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MedHelp Member's Question

Am I killing myself? Medical opinion needed please.....

by squirrel1970, Mar 22, 2003 12:00AM
Tags: Addiction
For the last 16 months I have been addicted to/abusing prescription painkillers. Mostly Vicodin and Vicodin ES, with some Vicoprofen thrown in. I take an average of at least 10 Vicodin ES a day, usually more, sometimes less. In the last year, I have done this pretty much on a daily basis. I am VERY worried about the damage I am doing or have done to my liver and kidneys, due to the copious amounts of acetominophen I have been ingesting. In addition to this, I have for most of my life been a person who has taken a lot of Advil and Tylenol for various headaches and other aches and pains. How much Tylenol can one continually ingest before doing serious damage? Is there any way to tell if I HAVE done any damage, short of going to a doctor or emergency room for testing? I have done some web searches for things like liver/kidney damage, but have not had much luck finding out anything. I have had the flu for a week now, with fever, chills, sweating etc. It IS going around in my area, but I am afraid that it is NOT the flu, and it is something more serious. I do plan on trying to quit, this week when my meds run out. I really know I have to; I need to get back to life, and get a job before we go broke. I have lost 2 jobs in the last year due to this, and my wife is 9 weeks pregnant with our first child. It has just been so easy lately go get the medicine, as I have come up with a new "scam" that has worked great at the last 3 doctors I have gone to. In a sick way I am actually "proud" of myself for coming up with and successfully doing this scam. thank you all for your help.

Member Comments (37)

by squirrel1970, Mar 22, 2003 12:00AM
sorry to take another posting slot. my email is "***@****" if anyone would rather reply that way. this place is great, and I read stuff here every day that gives me hope. I would love to hear from any and every one of you. thanks again and god bless

by Thomas03, Mar 22, 2003 12:00AM
To: squirrel
The symptoms you're having could also be from Vic withdrawal. They're quite similar to the flu. Are you having any runs? WD from Vicodin almost always includes 24/7 runs for the first few days.



I'll let the doctor address the tylenol question. I will say that, while your consumption is high, it isn't nearly as high as many I know. If you can, get a blood panel run at your family doc. You don't have to tell him about all the Vics, just that you read something about tylenol affecting the liver and want the test for peace of mind.



In the meantime, start taking Milkthistle (from the health food store). It promotes liver healing and is used for that purpose in European medical settings. If you leave the liver alone, it frequently can heal itself. The Milkthistle would be a little insurance.



Thomas

by squirrel1970, Mar 22, 2003 12:00AM
actually there is no withdrawl because i havent stopped taking it yet : )

but i do appreciate the post.

by ceriedwen5, Mar 22, 2003 12:00AM
i was taking 10 a day easy,im gong through withdrawls as i wite this,yes i think your killing yourself,just as i was too.please get help.

berta

by Jones052, Mar 22, 2003 12:00AM
To: Thomas03
Hi Thomas,

I found your recipe very interesting. I am currently debating a detox and WD plan. You sound very well informed and I always enjoy and appreciate the articulate. I've just today seen this site and don't know how to contact or post.



Is it appropriate to ask for an email ? ***@****



Thanks,

Dan

by mystere, Mar 22, 2003 12:00AM
To: Jones 052/Everyone
Thomas, in my humble opinion is the foremost expert in the area of opiate withdrawal that I have ever come across!  I'm married to a physician (An Orthopedic Surgeon, believe it or not) and he doesn't have a clue about opiate addiction much less the withdrawal process! I have been an expert at concealing my addiction to my friends and family. I myself have used the Thomas Recipe several times (unfortunately) and it is right on the mark! Thomas is a wonderful contributer to this forum! He has helped me tremendously!  My husband thinks that I catch an inordinate amount of that "flu bug"--(I run out of pills too early)--but that's another story--Keep posting, lurking, looking, or whatever--there are a lot of wonderful people here waiting-willing to help any way that they can!  Good Luck--Peace and Prayers to All--Mystere

by beccab, Mar 22, 2003 12:00AM
i would just like to comment that you must think of your wife and child. Would it be fair for a baby to be born without a dad who passed and otherwise would have been healthy?

