Percocet withdrawals, how long do they last?

[sprstar]

I was prescribed percocets (5/325) about 1 1/2 years ago for chronic back pain (scoliosis mainly). I took them as prescribed for a while and then started increasing the dosage until I was taking upwards of 14 a day (I could take 8 per my script).

I decided about a week ago to stop. I tapered down to 8 a day, I guess that's not great but I just can't have them around me without taking them.

I have been without for 36 hours and of course I feel like hell in a hand basket. The longest I've ever gone is about 30 hours.

My question is: How long until I start to feel better? I am off of work for a week (I planned this to coincide with my vacation).
I would have gone into a detox or something but I have no one to take care of my house, etc.

[Jtw2626]

Dose any body's heart feel like it is going to come out of ur chest when ur come off

[BoredInOhio]

I am 24 and started out by getting kidney stones, Got prescribed 10 perc 5/325 a day for almost 2 months, After that got another kidney stone & the same amount.. Then i had no more kidney stones and had "fantom" pain in my kidney and would rush to the hospital to find out i didn't have one, Then i realized.. My god, I'm addicted to the pain pills, Got a few hookups and started using for fun for roughly a year now at minimum 4 10mg perc at best 9 10mg percs.Decided I have lied and dissapointed enough IM DONE!!! Here is how it went for me : ( I took allergy pills for runny nose, watery eyes & itchy throat and Midol for the pain) Day #1- Body aching, Irritated, No appetitie and the WORST case of restless leg syndrome I have ever had, Got 1 1/2 hours of sleep. Day #2- Woke up feeling like I had been hit by a truck, Took allergy and midol pills and took a hot shower, Got on computer to waste time, Ate 1 small meal but nowhere near 100%! got 3 hours of sleep RLS alllll night Day #3:Woke up, Feeling better, Back just wrecked, But did the usual pill and shower routine (Crazy sexual appetite i havent had in over a year!) Actually cleaned the house and ate 2 small meals. RLS GONE!! :) Day #4: Back a little sore but up and in a happy mood, I couldnt remember the last time I laughed until I cried!! I feel human again,.. A little itchy throat but all and all okay! Tomorrow is Day #5 and I am so proud of myself, Been over a year and I can get up, clean & go about my day. Do think about them periodically but Just say a prayer (I START MY MORNINGS WITH A PRAYER) It helps soo much.. Please DO NOT GIVE UP.. IT GETS BETTER!!! DAY #5 TOMORROW AND I AM SO HAPPY AND EXCITED, IM HUMAN AGAIN!!!

[darrenball1]

I am on day 2 without any 10mg perks.i was only taking 1 pill a day for 5 mths.my legs hurt so bad,my temper is real bad and i can't sleep.it is hard.but i already stopped drinking for 8 years ,i have stopped coke and crack and dust for 15 years i know i can beat these pills compared to all of the other crazy **** i put into my body.BE STRONG.JUST REMEMBER WHEN YOU PLAY YOU PAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!O GOD MY LEGS ****.

[Valkryie]

Never in a million years did I think I would be controlled by my 120 tabs of 5mg oxycodone, 325 acetametaphen prescription dispensed by my doctor every month for the last year and a half for chronic back pain.  I've been feeling like **** for the longest time now. I've never taken more than 7 of these percs in a day, but that's still alot. As we all know, these little "Altoids" make you feel so fine in the beginning, but it isn't long berfore we're just trying to get by. I called 'em Altoids 'cause they look like 'em.  For some reason my script wasn't mailed to me on time this month and this is the first time I've been two days without that crap in my system. Damn, I sure am hooked. Jesus, you get the *****, anxiety is almost unbearable and just generally feel awlful. Thank  all you wonderful people for trying to striaghten out your lives and giving me the insight and strength to first realize I'm addicted and now the much harder part of trying to beat it. I read on here about how the percs rob our systems of nutrients. I'm runningr over to GNC right now and picking up some viatamins and minerals. I'm only on day two so I've probably got some really miserable days ahead. Wish me luck.

