Has anyone stopped taking Percocet on their own?

Posted by tyyne21wigwam @tyyne21wigwam, Mar 22, 2023

I wonder how long it takes to reduce Percocet after using it for ten years. How slow do you go to avoid withdrawal. Can physical therapy and meditation substitute? Ok have it down to 15mg., But am able to tolerate pain because I don't have as many side effects as when I was taking 20 to 60 mg per day.

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Have you talked with the doctor who prescribes your Percocet to put together a plan for weaning yourself off Percocet or get a referral for physical therapy? Seems like that would be the place to start.

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I was hoping to hear a personal experience. Drs. Quote how many days to go before lower ing,depending on how long usage. Luna is a p. T. Group that has been helping. I had an to find that myself on Google. It is covered by my uhc ppo. They come to you and are really good.

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My experience is limited to taking narcotic pain meds for up to 3 months after a cervical fusion. I didn't have any type of withdrawal symptoms as I weaned myself off, but there is a big difference between 3 months and 10 years. I'm usually pretty motivated to get off narcotic pain meds as soon as I can even after a minor surgery just due to the GI side effects and sleep disturbance they cause for me.

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After 10 years , You definitely need to talk to your prescribing Physician. Your question can not properly be answered in a forum. Your MD knows your health info, etc..etc…He/she will know the withdrawal effects and what might be needed. It’s great you want to get off Narcotics! Our prayers are with you…David

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Drs hesitate to get involved., Ev we n though they originally prescribed. I am trying to find a Dr. Who specializes in withdrawal. Interesting question is what do you do for extreme pain. After no opiates?,

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@tyyne21wigwam

Drs hesitate to get involved., Ev we n though they originally prescribed. I am trying to find a Dr. Who specializes in withdrawal. Interesting question is what do you do for extreme pain. After no opiates?,

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Mayo has a pain rehab clinic both in Jacksonville and Rochester. It’s a 3 week outpatient program, you can read about it and watch their videos on their site. They teach how to control your pain without pain meds, I’ve heard they help with drug withdrawal during those 3 weeks. I haven’t done this, as my question is the same as yours. I have pain from bulging discs, stenosis and other problems. I’m still searching for the answer. I wish you all the best in your recovery!

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I’d suggest seeing a pain management doctor and she/he should be able to ease you off of Percocet.

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@tyyne21wigwam

Drs hesitate to get involved., Ev we n though they originally prescribed. I am trying to find a Dr. Who specializes in withdrawal. Interesting question is what do you do for extreme pain. After no opiates?,

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I’ve never had to take Opiates other than the 3 days following surgery where the surgeon gave me 3 days of hydrocodone. Yes I suffer daily pain but our bodies learn to compensate after the surgery. It all depends on how you approach the surgery….David

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Ive been taking Percocet or oxycodone for over 10 years. I routinely taper myself off every year or so as to “reset” and “pain check” whether or not I still need to take them or at current doses. I simply reduce intake by 25% per week for three weeks then use the pill cutter to spread out the remaining dose until I feel I’ve reached the end. Its milder this way with withdrawal symptoms. My pain levels usually skyrocket and I’m back to where I started within a month. Its an exercise I go through just to be sure I need to be taking these pills. I’ve tapered down in a week before and its no fun so take a few weeks or longer for better results.

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@the4curtins

Ive been taking Percocet or oxycodone for over 10 years. I routinely taper myself off every year or so as to “reset” and “pain check” whether or not I still need to take them or at current doses. I simply reduce intake by 25% per week for three weeks then use the pill cutter to spread out the remaining dose until I feel I’ve reached the end. Its milder this way with withdrawal symptoms. My pain levels usually skyrocket and I’m back to where I started within a month. Its an exercise I go through just to be sure I need to be taking these pills. I’ve tapered down in a week before and its no fun so take a few weeks or longer for better results.

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..I did the same, with Lyrica, going from 600mg/day down to about 300 - and withdrawl from Lyrica is awful. You really can't function. Best to try to sleep through it. I settled on 450 because the nerve pain and nerve craziness returned to the extent that I couldn't walk, when I went below that.
I'm also on hydrocodone. And Tylenol 650. And an anti-depressant, because it helps with nerve pain (supposedly).
I guess I'm responding to your post because I think what you're doing is very interesting, and I may try that myself. I've already worked out the Lyrica dosage, but maybe I can do the same with the hyrdocodone.
I've been on all these for a few years, at this point..

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