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.

[Miee]

I think the morphine might help prevent withdrawal symptoms.

[megley]

I had colon surgery on Dec. 30th. Eight weeks ago today.  I was on morphine in the hospital for five days, then started on Percocet when I arrived home. Most days it was 2 in the morning, two in the afternoon, one at night. And the dosage was low, these were 5/325.  Most of January I stayed with this, then in February I began to come down. Pain was diminished but these opiates excite the brain, and the brain learns how to adjust to normal function ON the opiates. Constipation was handled with Milk of Magnesia. No real problems there as long as I had a regime. Now I am on day four off the opiates. I weaned all the way to one pill a day, but the step off of one pill is what kills the patient. It's that ONE pill that the brain is screaming for. I am anxious, moody, depressed, lonely, nauseated, and last night I barely slept a wink. Oddly, I'm not in much increased pain from anything in my body. Just stay strong, the further you make it away from the opiates the less inclined you are to touch even one pill. Anyone can make it off, you do need to commit and realize there will be discomfort. You can manage it. I had previously been on opiates for up to a year for a prior problem, and I successfully came off of that too. More symptoms, more time, but it can be done, and it has to be done. Doctors must discuss this process with their patients to whom they prescribe these drugs. It's kind of an unspoken thing that there will be a withdrawal, but docs owe it to all of us who must use opiates to explain the step off process and check on our progress. Much luck to all.

[NateGuy08]

I have an addiction problem, I used to be a major alcoholic but that's because I constantly take pills, I now take morphine while I wait for more Percocet to come but they barely take the edge off. If I go maybe three days tops I feel like I'm going to have a breakdown or something. I an exhibiting anger problems and mood swings suddenly, my bowel movements are about once a week and my sex drive is completely non existent now which upsets my girlfriend. I know I'm not as bad yet as what you see in the stereotypes but I want to stop before I get there! I'm worried...

[Lisalee767]

It will be sooooo very hard not to pick that script up, but if you really sit down and think about what these pills have robbed your life of, you will feel so good about yourself when you don't get them. I am praying that you have the emotional strength to decide for yourself that you are going to continue yo treat your body well, and you will feel as well as you treat it! I will be thinking of you.....  lisa

[swix21]

just an FYI from a true addict as unfortunately I have issues as the rest started out innocent enough but spiraled OTC with legitimate pain issues but a fiend non the less...and I would say more of  fiend than an addict as go long times without but once a taste sever addiction...not to trade one for another but I know what withdrawal is like...I REALLY DO...neoprene plus wich you can get per your pharmacist without DR.prescription...WARNING this is bad for you as has Ibeprophene X 10 so be carful but helps w first couple days as has 12.5 milligrams of codeine per dose so 1/3rd of a Tylenol 3 if you are a opioid attack you know what I am saying...this with the slightest of vodka mixed with orange juice...does help but as all comments say everyone is different as weed does not work for me as it adds to anxiety...I get it detox ***** but this mostly helps especially with bouncy legs and sleep which is the key to recovery...I keep reading posts as everyone says how bad it is but doesn't give real solutions...9 times of 10 works and trust me been there 10 times easy...so please be catious as not total relif but for first 3 days helps tons...it also helps to read about other people struggles as gives you piece of mind...also piece of advise since you have to ask your pharmacist for nephron plus do not tell them you are detoxing because if you do not have a family pharmacist they do not get it,,,you can do this you just have to make through the first couple days...and phuk praying as if a god big IFhe doesn't care about your addiction I assure you....be realist and be honest...but not with your employer as I found out the hard way if someone has not gone through this they don't get it...I assure it...thanks as it does get better...really it does

[testuser632]

For what it's worth, for me having beat alcohol years ago - the hardest thing I ever did (took me about 20 tries over 10 years to get it right) I wanted to share what I learned about addiction - other than the substance to which you are addicted changes nothing about your struggle beating it:
1. I am not broken because I was addicted.
2. I am not and never was helpless. I chose to be.
3. Choosing to be helpless did not make me a loser or unimportant, I just wasn't ready
4. We are all children of the world in search of a better tomorrow. It's not a big deal, it's just how we chose to live on those days. That can change at any time.
5. Until I starting working on forgiving myself, I didn't have a chance.
6. The world is far too beautiful and interesting to ignore or see through a muted lens.
7. Lots of people told me how to behave and handle things. They were all wrong; we all have our own path

My actions while drinking ruined a very prominent career. I have however met the woman I waited over 40 years to marry, and we are happier together than I even ever dreamed I could have been. I would not have her if I didn't beat my alcoholism - and no I do not believe I am an alcoholic today. I don't drink, and I don't want to. I'm normal - and yes I can and have enjoyed a glass of wine over dinner (once in the last 2 years or maybe twice - I don't count and don't even think about it anymore).

It has truly become uninteresting, and a complete non-issue, because I learned the things I noted above. I really wish I could put more clarity behind it. The peace I found within myself made it a complete non-issue, just something that my life was and no longer is.

Despite my inability to articulate, Keep the faith. Maybe go for a walk, enjoy the wind blowing through the trees. Get lost in a sunset, find a beach or a hill...just sit, and enjoy, and be grateful and know that somewhere there is someone just like about to walk by, and they might just say hello, sit down, and enjoy it with you.