO RED MEATS-contains chemical components which increase inflammation & pain. Excellent source of protein are chicken, eggs, and fish. If unable to eat solids, protein shake.
L-METHIONINE - amino acid. aids production of master neurotransmitters-serotonin, dopamine, and adrenalin. Rebuilds neuros production & function.
EXERCISE - low impact like walking, stretching, swimming.
DRINK LOTS OF WATER!
GREEN TEA - antioxidant
NO COKES, CANDY, OR SUGARY FOODS
INCREASE FRUIT & VEGGIE INTAKE - the fiber helps bind & remove toxins from the body.
MULTIVITAMIN - for repair, healing, and normal body function.
OMEGA 3-6-9 - repair & proper functioning of cellular membranes, anti-inflammatory, helps build immune system.
L-GLUTAMINE - heals the gut. building block for GABA-crossing the blood brain barrier.
VITAMIN C - essential. get as much as possible.
REDUCED L GLUTATHIONE - helps liver detox methadone metabolites.
ADRENALIN SUPPORT - Adrenal Plus product. reduces fatigue & anxiety & insomnia.
MILK THISTLE - essential for liver repair and detoxification.

Lastly, let me remind everyone that this is doable. Even though it feels like it may, it won't kill you. It'll be a miserable event, but if you're determined, as well as patient, the body WILL HEAL itself...not over night, but in time. You will go through a 'drug hunger' phase from anywhere up to 6 months because your body is seeking that 'quick fix' to ward off the side effects of withdrawal. After 90 days of being clean your body should regain its normality, such as mine did. Why so long? REMEMBER THIS: abusing the body for an EXTENSIVE period of time results in EXTENSIVE recovery. If you 'use' for say, 5-10yrs...the body definately will not repair over-night, ONLY over time, esp. depending on the INDIVIDUAL!

Have patience, and if one is spiritual, "pray incessantly". "God helps those who help themselves." I would've never done it w/out Him...c'mon out-patient done cold turkey!? He listens at ALL times. I hoped I helped in one way or another to anyone seeking true help w/ this. I leave you by saying, "This has to be done..free yourself from being a 'slave' to this poison that our clinics refer to as medicine...after all, I did it (the HARDEST WAY), so my prayers and compassion go out to ALL suffering this affliction. God bless!

If anyone has questions about help w/ opiate detox/withdrawal, post me a message, and I'll be happy to answer anything I can.

[caregiver222]

Percocet is a good drug, but as we know you quickly gain tolerance and have to use more and more to get the same effect. I must caution you that if you stop taking percocet or oxycodeone, YOUR SYSTEM WILL CLEAN UP and you will again become sensitive to low doses. What this means is that you may be taking 8 pills and experiencing no breathing difficulties. You go cold turkey and again start the Percocet three months late. If you start at eight pills you have a good chance of going into respiratory arrest.