Percocet withdrawals, how long do they last?

[sprstar]

I was prescribed percocets (5/325) about 1 1/2 years ago for chronic back pain (scoliosis mainly). I took them as prescribed for a while and then started increasing the dosage until I was taking upwards of 14 a day (I could take 8 per my script).

I decided about a week ago to stop. I tapered down to 8 a day, I guess that's not great but I just can't have them around me without taking them.

I have been without for 36 hours and of course I feel like hell in a hand basket. The longest I've ever gone is about 30 hours.

My question is: How long until I start to feel better? I am off of work for a week (I planned this to coincide with my vacation).
I would have gone into a detox or something but I have no one to take care of my house, etc.

[PurrfectlyKrazy]

Hi.  This is a very old thread.  Please go to the main substance abuse page and start a new question...a new thread.  There are lots of folks here going through what you are going through or have and you will get lots of support and advice!  Just copy and past what you said above onto the new question :-)

[Marcie52mom]

I have been taking narcotics for over 4 years. I was prescribed Vicodin after my first back surgery in 2010. In 2012 I had my second back surgery and then was switched to Percocet because Vicodin was no longer effective.  About six months later due to increased pain ( I now know was mostly  caused from drug intolerance) I asked my doctor to prescribe Fentanyl narcotic pain patches.  I started at 25 mg. And a few months later had him increase it to 50mg.  I changed patches every 72 hours and supplemented Percocet on flair up days. I just had my third back surgery 6 weeks ago.  Due to increased pressure from doctors I decided to wean myself off narcotics on my own before I was forced to do so.  Two weeks ago I went Fentanyl patch free and within a day started experiencing many withdrawl symptoms. I switched to Percocet as needed for the next week. Eight days ago I wrote out a three week withdrawal schedule to for myself in order to become narcotic free.  My first seven days I allowed myself to have no more than 1 and a half pills no more than every 5 hours. As each day went by I stretched the time distance a little more.  I am now on my second week of my plan and I am now allowing myself to have no more than 1 Percocet no more than every 7 hours stretching the time distance a little more every day.. Next week I plan to cut down to no more than a half a Percocet no more  than every 8 hours  again as each day is a new I plan to go a little longer.  When my three week plan is over I plan to get rid of all remaining narcotics!  I will be honest.  It has been HELL!!!  The hardest days were day 3,4,5, &. 6!  I didn't sleep or hardly eat for three days.  I had extreme anxiety, nervousness, restlessness, extreme sweating, nose running, sneezing, chest cramping, headaches, hot & cold flashes, depression, and increased pain. I am finally doing a lot better now.  Day 8 of my 24 day withdrawal plan and my symptoms are a lot less. I still have extreme sweating  and hot & cold flashes but I think I am also suffering with menopause symptoms as well. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea  2 years ago caused by my brain sending messages that I don't need to breath. I have to sleep with a bi-pap machine. I hope and pray that after becoming narcotic free I will no longer have brain induced sleep apnea.  Does any one else taking narcotics out there now have to sleep with a bi- pap machine? I wish all of you the very best luck in getting off narcotics all together!

[Andromul]

Guys, all you need for withdrawal is clonazepam and baclofen. Clonazepam will calm you down, remove the anxiety and let you sleep. Baclofen is a mussel relaxant, it removes the tension. But it also activates the GABA receptors in your brain and releases endorphins. That is all you need! So use these two and you will be fine.  I went through withdrawals couple of times, I know for sure it works. Plus you can easily get prescription for those and they cost next to nothing.  Just try it, Ok?

[Andromul]

Guys, all you need for withdrawal is clonazepam and baclofen. Clonazepam will calm you down, remove the anxiety and let you sleep. Baclofen is a mussel relaxant but it also activates the GABA receptors in your brain and releases endorphins. So use these two and you will be fine.  I went through withdrawals couple of times, I know for sure it works. Plus you can easily get prescription for those and they cost next to nothing.  Just try it, Ok?

[Andromul]

Guys, all you need for withdrawal is clonazepam and baclofen. Clonazepam will calm you down, remove the anxiety and let you sleep. Baclofen is a mussel relaxant but it also activates the GABA receptors in your brain and releases endorphins. So use these two and you will be fine.  I went through withdrawals couple of times, I know for sure it works. Plus you can easily get prescription for those and they cost next to nothing.  Just try it, Ok?

[JMarieF]

Hi everyone. I'm getting mentally ready to go off of oxycodone 70 mg per day prescribed by my doctor for pain. I am at the point where I either need to up my dose or go off of them. I haven't felt any pain in about 3 weeks and it just feels like it is time to step off them. Your posts have been so helpful. I see my doctor Tuesday, July 29th for a med consult and I want to discuss the right way for me to begin coming off the oxys. I'm really scared.

I have a boat load of health problems and am 3 years out from breast cancer treatment, so if I chose to stay on the pills, my doctor would have no problem with continuing to prescribe them. I want to get off them to feel better and to get off the couch. I'm going to be 56 in a week and my life has become completely inactive. I rarely go out and I have stopped doing anything that I don't absolutely have to. This started last March, before that, the oxys gave me a boost and I was always doing something. Now, it's an effort just to get up to make dinner.

I'm ready for a change!