Perocet use for 1 year

[allison0609]

Hi everyone.  So happy to find this site.  I have many questions and would appreciate any help.  
I have 3 herniated/degenerative discs in my neck.  I am a hairstylist, so I use my arms and neck  A LOT.  Anyhow, I have dealt with chronic pain from this for many years.  So, I have been on Percocet 10 mgs, for about a year now.  I also get epidural blocks about every 2 months.  I take about 6 a day, which is what I am prescribed.  
My question is what is going to happen to me if I stop taking these abruptly, because honestly I'm scared that my body is addicted.  Will I die from withdrawals of this?  I'm just really scared.  Also, I worry what it's doing to my body, like my liver.  And if I stop, I will have severe pain in my neck.  I don't know what to do.  Please if you have any feedback, I really need it.  Thanks, allison

[dominosarah]

Look in the health pages on the right hand side of this page.  You will find alot of good articles.  Yes it is true the pills that are supposed to help you can end up hurting you....We will be here to support you and help you thru this.  Keep posting       sara

[allison0609]

Also, no I'm not taking more than prescribed, but I do take the Max amount each day.  And the fact that I've been on the percocet for 1 year.....it just seems like I will definitely have withdrawal symptoms.  My husband knows nothing about my dependence on these. Nor do my children.  It is so easy to get caught up in this because it is "prescribed".

[allison0609]

thank you both so much.  I will be watching other posts and the amino acids??? I don't really know anything about that.  Does it help?

[dominosarah]

Hi and welcome to the forum.  merrymaria gave you good advice on checking out the health pages.  Check out the amino acids and vitamins in there.  It is good to get going on some sort of therapy like that.  Many of us found out that once we stopped the pills our pain did decrease and yes Motrin does actually work!!  You wont die from the wd's.....You wont feel good by any means but you will get thru it.  Keep posting.  We are here to support you...........sara

[merrymaria]

yes i know...could you do a taper?  are you taking more than prescribed?  cold turkey was my best option...i took two weeks off dedicated to myself to detox...best/worst vacation i ever had...you CAN do it...lots of help here

[allison0609]

Honestly, I'm afraid if I talk to him, he'll tell me that everything is ok, i'm not an addict, blah blah. It's almost like he's scared to lose me as a patient.  And I don't want him to think I'm a big crackhead too.  Do you know what I mean???

[merrymaria]

we all think that way i think...i couldn t imagine life without them 14 months ago...but somehow we all  get through it...i take motrin for my pain when needed and it seems to work well for me.  don t be scared...could you talk to your doc maybe?

[allison0609]

Thank you maria, I will read about this, and try to educate myself, I just don't know about my mental health either, b/c I have biploar disorder also. (I take meds for this) Hopefully I will be O.K.  I have many reasons for wanting this, my children being 3 of them....but I also don't know if I will be able to continue my career as a stylist if i take nothing.  I am scared.

[merrymaria]

hi there...no you won t die...i stopped cold turkey doing about 10/12 pills a day...it s like a bad flu that lasts 5 days top.  but mental depression might come on after the physical withdrawals.  please read the health pages...lots of good reading for you and helpful info.  you could try to taper to ease wds but it never worked for me..good luck to you and keep posting questions...you can never learn enough...maria