[usmc_ret]

Hello,
I just retired from the Marine Corps last week. I have been taking Percocet for about 2 years from a total disc replacement in my back and Ambien for insomnia.

I just moved and start my new job on Monday. Today is my 2nd full day with no Percocets and 3rd night without Ambien.

I feel very depressed, almost like it's the end of the world. My family is still in our home where I came from due to school and will be moving with me in the summer time.

So, it's just me, alone, to deal with transition, and withdrawls.

The past two nights I wake up sweating and feel tingling in my legs. I wake up every hour on the hour for some reason. I feel as if I take a Percocet, I'll be back to normal but I'm fighting it as well as I can. If I throw my last bit of pills away I feel like I'm throwing away my best friend.

Someone please help me and tell me how long these withdrawls will last. I'm going nuts here all alone but I feel that the right thing to do is to gut this out for the rest of the weekend.

Thanks for any and all advise,
Tony

[lilbri]

Hi Tony the percoct withdrawls will last about 5 to 7 days and then you will not feel too motivated for about a week. Get some good vitiams and do some exercising to get your endorphines going. Mental depression and anxiety will leave in about two week's.And a good night's sleep will be the last thing that comes back. Good luck Brian.

[usmc_ret]

I appreciate the reply. I'm feeling pretty sick now. Trying to complete the
2nd day of no Percocets.
I am so depressed and I'm watching TV but all I can think about is taking a Percocet.

I'm trying the best I can!

Thanks,
Tony

[lilbri]

Tony percoect withdrawls suck can you get hold of eny valium. Also try and google the thomas recipe. This is what i used to get off my percoect addiction. Brian.

[MaisieC]

Hi Tony,

I'm sorry you're having such a hard time. I've been through the Percocet withdrawal thing myself, and I remember being very depressed. You're doing great, though! You're very brave, and I'll be thinking of you. Five to seven days sounds accurate to me, and the sleep is going to be an issue for a while. The Thomas recipe is very helpful. And as soon as you are able, try to get some exercise, even though you don't feel like it.

Does your family know what you're going through? Do you have anyone to talk to on the phone about this?

If you can just get through it...kill enough time so that your body can start to re-organize itself...then you will begin to feel much, much better. Hang in there and take care.

[usmc_ret]

Thanks Brian,
I will do a google search and see what that is. I appreciate the support!

Tony

[usmc_ret]

Hi Maisie,
No, I don't have anyone to talk to about this in a serious discussion. I don't want to burden my family with this especially when I'm supposed to be the "strong Marine retiree". It's coming to the end of the 2nd day and I'm sweating and feeling tingling in my legs. I can't seem to "register" to my new surroundings. Basically, I can't be myself, the person I am. I feel so depressed and just feel like I let the people I love down. I can't think of reasons why but just feel that way.
I really want to take my ambien now so I can sleep. It's going on my 3rd night with no ambien and thus far, I wake up every hour and can't sleep.
I wish I knew what exactly to do. Stay off the Percocet cold turkey and the ambien?
Take the ambien to sleep while I'm going through Percocet withdrawls?
Stay off both and gut it out?\

I appreciate the reply.
-Tony

[Robert_325]

Originally Posted by usmc_ret

Hi Maisie,
No, I don't have anyone to talk to about this in a serious discussion. I don't want to burden my family with this especially when I'm supposed to be the "strong Marine retiree". It's coming to the end of the 2nd day and I'm sweating and feeling tingling in my legs. I can't seem to "register" to my new surroundings. Basically, I can't be myself, the person I am. I feel so depressed and just feel like I let the people I love down. I can't think of reasons why but just feel that way.
I really want to take my ambien now so I can sleep. It's going on my 3rd night with no ambien and thus far, I wake up every hour and can't sleep.
I wish I knew what exactly to do. Stay off the Percocet cold turkey and the ambien?
Take the ambien to sleep while I'm going through Percocet withdrawls?
Stay off both and gut it out?\

I appreciate the reply.
-Tony

Tony ... don't be on such a trip about being the big strong retired marine. I'm a man and understand but don't do that to yourself. Detox is too difficult to expect that you shouldn't need any help. No one here would think that I promise you.

Sleep is very difficult especially during opiate detox. I would say to take the ambien if you need it until you get past the percs at least some and then get off the ambien especially if you take recreationally. Just don't be so hard on yourself.

Don't give up. You make it past about the 5-6th day and this will start to ease up on you a little. Good luck and God bless.

