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Avatar universal

need to get off percocet

I am worried I'm addicted, and need to know the best way to go about detoxing. Fortunately I've only been using for about a month. I was prescribed percocet after an operation. at first it was needed for the pain ,but its been over two weeks and I'm still using the percocet. I was able to get refills and I liked the affect so I kept using them. I have been taking 4-10 pills daily for about 2 weeks now,in the last week I've gotten worse, I only take 1-2 during work ,but once I'm home I take at least double that. I still have 9 pills left, is it possible to wean myself off by using what I have left and, and what is the best way to go about it. I know a lot of it is my mind more then physical, although I'm already waking up sweaty and feeling flu like. I'm wondering normally how long will it be physical symptoms, and considering it has not been a long period of time shouldn't it be easier ?
18 Responses
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1970885 tn?1435860428
But, since you are an addict, and started down the road again, and admit that your pain could have been handled with motrin but got scripts anyway, well, shouldn't you tell your dentist the truth? And your doctor? Pharmacy?
You got lucky this time. A short term script. Could have been something longer term; your addict brain had kicked in and you were off to the races.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
thanks
I am an addict and I did relapse after about 4 years...I went through hell and back, the whole methadone cycle and that is a withdrawal I'd never want to experience again. All it took this time was a script from the dentist, and in all honesty I'm sure I could have dealt with the pain just fine with motrin. within a week I was hitting the Doctors again and now I'm feeling like **** for allowing this to happen, and just wanting to get back on track. I am so thankful I somehow had enough sense to know what was ahead and a moment of clarity that allowed me to put the brakes on.
anyway, I'm glad for the taste of suffering I am having to experience, to remind me how much worse it could get.
Helpful - 0
2122807 tn?1560619706
yes, please stop now and it won't be so bad since its just been a month, please don't let it get to the point where you have to go to the bowels of hell to get out.

you will have a few bad days and you should be good.

hugs
lily
Helpful - 0
1970885 tn?1435860428
Have you decided that you don't want to use again? If so, then you have to let your doc know, or whoever you got the pills from, that you want to stop using.
I'm not sure if, at this stage, I'd classify you as an addict, but you definitely were dependent on the pills, and were well on your way to full blown addiction.
So, it's up to you. If you have access to pills, then you will probably relapse. In a while your head will start telling you that "just one won't hurt"...At that point the temptation builds, and your on your way back to using. And since you became dependent so quickly, the next round could end up a long term addiction, and that is hell to detox from.  Your decision.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks
I am very thankful I was able to remember the hell I'd gone through in the past and had enough clean time to know I can live, and live much happier off the stuff....today has been the worst as far i feeling so uncomfortable and anxious, I just keep telling myself every days that passes it will get better. I hate feeling this way, but I'm glad I am having to go thrugh it as a reminder why I can't mess with pills.
Helpful - 0
2120911 tn?1350922661
You are very fortunate......your life didn't go to shi_

I had anxiety as well,,,but it passed..and yes 3-4 is generally the worst. You should be turning the corner soon ....

Stick around after your detox.. womens point of view is valuable to other gals going through similar,,,,,

You wil be fine ,,hang in there


Free~
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'm not going through major physical symptoms, other than muscle aches and the sweating, I hate the sweating!! My biggest issue is I'm having mini anxiety attacks and I want to just be alone, but I'm at work and that's not an option. I was only on the stuff for about a month, is day 3-4 generally the worst ?
On the up side, I have intermittent spurts of feeling " normal" again.
I hate this and wish I'd never got on the stuff
Helpful - 0
2218783 tn?1357571081
Hi Zooey 51 getting back involved in meeting is a great idea.
Good Luck and make the calls needed to get started :)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Well this is my first day without any percocet, I found one pill yesterday and took it mid afternoon. a part of me wishes I'd saved what I had and atleast got through the work week easier. but I also know chances are I'd just keep taking them and still go half the week miserable.
Physically I feel cruddy but I was able to work all day, being busy kept my mind focused. I considered getting on methadone but then I'd never be free of the stuff. I was clean almost 4years so I know I feel and do much better off the stuff, it's just once the stuff is in me I tell myself I can handle it. I went through 56 percocet 10/325 in 8 days, the bulk of it on the weekends. I know my mind is doing more of a number on me then the actual physical stuff, so I keep telling myself it's not going to be any worse then the flu for a few days and then I'll start feeling normal. The up side is I've only been using about a month so I expect to bounce back fairly quickly, I hope so anyway. even now the irritable don't want to be bothered by anyone feeling is the worst for me, thankgod I don't have to deal much with people at work. once I'm through this I know there needs to be some changes and I need to get back involved with meetings. I didn't forget I'm an addict, I just forget the realty of what happens after I take a pill and how hard it is to stop. question? I had some phernergan so I just took some in hopes of sleeping till tomorrow. is that making things worse ? I don't like the affect of the drug so getting hooked usin it isn't an issue I just want to get through the wd's as quick as possible.
Helpful - 0
2201498 tn?1338694013
    I know exactly how you feel. If you continue taking them, you will have guilt and unhappiness because you know you are traveling further down a road that ends in nothing but misery. If you stop abruptly, you have a fair amount of depression and lack of energy to deal with then as well.  Is it possible that you are seeking to medicate emotional pain and the pain of everyday life with opiates? That is what I found myself doing and you must avoid being lulled into that trap.  From your post, it is clear you know what you need to do.  Find the strength to make the right decision.  Good Luck and let us know how you are doing.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Stay away from that peticular pain med, I need to stay away from them all, but percocets trigger my addiction, more then others. Get ito a 12 step program, if I ever do need dental work or surgery in the future be up front with thhe doctors, and let someone else hold my pills.
I know if I can get through the wd's and on the other side of this I'll be ok.
I know each person is different but if I go cold turkey, should I expect to feel "normal" or close to it by the weekend.
I already flushed what was left,  know me and if I could have stretched them out until I couldget more I would have and if I don't stop now it will get worse. entally it's already doing a number on me. physically after 3-4 days will I  be through the worst of it ?
Helpful - 0
271792 tn?1334979657
Nine pills is not a taper at all. Especially with the amount you were taking daily. You may as well begin to cut back now and be done with them as soon as you can. In your case it would be a good idea to cut your ties with your doctors. Having them readily available is dangerous and knowing you can get them so easily is dangerous.

