percoset

[marionreid]

Can discontinuence of percoset(cold turkey) cause withdrawal symptoms(nausea, vomitting)?

[rue10]

You posted on an old thread.  I'm going to copy and paste your question in a new thread.  You'll get Plenty of answers for people who've been there and care.

[rattness]

Hello everyone,  I am trying to kick this habit of taking Percocets . I was prescribed them for kidney stone pain from a stent plaement and lithotripsy that I was having done every week for a month to bust uo a 9mm stone in the kidney.   Now my doctor has given me 20 vicodin to wean myself off of percs. Its not helping!  I finally took a perc and got some needed sleep now my body wants more and I only have a 6 left what do I do help me please?

[bron]

Interesting posts on pain medications and their effects.  I broke my ankle several months ago and was initially given hydrocodone 5mg and tylenol.  I took these for about two months, and found a second doctor that would prescribe me 10mg/500mg tablets.  Well, rather than take one every 4-6hours, I took two, and liked the sensation.  This went on until this doctor would no longer prescribe me anything for the pain (keep in mind, I was still getting prescriptions for the 5mg vicodins from my original doctor)....which was mild to moderate at times and probably realisticaly not a candidate for pain meds.  My original doctor for my ankle switched me to tylenol 3 tablets (or rather his assistant did....I think a big part of prescriptions being filled on a whim is due to doctors' assistants.  They don't want to bother the doctor, so they just call in prescriptions for vicodin.)  Anyhow, I finally had sugery on my ankle after it did not heal correctly, and came home with a prescription for both vicodin and percocet.  I soon discovered that if I took two 5mg percosets, it gave me the equivalent of 4 5mg vicodins, and off I've gone on an addictive path to where I am have taken up to 5 percosets at a time.  I'm afraid of withdrawals, and I know my doctor is not going to keep prescribing me 35 tablets a month (which last anywhere from 7-10 days for me) as I am healing fine other than the pain meds.  I'm also afraid to confront the doctor with the fact that I've been abusing pain meds for so long (9 months) and would entertain any suggestions/ comments anyone has.  Unfortunately, I am one of those with an addictive personality, and should have never started taking anything in the first place!

[monalisa]

Fuuny you said that you don't know what "normal" is anymore. I think that we all go through that. I guess that's where the phrase in the song "been down so long it looks like up to me" comes from. I was there. Hope you are feeling better and better each day. The days really seemed soooo long to me for awhile, that is getting better. To better days!!! Keep up the good work and let your body heal. Lots of wonderful support here!!!

[monalisa]

As far as I'm concerned you have been misled. See the post "Weaning from Ultram Am I doning this right?" by Fairlight. It is close to the top answer your question loud and clear. I swithced from hydrocodone to ultram about 4 years ago. I never knew that it was addictive until I tried to quit. I told one doctor that the ultram worked better for my pain than the hydroconde. He said that was good because the hydrocodone was less addictive. Ha Ha!! Read the posts and let me know what you think!!!

[alchemist]

I was just reading your posts to new@this, you said that you take ultram, is it addictive? I just got off the oxy's but still have pain at times, I was thinking of asking for Ultram since it advertised as a non addictive pain med, have I been misled?

[new@this]

I am sure you are right.  Don't know if I even remember what normal is anymore!  I am so thankful I found this site though.  It really helps to have someone to talk to about this.

[monalisa]

I assume that the pain all over is from withdrawing from the percocet. I had a terrible burning, crawling, stretching type of pain. I think that it is a hypersensitivity to pain and other senses. It does go away, but seems to take a long time. Just hang in there and let your body heal. I'm up and down with the klonopin/ultram withdrawal, sometimes feeling good and then being zapped with pain. Slowly getting better though. Congratulations for getting as far as you have. Hopefully we're just around the corner to a return to normalcy!

[monalisa]

Congratulations on deciding to get off the percocet. I was on percocet for over  a year and decided to get off. I got off the percocet, but then was given hydrocodone and took that for years, never realizing that I was addicted to pain meds. Anyway it seems that after long term pain med the body is  hypersensitive to pain, so you can expect to have pain for awhile, but your body will take over and the pain will slowly subside. I think if you keep taking the pain med you will just prolong the agaony. Hang in there. The claritin does help with sleeping. I also had spent many sleepless nights, but you will sleep like a log again. Don't give in and go to Mexico. Try Xtra strength tylenol or ask your doctor for something that is not addictive. Good luck!!

[new@this]

thanks for your comments. I have pain all over my body now instead of just my kidneys.  Especially in my chest.  Is this normal?  Is this the pain you are referring to?

