Percocet side effects and withdrawal, please help!

[nancy]

I have been on Percocet for 4 months for a herniated disk.  I was taking half a day, then one a day, then up to 6 a day.  Then I started having awful side effects.  My back pain got worse, my tongue was swelling some, and had stomach pain too.  Then I had my lumbar injection and the pain got worse.  I am scared this is an allergic reaction.  I had my lumbar steroid injection, and the pain got worse, so my Dr prescribed Tylenol 4.  I haven't taken the Percocet in over a day now, as it has scared me.  I took the Tylenol 4 only twice yesterday.  Last night however, I woke up drenched in cold sweat.  Is this from stopping the Percocet?  My bowel movements have even changed color to a lighter shade, and that's what scared me too.  I am trying to get off these myself, and want to know what I am going to end up going through.    Do I need to not take the Tylenol 4 too?  Now, I am scared to take anything, but also don't want to die from taking the Percocet when the pain gets bad.  If a take half a Xanax, will that help to get through this?  This is terrible, and I don't wish this on anyone.

[Jenilynb67]

I just went through coming off percocet.  The first 72 hours are absolute hell.  Expect restlessness, nausea, diarrhea, sleeplessness, chills, sweating and exhaustion.  Today is day ten for me.  I won't say I am great but nothing like that first 72 hours.  I am told that some of the more minor symptoms can last as long as six weeks I. E. Being tired and gastro problems.  Hang in there.  You will feel better in a couple more days.

Be strong,
Jen

[MP00]

I recently suffered 2 fractures in my wrist, along with some pretty extensive nerve damage for which I required surgery. I was prescribed percocet for the pain and was taking about 8-10 tablets a day (2 at a time) for about 3 weeks. Every time my prescription ran out, I was able to refill it by simply going into any ER, telling the doctor that I've just had surgery, and required more pain killers (I live in Canada by the way). Since I was only being prescribed 30-40 tablets at a time, I had to this every few days. After the 3rd or 4th time, I found myself going in just to alleviate the symptoms of withdrawal. This drug is VERY ADDICTIVE, I began exhibiting signs of addiction after the first day or two. It's been almost 4 weeks since my surgery and I am on my second day of kicking the percocet cold turkey. Suffering from pretty serious withdrawal symptoms, all of which have been covered by the previous posts on this thread. It has been extremely difficult as I have not slept for more than 2 hours at a time during these past two days but I've had the moral support of my girlfriend and my mother. I have found a lot of comfort through this blog in knowing that I'm not alone. My suggestion to anyone who is prescribed painkillers containing oxycodone, codeine, morphine, etc.: Do everything possible to avoid taking them (seek natural pain reduction,perhaps) for it is a nightmare to get off of them. Especially after a lengthy period of use.
Thanks y'all.

[ZeusKiller]

I fell thru a Loading dock (Between Dock and Truck) 2 days b4 Christmas last year.Unfortunetly some moron moved the "Bridge" we had Plus,The truck was not backed up far enough.Lucky for me,I didn't break my leg,But had a 3inch wide bruise from my ankle to my inner thigh.Felt like my leg was on fire,Ripped cartiledge and muscle,Could'nt walk for 2 weeks.Anyhow,Doc put me on Percocet.2 month's later I had a bruised rib so he kept me on it 325/5 mil. after awhile,The itching goes away.It DID work for all my pains,But i soon had to take 2 pills every 4 hours instead of 1. Then,If i went over 4 hours I felt like HELL.So here I was,Hooked on these,12 pills a day. So 8 days ago (Aug 5) I had enuff. Took my last 2 fri nite,Never went for a refill on purpose. I knew i was in for complete Hell. Well let me tell you,It was even WORSE then hell.I swear the 1st 3 days,The only thing that kept me from going upstairs,Grabing my 12 gauge and blowing my head off was being taught since i was a kid,That if you kill yourself,You go to hell.Since I felt like I already WAS in HELL,I sure didnt want this feeling for eternity.Let me tell you,It's the WORST thing you can ever go thru and I'd NEVER wish it on anyone.Now its been 8 days,Felling better(about 65%) but still HELLISH Restless Leg syndrome,Wich equates to your legs feelling like someone parked their truck on your legs 24/7. NOTHING helps,No way can you sleep.And its terrible.Today is the 1st day they dont hurt AS bad.Hopefully it will soon be over. To anyone reading this that is on percs,Get off them B4 you get to the point I was.And God bless you all.

[painfeshisel]

I just took two perco whatever for the 1st time and I think they work a little bit so I dont know why anyone would want this perco whatever for it ***** my pain must be super bad.  I keep on itching my skin.  Is itchyness a side effect or should I just use a rag and scrubb hard with soap tonight?

Whats better than this crap that does not work.. o yea .. for my siatica pinched nerve crushed my my vertabre that causes pain in my balls legs calves feet rib cage and hips and makes me walk like the leaning tower of  pisa?  This is not right and I can't walk without looking like an old grench in my young age.  All because 4 or 5 gossip queens ran me off my bike withb their SUV and trailer using my glutes to smash their tail lights and lack of imideate treat ment fro anjd support from my bogus lawyer and and St. Mikes dr who told my I am fine without examining my body before releasing me.  discusting toronto. and shame on
Grillo and associates

[Gloworm428]

wow.. so i've stumbled across this forum and started reading over an hour ago, and of course I will be the first to admit I am truly addicted, and suffering mentally now.. while reading everyones post all I keep thinking to myself is, man, i wish i had like 3 percs to just take this edgy crappy feeling away, im sluggish and moody and not a happy camper.. I have no health insurance and have my ways and people that know people not to mention I am alllllways broke and work my *** off to barely pay my rent but I would still rather spend a 100 bucks on 20 percs then pay a bill.. what the hell is a girl to do, I dont want to admit it to anyone either so that's why im writing here.. thanks for listening anyone..

[Teredo]

I cannot believe the way doctors hand out this stuff without a word of warning as to the consequences of taking for an extended period.  My wife was prescribed Percocet and took it for four months before noticing that the sickness she felt about four to five hours after taking it had somehow become reduced to two hours; that was the tip off for addiction.

Of course when she attended he doctor to have her addiction suspicions confirmed he was very forthcoming with the “Oh yes, it is an extremely medication”, pity he failed to mention it when he continued prescribing it for four months. I can’t imagine how much the effects of this drug is costing here in Canada, what with the initial cost of the drug, lost productivity of those poor souls hooked on it and medications and medical recourses tied up treating the addicted.  

To add insult to injury there is a perfectly adequate drug for pain available ‘Tramadol’, which is not addictive and is also not covered under our Pharmasave system.  Ergo, we can get a severely addictive drug for nothing, but have to pay for a none addictive one.  Go figure.