Addicted to percocets big time

[Scaredharry]

I have read these forums before and they seem like they help.  I am a 30 year old teacher. I have been taking percocets for about 4 years now.  I have upped my dosage to about 6-7 30mg percs a day and it is ruining my life.  I want to stop so bad it's not even funny. I have been hiding this curse from everyone since I started. I am in total love with my girlfriend and am scared to death that I am going to lose her, my job, house, everything if I don't freakin stop.  What is the best way to stop.  I am scared to quit cold turkey but know that it HAS to stop. Please please please help anyway you can.  

Thanks

Harry

[Pjtwenty]

Hey
You cut back pretty big for one thing but since you've made it three days I wouldn't look back. Days 3-4 are usually the toughest when you quit cold turkey so I assume cutting back drastically wouldn't be much different.
I assure you that you are not going crazy. Your body is just fighting to get back those free endorphins and dopamine the pills give. Give it sometime. In a few days you'll feel a lot better.

[skeet394]

I have been taking 9-10 Percs a day for hip pain (waiting to have hip surgery.)  I know that was too many, so I cut myself down to 2/day.  Since I've cut back, I feel horrible.  I am so anxious that I can hardly stand being in my own skin, nothing makes me happy, and I can't sleep.  I'm constantly worrying about things that may never happen, and I cry ALOT.  When is this going to end?  I feel like I'm having what I imagine a nervous breakdown is like.  I've asked everyone I know if they think I'm losing my mind.  They keep assuring me it's the pills, and that I'll be fine.  I'm afraid this isn't so.  This is Day-3 of my cutback.  How long will this horrendous, debilitating feeling last?

[IwillDoThis]

Scared - For planning since our drug of choice is basically the same and your usage was a little higher than mine I wanted to give you a synopsis of my timeline so you can plan your "flu" at work with substitues - I tapered down to one pill (tapering from 3-4 per day plus other pills) last Monday afternoon and then stopped.  By Tuesday mid morning I had raging Diarrhea and started to feel it - I would say Tuesday-Thursday were the worst but I'm on Day 7 and while I feel much much better all of last week was pretty much a wash physically.  On day 3,4,5 I started to be able to eat - clear liquids at first, then puddings, soups and every day a little more.  Lulu lived on bananas (you'll need them for potassium for the jumpy legs), peanut butter sandwiches which will give you some protein, broth, gatorade.  Coconut water is high in electrolytes also which you can get in a can or box at like walmart.  Get you some immodium, supplements as suggested in other posts and you should be ready and you are right - you have to set your mind to it, DONT be tempted to take 1/2 a pill to take the edge off cuz all you will do is reset the clock.  You know what you need to do and you will be supported here.  I am so glad you admitted this to yourself and found this safe place.  It has/is helping me every single day.  Keep us posted on your progress!

[Scaredharry]

Wow thanks
Sent by Scaredharry less than a minute
This forum really is motivational.  I just talked to one of my buddies for the first time ever that I felt like I was spiraling out of control (even though I have spiraled).  He gave some good advise about using subs for a few days and then it's all mind over matter.  I just can't freakin believe that I am in this situation. It all started about 4 years ago when my mom got really sick rapidly.  I sat by her hospital bed for 3 weeks and ended up watching her take her last breath.  It was by far the hardest thing that I ever had to go though.  To numb the pain of everything I started taking the perc 5s.  As many of you know one led to 2 to 3 and so on.  I'm so disgusted with myself sometimes that I can't even look in the mirror at myself.  I feel so alone with this bc I don't tell anyone and don't want anyone to know. I def know that I can do this by myself but I know that it is gonna be tough. Thanks to all of you for responding. Honestly I say that I can do it by myself and that I am alone, but I'm really not with this forum and alll of your help.  This sux bad. But I do have so much to live for(not to sound corny) and it's a no brainer that I have to do this. Thank you again

[bama88]

Hi and welcome... i was taming that amount in the end. i know exactly where your at...the fear and the anxiety along with the shame of getting out of control...oh i feel ya. i do. your taking the first step to letting go and getting off the madness. i jumped cold turkey but took three weeks off work...on medical leave..fmla and short term... i told my doctor what i felt like i had to do and he supported my decision although he was against the cold turkey...but i never rookie my meds right.

Yes the detox is bad. yes i was sick. but i had to save my soul. the decision is yours to male. tapering takes disabling and someone giving you and holding meds....that's my opinion. please know you can do this.....we will support you. alto of us are professionals of parents. many same age group. know your not alone Nd sending u support

[IwillDoThis]

I to just like you am a professional person with everything going and I was dependent on hydros for years and years.  For me I tapered my dose down, I didn't feel my pain mgmt doc would be any help so I decided to to it myself.  Once you get tapered - should that be your choice - you can just have a really bad "flu" with work, depending on your situation being honest with your signif other I think is key for support.  I got started for pain and then it stopped working for my pain but I continued to take them becuase I knew getting off them would stink.  I feel for you, but you've taken this first scary step and coming on here.  Personally, if you can talk to your doc and let him know what you are dealing with that is ideal because you are also setting up a roadblock there in the future so you don't go back.

Read the posts here, click on my name and you'll see what I've experienced this past week.  7 days ago just about this time I took my last hydro and I'm not looking back.  Be prepped before you stop taking them, AGGRESSIVELY take immodium when you start hitting the toilet and check out the Thomas recipe on the bottom right of this page.  Keep hydrated no matter what even though you won't feel like it.  These pills don't need to rule your life and you have so much to lose.  Make the decision and stick with it - you will be so glad.  I'm 7 days today and every day it gets a little better.  Keep posting here and you will find support and no judgments.

[kyle505]

I agree with the above...Since you've been on a relatively high dose for a very long time, you need to see a doc and let him/her know that you want to stop. Tapering is not as hard on your body as going cold turkey, but it does draw out the withdrawal symptoms; plus you have to have the willpower to taper, or someone who will handle your meds for you. If you go cold turkey, you'll probably need at least four or five days off, and support from a family member or friend that you can talk to. Right now your head knows that you are thinking about stopping, thus the anxiety you're feeling...
One other point; you should take some time and read the posts on this forum. You'll find many success stories from people who were in your shoes. Another thing to look for are stories about subs. Docs sometime recommend subs to help with detox; I've never used them, but there are other who had a difficult time getting off the subs too. Anyway, keep posting. We're here to help.

[veniceman]

I understand !!!
You have to realize that this is a very very strong drug, the drug companies 'synthetic heroin'.
Take less and less per day and load up on vitamins, good eating and walks.
B complex will calm you.  
Drink lots of water.
Find the things that give you pleasure and do more of that, music, sports or whatever.
This drug and other pain pills rob people of FEELING.
That is a huge mistake to do to your mind and body. It seems harmless sometimes but IT IS NOT.
It feels great to FEEL again. To feel my nerves, the touch of things around me.
To be in tune and sync with others and my environment.
Be strong.

[AnnieBrooke]

Harry, talk to your doctor, or call AA for a referral to one of the narcotics anonymous organizations.   There is support out there, and known methods to stop.  You aren't the first person to face this problem, and there is help.