[usmc_ret]

Hi Robert,
After 2 am I did end up taking an ambien to sleep. I'm tired this morning and this will be the start of the 3rd day without Percs first thing in the morning along with teeth brushing. I've been crying for no apparent reason just out of the blue.
I start my new civilian job on Monday. It would be devistating to my family if I don't function normally and not make it.
I'm gonna do this! Today, I'm going to wash my truck and try to make my way to the gym to try and work out. Yesterday, I walked through the mall and it felt like I wasn't in my body as I was walking. I almost felt like an alien.
Thanks for the help.
Tony

[melinda7.5]

Originally Posted by usmc_ret

Hi Maisie,
No, I don't have anyone to talk to about this in a serious discussion. I don't want to burden my family with this especially when I'm supposed to be the "strong Marine retiree". It's coming to the end of the 2nd day and I'm sweating and feeling tingling in my legs. I can't seem to "register" to my new surroundings. Basically, I can't be myself, the person I am. I feel so depressed and just feel like I let the people I love down. I can't think of reasons why but just feel that way.
I really want to take my ambien now so I can sleep. It's going on my 3rd night with no ambien and thus far, I wake up every hour and can't sleep.
I wish I knew what exactly to do. Stay off the Percocet cold turkey and the ambien?
Take the ambien to sleep while I'm going through Percocet withdrawls?
Stay off both and gut it out?\

I appreciate the reply.
-Tony

Hi Tony
I did a cold turkey off a lot of pain meds.
The last thing I stopped was the ambien.
The ambien was pretty easy to stop, so I wouldn't worry about taking some until you get through this.
Try to tell yourself this wont take long and you will be getting better everyday.
We all have gone through everything that you are going through right now so if you need us were hear...
Talk to you soon,Melinda

[Robert_325]

Originally Posted by usmc_ret

Hi Robert,
After 2 am I did end up taking an ambien to sleep. I'm tired this morning and this will be the start of the 3rd day without Percs first thing in the morning along with teeth brushing. I've been crying for no apparent reason just out of the blue.
I start my new civilian job on Monday. It would be devistating to my family if I don't function normally and not make it.
I'm gonna do this! Today, I'm going to wash my truck and try to make my way to the gym to try and work out. Yesterday, I walked through the mall and it felt like I wasn't in my body as I was walking. I almost felt like an alien.
Thanks for the help.
Tony

Tony,

I quite honestly doubt that you will be perfect by Monday, but THAT is when being the marine may help you. Hang in there. You only have to do this one time. Then you don't ever have to use again.

We bury our emotions, all of them, when we take the RX pills for a long time. Then we get clean and suddenly start to get bombarded with the emotions. As you acccumulate some clean time you will learn to welcome all emotions as they are all a natural part of life. And you will learn to deal with them all and still be comfortable.

The exercise with the truck will help and the gym is a great idea. That will help you more than anything you can do I promise. You'll get through this just like the rest of us have. Doesn't mean it's easy, but it is simple. Just don't use no matter what. Good luck and God bless.

[usmc_ret]

It's soooooooo hard.

[usmc_ret]

Thanks,
I stayed at the gym for 30 mins. My HR was 145 (I'm 38). I washed the truck and dried half of it before I felt like the depression was coming back. I've already thrown up and can't eat.
It is the middle of the 3rd day for me without the percs. Church tomorrow! Honestly, I can't wait. I am still crying and staring at the wall from time to time.
I can't thank all of you enough for going through this and being with me. I know I'm not alone.

[MaisieC]

Hi Tony,

I was happy to get on the forum and see that you're still posting, though of course not happy to hear what you're going through. I'm actually very glad that you took the Ambien. I was going to suggest it, but I'm new here myself, and the last thing I want to do is advise people to take drugs! But I think Robert is totally right that trying to do both at once is an awful lot. Sleep is one of the blessings of the detox period: if you're asleep, your body is still adjusting and you're not having to suffer through every second of emotional pain.

I also agree that emotions get really distorted at this time. As Robert said, when you're using, your emotions get stifled. Then everything goes haywire when you quit. But things do reach an even keel. You're doing really, really well. It was awesome that you got to the gym and washed your truck. Honestly, lots of people would have stayed curled up in bed crying. Your strength in getting up and getting out is really fantastic, and it will pay off in the long run.

You're not alone. Detoxing by yourself is very rough, but you're not alone. There are lots of us who have been through it. It just sucks, but you can get through it.