I don't want to be harsh but you have a moral obligation to your family

by bluecatchew, Mar 23, 2003 12:00AM
To: mystere
Hi your reply caught my attention. I too am nototious for (running out early) My question being. Do you still have the flu type symptoms even with the Thomas recipe? Thanks for your time.

by mystere, Mar 23, 2003 12:00AM
To: bluecatchu/Everyone
The severity of the withdrawal symptoms depend on how much you have been taking and for how long--However they are much easier to deal with using the Thomas Recipe--For example this last time for me the withdrawals were extremely mild!  I'm not really sure if that was a really good thing! Anyway if your ready to quit and bite the bullet this is the place to be!  There are many people here ready and willing to see you through it!  Good Luck!  It really is wonderful over here on "the other side"  Peace and Prayers--Mystere AKA New Orleans Lady

by ceriedwen5, Mar 24, 2003 12:00AM
im wondering if you all can help me today?

tomorrow on march 25 tuesday im going in for surgery-da surgery,to have my left ovary removed.a cyst is on it the size of a plum.regarless im going through vicodin and perck withdrawl.this is the 4th day today.im not feeling to bad just flu like symptoms,no fever just got to ru to the bathroom and im sneezing allot.runny nose too.I did mention the opiate use to my doctor and he said not to worry about it.im just not sure.i do think the ovary made my excuses for the pills,so now what? i guess this is a good time to stop taking them,

berta

ps sorry about using your thread.no ther way i could get ths down.

by bluecatchew, Mar 25, 2003 12:00AM
To: neworleanslady, anyone
What is it like on the other side? Haven't been there in 6 years. My biggest deterent to quiting is the mental fog and the stinkin thinkin and the FATIGUE.... I have so much responsibility I need to be able to function if you know what I mean :) I have read so many people say they are still in a "FOG" 3-6 weeks afterwards. Any words of advice, encouragement, whatever. Thanks

by percsnomas, Mar 25, 2003 12:00AM
To: bluecatchew
What is it like on the other side????



FREEDOM!!!!

(I'm yelling it as loud as Mel Gibson in Braveheart)



Blue, i was on that seemingly endless treadmill, and scared to death of the thought of life without pills; cause after all didn't they make me funnier, a better-more confident employee, a better daddy-  cause i could get up in the middle of the night to tend to the screaming lit'l ones, energize me to see me through 4 moves in 3 years, etc???? NO

I certainly thought it at the time, but now that i've passed 7 months off percocet(was up to 20+/day, for several years), i wouldn't want to go back for all the tea in china.  I do think about where i was, just to remind me to stay strong; but i have to tell you, the "other side" is pretty f&*king incredible.

My wife couldn't be happier either, as she claims she has got her old (okay 41 aint so bad) husband back......and she finally is out of the long "dry spell" See opiates really do suck EVERYTHING out of you.

I think by picking up the ingredients of Mr. Thomas' Recipe(as you said), you will help yourself through that Fog period. It definately helped me.  I really started to feel better around the 3-4 week mark. I did a rapid taper over 13 days.  I've read lots about cravings also, and whether i'm an exception, i don't know.....all i know is i haven't craved them virtually from the start of my clean time.

Maybe cause i was soooooooooooo low????(you know that feeling your bottom discussion)

That is the number one reason, I continue to post,  I want to get the message out, that not only is getting clean possible, it is OH SO WORTH IT!!!!(plus the friends i've developed here aren't so bad either)

This place helped me reclaim my life, and it will do the same for you Blue!!!



Take Care Friend

percs

by mystere, Mar 25, 2003 12:00AM
To: bluecatchue/Everyone
Mega Ditto's Percs--Couldn't have said it better myself-I found after the initial withdrawal symptoms were over the one thing I worried about was the fatigue and malaise.  How was I ever going to shower and get dressed much less take care of a day full of responsibilities?  I was skeptical about the L-Tyrosine and B-6 combo but I thought what the hell it couldn't hurt--Guess What--It works! Before I knew it I was up and beginning a new day without having to worry where my next Rx was going to come from.  Just like Percs said--FREEDOM--It is such a relief to to wake up in the morning and know you don't have to take a pill--There is also much to be said for the "One Day at a Time" Mantra--I have found that we addicts are rather an impatient lot.

It is like many before me have said on this forum IT DOES GET BETTER with each passing day!--Good Luck We're here when you need us--Peace & Prayers--mystere AKA N.O. Lady

by bluecatchew, Mar 27, 2003 12:00AM
To: Percs, mystere
Thanks:) I needed the pep talk.

Percs, I am 41 also and we are certainly not old hehe.I am down from 4,20mg oxy a day to 1 20mg in the am and I am using the vicoprfen about every 4-6 hours for pain as I do have pain (issues)but know of the dangers in this med also :)

by riri, Jul 08, 2003 12:00AM
I've been suffering from severe back pain and restless leg