How Long Does The Withdrawls/Pain Last

[secretsout]

Hi everybody!
I have been taking Tylenol 3s for I think about 8 years now.  I used to take over 100 a day and I have been able to bring that down to about 49 or so, depending on how bad a day I am having.  I take 7 at a time, and try to keep it to no more than 7 times a day (7 tylenols at a time 7 times a day)  I originally started taking them because of this surgery I had on my mouth, and during the surgery, they nicked a nerve, so I am in pain 24/7.  The degree of pain every day is different, but I am always in pain.  I did get a 2nd and a 3rd opinion, and I was told by all 3 that the only way to fix this would be to have brain surgery!  And even then there is no guarantee the pain will stop.  I also have chronic pain in my back and my joints due to 3 car accidents I had in 2007 as well as having rumetoid arthritis (Not sure how to spell that).  I have tried one time quitting, and the pain and the withdrawls were just a little too much for me to handle, but I am not a believer in programs as I have gone trough many for alcohol addiction and ended up quitting on my own.  I have not had a drink since March 11th, 1999.  This howeve is a whole new type of pain for me and as much as I would love to be free of tylenol 3s, I just don't know if I can do it.
So, my question is, has anybody out there gone cold turkey and exactly how long and what are the withdrawls?  Is there an easier way of getting off of them?  I realize from being an alcoholic and drug addict that nothing comes easy. but am I going to be in worst pain then I am in now?  I take the 3s to take some of the pain away, I do not take them to get high.
Thanks for listening!
"secretsout"

[cleanmom]

Everyone will probably want to kick me for saying this but you say you are taking them to rid yourself of pain, not to get high. If this is the case you may just want to accept a stronger prescription because clearly if you are at 49 a day these arent working. I think it would be safer on your liver, that amount of tylenol is toxic and will kill you. At least on a stronger script you wouldnt be taking as much. After stabilizing on something stronger then consider starting to taper down and off. Please talk to your doctor, this sounds so dangerous to me, something must be done. Good luck to you and God Bless.  Jacky

[vicki595]

Hey~ Thank you...I have been having a "party" all day.  LOL

First,this is just my opinion and as I said you may want to get with a Dr.

I just think that 50 pills is a lot to ct from...and yes,you will feel crappy while tapering.
I guess it's up to you...you'll feel withdrawals either way. Tapering takes a lot of willpower...   I'm concerned about all that Tylenol,so the sooner the better.

Let's wait for others to post to get their opinions. Opiates were not my DOC...I had a love affair with barbiturates...

Other members have a lot of experience with high dose opiate use.  Hang on and wait for them to post.  Do read those health pages though!


Welcome to the forum...there are some wonderful folks here!

Vicki  xo

[secretsout]

Hi!  No I have not looked at that, what is it and how does it work?  Is there information on this site?  Or can you give me a short description as to what it entails?  I appreciate your help!  Thanks!

[secretsout]

Actually, when I first started taking them it was to get rid of the pain in my mouth, as time went on, the pain wouldn't go away, so I started taking 2 at a time, then 3, eventually ending up at 7.  I have been taking 7 at a time now, because if I don't I feel like crap! I think I take them more now, to keep away the pain of not taking them.  Make sense?  As I said in my original post, I honestly do not take them to get high, in fact if I wanted a stronger prescription, I could get it, I just don't want to be in pain anymore.  
When I drank, I drank so I didn't have to think about my past and the abuse, ****** childhood, rapes, blah blah blah!  I could go on with the emotional pain I was and still can be in, but that is not why I take 3s.  In fact I know from trying to quit the first time (and only time) that the pain I am in now is NOTHING compared to the pain I will have to go through in order to get off of them.  And I had gotten to the 4th day that time.  OMG!  I wanted to die!  And I know you are not trying to judge me, and I appreciate that, I also hope you are able to look in that mirror one day (sooner than later) and see the you, you used to be and still are!  Thanks for your input!  I really do appreciate any I can get!

[newwayoflife]

have you looked at any information about suboxone

[secretsout]

If I am not mistaken, Congrats! are in order?  I have told many doctors the amount I take and they basically do nothing or offer me something ever worse like moriphine!  My mother died from taking drugs in 2006 and I do not want to go the same way.  So, your saying I should just keep taking less and eventually take none?  Will I feel crappy while doing that?  Not that it really matters, I have not went a day in my life (since being addicted and a drunk at 13) without feeling some degree of crappy!  Thanks for your help!  I will see what I can do and yes, I will keep you posted!  I appreciate you taking the time out!