Mike Says:
I have been a regular taker of Percocet for recreation. I know, not a great idea, but I have a question. Apparently, I took much more than normal, with quite a bit of alcohol a couple of nights ago. I woke up the next morning with recurrent panic attacks. I had noticed that I had attacks on occassion if I was not careful about how much I took, but they lasted a minute or two and then left. Since my last dose (about 48 hours), I have been experiencing attack after attack ... I am assuming that I may be in withdraw or experiencing a side effect, but as the hours go by, I am not so sure. I see that it takes up to three days to get it out of my system (previous post). I have been a regular user, but not all of the time. If I have them, I take them, otherwise, I have always been fine. Obviously, I am not planning on taking them again. Any ideas ?
1
Verwon Says:
[Moderator]
Sunday, 2/3/2008 8:11:40 PM
Actually, how long it takes to get it all out of your system varies according to how long and how much you have been taking.
The longer you have been using it and the more of it you have been using, will mean the longer it will take for all of it to clear from your body system and the longer you will experience withdrawal symptoms.
I'm am scared that this is not completely withdraw related, since I started having the attacks prior to stopping. I have read other incidents of this, but I am unsure what to do next. If the worst is over, I will just leave it alone and suffer through it, if it is more serious, I will seek some type of help. Maybe, I am just looking for re-assurance that others have had the same issues. I don't think that I was using much more than would be prescribed, and my use was not consistant (over a few weeks, then nothing for a few weeks). I always took them with alcohol, and drinking now does offset the symptoms (although I have not been drinking enough to feel the effects, becasue I am afraid of losing more control). Has anyone experienced any of this ?
Unfortunately, I was involved in a motor vehicle accident that was nearly fatal to all. I went through stages of pain management proceedures. Percocet occupied one of the levels I passed through on my journey. While I did indeed suffer severe panic attacks which lessened in severity as time passed until they were labeled mild anxiety attacks, the attacks were never the result of the percocet. I was not consuming alcohol during this period, but, I was maintainin a very extensive amount of prescription medications throughout my hospital stay. If drug interaction would not cause percocet to induce panic, then, i am forced to assume alcohol consumption would not either. If I were you, I would take the time necessary out of my day to check with a GP. If the doctor does not find any reason for the attacks that relate to the percocet, then you will have accomplished what you set out to find out. I wish I could tell you an exact reason for panic attacks and/or anxiety attacks. I have had many since the accident, but, as of yet, never when I was either speaking of the accident or even thinking about it. Percocet is a narcotic and therefore should not be consumed along withj alcohol.
Well it has been 5 days since the last time that I tool any Percocet. With the exception on a few very mild anxiety periods, that were substantially shorter than the panic attacks that I was having, I am nearly symptom free. I NEVER want to experience that again. I am posting this follow up to let others know, in the event that somneone else is having the same issues. In my case, the symptoms went away as it left my system. I am wondering if it is an allergy. I have very breif attacks (a minute or two) after taking it in the past, accompanied by heart palps and itchy face. Who knows, but this one is out of my medicine cabinet from now on. Thanks to everyone who responded.
Hi Mike, just wanted to say congrats. on getting off the percocets. I have been taking them for over a year now, consistently due to back pain and many surgeries. Now that I want to get off I can't. The panic/anxiety attacks are overwhelming. I don't mind the sickness part but cannot deal with the anxiety. My heart feels like it is going to jump right out of my chest, therefore I still continue to take them. Just wondering anyone have any advice on anything that might help with these attacks while getting thru these withdrawl symptoms?
Percoet is a deadly drug to use w/any alcohol. I am now widowed because my 38 year old husband was taking percoet for chronic back pain. I awoke in the am to find my husband dead on the couch. The coroner said he didn't take the medicine wrong, but each pill is intensified by 10 when taken w/alcohol. Panic attacks are really not what you experiencing, this is part of the withdrawals from the pill. Please think twice before doing this as a recreational drug. If you must take the medication/don't drink and vice-versa. Itake 3 10/325 percocets daily for chronic pain. Have done so for quite a while. I found out that I do not take them at the same time daily, I don't let my body know when I will be taking it. It works great for me, somedays I can take only 1 and do just fine, but I refuse to let any medicine rule my life. Again your mind is stronger than anything in your body, use it to your advantage. I tell my body when it gets pain relief, and this is why I think I don't ever go through withdrawals. Good luck, I hope you are serious about stopping this.
As far as you panic attacks are concerned, you have no reason to feel this is out of the ordinary while using percocet. A lot of people have anxiety issues and when you are not drinking or taking a narcotic you body is physically able to fight these feelings off. Once you have taken a significant amount of a narcotic for a reasonable amount of time, you body puts up a wall, that even a paniac attack cant get through. So the next day when you arent continuing the same does of the narcotic your body is weak so you are feeling every single pania attack. I had really bad paniac attack a year ago. I went to see a counselor to get control of them. It took me getting on an antidepressant to control them. But about for months ago I was controling them on my own I stopped the medication. I got a really bad infection a few months ago and was hospitilized for 3 days and had surgery. They day I left the hospital I had mini panic attacks just like you and the couns. explained that your body puts up a wall while your on them and when you come off you body is in shock. I hope this helps you gotta find what works for you..The best thing I can suggest studying psycholgy excercise in the am and it will set the mood for the day. I almost gurantee if you do this 3 times a week ur paniac attacks will be under control..
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