[gldust]

So, I read your stories, I guess the only nice thing is I'm not alone.  several years ago I was seriously injured causing a debilitating injury and pain to my left leg, knee, ankle and foot, I had multiple surgeries a couple in the same spot.  I was put on oxycotin for a while, but the anger and depression of going from an active outdoors man to a cripple was more than I could bare, so I just holed up in my house, didn't really take the meds and felt sorry for myself.  Then about a year ago I fell down and broke my already broken leg again. this time the doctor prescribed me percocet 10's 6 a day.  I had taken tons in the past so I started taking them.  I should mention that after my accident I lost my job and only work 2 part time low wage jobs so I can come home and rest after a few hours.  So I have no insurance.  So the percocet was cheap at $115  month for 180 pills.  So, I took them, Like a gift from God the were.  For the first time in years I gardened this summer.  I went hunting this fall with my son (mind you I couldn't walk far but at least I was out there doing it).  My activity level shot up, my blood pressure went down, I was riding my stationary bike everyday, the cloud of depression dissolved.   Then a month ago my Dr told me he was worried about all the pills I took each day.  He wants me to go on the fentynal patch.  So I looked it up and it scared me.  I dont like the idea of havinf 3 days worth of meds strapped to me at all times.  Several places I looked said it was only for cancer pain or sever pain.  Well the percs had been doing their job cause I started wondering if the pain was ever that bad.  Well it was.  I ran out of pills on Saturday, I had weened my self down to 4 a day for a week and 2 a day for 2 days, all this without consulting my dr. of course.  so the past week has been bad.  and since Saturday I have gotten about 2 hours horrible sleep, stomach issues I daresent speak of and my legs wont stop moving.  I ache everywhere and the origonal pain in the leg and foot has returned just like before.  I am depressed, sad and didnt go to work today.  I am laying on the couch shivering now.  My wife has been a dear but she just wants me back on the meds.  I am so sad and so stuck.  I cannot go back to the constant pain.  I dont want to be a slave to the drugs.  If I make it through this with out breaking down I dont want to get addicted again.  I am scared of getting on something stronger what will that be like?  Why cant they just cut my leg off at the knee??  I feel awful.  When I was a kid I took lsd a few times this reminds me of the awful agitation I felt after the fun of the drug went away and you just couldn't sleep.  I close my eyes and they pop right back open.  I have been taking hot baths and a full regiment of alka-seltzer plus night time to try to sleep to no avail.  I am lonely,  I cant imagine what it would be like if I were on this for all those years.  But I did have one really nice summer.

[Livingtodaylikeitsmylast]

You need to take care of yourself.....I am sorry but only "he" can help himself.  That being said, I am on my fourth day of the worst withdrawal ever.  I have been on percs for over 10 years.  I have quit many times.  Things get worse and worse each time.  It has such control over me that sometimes it is so overwhelming that you do anything to get "something".  At first its a couple percs, then an oxy, or a shot of methadone.  Now it was up to $180 a day and trust me I don't make that much. Anything to at least take the edge off.  To help you get through the day or to make you feel better, happier, to accept things....whatever.  But this is unbearable and I have had 3 children so I know unbearable.  I would take childbirth over this any day.  At the end of that you get something wonderful.  Sometimes at the end of this you end up with nothing!!!!  I have done some pretty ****** things, like my wedding ring is in pawn right now, but I don't love my husband any less or my kids any less.  I want to be a good wife and a good mother.  I am determined and hopeful, but I get lured back in each time.   I just need to beat this before I lose them all.  Your boyfriend has to do the same.  No one can make him do it or guilt him into it.  He doesn't "not" love you it is just bigger than him at this point.  I wish you luck!  You just need to decide how much you are willing to take and how far you will go.  Draw a line and don't let him pass it.  I hope it works out for you.