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!!!!!!

[Dane74]

hey, everyone is different on here.  For me taper is the only way.  I tapered down but allot slower than you.  I still got all the systoms that you are feeling but not as intense as cold turkey.  If you have the discipline to NOT "CHEAT" than i say YES taper is the way to go.  Hang in there the end is in sight.......

[trigger425]

Thanks for the advice...cheating  would only ruin me,as I've only got 3pills left...i was hoping after1/4 a pill tomorrow to not take any more. Do u think this strategy will work? I want to besure I'm good and clean before my next doctor visit in 2 weeks so I am not tempted to get another script....I NEVER want to feel like this again! It's amazing that I'm addicted and didn't realize it. Doctors just throw this stuff at you like it's no big deal....I'm learning a hard lesson now!

[Dane74]

i completely understand about doc just throwing you tons of opiates without any warning of the ramifications of these dam pills.  I too was injured and prescribed by my doc for pain before surgery and then after.  I was on Percocets and they are the DEVIL!!!  I was honest with my doc and told him all my systems but to be honest he didn't really seem to care and he thought i was just being ridiculous and telling me im not addicted. But he did put me on a taper, it did work, and it was not easy.  I did try cold turkey and that was brutal.  2 weeks is not that far away, what ever you do DO NOT GET THAT SCRIPT!!!!!!  You probably will still feel the affects of the wd systems in 2 weeks but every day gets better.   Remember, if you go back to the pills after you worked this hard on your taper, the next time you attempt to quit these demons agsin is going to be that much harder to do.  So stay positive and drink lots and lots of water to flush out all the opiates in your body.....Keep busy, stay active, and more importantley, keep telling yourself you can fight this....

[trigger425]

Thanks for the support and encouragement. I'll keep you posted.....I sure as hell don't want to give up now after 3 days of agony.....hopefully day 4 will bring a little relief! I would be happy to notice an improvement in the way I feel....so far today(day 3) is the worst.......

[vicki595]

I would expect today to be the worst. Also,just toss the 3 remaining pills. They aren't going to help at all in the long run. They'll just prolong the withdrawal at this point.

Get some Hyland's Restful Legs at Walgreens/Walmart. It really helps the RLS. Continue to force fluids. Adequate hydration is the most important element with detox!

Tell someone about this. It's imperative to be accountable to someone! Also,bring someone with you to that doctor's appt. You'll need the strength to turn down an Rx. You'll be surprised how easy it is to cave.

Good luck to you!

[trigger425]

Thanks Vikki! So my taper schedule is not doing me any good? I figured as much....more of a crutch than anything else......so toss what I have left and continue with what I'm doing and I should see some improvement in the way I feel soon? Sounds good....gonna log off, go flush the last 3 pills,then walk to the pharmacy for some Hyland's and a few huge bottles of water, continue the fight through the w/d symptoms and then get on with my life......I'll keep you posted!  

[vicki595]

That's a good plan!  The walking will feel good but not at first. Everything you're feeling is normal...stay strong!!

[trigger425]

Last pills flushed, got the hyland's...took some advil guzzling water....feeling like I'm going to die. Running a hot bath with epsom salts....gonna soak until I have to get my kids from school.....I plan on going to practice with my band tonight....2 hrs. of drumming should take my mind off my symptoms and give me  some excercise......day 3 is NOT going well. I resisted the urge to take a half of a pill....no more taper, just cold  turkey. I know it won't happen but I feel like I'm gonna die and go insane at the same time!

[vicki595]

You won't die but you'll feel like you did 2 days ago!!  LOL     Try to keep your humor and do as much as you can. You've got this!!

[LeaAnn807]

I remember feeling like you do!  I didn't want a pill.  I just wanted someone to fast forward the withdrawals for me before I died!!!!  The baths will help.  I had to get up in the morning and make my bed (so I wouldn't stay in it!) and take a shower immediately.  It helped the creepy/crawly feeling and sweaty feeling that I woke up with.  I usually got back in bed at some point, but it will help you to be up moving around as much as you can.  Have you tried the cal/mag/zinc supplement?  It also helps the creepy/can't be still part.  

[trigger425]

Cal/mag/zinc?

[LeaAnn807]

Yeah, you can get it at Wal Mart.  It's Calcium/Magnesium/Zinc tablet.  It's really helpful and inexpensive.  How you feeling now?

[trigger425]

Feeling like I'm gonna die..........just want to liedown for a week!

[LeaAnn807]

Ok, you are NOT going to die!  I remember thinking I wanted to lie down because of not having any strength, but when I did, I couldn't stay still.  It's maddening.  We all understand it!!!  Baths were the best help I found.  Plus, and this was just a comfort thing for me.....I kept plenty of comfy clothes washed and ready.  I liked changing my clothes a lot.  For some reason, it was comforting and made me feel better.  Go figure?  I changed 3 times a day at least!  Also, apple juice and gatorade made a world of difference in how my legs felt.  I hated the cramping SO bad.  I thought it would never go away!  

Next time you are out, grab the apple juice or gatorade and give it a try.  

[trigger425]

yes! the baths are very helpful......I'm just pissed that I have to feel this bad & I had no idea that taking Percocet as prescribed could do this to a person. I just pray that Ifeel somewhat better  tomorrow!

[RaygenPerrie]

I am on day 15 cold turkey! I know 100% of what you're feeling and going through. I still feel it...but not nearly as BAD. I still have to force myself to eat, and my anxiety bothers me...mainly in the mornings. As the day goes on, it get easier. Then I wake up in the morning and it is back. It feels like ground hog day. BUT, it has gotten better and it is very important to recognize that each day! Powerade, Juice and water...make sure you are drinking ALOT. For my anxiety, I take Kava Kava and L-Theanine, they truly do help and are good to help your body relax a little.

IF you can, get Xanax...but ONLY use it when it is a MUST. Xanax is a Benzo and could be addicting if you over use it. I have it for anxiety attacks.

It will feel like the worst ride of your life, but, it WILL getter better. Days 1-7 are by far the worst. You're almost out of the worst of it...keep going!

[LeaAnn807]

I know you are feeling like CRAP, but hang in there.  The WDs will peak out and then slowly be better after that.  LIVE in the bath if you have to.  I basically did.  Just baby yourself and try to hang on.  Eat some toast and remember to drink fluids no matter what.  Eating bland foods will help you so much more than you can imagine.  I went without food for a few days, and that is NOT good!  I just didn't think I could eat, but when I did, I felt so much better.   Also, imodium has helped other symptoms besides diarrhea for some people.  Do you have any nyquil?  If you can, take a dose of that tonight.  It will help RLS quite a bit and maybe allow you some sleep.  

[trigger425]

Thanks to everyone....I feel like I'm  going to die or I'm gonna feel like this forever!  I don't feel like it, but I'm gonna go practice with my band tonight. My wife feels that the excercise of playing the  drums and the distraction from the symptoms may be theraputic and may help me to feel better & sleep a little better tonight......I'll let ya' know! I've gotta force myself, it's gonna be very hard, but I'm gonna give it a shot! Maybe day 4 will be better......

[trigger425]

As I said....Day 3 was VEY BAD!

[cathy7871]

Glad to hear you are gonna get out of the house for awhile this evening.  Push on, you are doing so good.  No turning back now.  And, day 4 will be better.  Stay focused.

[RaygenPerrie]

ONE DAY AT A TIME!! All you have to do it focus on the day at hand! Getting out of the house is a REALLY good thing, but yes, it is SOOOOO hard to do! Stay strong!

[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!

[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]

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.