[new@this]

Thanks for answering.  I slept off and on last night.  I read here where someone said to take a claritin and that helped a bit but not what I am used to.  One thing about the percocet is that you sleep like a log!!!  I am afraid to tell the doc about this as he might not give me the percocet the next time I really do need it.  I admit here that I have said I needed it when I didn't just to get the meds.  Thankfully my doc is on vacation till Jan 6 so I cannot go to him for a refill.  Hopefully by then the WDs will have subsided and I will be okay. However, the way I am feeling right now I am not so sure.  Mexico is not that far and I could get tylenol 3 or vialium maybe even some vicadin from there. The mornings are the hardest because I usually have one with a soda by 730 am then another in the afternoon.  I can tell today will be a very hard one for me.  Thanks for the encouragement.  I really need it!

[alchemist]

Sounds like you summerized every post that I placed above.  Today is day 7 for me and I havn't slept a wink in a week.  I keep waking up at 2-3 am and can't fall asleep worth a dam.  It that awfull almost shaky/creepy feeling that I get that in my arm and legs that keeps me up.  Doc gave me a 5 day dose of a "withdrawal cocktail" Ativan, Klonipin and Clonidine, still doesn't help.   But on a brighter note the fog that surrounded my head for the past 5 yrs is now gone, I'm me again! eventhough I still hurt at times I try at all costs to avoid taking those dam pills for the pain, but I wouln't torture myself, if I need one that bad for pain I will reluctantly take it

Good Luck!

[new@this]

Hello everyone.  I am new at this board and very new at discussing my addiction.  Didn't want anyone to know.  I have chronic kidney stones and there doesn't seem to be a way to stop them as they are cystine stones and not enough is known about them.  They are extremely painful and now my kidneys just plain hurt all the time so I practically live on the percocet.  I want to get off of it and start the new year off right.  It has been almost 37 hours since my last pill (5 mg) so the WDs are really starting to set in.  I found this site by the grace of God and have found comfort in all the messages I have read so far.  I am surprised at the how much you all relate to me.  Unfortunately I have not found any other substitute painkiller.  But what I hate is when I get another doc because my doc is out who decides I don't need any pain meds!  Sometimes I feel like they don't believe that I hurt that much to need the percocet.  I am a single parent with a full time job who cannot afford to take time off from work EVERYTIME I hurt.  What other meds would help my pain?  I hate the WDs with a passion and the lack of sleep thing is a killer too.  Anyway, thanks for allowing anyone to read your messages as they really do help.

[monalisa]

I firmly believe that there is a solution to your pain problem. Don't give up trying to find out what went wrong. The doctors can throw their hands up, but you shouldn't. You weren't born with the pain, and you shouldn't have to live with it. Your detminataon and perseverance should prevail so that you return to leading a normal life. Keep trying to find out what the problem is. I feel certain that some doctor can figure out what is causing your problem and your gut feeling should help.  I know it is terrible when you know something is wrong, but can't put your finger on it. I'm sending you my best wishes on finding a solution that makes you feel great, and you can pick up your kids up and the only feelings you have are wonderful. Good luck!!

[alchemist]

When this all started I when to my family doc, who initially started me off on 800 mg ibuprofen, when that didn't work I when through a series of different antiinflams, nothing seems to work very well except the opioids.  My pain doc has also tried the new cox-2 antiinflams, still no dice in helping with the pain.  I still carry around the 5 mg oxy's just incase I can't stand it anymore.  I don't want to go through WD again, but I don't want to be in agony either.  The pain that I had today really got in the way of enjoying an outing with my family, it can really wear you down physically and mentally.  I hated it when I told my little ones that daddy can't pick them up, they allready understand why, its all old news to them.

[butterbeans]

Hi Wiz and WW.  I haven't heard from you in a while and that is my fault.  I can't figure out how to get into new ezboard forum.  I went through some registration process, but, it never did say I was registered or what to do nextI need to post to ya'll to keep healthy, even though I am taking my meds because I absolutely have to for the pain.  I am seeing my ex some and we enjoy each other's company.  He knows I take these meds.  I just have so much to tell you and want your advice/help/empathy , etc.  How is the world do I get into the board.  I am going to try in a minute to put in www.google.com that someone says brings up topics about meds.  My pain doc told me to take remeron, an anti-depressant in place of the paxil, because it would really help me sleep at night.  He was right, but, I am really having a lot of short term memory loss lately, but, this has been going on for two or three months.  I miss you two mostof all because you were always kind and there for me.  Telby, I miss you too.Please email me step by step directions to get to the forum.  I thought I had it, but, it would not let me in.I miss you guys.  I had wonderful Christmas and hope you all did too.  My children mean so much to me, and I still have feelings for ex ! Hang in there both of you, you too Telby.  Just remember how special you are!
Love Butterbeans

[Durty]

