Am I doing the right things regarding my Percocet withdrawal?

[trigger425]

OK...i just recently  decided to stop taking Percocet. I was prescribed 7.5/325 Mg every 4 hrs. for pain associated with disc herniation and hip injuries sustained when I was  run over by a  truck(seriously). i have been  taking 5 to 8 pills a day for the last year. My script was coming to an end so I decided now would be a good to try something alternative for pain relief so I didn't mess up my liver or become addicted(?). It's now day 3 and I feel like I'm going to die. I have been tapering my dosage. I took my full dosage on Sunday. Monday I took 2, Tuesday 1.5, and today I only took 1/2 a pill....obviously tomorrow I plan on taking 1/4 a pill....I'm taking vitamins, drinking extra fluids & doing all of the other stuff I've read here (hot baths, OTC pain relievers,Immodium) and I still have the creepy crawly skin, jitters, sweats & an overall feeling of dread & disgust. I don't crave the meds...I just want to feel better....am I doing right with my taper? Or am I prolonging my agony? i was hoping to feel human by the weekend....Please help!!!!!!

[trigger425]

I spoke with my doctor and told him I do not want any more Opioid pain meds, that I'm looking for alternatives....I see him in 2 weeks. I've been going  to a pain relief clinic & wellness center trying to get the pain under control........myofacial release, massage and acupuncture type stuff....hopefully it will work!

[LeaAnn807]

I'm so happy!  You sound SO much better.  See the difference a few days can make?  Last week at this time, you were feeling like death, and now you're much better!  Yaaay!  Have you checked into any kind of aftercare?

[trigger425]

Day 8 and I'm feeling great!!!! Still a bit anxious and  my back & hips hurt like hell....butthe pain from my injuries is so much better than the hellish w/d symptoms  I had!!!!!

[trigger425]

Day 7 !!!!!!!!!! I can't believe I am sitting here feeling like I'm human again..........a little anxiety, a little time in the bathroom (forgot to take my Immodium!). yesterday Ii went for nice long walk again....my girls came along and rode thier bikes on the paths I was walking...then I took them to the play ground....then out to lunch! I never thought I'd be feeling this good after the Hell I  went through on Days 1 through 5....days 3 & 4 were aboslutely the worst.....now I  feel like I have my life back.

THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU HERE WHO HELPED GET ME THROUGH MY JOURNEY TOHELL AND BACK....I COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT!!  

[trigger425]

While suffering on my worst day  of w/d symptoms, I just listened to alot of music(along with hot baths,and everything else)...and this song by the band Opeth called Hours Of Wealth really struck a chord with me....it's all in the way YOU interpret something...but I felt this song represented what I was going through and how I felt on Day 4....especially the last line.........


Found a way to rid myself clean of pain
And the fever that's been haunting me
Has gone away

Looking through my window
I seem to recognize
All the people passing by
But I am alone
And far from home
And nobody knows me

Never heard me say goodbye
Never shall I speak to anyone again
All days are in darkness
And I'm biding my time

Once I'm sure of my task I will rise again!!!!!!!!!!!

Find a song that works for you.....this is the song I will go to as a reminder of the dark, miserable,scary, painful, lonely place I was on Day4!

I have truly risen again!

[trigger425]

Sorry, I was talking to Forjbe....just  a bit of a spaz today! Day 6 is Spaz  day! LOL

[IBKleen]

trigger...you talking to me? I think you meant that for Forjbe, no?

[trigger425]

everyone is different.....if you are prone to cheating tapering won't  work......cold turkey is rough but quick...I've been clean for 6 days and it's worth it...I'm a stay @ home dad  with two kids, my kids are older than yours, but I did it. You need the support of your husband, especially with the young children.....you will have plenty of support here on this site....if it wasn't for the friends here...I would have never made it to day 6...they got me through the worst of it,and we will get you through it too once you commit to it!

You can and will do this!!!!!! It's time to take your life back from the grip of the beast!!!  

[trigger425]

everyone is different.....if you are prone to cheating tapering won't  work......cold turkey is rough but quick...I've been clean for 6 days and it's worth it...I'm a stay @ home dad  with two kids, my kids are older than yours, but I did it. You need the support of your husband, especially with the young children.....you will have plenty of support here on this site....if it wasn't for the friends here...I would have never made it to day 6...they got me through the worst of it,and we will get you through it too once you commit to it!

You can and will do this!!!!!! It's time to take your life back from the grip of the beast!!!  

[IBKleen]

Hi Forjbe, You really should start your own post and let members get to know you. You may get over looked her in someone else's post. Go to the top of this page and hit the green Post A Question button. Follow the instructions. If you need help let someone know.

Hope to see yous tick around.