I hope church will be really good for you tomorrow. Do you know the pastor/priest, etc.? Would it be safe to talk with him/her?

I will check back on the board later to see how you are. Hang in there!

[usmc_ret]

Hello!
Me again! It's after 4pm and the chills and cold sweats are surrounding me. I can't seem to get an appetite but had a bowl of cereal this morning and a salad an hour ago. I've only drank 2 bottles of water today which I know is not good.
I want to read but can't concentrate. I did laundry and almost folded the clothes when done. I watch TV and just flip through the channels. I know where the Percs are and looked at the bottle a few times and just set it back down.
I do not want to start over. I'm going to go through with this. I'm not alone as you all tell me. I watched Braveheart and the crying episodes and pacing came back. It's pretty cold here near DC and the traffic never lets up.
My wife told me that I am her "Superman" and she and the kids are going to drive up for a visit next weekend. I wish it were now. ....I'm crying again.

[usmc_ret]

It's almost 6pm on the 3rd day. I don't think I can produce anymore tears. My stomach is empty. I can't seem to get enough energy to go and make something. I've been hooked on the TV, although I have no idea what I'm watching or what came on even 5 mins ago. I can't seem to remember things and still have a sort of "out of body" experience. The stress has taken me over. Its hot then cold then hot again. I did notice that I have been able to go to the bathroom without the aid of Ducolax today. It's hard to think of anything to make me happy right now. All I can seem to think about are bills, new job, transition, my family, being alone, being alone, oh.. I said that.

[lilbri]

Tony did you look at the thomas recipe. You need some kind of nutrition supplement like boost or ensure. Your half way there now don't fu_k it up. Get some gatoraid for energy don't worry about the psychological or mental issues as they will pass.Just keep exercising it's all a mental battle that will disappear in time. Brian.

[usmc_ret]

Brian,
I don't have access to most of the recipe. I had another water bottle and a half of egg and cheese sandwich and rented the 4th entire "Lost" series.
Coming to the end of the 3rd day now without Percs in my system. I'm not tired at all. Still dizzy and can't seem to relax because I know that pill bottle is put up. I'm looking forward to opening the bottle and flushing the little white pills in the toilet. I just can't seem to do that now. I guess in the back of my head it's my safety and has been for over 2 years.

[lilbri]

Well there's your problem u see i wanted to stop. I had 7 40mg oxy's and 12 perc's on the table and i did not touch them.I gave them away after i quite. THAT WAS MY SAFETY. Look your half way there just get to the end. After the death of my wife it was my safety for six years. Brian.

[Robert_325]

Originally Posted by usmc_ret

Brian,
I don't have access to most of the recipe. I had another water bottle and a half of egg and cheese sandwich and rented the 4th entire "Lost" series.
Coming to the end of the 3rd day now without Percs in my system. I'm not tired at all. Still dizzy and can't seem to relax because I know that pill bottle is put up. I'm looking forward to opening the bottle and flushing the little white pills in the toilet. I just can't seem to do that now. I guess in the back of my head it's my safety and has been for over 2 years.

Please understand that I am NOT judging you in any way. I am serious here as this is a life and death matter. But you should realize that when you are committed to doing a cold turkey opiate detox you don't keep a bottle of percs around as a "safety" for yourself . That is a reservation plain and simple no matter how you may justify it to yourself. And a reservation is a relapse waiting to happen. Again, I'm not judging you, just trying to help you I promise. We've all been right where you're at now.

I guarantee you that if you really make the commitment to yourself to get clean you will get rid of the pills immediately. There is NOTHING "safe" about keeping some percs back. Safe for what??? In case you need them to relapse with, that's all you could possibly need them for at this point. You've already paid for them and were planning on swallowing them so it's money wasted already. They belong in the toilet and down the drain. Once you act on the commitment you will feel differently about this. You will be proud of yourself and the psychological effect will be a huge boost for you mentally. We've been doing this a long time here and keeping a bottle of your "drug of choice" for safety is the worst thing you could possibly do.

I will be in church in the morning too! I will add you to my prayers. I learned something in my Christian life some time ago that might help you. Remember that if you are going to pray then don't worry. If you're going to worry then don't pray. The two don't work together well.

If you are online then you have access to the Thomas Recipe. Simply go to www.google.com and type " The Thomas Recipe " into the search box. You'll see a full page of links come up. Nothing to it, just type it in. Stay in touch. Good luck and God bless.

