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Help! I'm desperate to get off percocets FOR GOOD!

Hello everyone! I'm going to give you a little back story....about two years ago I had a procedure done to my back that ruined me for life. Anyhow, I was prescribed 10mg of oxycodone and Valium to help with the pain (about a year after suffering through daily pain)  Needless to say I became physically dependent on it and when the scripts stopped, I starting buying them wherever I could find them. I have a great job, 4 children, and a husband (very supportive) No one other than him knows about my addiction. I've come to a place where I'm tired of working to basically feed my habit. I have taken a week off of work to completely detox. I am currently taking about 7 10mg pills a day just to function. I am so scared because I know the hell that lies ahead of me. I guess my biggest fear is after having the seven days to get the medicine out of my system, I fear the psychological effects I will experience and the lack of energy. I work full time, my children are in extracurricular activities (everyday all four of them) and unfortunately, what has helped me feel normal is those damn pills. I have made this decision to finally give up this awful habit up for good, but I extremely scared. Any suggestions or advice to get me throuh this week and after also? My last dose will be today around 5pm. This is something I am so ashamed of and really want out. Please help! Thank you in advance for your support. I know I got myself into this mess and it's going to be a longggg road before I get back to being the old me!
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Avatar universal
Thank you for the kind words about my friend.  The reason I brought it up is that what you are facing is totally doable.  Sounds like the illicit supply issue isn't an issue and that's good.  I think a warrior mindset helps.  Failure is not an option and all that stuff.  :-)). Do your best.  The rewards are very much worth it.
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Avatar universal
I was going to bring up chemo in another thread. Having been thru both myself, I must tell you, chemo was much worse. But still, it wasn't as bad as I had thought, and I got thru it. 17 years ago, yay. But still there worse things. Thought patterns like this will take you very far. Its not about willpower, but about the power of the mind. And there isn't one good reason why you can't do what the rest of us have! You go girl!
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Avatar universal
Hello, I am so very sorry for what your friend is enduring. I know that there are many people in the world who are suffering from things way worse than I am, but for me, being as weak as I feel, it's my own little hell that I've created. But that I will also be getting out of. Like you mentioned, this is in my control and I have already made up my mind. Just got my B-6 vitamin, multi- mineral supplement, potassium supplement, immodium, and my valium. I'm ready to take this head on. I'm not going to lie, I'm terrified, because as a mother I must still be at least slightly functional because I must get my children ready and on the bus in the morning. But I'm ready to use whatever strength and will power I have left to fight against it. Funny thing is I never met any of the dealers, I'm too nervous of a person to ever make a "drug deal", it was done through an associate, with whom I explained the "friend" I was buying for was giving it up. (No one ever knew it was for me) Deleted the number. No other association. Thank you for your comments and support, hopefully I'll feel well enough to post tomorrow! Goodnight to everyone! You all are such kind-hearted, selfless people!!!
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Avatar universal
One last thing.  You were buying drugs on the street.  You must end those relationships.  It's imperative.  Ditch the phone numbers.  Ask for your husband's help with this if necessary.  The allure of relief from withdrawals just by calling your dealer can be too much temptation.  This is a critical step that is always advised to anyone buying drugs from a non-traditional source.
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Avatar universal
You sound very well informed.  That's a plus for you.  It's an indication of how you approach problem solving.  

As for what you can do , well, IMO there's not a lot. Imodium is essential.  There are procurser amino acid supplements that some use.  Creature comforts like showers, baths, favorite foods are good.  I'm not talking about a shower in the evening.  I took like 4 - 6 showers a day for the first few days.  Food is very personal.  Some can't eat much of anything.  Make sure your diet is complete.  You need a full compliment of nutrients to repair your brain.  This may be ensure or juicing or just well balanced diet.  There is one thing that you may face, rebound pain.  I have problem knees that got worse when I quit drugs.  Even suboxone had a pain killing effect.  I've found that NSAIDS like Alleve and Motrin are actually very effective for many kinds of pain, sometimes more effective than narcotics.

IBKleen made a comment about attitude.  You said "I know what hell lies ahead of me".  I'm not going to minimize the withdrawal effects.  They are unpleasant but they are not hell.  They last a week.  The lack of energy may last a month or even two.  But there's every indication that most fully recover from opiate dependency.  I have a good friend on his third stint with cancer.  He's 33years old.  The chemo seems to be every bit as hard as opiate withdrawal and there's no guarantee that he's even going to live.  I'm very thankful I didn't have to face that.  Take on this task like a mission.  Take no prisoners.  Success is the only acceptable outcome.

Now let's talk a little about embarrassment.  You were prescribed what is essentially synthetic heroin and a tranquilizer with very well known addictive qualities.  There was no plan on what was going to be done at the end, to help you stop using these addictive drugs.  How do I know that?  Because there NEVER is.  In a way you were setup.  In a more perfect world only docs who had been through withdrawals would be allowed to prescribe them.  This is not a character issue.  Some of the strongest people I've met are reformed addicts.  You don't have the time or energy to spend on this.  Or the need.
My best wishes to you.  

I think you have a good prognosis.  I would ask one thing.  If you struggle with this that you will continue to post here.  You won't let embarrassment get in the way of solving this problem.  We can help.  Each one of us has been there.

Cheers
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Avatar universal
Thank you, just knowing I'm not alone gives me hope. As supportive as my husband is, he doesn't truly understand what I'm going through. I've decided to take my life back and while I know it won't be easy, I am determined to be done for good. My journey begins at 5pm tonight. I'm actually at baseball right now with my kiddos. And when I get home tonight, my new life begins :) You all are so wonderful and my heart feels so much better having this support. I will post my progress once the symptoms actually start. Thank you truly, from the bottom of my heart!
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