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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
CHF and Drug Addiction
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests
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CHF and Drug Addiction
by Ruth Anderson, Oct 24, 1999 12:00AM
I have been diagnosed with diastolic heart failure. Two months ago I ruptured a disc in my back which required surgery. Due to a series of circumstances the surgery has been indefinitely postponed. My doctor has been prescribing Percosets, 1-2 every 4-6 hours as needed. I have been on them for the last eight weeks, at first 2 tablets every 4 hours, now 1 tablet every 6 hours. I have become addicted to the drugs and cannot come off them without professional help. What happens in a medical detoxification, and how safe am I from getting into trouble with my CHF? I feel as though I am caught between a rock and a hard place: I cannot stay on the Percosets forever, and it seems to be dangerous to come off them, too. Am I right? I do not have the best of cardiac care in the town I live in and in my condition I cannot travel anywhere to get better care. Do you have any suggestions for a safe withdrawal that I can pass on to my doctor? Thanks in advance for your help.
Doctor's Answer
Member Comments (3)
by Ruth Anderson, Oct 24, 1999 12:00AM
Since writing my previous question, my CHF doctor has gotten me into Vanderbilt Medical Center for a CHF check-up, eval on my ruptured disc, and medical detox. However, it is a 7 hour drive and I am not sure that I can withstand such a long trip without increasing my percosets to 2 tablets every 4 hours for the pain. I have also been experiencing more CHF symptoms--SOB, increased heart rate and BP, swelling, etc.--the last couple of days. Will the sudden increased dosage of pain meds affect my CHF? Will detox be more difficult to accomplish? What can I expect my CHF to do? I am kind of nervous about the changes and the effects on my heart. Am I being scared for nothing?
by CCF CARDIO MD - DLB, Oct 25, 1999 12:00AM
The increased dosage of pain medications would not be expected to aggravate the CHF. Of course, increasing the pain medications is going to make subsequent detoxification even more difficult. If your CHF is acting up, it needs to be better controlled with CHF medications; this is really a separate issue from the detoxification.
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