Advice Please -Worried

[DECREP]

I am a 58 tear old male in relatively good health. I live alone. Due to neurological problems I started taking Percocet two years ago. Began taking 10 mg daily and have gradually increased to 25 mg. I take them in 5 mg increments between 5:00 AM and noon, when the pain is most severe. This gets me through work.  

With the help of physical therapy, accupuncture and celebrex the pain is better. I don't think I need the Percocet anymore, I think I could function fine without it. Thought I would just taper off. Went to10 mgs in the early morning. By mid afternoon my nerves are shot. Feel like I have the flu. I want more Percocet and when I give in and take it, I feel better. If I feel like this tapering off, what will happen when I stop completely? I didn't think 25 mg was that much.  

Maybe Valium would help? Should I just take some vacation and go cold turkey? This really scares me. I don't want to tell my doctor. I'm worried he will cut me off completely. Am I a coward and should I just face this head on?    

Please, any advice is greatly appreciated.      

[Krissy_123]

That's what I was taking as well was the 5mg oxys. Yes breaking them in half deff helps. Or I find it did. Take your full morning one or if the last one you take is where you have the most pain take the last one whole. Then break your other two up. I don't know if I was allowed to give this advice? Just sharing it is what i did and I think it helped with how bad my withdrawls could have been if I didn't do it.  Good luck :)

[atthebeach]

Hi you dropped from 25 to 15 mgs on the 14th?
That was a 40% drop. You should make smaller drops.
Glad your bp is ok.
Did you sleep ok?

[DECREP]

Had violent uncontrollable shaking last night. Two times, lasted about ten minutes each. This morning face is deep red.BP and temperature normal. Think this could be from reducing amount of percocet.

[DECREP]

I became tired of worrying about withdrawal. Today went from 25 mg per to 15 mg. I'm nervous and tired but managed to make it through work.Maalox helped with the little nausea that I have. Plan on reducing to 5 mg in two weeks then stopping two weeks after that. This is close to the schedule that the doctor recommended. It gave me hope as he acted as if it would be no big deal.  

The anxiety is really bothering me, as if I'm not going to be handle it. I am much better with physical pain.

The 25 mg I was taking was consumed between 5AM and noon. Maybe spreading the 15 mg out over the day would help. Maybe 2.5mg increments?

Any advice is most sincerely appreciated.

        

[NeverAgain127]

Everyone is different.    Again, on the PLUS side, you have not been taking them that long, and your dose is fairly low.  On the NEGATIVE side is your age.  We just don't bounce back as quickly in our 50's as we would have in our 20's or even 30's.

Its not as awful as people make it out to be...especially not at your level.   Can you work?   Possibly, the first week.  You'll be okay, but still a bit shaky in week 2.     Don't be afraid of these w/d's, hon.   Unless you have some sort of medical condition underlying, this won't kill you.  You really SHOULD talk to your physician about this and tell him/her you want off.  

You'll have aches, esepcially in your legs.   Stomach cramps, mild nausea.   You won't feel like eating much, but you should try to sip broth and crackers.  You may have trouble sleeping, and restless legs.  

And of course, you'll have some anxiety and restlessness.   It's important to drink a TON of water (Gatorade if you're having a lot of diarrhea) and to keep active.   Any sort of exercise, even just a walk around the block, will make an amazing difference.

You ask if you should check yourself into a detox center.  That has to be up to you, but I really don't think its necessary.  Talk to your doctor...its so important.  

Let me know how you're doing...

Hugs,
-Robin

[DECREP]

Not sure about the source of the neuropathy. Not diabetic, no heavy alcohol use. Maybe hereditary, father ALS,mother polymyositis.

Started on this medication in April 2014, 15 mg per day. September went to 20mg and been on 25 mg since October.

Really concerned about working. I need to schedule vacation well in advance. What is most painful part of withdrawal, the emotional pain or the physical pain/sickness?

Thanks for helping.

[DECREP]

Maybe I should be admitted to a detox center. The thought of going through this alone frightens me. What I have read about withdrawal is awful. Can I work during this time? Is it worse than the flu? What about withdrawing very slowly, maybe 5 mgs a month then one mg a week?

[NeverAgain127]

Neuropathy is a tough one.  However, I will say this, and it comes after using oxycodone, prescribed for pain, for 8 years:  There is a point at which opiates stop working.   Further, they begin to create pain that isn't there.  I'm not sure of the exact biochemistry of this action, but it is true, nonetheless.    Google the term "hyperalgesia and opaites" and you'll read about it.

A lifetime on percocets will be ROUGH.  You will need more and more of the drug to maintain yourself and not go into withdrawals.

We aren't doctors, so we cannot suggest meds for you, but I would suggest you get a second opinion, and 3rd, 4th, even more.  Doctors are a dime a dozen; and they aren't God...trust me, I was married to one.   So many are totally clueless.  

What is the source of your neuropathy?  Do you have diabetes?  Do you drink a lot?  

If I were you, I would explore every possible alternative out there, including acupuncture, massage, hypo-therapy, the works.  

No one likes to be in pain, but as my doctor told me "if you are over 50 and you aren't living with some sort of daily pain, you're not alive."  Maybe a bit of an exaggeration, but you get the point.  

One final word:  To get off the percs totally, you WILL go thru withdrawals.  They will be uncomfortable, and for a few days, downright terrible.  But you're on a low dose, and you haven't been taking them for decades.  It will be like having a tummy flu for a week or two.  Your pain will be much worse when you first withdraw, but it will die down.  Again, the hyperalgesia, another lovely parting gift that opiates bestow upon us.

Good luck...let us know how you're doing..
Hugs,
-Robin

[DECREP]

Thank you for your support. EMG yesterday confirmed neuropathy in my legs. Referred me back to my PCP to determine cause. He was guarded, would not say much.I don't like the Percocet,worried about withdrawal, but I need to go to work. I want to discontinue usage but the pain is bad. I wonder if there is something else that will ease the pain from neuropathy. I will discuss options with he pain doctor next week. How can I stop Percocet and tolertate the pain? It's easier to think about stopping  Percocet on days when the pain is better than today.        

[Ndetox]

Robin is right! You really do need to tell your doctor. I had to tell mine. I had gotten up to 120mg a day and was suppose to be taking 10mg a day. If you quit now it's going to be a lot easier than playing with fire. This is a great community of people. I just joined a few days ago. Keep everyone posted!- Jess

[NeverAgain127]

Hi honey:

If you want off the perocets completely, why are you worried your doctor will "cut you off?"  

Only YOU can make the decision of whether or not you will take opiates for the rest of your life.  Some folks with severe chronic pain conditions have to.  It's not an easy road.

Yes, you ARE on a relatively low dose compared to many folks. BUT you are 58 and have health issues.  What you experienced with those flu like feelings was the start of withdrawal.

If you're going to get off the opiates, your body is going to feel pretty terrible for a few weeks.  Valium MIGHT help with anxiety or sleep, but it's very addicting, and there is NO magic pill for getting off opiates.

I am 52...took 40 mgs of oxy for 8 years.  I weaned down to 10 for 3 days, and then just jumped.  I thought: gee 10 mgs isn't much, I"ll be fine.  I WASN'T.  BUT.  It is doable, and it didn't kill me.  

You are not a coward, but what you are is dependent on opiates, and on a slippery slope.   My advice would be to come clean with your doctor, see what he/she thinks you should do, and if they agree that you should stop the percs, YES, dive head first.

Post every day here for emotional support. We have ALL been where you are right now..

Good luck honey...
Hugs,
-Robin