I don't think you will have much in the way of physical withdrawal and it sounds like you are talking yourself into it but you will probably be uncomfortable for a few days--nothing major. It is the mental part that concerns me for you. Since this is not your first rodeo what do you think you will do different this time to STAY clean?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I guess I won't know until I just do it, but I think if I try to taper it won't work. It just makes me crave more, and as long as I have more pills I'll take more.
I'd thought I'd just go as long as I could until the wd's got bad the take a pill, but I'm thinking then I'm still prolonging things.
I  am at a point now I sweat really bad when I go awhile without taking anything, I've only been taking them daily for a little over a week, so I'm hoping I can just cold turkey it and be able to function at work tomorrow.
basically I'm thinking of flushing whats left because as long as I have the pills I keep taking them. any advice or imput ?
Helpful - 0
2107676 tn?1388973859
It's really hard to say what it would do.  I know I took a couple here and there when I was withdrawing and it just prolonged it.  I had to go through everything anyway.
I think your best bet would be to take your last pill on Thursday night or Friday morning and then by Monday you should be feeling okay.
Maybe not 100% but much better.  The longer you take them, the harder it's going to be.  Quit as soon as you can.
Good luck
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I was addicted years ago, and I remember how hard it was to get off the stuff, I know for me it's harder to deal with the mental stuff, I get feeling depressed and don't want to be around people.
It's crazy, and I'm already kicking myself for getting back on the stuff. It started just from taking the pills after surgery. I did need the pills at the time, but looking back I didn't need to ask for another refill, this was just over a month ago. last week I went to A Doctor that I used to get pain meds from just because I liked the feeling and I told myself I'd just do it over the weekend and quit. My tolerance kicked back in to where I was taking 5 10/325 last sat and sunday, I have been taking about that every day this week then 6-8 yesterday and today. right before I got the new script I went 2 days without anything (only because I ran out) and I felt bad but nothing terrible.I know if I can do it now it wont be so bad, and I wish I'd just stopped last week. I have a really busy week ahead with work and I need to be able to function. my plan is to take one pill tomorrow in the morning and one in the evening, and taper from there, once next weekend is here I will quit completely, I should be out of the pills, if not I'll flush whats left. I'm hoping by then I'll not go through anything too bad and by the time work rolls around I'll be able to function well enough. If I go through sunday without taking any, but then take some Monday because I have work is that worse ? I'm thinking I could wait until I get feeling really lousy then only take one or even a half just to relieve the physical part. I just know I need to get off now or I'll start a reallt vicious cycle again.
Helpful - 0
2201498 tn?1338694013
Hi Zooey.  It is very wise of you to recognize the potential problem continued use of the percocet can cause you.  Two weeks is long enough to develop a slight physical dependence on the oxycodone, but you are correct that it will be much easier for you to get off them than a long term user. I strongly recommend trying to get off them now, as it will only get more difficult the longer you use them. Try taking 3 pills tomorrow and two the next day and perhaps even break the last few you have in half as you taper off.  Even if you were to stop cold turkey right now, you would feel bad for 2 or 3 days at the most and will improve quickly after that. Opiate addiction is nothing to play around with.  It nearly ruined my life and my use of them began from a situation similar to yours.  Do yourself a favor and endure a couple of days of discomfort now.  It could save you a whole lot of misery later.  Good Luck and I hope you are back to normal soon.......Brian
Helpful - 0
2218783 tn?1357571081
hi and welcome to forum as pat has said it will be easier for you stop taking them trust me. I wish I could go back to the first times I started And never do it so many do wish this.   I would just toss what you have left i really would dont start this its only been 2 weeks you said right? Just stop taking them you might feel mild wds everyone is different but just read forum and see what happens to your body after taking them even a month longer its so easy to get addicted to these lil pills. They are not a good thing. I was just saying to a friend i wish i could go back to the first time I took pill # 1 and never do it. You are 2 weeks in just started just toss them i promise you ! You will not regret it  
Helpful - 0
2107676 tn?1388973859
Hi and welcome
Glad you caught your problem early and yes it will be easier for you since you abused your pills for a short time.  You may feel flu like symptoms for a few days.  You may need imodium.  Drink lots of fluids.
Please let us know when you decide to do it and we can help you through.
Helpful - 0
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