Acetaminophen Addiction? Withdrawals?

[Jinx1942]

I was taking Tylenol extra strength for about 5-6 months and Ibuprofen before that, taking about 8-10 (or more) caps a day. At the time i didn't think anything of it cause it would help with the pain from a labor intensive job i had.

So around the end of December (2012) my wife convinced me to stop taking them cause they were terrible for my liver, After reading about them I agreed to stop. well the first week of January was my first week without them, I was having panic attacks, anxiety, no appetite really sick... no sleep.. you name it. I went to the doctor thinking something was very wrong with me, but all the tests came back negative.

I had panic attacks and anxiety once before and that was from quitting smoking pot, I had them for about 2-3 weeks and then they subsided.

So i talked to doctors and different people who all told me that there was "NO WAY" you could be withdrawaling from Tylenol extra strength.. this was very demoralizing because now i believed I was losing my mind.

After hunting around on the internet ive found a few articles about long term use of acetaminophen and over the counter pain killer abuse and withdrawal effects (yes including over the counter basic Tylenol).

So my question to you is, I had 1 week of solid anxiety and panic attacks after i stopped taking the pills... but it tapered off at the end of that week and then I went a whole week feeling a little crappy but no panic attacks... I thought YAY ITS OVER... but now this past Monday (start of week 3) I had another panic attack when i went to go to bed, and its been shaky up and down all week. Im about to start week 4 off these things... I feel like a bloody sissy cause can this really be from simple Tylenol? its not cocaine...  its all very upsetting

I don't miss the pills or feel like "OH GOD I NEED A TYLENOL"... but i think my body might think differently

Is it possible to have withdrawal panic attacks taper off in the first week, have a good 2nd week and then come back on the 3rd week? ...  

-J

[O_G139]

I KNOW my father (mid 90's) is addicted to Tylenol.  I just learned he has been taking Tylenol as if it were a daily vitamin supplement.  When I questioned my mom about it, she stated he had been taking it daily for as long as she can remember.  His liver is shot (as indicated by blood tests) and one of the other medications he takes is for an upset stomach.  I have every confidence in the world that his long-term abuse of Tylenol has contributed to damage to his liver and stomach.  Ever since I've found out his little secret, I've pulled the plug on his addiction (yes, cold turkey) and the signs and symptoms he is experiencing all point to withdrawal symptoms.   His doctor, and my sisters (both in the medical field) have NOT responded to my pleas for help and I'm just about fed up with all of them.  I have recently let his social worker know about this, so hopefully his doctor will be contacting me this week.  I've read that NAC would help with over dosage, but I don't think it will work for long-term abuse.  Someone said that I may want to consider giving into his persistent requests for Tylenol since he could be near the end of his life.  What that person doesn't know is that his family has a history of living on well into their late 90's.  My grandmother lived until she was 104.  Getting back on track ... those withdrawals are REAL.  Yes, from OTC Tylenol.  Bottom line, is a chemical compound, not natural to our systems.  Anything in excess for a long period of time will cause addiction and withdrawals when trying to come clean.   Side note: he was also addicted to Benadryl as an aid to regulate his sleep.  I have had to deal with cutting him off from THAT nasty OTC.  Life has been interesting.

[SecretSquid]

Thank you to everyone here, I had been terrified about why I had six (so far) panic attacks today. I very rarely have ever had them but I accidently have been going cold turkey on Tylenol. It hadn't occurred to me that the timeline of me feeling like crap and not taking any Tylenol had overlapped so much.

[mombojombo]

How is it going now? Tell us more so we can help and get to know you!

[RichardJS]

I was taking Extra Strength Costco Kirkland Acetaminophen Arthritis Time Release 2600 MG a day for over three months, and it was working good until I stopped for two days. April 13, 2015 I woke up freezing cold, and with tremendous "Burning", and blunt trauma pain in both arms, right thigh, and neck ache right side with numbness under my chin right side. I told 3 MDs & 1 Neurologists I thought it was "Acetaminophen Withdrawal", I only got one MDs attention briefly him thinking I may have Polymyalgia Rheumatica instead? I saw my blood work on line, and it looks good, and went for EMG arms Wednesday showing mild to moderate nerve damage (old age 72). I go for MRI tomorrow for comparison MRI 2013 for Spinal Stenosis (L-4, L-5). The funny thing since I stopped taking Acetaminophen  (afraid too) after severe above symptoms for two weeks after April 13, 20015, now May 29, 2015 (today) I have improved 75-90 %. Sounds like withdrawal to me ! I see board certified neurologist June 17, 2015 for follow up test results (BTW he told me I have something weird). Hmmm?

[Mirandanik]

there's an easy way to find out if it's the pills...take one and see if it makes you feel 100% better if it does it's def the pills. I have taken tylenol pm for years and years and I stopped cold turkey a few times and didn't seem to have any withdraw symptoms, I just stopped taking them again but I have a pinched sciatic nerve that is getting worse so I started taking one or two extra strength tylonol a day for my back.

[xxxc123]

Omg!!!!!   I didn't know this!   I am about 25 days off of a tremendous amount of opiates.   I am taking Tylenol in place of it like maybe five or six a day.  I was very careful not to trade on addiction for another or so I thought.   THANK you for sharing this I don't know what I will do if I have to face another withdrawal

[123321a]

I stopped my over use of Tylenol Extra strength just yesterday and I had a hellish night that followed an entire day of increasing agitation and anger.  I had to sleep with the windows open and a fan blowing on me even though the nighttime temps dipped down to 20 degrees F last night.  I was sweating the entire night, clothes soaked sweating!  I also had a horrible migrane along with intense nasea which resulted in a dry heaving spell at 3 am.  When I finally got up at 4:30, I took a dose of Excedrine Migrane (500mg of acetaminophen) because I knew I couldn't deal with this head noise any more.  I felt instantly better so, yeah, I definitely had Tylenol withdrawal symptoms.  This Excedrine lasts 24 hrs.  I will take another dose tomorrow morning, if needed, until I gradually wean myself off the acetaminophen.  I WILL NOT be going cold turkey.  That was horrible.  

