Brief Answer:
Unlikely the medication

Detailed Answer:
Good evening. I am a neurologist and very familiar with the effects that medications such as Percocet can have when taken for prolonged periods of time.

However, in your case your symptoms are actually those having to do much more closely with the arthritic condition of your neck and back and much less to do with the typical side effects that one would see being on Percocet at the sparingly small doses you've been instructed to take.

Your symptoms are more reminiscent of problem in the neck such as a radiculopathy or possibly a simple basilar migraine headache which very frequently starts at the base of the neck on one side or even both, can radiate up either on one side of the head or both and contains all the symptoms you mention. Your feeling better could be based on the fact that both conditions of cervicalgia (neck pain) and migraine headaches have a usual time course of hours to days and then, can on their own get better or subside.

I seriously doubt this is a viral infection which typically would affect either the respiratory system (i.e. cold or flu symptoms) or pharynx/GI tract resulting in sore throat, abdominal or stomach symptoms of distress, vague belly pains, bloating, loss of appetite, etc.

And so in reality I don't think your symptoms are likely either the Percocet or a viral infection but rather more likely have to do with breakthrough pain having to do with the arthritis that has already been in your neck and back.

Also, I would like to suggest that you be very careful with any medication regimen your general practitioner gives you and I'd recommend you be referred directly to a NEUROLOGIST/HEADACHE SPECIALIST (such as myself) who can much more expertly and precisely identify your class of headaches and the best way to deal with them since they really seem to me to be on the basis of your neck pathology.

I hope these suggestions and opinions satisfactorily address your question and give some additional information that you can discuss with your doctor for consideration. If so, may I ask your favor of a HIGH STAR RATING with some written feedback?

Also, if there are no other comments, may I ask you not forget to CLOSE THE QUERY on your end so the question can be transacted and archived for further reference by colleagues as necessary?

You are invited to direct more comments or inquiries to me in the future by going to my web address at:

bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi

I would be honored to answer you quickly and comprehensively.

Please keep me informed as to the outcome of your situation.

The query has required a total of 28 minutes of physician specific time to read, research, and compile a return envoy to the patient.

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Brief Answer:
Glad to be of service

Detailed Answer:
You are most welcome and I hope this gives you a bit of a jumping off point to speak to your physician about what's going on and how best to address your concerns.

With the hope that you find relief from your pain and discomfort please do not hesitate to contact me again for any other medical and especially neurological or headache questions at:

bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi

Please keep me informed as to the outcome of your situation.

The query has required a total of 48 minutes of physician specific time to read, research, and compile a return envoy to the patient.

Would be most grateful if there are no further questions that I can answer if you would rate this transaction with a HIGH STAR RATING and some written feedback of how the information may have served you.

I'd also be appreciative if you would close the query on your end so that it may be archived and transacted for future reference by colleagues and patients who may benefit from the information.

Cheers!

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