Depression as a withdrawal symptom

[rain]

I had surgery for colon cancer when I was 20 and immediately after was diagnosed with severe acid reflux with stomach spasms.  My family doctor has been prescribing me with percocet and Losec for pain for the last 2 years.  I was taking 2 pills when required (approx. 2-3x/week).  There have been days before when I didnt use anypills, and I was fine.  The last 2 months before I quit my job was very stressful and I was experiencing pain all day, and I started to take percocet all day-everyday (not to exceed 5 pills/day) and Ativan 1mg (when required).  I now find since leaving my job I am no longer experiencing any pain and would like to discontinue use.  I stopped taking them 3 days ago and now am having cold sweats, shaking, moodswings, insomnia and SEVERE DEPRESSION/PANIC/ANXIETY.  To relieve some of these symptoms I started to take 1/2 pill 3-4x/day.  I am no longer experiencing the shaking but still have the depression/panic.  I have just started a new job and feel that I don't want to or can't do it.  It comes and goes numerous times throughout the day and is so overwhelming I have to force myself not to just walk away from the job.  Is this a symptom of withdrawal or am I even having withdrawals at all?  If it is a symptom of withdrawal, can I expect that sooner or later it will deacrease then be eliminated completely?  I am desperate to find an answer as the 3 doctor's I've seen just gave me Darvon or some other prescription that I dont think I want.

[rain]

Do you know if these med's cause drowsiness or confusion.  Also, do they also help with the depression?  I am having a very hard time understanding my new job, I do not feel like my mind is all there.  I have lowered my dosage and had to increase again because I am having really bad mood swings.  One minute I am fine and the next I dont care about anything, and I can tell people are noticing.  I have made an appointment with my doctor for next week.  Please reply with the side effects that you encountered so that I may decide if I should inform her of this situation or not.

Thanks!
Tara

[dave]

Withdraws are not that hard if you get the right stuff.
Ask your doctor to give you the following:
1. 4 .2MG Clonidine pacthes, they last 7 days.
2. Soma, it is a musale relaxer and helps take the
   edge off. you will need a couple weeks worth.(240 pills)
   take 2 or 3 every 4 hours.

3. restoril, 30MG this is a sleeping pill and is worth
   its weight in gold. get 30 of these take one a night.

I have withdrawled both ways and if you have the above
supplies you will see how much better it is.
All these meds are cheap.

[dave]

Withdraws are not that hard if you get the right stuff.
Ask your doctor to give you the following:
1. 4 .2MG Clonidine pacthes, they last 7 days.
2. Soma, it is a musale relaxer and helps take the
   edge off. you will need a couple weeks worth.(240 pills)
   take 2 or 3 every 4 hours.

3. restoril, 30MG this is a sleeping pill and is worth
   its weight in gold. get 30 of these take one a night.

I have withdrawled both ways and if you have the above
supplies you will see how much better it is.
All these meds are cheap.

[Marryanne]

Sounds like you are doing a good job of tapering!  Good luck to you!  Anyway, I had heard that you should at the end, cut by only like 1/2 pill per week to feel minimal discomfort.  Try working out with weights and eating protein bars along with lots of nutritious real food to gain weight.  You will look and feel great!  Good luck to you Tara and please keep us posted.

[joe in Philly to CHAD]

You have a difficult situation on your hands.  If you want to send me an email I can tell you about some of the computer education programs in the Philadelphia area.  Some have needs-based scholarship programs.  

***@****

[rain]

Hello,

Do you know how often I should be lowering my dosages of percoset and by how much each time?  I have been taking the 2 pills/day for the last 6 days and I had cut that back from 4.  Also, do you know how this will affect my weight as I am already 18 lbs. under weight?

Thanks for your help.  I too have access to as many percoset as I need but I dont think I really need them.  Congratulations on your 7 days clean, you must feel great!

Tara