[clean_in_ks]

You're eating better, exercising, not taking any thing for pain, have stopped smoking weed and you want to be free.  I really think that's admirable.
You have learned and shared something I knew nothing about.  I am a person w/chronic pain so am always interested in learning more.

Maybe now that you have done your research and have your answers, you can re-set your expectation levels and just go with it.  Put you mind and energy on something new maybe.  The anxiety and other w/drawal challenges will eventually pass.  You have been checked out by your dr and know your liver is ok.  So, maybe if you re-set your goals and give your brain and body as long to heal as you took the pills....then you can re-evaluate and go from there.  When my anxiety hits and my heart rate soars....if I can change what I'm doing and thinking....get my focus OFF of it....it passes quicker.  If I'm still doing some of these things a yr from now....then I'll maybe seek medical council.  If you are sure you are healthy and not at risk safety-wise.....then maybe try and move out the timeframe, promise yourself you won't obsess on it and just see what you enjoy, what makes you feel good, name things you are grateful for...all that helps me.
And attempting to reach out and help others always changes my focus, too.
Wishing you wellness~

[Jinx1942]

** Update **

This will be day 23 (start of week 4)

of stopping OTC Tylonel... AKA... (Acetaminophen or Paracetamol)

I woke up without as much anxiety but it still strongly presents itself throughout the day. I have moments where my heart rate increases and anxiety levels fluctuate, I will suddenly get sick of the people at work talking to me and get very agitated and then feel like i have to cry?? followed by nausea sometimes... out of nowhere. Its very crappy and makes me go WTF is wrong with me..

I found myself over reading into withdrawal symptoms and goggling way to much, I find that im always looking for a timeline of withdrawal that is somewhat similar to mine in the hope im not the only person whos experienced this feeling. I even find myself looking for symptoms of other problems that relate and scaring myself, I was almost convinced i had Mania or Bipolar Disorder today which almost gave me a panic attack (go figure)... but now that im not freaking out and think about it, I highly doubt that a condition such as that just started all the sudden, and its way to coincidental that all this started started the day after I stopped taking Pain pills.

when i first figured i was withdrawaling I said to myself well at least it will only be for a couple weeks... well now on week 4 and still having anxiety and minor panic attacks im afraid these symptoms have overstayed there welcome. I was stupid to try and put a timeline with a definite date of completion to something as crazy as this. And perhaps its my own feelings of failing to remove this curse in that time frame that is driving me into this negative attitude which probably fuels the anxiety?

Im not stupid im 99% certain that all this is being caused by withdrawals from the pills but when your riding the anxiety train all day that 1% chance its another problem manifests in your mind and thats all you can think about (what if i have THIS.... what if i have... THAT) and on and on it goes...I constantly reassure myself that it will pass when its ready...but in that moment of anxiety and near panic attack.. it doesn't matter how smart or how well reserved you think you are... your body just takes over and says were falling out of an airplane now, and no we don't have a parachute enjoy your freakout :)

I have aslo read about Post Acute Withdrawal syndrome and demoralized myself thinking I won't be over this for years... but those were in the cases of "Opiate and Extreme Drug abuse" If I have PAWS from OTC Tylenol abuse then how the hell weak is my body and mind!

Again I find myself in shock that even at the start of week 4 im still feeling this crappy... I can't remember how long it took for me to feel better after my Marijuana withdrawal which also ***** cause it would give me some insight to how long this would take.

The reason im posting this is more for other people then it is for myself. If anyone happens to fall into a habit even off something as simple as over the counter Tylenol, and then withdrawals this bad, then please don't feel like your crazy cause im pretty sure that's what is happening to me. Even after doctors doubted and said that there was a very minor to non chance that this was withdrawals from Acetaminophen... here i am... the 1% that did get the withdrawals and lasted longer than expected.

I patiently wait for this demon to be exercised from my confused mind and can only relax and feed it positive things until its be relieved.

[CindyBandMom]

Thank you for posting your experience with the Advil/extra strength Tylenol. After having been on both for close to a year I ended up in the back of an ambulance after being prescribed Tylenol 4 with codeine. It's been five days since I've taken a single pain med and today I almost went back to the emergency room. I was so scared that I had done some real damage to my body, specifically my liver. I was very anxious, having horrible panic attacks, couldn't eat, couldn't concentrate or think logically. Heart was pounding. I was an emotional mess. Something told me to lookup withdrawal symptoms, praise G-d I did. I found your post. I actually cried from relief. I'm so thankful you posted. G-d Bless you my friend, my hope is that today you are well and fully recovered.

[Jinx1942]

you bet, I truly appreciate the support :)

[ActingBrandNew]

Definitely post an update. It sounds like you have a plan. I'm sure it will take some time to heal but be patient and it will happen. Take care.

[Jinx1942]

I did have my liver checked via blood tests and the doc said everything seemed normal. Today is day 20 off of the pills. I woke up and don't feel like im going to have a panic attack, still have high anxiety though...

This is crazy who would have thought that it would be so easy to get into that pattern of taking these pills.

Yea from what i read it can take months to start feeling even half normal again, But im no where near giving up, im just still shocked that i was stupid enough to fall into this crap.

Since this started ive been eatting much better and exercising like mad, so hopefully if anything these damn pills have at least forced me to take a different path in life... and for the better.

Thanks for your fast response, Its nice to be able to hear someone give some healthy insight to this.

Ill keep updating on here to show if its getting better or worse.