Please Help Someone

[needhelp33319]

I have always like taking vicodin I guess for "recreation".  However, when my son passed away in 2007, I started taking them on a daily basis.  For the past two weeks I have been out and been taking percocet because that's all I have right now.  I have decided to stop taking pain pills and try to get my life  back.  When I take the percs,  I also have to take something for headache, and it's just a terrible cycle.  I got up this morning thinking I was going to go all day without a pill and it's now about 11:30 a.m.  I have just taken one because I literally felt like I was dying.  I am wondering is it safe to feel that way?  I mean do you have to ween off or can you just stop cold turkey?  I am sweating and freezing, my stomach hurts, I'm aching all over, and I can't even get the energy to get up to take a shower.  My heart is beating out of my chest.   I know that I haven't quit before now because without the pills I just don't have energy.  I don't want to do anything without them, and I'm also wondering if that will go away?  I do not have the money to go to doc for anything to help, and I do have a few percs if I have to take them.  So please anyone with any help would be so appreciated.

[J T Junig, MD PhD]

Yep-- I agree with the naughty one-- seizures from opiates alone are very, very rare, and usually associated with hidden doses of benzos or alcohol.  The saying is that benzo or alcohol withdrawal will kill you... with opiate withdrawal you only wish you were dead.

If you really want to get off the wicked merry go round, the 'few percs' have to go-- for good.  Anyone I know who stayed clean has to stay completely clean-- there is no dipping back in now and then for a wicked headache.  Opiates have to be taken off the table--- just like when my son became allergic to strawberries, that meant they are gone.  For good.  Completely.   You might need them for surgery some day, but they will need to be held by someone else and doled out exactly as ordered-- the days of being your own doc have to end.  

You are not missing anything by not 'affording' to see your doc; clonidine does reduce the symptoms a little bit, but the bottom line is that opiate withdrawal really, really stinks.

[pillhead299]

Yes all of those are normal wd symptoms and it ***** so bad.  I've been taking pills for about 3 years and I just recently put myself and rehab and am now on methadone which is helping so much.  It's really not worth it being on the pills, I had to get them off of the street and was spending so much money it was rediculous.  I'm so happy that I'm quitting now!  You do need to be careful quitting cold turkey when you have been on a high dose for a while because it can cause seizures.  what ever you do i'll be thinking of you and hoping you the best!  It can get better if you really want things to change!

[NautyOne]

Everything you are feeling is normal withdrawal.  Unless you have any underlying health issues ..you can and will have to go through this.  Yes, weaning off is possible, but the majority of people who are in active addiction find it close to impossible. You only know if you try and it takes an extreme amount of discipline.  If you can somehow get to a doctor and tell them your situation, you can ask for clonodine, a blood pressure med usually prescribed for what you are going through.  I hear that it works pretty well for the sweats and anxiety.

Cold turkey is going to feel like your going to die...mentally and physically. I hear lots of hot baths or showers, imodium for the potty issues, and ibuprofen for the aches.  I am going to be completely honest with you.  These things help, but you are going to feel like you've been run over by a truck for at least 4-7 days.  You probably won't get any sleep for a while, OTC sleep aids and melatonin do help, but your not gonna sleep.  It took 29 days for me to actually get a nights sleep, but when I did....It as awesome !  The energy......that can take a while too.  Your whole brain chemistry has been re-wired and it's gonna take some time to attempt to get back to "normal"

If you decide to wean off them, you can send me a private message and I can only tell you what worked for me because I was one of the lucky ones that it worked for, and I have been off them for 2 years this October.  It's gonna really suk, so just keep hydrated, a roll of TP in hand and lots of fluids.....I've been there, so I feel your pain.  I am  so sorry to hear of the loss of your son.  I am not a parent, and can't even imagine how painful that had to be.

I don't know when the doctor will answer your question, but everything I have told you above I believe he would approve.

I wish you well & God Bless
Luv,
Nauty..................