Tapering off Percocet

[cl727]

Hi There..
I am getting ready to start to taper off percocet. I have been taking them for about 6-7 mos and I am now up to approx 7-8 5mg a day. I have seen two "detox" physicians and they both offered the same thing..suboxone. I don't want to substitute another drug (possibly more powerful and addicting) for the percocet. Then I have to worry about getting off of that next! This is my choice to get off the percs as I just have to keep upping the dose not to feel sickly and flu like as I am obviously building a tolerence. I want this CRAP out of my system! Can't remember the last time I had a normal bowl movement! LOL I have never been through anything like this before. I want to do this on my own and the quicker the better, but I am too scared of going ct! I also don't have the "luxury" of going to a detox facility due to personal and insurance reasons. I was going to start weaning myself tomorrow, fist down to 5 instead of 7 and drop down one each day until I am at none. I have the option of using tramadol to ease the neck and back pain I currently have and was hoping to dull the pain somewhat of going off the percs. However, I am also hearing that tramadol is addicting too? I was on tramadol before I was prescribed the percs, but obviously I didn't have the chance to find out if they were addicting since I "graduated" to the percocet..lucky me! lol Are they addictive if I use them temporarily or long term for that matter? Could anyone offer some advice PLEASE?! Also, ANY advice on making this detox period easier is GREATLY appreciated! ANY advice at all PLEASE! I am also feeling as if I am getting a cold of flu on top of this, so I am sure this is going to be a very miserable time for me! Anyone know how long it will take before I feel better once I have taken my last percocet? I know a lot of questions..hoping for some answers! THANKS SO MUCH!

[LadyStack41]

bump?  whats that mean?? lol =)

I am glad I found this site... I need some support to keep my head straight.. I'm not scared about the withdrawal anymore cuz I know it's almost over. I am scared about the mind aspect of it...

I would appreciate anyone giving me support and talking to me... I swear I will never get like this again!

I will call pain management dr tomorrow and tell her  I still need the shots for my back, but I want her to give me something non narcotic to take.  When it gets cold my neck and back are even worse.

And tramadol is horrid as well. been there. done that...

[IBKleen]

bump

[LadyStack41]

Hi all! My name is Julie. I am in my 3rd day of WD.  I have huge tummy issues, so I take Bentyl, which by the way is a Godsend for withdrawal, because of the stomach cramps and diarrhea. I have been addicted to opiates for 4 years now.. First it was just vicodin, or Norco. I was taking up to 20 Norco a day!!  Last year I got on Suboxone. While I will say it is a miracle drug, it stops the wd's and the cravings wonderfully! And I was taking LESS than a half of a pill once a day.  Almost like a 4th of a 4th.. Then it started giving me body aches and I could barely move...So I stopped taking them.  It stays in your body longer than a regular opiate would, and the withdrawal is twice as bad! I was diagnosed with spinal stenosis and degenerative discs and arthritis in my back. Pain mangement dr. was giving me shots, and Opana IR and Opana ER at night.
IF I didn't take an Opana after 4 hours,  i was going thru withdrawal.  It woke me up at night after 4 hours in a nasty sweat, well, ya'll know the deal, so I stopped with the Opana, and went back to Vicodin, which I can't keep a bottle of that around. If I had 10, I would take that 10 in one day! So, three days ago, I decided I would just quit cold turkey. It hasn't been a cake walk, but the Bentyl helps with my cramps, and the xanax helps me to relax.  I never have abused Xanax.  I take one 0.5 mg at bed time so I can sleep. But since Im withdrawaling, I have taken about 3 a day. It has helped immensely!!
The only thing thats really annoying is the sneezing and the hot and cold flashes.  But I know by end of day 4 or 5, I'll b straight.. THEN, THAT's when the hard part comes in.
Our minds like to play tricks on us. We have to be stronger than that.  I used to smoke cigarettes, I quit cold turkey and have never picked another one up since. That was 9 years ago.  I don't drink.. It's just these freakin opiates!!  I am thinking about seeing a counselor to help me with after care. I just wanna be done with this mess. When you're addicted, your world revolves around that drug..At least for me it did.  I never want to do this withdrawal thing again.. This is my 3rd time withdrawaling.  Only this time it is without Suboxone. Good drug, but, way way worse to detox off of.

Thanks everyone for listening..
=)

[IBKleen]

HI,

We cannot advise you on tapering as it is a violation of our guidelines. I wish one of your darn doctors would have offered you a plan!

If you have never taken Tramadol then I suggest you read up on it or read the nightmare posts here. It is very addictive (doctors don't tell you that) and it is dangerous to come off of.

I know this is hard, I have been there many times but you have to make up your mind to get this done. It is going to be rough for the first 5 days or so and then it will begin to get better.

The cold or flu you are feeling may be the beginning of withdrawal. That is what it feels like.

Let us know what you decide on ct or not and we can give you some suggestions to ease the process a bit.