[Forjbe]

I'm a 6 a day taker. I'm also a mom to a 3 year old a one year old and an 8 week old. I started taking these horrible things when my pelvic bone broke during childbirth (with baby number one). I'm scared to go through withdrawals but it's time to quit. I haven't needed them for two years but still take them to take the edge off of motherhood. I could cry writing this bc I love being a mom. Please help, I guess cold turkey isn't the way to go if I have children to tale care of. No one knows, not even my husband. Help.

[trigger425]

Just woke up to day 6! Yes! I slept about 5hours......feeling OK so far..........let's see how it goes!

[serene789]

You guys are helping me by reading this.  Was gonna go to the ER but I will try not to.
I might have to though.  I have been on 10/325 of percs and 15mg of roxicets for 5 years due to 2 herniated disks and the rest keep bulging.  These pills are definately from hell.  I just want away from them.  I have been taking more and more and this is the 2nd time I have run out.  I keep thinking, well, if I go to the ER enough times they will figure I am a drug addict and take me off of them all together.  I wrote down Gatorade and to see my Gastroenterologist and Hylands restful legs and epson salts and the calcium, magnesium and zinc.  Thanks you guys for talking about it.  

[cathy7871]

Anxiety is much better.  I am not sure if its this natural stress releif pill called Holy Basil, that I bought a couple days ago thats helping or if I am just getting better as the days go on.I also had a massage yesterday and that felt so..good. Went back to work today also and ran my butt off for 12 hours, so maybe its just the getting out and moving around and focusing on other things and not having time to think about that stupid pill anymore.  Stay focused and think positive. We didnt become addicts overnight and we are not going to recover overnight either. You are doing so good and must be so proud of yourself.  Keep up the good work!!

[RaygenPerrie]

How is your anxiety level? Just curious because mine is out of control...

[cathy7871]

Way to go!!!  I am on day 7 and feeling much better from the WDs.  Today was my first day back to work, and I just felt so much clearer. I used to just go through the motions at work, but today I just felt like I had tons of energy and seemed much more focused.   Only gonna get better from here on out.  Thanks for the support, much appreciated!!

[RaygenPerrie]

I am so proud of you! I am only 12 days ahead of you. There is an end!

[trigger425]

Day 5 !!!!!!!! Got up early today to get my act together before my kids got up........I felt pretty good! Good as compared to yesterday......I got the kids off to school....took a hot shower...still felt OK......had breakfast pancakes!...still  felt OK...went to the supermarket..came home with the groceries....started feeling the creepy/crawly skin & a huge anxiety attack....I grabbed my IPOD, went outside & started walking, it helped...I'm feeling much better today...I can't wait for tomorrow and  the rest of my life ! Hope this feeling of  improvement continues...................I mean don't get me wrong, I still feel like s**t & will continue to fight through it, but there definately is a significant improvement in w/d  symptoms...they are managable at the moment. Thanks for the continued support, I couldn't have made it to this point w/o you folks!  Bring on Day 6! I'm ready.....

[brinsmom]

Hope you're hanging in there. Everyday is one day closer.

[Jimmy1975]

Way to go ! Hang on the worst is just about behind you ! Keep up with the Hot baths and great attitude ! Your life is right around the corner  Stay on Med Help as we are here for you . Good luck ! Jimmy

[LeaAnn807]

I'm sorry!  But way to go with the attitude. It helps more than you know!  I'm surprised that you are in worse shape today than yesterday. Of course, until you feel better, they all seem to stink don't they?  Tomorrow will be better.  Keep staying in the bath!

[trigger425]

Day 4...it's the worst so far. I'm suffering beyond comprehension. Been in hot baths  all day. Still hanging on....day 5 will be my day to turn things around.

[Decadelong]

I was on them(the devil) for 13 years and I can PROMISE  you that life WILL GET BETTER. ...and for you, VERY SOON just hang in there. I was taking up to 16, 10 mg percs a day...AND DRINKING WHISKEY with them. ...i know we are not suppose to compare BUT i was literally in HELL for a month and had to trust the people on here and at aa/na meetings. JUST REMEMBER, YOU NEVER, EVER EVER have to feel this way again. Life is SOOOOOOOOOOO much better and you WILL get there. ...the only time i felt better was when i soaked in a very very hot epsom salt bath during my hell....as others have said....LIVE in the hot bath....the increase in your water/electric bill will be cheaper than detox......Hang on, IT WILL PASS.

[trigger425]

just returned from practicing with my band...I felt like garbage on the ride there....butonce I got behind mydrum-kit and focusedon the music I felt a bit better. I was honest with theguys in my band and let them know why I was not myself....they understood...then we played  for two hours. It's a metal band so it was like running at full speed for 2 hours...it gives you that "runners high" that you get after physical exertion. I drank  2 huge bottles of Gatorade  in two hours too....the ride home was good, it seems some of the  symptoms were lessened for the time being! I hope it was due to the physical exertion! I took some advil and some Melatonin and will try to get some sleep now....thanks again for the support and encouragement! hopefully day 4 will be better!