Day 15 Percocet/Vicodin Withdrawal Anxiety

[hlpplse]

Please any positive advice would be appreciated, I was on Norco to Percocet for 5 months before shoulder surgery, I am one month post op and quick cold turkey 15 days ago. I was hit by a car many years ago and had to have reconstruction. The pain was horrible and I was taking 12 to 15 10 325 a day.  The First week was Awful, sick diareaha, sweats, no sleep , panic attacks. The second week the flu symptoms have subsided but I still have anxiety, and restlessness...my doctor is on board and prescribed me Clondine which I didn't take and Clonopin, which I don't want to take. I never want to take any medicine again. However the past 2 days I have had waves of depression. I am working out like crazy and I still have this anxious feeling. Can somebody please tell me what day they felt better. I am tempted to go on antidepressants at this point as I am afraid if this continues I will loose my job by continually taking leave.  Thank You for your help, this is the hardest thing that I have ever done.

[hlpplse]

I am 5 hours away from day 17 and I am starting to feel A LOT better...I know I can do this. The anxiety is very low and I am having my best day yet. I did wake up achy, but I will take achy and pain over anxiety any day. I am hopeful that this will be completely resolved in the next 2 to 3 days. This was so Brutual!!!! Thank You for your support

[ariley13]

Hi! You should look into PAWS. A lot of people suffer from this. It can cause some serious depression. The brain is healing itself and that takes time. When we are on opiates for long stretches of time, our brains stop producing the 'feel good' chemicals. Exercise, music, and anything that makes you laugh can help to jump start the production of these chemicals. There are also foods that can help produce dopamine. There is a link at the bottom of the page for a list of foods. Sex is another activity that helps us make dopamine and endorphins. Just know that this is a very normal occurrence. You are not alone.

[hlpplse]

Gretta96, Thank You for your answer, I just want this to stop... I am thinking that if this goes another week I am going to go on antidepressants. I cant lose my job and I get anxiety just thinking about going back to work, my restlessness is almost always present as well:(

[Gretta96]

Just wanted to lend some support.  I know from the others that it can take the brain a while to reset after all that opiate use.  I've heard 30 days is usually the average.  Maybe an AD wouldn't hurt, I'd give it shot.  I'm on Prozac, can't say it does all that much.  It's awesome you are exercising so much, that is great for you.