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Quick Question - Getting off of pain meds?

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Chronic Pain
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Posted 6/8/2009 3:56 PM (GMT 0)
I'm sorry to barge over here. You guys helped me a few months back when I was on lots of pain medicine.

I just had a colostomy (because I have Crohn's) and I'm doing VERY well.. I have zero pain at 4.5 weeks post op. The problem I have now is I'm down to 1 percocet a day (today). I've been weaning from 8 pills over the last 4.5 weeks. I'm EXTREMELY jittering and anxiety ridden. I'm on Zoloft 50mg, but I'm struggling.

Any recommendations? I'm calling my family doc. I wonder if a jump in my Zoloft would help?

Thanks for any advice. I've been on Norco, Lortab, and Percocet for nearly a year. It's so odd being pain free, yet this withdrawal is horrible.
Posted 6/8/2009 4:33 PM (GMT 0)
Kaycie,

I was in the process of responding when I got bumped off.
I was say that coming down at a rate of 20-25% per week is usually what docs recommend.
From 8 per day you would go to
6.5 a day for a week, then,
5.0 a day for a week, then,
4.0 a day for a week, then,
3.0 a day for a week, then,
2.5 a day for a week, then,
2.0 a day for a week, then,
1.5 a day for a week, then,
1.0 a day for a week, then,
0.5 a day for a week, then,
off

So a schedule like that could take 9 weeks. You are trying to do it in 4.5 weeks. I suggest you discuss a taper off schedule with your prescribing doc to make it easier on yourself. We are not doctors and I cannot give professional advice, I can only relate what docs have told me in similar situations.

You are doing great if you are painfree or at least well enough to get off Percocet.

Modelmaker
Posted 6/8/2009 6:00 PM (GMT 0)
I'd say that's normal detox behaviour. A couple of tough weeks ahead and then things will improve. You're doing great. Nice to hear the surgery went so well. I wouldn't increase any other meds, certainly not without consulting a doctor first. Now that your pain is much better, I supose your anxiety will get better as well once the detox is complete. Pain heals a lot of wounds, literally.
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