So I spent all this morning reading all of your posts on withdrawal symptoms from percs. I have been taking 5/500, prescribed 4 times a day, but in reality, it turned into about 8-10, for the past 12 months or so. I've been under the care of my family doctor and a "pain management" doctor (who actually really didn't do anything pharmaceutical for my 2 bulging discs in my lower back, that took my breath away and kept me from functioning as my job as a nurse! Obviously, 5 mg ceases to be effective after awhile, which is the nature of the beast. My family doc is old school, and wouldn't increase my dosage, even after telling him my current dose was ineffective.
Anyway, it appears we've all been in the same boat. Long story short, I don't want to take them anymore. Yes, I am in pain, yes, 800 mg of Ibuprofen is also ineffective AND causes heartburn. But I quit my last nursing job because of my injury last November. I'm ready to go back to work. I was born to be a nurse, I think - to take care of people. However, along with nursing job offers also comes pre-employment drug screens. Yes, I have a prescription, but hate to have to explain my injury and then have them not offer me a job because they know off the bat that I'm damaged goods, so to speak.
So...I took my last pill last night at about 6pm. I knew what to expect, both as a nurse and as someone who has taken more than was prescribed and ran out before my next RX was due. It was ridiculous the last time. I wasn't prepared for it that time. I actually had to ask my sister, the family addict, if I was going through withdrawals. She told me the symptoms I was describing was what happened to her when she WD from heroin. Great! After reading many posts, and praying for all of you, and for myself, off I went in search of amino acids and immodium! On my period, so I have the added bonus of cramps, bloating and all that fun stuff!
So today, in addition to my menstrual relief pills, I have taken 100 mg 5-HTP, 1000 mg L-Glutamine, and 1000 mg DLPA. Took that at noon and about 7:30pm. Fortunately I also have .25 mg of Ativan, which I have taken 3 of so far today. Also had some valerian root that I keep on hand for my insomnia when I don't have Ambien. Oh, and the Imodium twice. So far, not so bad. Just a tad restless, and some sweats earlier. I had some chicken broth, some Celestial Seasons Tension Tamer tea and an Ensure, just to keep something in my stomach. Gonna go get in the hot tub after I finish posting this, then shower, take an Ambien and try to sleep. Tomorrow morning I have an orientation for a state job and I'm really hoping I can keep it together for the 2 hours I have to be there.
My biggest guilt comes from the fact that my husband thinks I stopped taking them 2-4 weeks ago. He too had been taking percs for pain from surgical scar tissue. Of course we both felt great until the obligatory watching the clock, waiting for the next one, blah blah blah. He quit taking them at that time, felt like crap for 3-4 days, and moved on. I'm either gonna have to come clean or come up with a case of food poisoning or something. The menstrual symptoms will only carry me so far, and it is allergy season, which could explain away the runny nose...anyway, I'm afraid of being in pain again everyday more than anything. I know I can get through this right now, its the pain! The Pain!! I'll let everyone know how its going. Good luck to all of you!