Thanks for your kind reply.  Yes, they did have me on Oxy and perc's at the same time.  Put at that point I was in such pain I could barely speak.  Things have calmed down a good bit since then with the cryo ablations.  Now I'm on Zydone which is hydro. But you are right, if I never went thru that I would not have gotten addicted.  I certainly share the blame for being so weak.
There needs to be some type of mandatory counseling whenever they put someone on opiates.  People need to know exactly what they are dealing with.  Sure wish I could go back and do it all over differently.  Take care - durty

[Telby]

I just heard from the Wizard tonight.  He definatly wants to stay in contact with you although he is not posting on boards for now.  I will email him to see if I can post his EMail for you or if you can get a hold of Cindi on the other board.  We will figure this out somehow.  Try this - http://pub37.ezboard.com/fthenewaddictionmedicineforumfrm1  The "f"before the "the" is not a mistake, that is how it shows up. Try it and see.  love, Telby

[monalisa]

How about an anti inflammatory? Maybe the nerve is being inflamed, which may explain why the ice helps. Naprosyn or clinoril may help. It's to bad that no one can find the source of pain. Obviously you're not faking it!

[alchemist]

A physical therapist once told me the same thing that maybe lying down is the key to helping my pain since I don't have any when I sleep.  Unfortunately, once the pain starts, I cannot stop it by simply lying down, only ice or pain meds work.  I have some limited success using a TENS unit to electrostim the spot in my back

[monalisa]

Your pain seems to be very high. One thing you said was that you don't have pain at night. Could that mean that it is related to some type of pressure being put on your back or spine while you are standing or sitting? Maybe it is the disk and the pressure is relieved when you lay down. Just a thought. Hope you are doing well. Another interesting thing that you said was about the pain meds making us intolerable to normal pain. I think that is what happened to me. After I got off the percocet I was  hypersensitive to pain. They then prescribed hydrocodone and diagnosed me as having fibromyalgia, a terrible muscle pain syndrome. In retrospect I don't think I have that. Things get put more into perspective when hearing other people's thoughts and experiences. Thanks for the insight!!!

[Telby]

I agree you are a very brave soul and I admire you for coming as far as you have.  You were right about the pain after opiate addiction, since our pain/pleasure centers are on hold due to the external use of opiates it takes a long time for the brain chemistry to kick back in.  The use of supplements like L-Tyrosine with B Complex helps to move the process along.  It seems to be a trick of the drug, causing the most pain where you are most vulnerable.  The stronger you get the less power "it" will have and soon you will be able to determine what hurts and what doesn't.  The drug will tell you many lies to get you back on pills, you have the real truth don't listen to the lies.  YOu are doing great and we are all cheering for you.  love, Telby

[Telby]

I agree you are a very brave soul and I admire you for coming as far as you have.  You were right about the pain after opiate addiction, since our pain/pleasure centers are on hold due to the external use of opiates it takes a long time for the brain chemistry to kick back in.  The use of supplements like L-Tyrosine with B Complex helps to move the process along.  It seems to be a trick of the drug, causing the most pain where you are most vulnerable.  The stronger you get the less power "it" will have and soon you will be able to determine what hurts and what doesn't.  The drug will tell you many lies to get you back on pills, you have the real truth don't listen to the lies.  YOu are doing great and we are all cheering for you.  love, Telby

[monalisa]

Why did they give you Percocet and oxycontin? I think that they are basically the same type of medication. I can't believe that doctors are giving people these extremely addictive medications and not letting the patient know how addictive they are. I read that there is a book out called "The Accidential Addict." I think that's what the majority of the people on this post are. Two years later, and they still have you on these strong medications? They must have no conscious. I think when you go to the doctor they feel that they have to give you some type of medication or else we feel that the doctor didn't do anything for us. One doctor tried to give me Norco (tylenol & Vicadin) to help get off of vicadin. I never filled the prescription. There is an electronic petition on one site to get klonopin off the market. The stories of "accidental addicts" is incredible. Reading other's experiences seems to help much more than a doctor. Im not saying don't see your doctor, just combine all of the information that is out there for us.It is comforting to know that other people have experienced the same symptomes, but WD is something I would wish on my worst enemy for only one day. I hope that you can get off the pain meds and put all of what you have been through behind you. There was a special the other day on CBS news about Vicadin addiction. Most of the people were ordinary people, that had some kind of accident or sickness that, like you, that left them addicted. I don't think that the doctors instill into their patients that these drugs are HIGHLY addictive. Doctors seem to think that people don't know when something is wrong with their bodies, like you tried to tell them. I'm sure that you can get off those meds and hopefully the abation will releive your pain for a very long time!!!  When the devil bites, fight back!! Best wishes!