[usmc_ret]

Brian,
Sorry to hear about your loss my friend. I appreciate all of the posts so far from everyone. I'm getting ready to try and go to sleep and wake up to day 4 of being clean of Percs.
It really made me think about believing in prayer in the last post.
Now on to night 3 and wake up to day 4.
-Tony

[lilbri]

Tony go back to page 2 and read getting off oxycontin and percocet by lilbri you will see what i am talking about. Brian.

[MaisieC]

Hi Tony,

I think the suggestion to get some Ensure is really a good idea. Cuz now your body is kind of starving, on top of everything else. You really need to get some nutrients, and I think having some Ensure in your stomach would also help your depression some.

Robert is right about flushing the pills, you know. I totally understand your feeling of wanting to hang onto them, but all you can possibly do with them is relapse. And then you would have gone through all this for nothing, which would really suck.

I'm praying for you too. Hang in there.

[usmc_ret]

Got it gang!
Day 4, chills, stress and dry heaves (shaking). I slept last night after taking an Ambien. This nightmare is 1/2 way over (I hope). I'm off to church after a nice hot shower.
Have a superior Sunday!
-Tony

[Robert_325]

Originally Posted by usmc_ret

Got it gang!
Day 4, chills, stress and dry heaves (shaking). I slept last night after taking an Ambien. This nightmare is 1/2 way over (I hope). I'm off to church after a nice hot shower.
Have a superior Sunday!
-Tony

Good morning Tony ... day 4 historically is usually one of the very worst days. But all things are possible through Jesus Christ! I'm heading out the door momentarily for church too and we will be saying a prayer for you this morning. The scriptures say, "Ask and you shall receive." That's about as simple as it gets. Just have some faith along with the prayer like we talked about.

One thing I wanted to suggest about the stress that helped me too. While you're out this morning stop at a pharmacy and pick up some valerian root. It costs about $5.00 for 100 capsules at Walmart. Take 3-4 at a time as needed up to about three times per day. It helps some with that stress and anxiety. Should have mentioned that to you earlier.

Things should begin to start turning around for you soon. I still wish you would pitch those percs sitting in that bottle. But that is ultimately your decision obviously. You're right in that you should be a good half way into this. In fact you should be past the half way mark for the very worst of the w/d symptoms. Hang in there and have a great day. God bless.

[usmc_ret]

Thanks Robert,
I can attest that day 4 is eating me up. Everything in my body tells me to stay home. I don't feel like being around any people. If I stay, I know I'll relapse. I'm going to try and stay out and not think about this as much as I can, of course with a trip to Walmart. This is so hard but you guys are all there for me and I'll do my best to make the best of a worst situation.
-Tony

[usmc_ret]

Around 1pm day 4. Body shaking, uncontrolling crying. Went to Church and cried as I met new people, cried during the sermon, cried on the way back to my apt. I called my wife and she is still in Church and left crying message. I'm positive that was a mistake. I didn't feel like doing anthing else this morning so I'm back watching TV and in misery.

[MaisieC]

Hi Tony,

You're doing good because you didn't relapse. I know you feel horrible, but you really are doing well. Did you manage to get something to eat or some Ensure or something? I know I sound like Mom, but I really want you to get some nourishment in your body, and Ensure is a really easy way to do that. Hang in there and take care.

[usmc_ret]

I have good news! No relapse. After the time I spent today on the ground crying like a small baby I went on with my day. I talked to my mom and my wife today. They both are praying for me. I came back to my room after church was over and thought really bad things about EVERYTHING. I ate 2 pcs of pizza today and took a vitamin, along with 2 water bottles and a coke (coca-cola).
I start my job tomorrow. I'm hoping tomorrow goes okay for me. For now, I'm taking this one step at a time.
It's after 5pm of the 4th day. I can honestly say that day 4 has been the worst for me. The last time that I actually cried and wept was when my son was born but that was a happy time.
Along with transition out of the military and coming to the reality that my stability could be damaged and the Percs w/d, I can't believe that I've ever questioned someone who was addicted to something.
I hope to have good reports on my next post.

Gang, you have been a God-send to me. Help me the rest of the way Please!
-Tony

[usmc_ret]

It's after 7pm and I kept my food in. I'm not hungry at all but it feels like my pulse is up.
Haven't cried in about an hour. Trembling and anxiety continues.
beginning the end of day 4.