I have a question about other experiences with withdrawal from opiates. Over the past three years I have been abusing Percocet, and have recently quit and severed any connections for getting more. During those years I attempted to quit twice and had a really unpleasant withdrawal. This time is no different even though I attempted to taper off a bit before that last day. That last day I screwed up by taking the final three days worth. Maybe others can relate to that sort of "If I'm not taking it anymore, let this last high be a big one" mentality.

The most unpleasant symptom to me is sudden muscle twitches that really keep me from sleeping. This one seems to really stick with me much longer than any of the other symptoms. It is really pronounced at night starting about 9 PM, and really doesnt affect me during the day.

How long can I expect this twitching to continue? I convinced my doctor that I have restless leg syndrome which garnered me some Mirapex. It seems to help some, but this is just driving me crazy. I would really appreciate some guidance on how much longer this will last.

Thanks!

I've read several times that the physical withdrawls take from 12 to 15 days to stop but the mental side is a whole other subject. It depends on how well you handle it and how determined you are. Maybe you should try being honest with your doctor about your addiction instead of telling him about the restless leg syndrom and he could probably give you medications to help you from being so anxious dureing your withdrawl time.

I'm a chronic pain sufferer...broken back,5 failed back operations. I was on percocet10 for a long time, refuseing to let my doctor switch me over to Oxycontin useing whatever excuses i could think of so i know to a degree what your going through. Even though i was useing it for pain, i was also abuseing it badly. Once i ran out 15 days early and around the 11th or 12th day i started feeling better and also stoped thinking about it. By the time i got around to going and haveing my script refilled i could'nt believe that it did'nt matter to me as much as it did for those first 8 or 10 days.

I'm on a very high dose of Oxycontin(atleast as far as i'm concerned) 360mgs aday plus break-thrus....point being....i could never be prescribed enough percocet10 to match that to help my pain--no doctor that i could think of would allow that much of a short acting drug.

I hope i've helped you some. The first week for me was the worst but after the end of the second i felt alot better.

Just remember...people get clean everyday and they are no better or worse then you. YOU can do it also. Be honest with your doctor and friends and loved ones so you'll have the support you need at this time.

GOODLUCK!!

I had to withdraw from pain medications that I was on for nearly 6 weeks. I got those same jerks only it was my whole body that jerked. It always happened as I was trying to fall asleep. It was very scary I thoughT I was having a seizure. It gradually went away although I still have one every now and then. Its been 11/2 years. I've read of other people withdrawing from other kinds of drugs that have had this same reaction. Seems these drugs work on the nervous system somehow and that is what is most affected when you withdraw. I think it will get better

Opioid agonists are very complex in their actions and withdrawal is only complicated by the myriad of chemical changes. The biggest one that seems to produce discomfort is norepinephrine (NE). NE is a natural stimulant and the levels of NE are depressed with opioids, so withdrawal leads to a reversal of this depression or suppression causing the cells to release massive amounts, thus resulting in muscle cramps, increased pulse, hot/cold flashes, and chills.

Thanks for the replies. They applied to my emotional and intellectual sides. I like knowing why the body reacts the way it does.

Cognex: do you think that an beta-blocking agent like Propanolol might be effective in reducing these symtoms?

being a recoverin heroin addict i know all about the shakes and twiches well i used to get the elbow and leg shakes a lot esp at night right bummer when you rtryin to sleep but all i can say is be patient cos they hsould wear off or maybe take nurofen pain tabs to ease u out o fthe symptoms slolwy they worked for me

Thanks for clearing up that age-old mystery Cognex.

I for one have combated those and other symptoms by smoking massive amounts of hashish, drinking loads of water and maybe some sparse doses of catapres in ‘emergencies’.

…and don’t forget to eat!

When my b/f was withdrawing off heroin at home for a while (before he went into detox) his legs used to kick all the time at night when he was trying to sleep. From what I understand, your legs kick because you are withdrawing and "kicking" the habit. So, evertime he would kick it would make me feel just a tiny bit better because I would think that was just a little more heroin getting out of his system. (Ok, ok, sounds pretty ridiculous, but loved ones of addicts have their own way of dealing) http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

LOL - that is GREAT jroeglin above all don't ever lose that sense of humor !!!

Thanks Christine. If I didn't have my sense of humor left through all of this, I wouldn't have much and that's for sure! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

I agree with Rock, that you should be honest with your doctor.
Anyone who has/has had a substance abuse problem should tell any medical practitioner who treats them. It is so that they can help you in the most appropriate way. In your case, the doctor should closely supervise any medication given to counterract the twitching. It's not worth trading one addiction for another.
Propranol probably wouldn't be of much use...it's more for tremor, than twitching.
It can be embarassing saying to a doctor "I have been an addict", but if your doctor is compassionate and not patronising, it will be to your benefit.
Forger, you have been so strong and brave to withdraw from opiates. I really admire that. But be honest with the doctor, to maximize the chances of getting the right help.
BEST OF LUCK http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

I agree with Rock, that you should be honest with your doctor.
Anyone who has/has had a substance abuse problem should tell any medical practitioner who treats them. It is so that they can help you in the most appropriate way. In your case, the doctor should closely supervise any medication given to counterract the twitching. It's not worth trading one addiction for another.
Propranol probably wouldn't be of much use...it's more for tremor, than twitching.
It can be embarassing saying to a doctor "I have been an addict", but if your doctor is compassionate and not patronising, it will be to your benefit.
Forger, you have been so strong and brave to withdraw from opiates. I really admire that. But be honest with the doctor, to maximize the chances of getting the right help.
BEST OF LUCK http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif