@JustinMcClanahan, thanks for the invite to respond. I am 49 and have taken between 30 and 60 5mg or 7.5 mg percocet tablets per month for 15 years. I also take daily Klonopin, a benzodiazipam. I am not addicted to the percocet, although over 15 yeard I have developed a tolerance. I started out taking one 5 mg tablet; I now take three 7.5 mg tablets to receive the same amount of pain relief. I have never gotten "high," and I function well on this dose. I choose not to drive while taking percocet, just as I would never drive after having even a single alcoholic beverage. I also have never responded to vicodin or oral Dilaudid; it is, for me, like taking candy or a placebo. I must be very careful never to take the benzo with the percocet; it is a deadly combination and can lead to an unintentional overdose. When the pain is bad enough to require percocet, I must stop or carefully time my Klonopin, which I take for anxiety. I keep careful daily records so I don't accidentally forget when I last took each medicine. Percocet is supposed to last 4-6 hours, but I always need more pain relief closer to the 3 hour mark; sometimes that last hour is a difficult wait. I use ice and heat to ease my facial anf head pain. My condition is migraine aggravated by problems in my neck (as yet unidentified) and jaw (TMD.) Biofeedback is helping, as is PT. Acupuncture does not work. I worry what will happen as I age and doctors will want to decrease my dose. Already, I have to fight to keep this medicine in my arsenal for when my preventive medications fail. I rest when I take percocet, but am normally not drowsy. The only side effect for me us itching, so I take 2 Benadryl with each dose of Percocet, and I use a back scratcher as well. As much as percocet is in the news for causing addiction, only a small number of patients become addicted. Still, it is good to have all your meds filled at the same pharmacy so they can identify any possible drug interactions, like with benzos. You also have to make sure to stay under 4000 mg (or less) of acetaminophen daily. Percocet contains oxycodone, caffeine, and acetaminophen. I also takevpercocet no more than 2 days/week, to avoid medication overuse headache.

Many thanks but your response is what I feared. I'll still be a prisoner in my house. Maybe what I want is impossible. Lessen pain but maintain a normal life.