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MedHelp Member's Question

OxyCotin and lorazepam misuse

by anthony, Sep 17, 2000 12:00AM
dr.,

I have a friend that has been taking lorazepam 1mg tablets and oxycontin tablets for over two years now and I'm wondering how to get help for him.

My friend takes 3 lorazepam tabs and two oxycontin tabs a day what are the possible side effects of abruptly stopping these drugs?

What are the long term effects that these drugs have on his body,I know that the body is dependant on these drugs,how has his body changed from having a constant supply of narcotics in his system?

Member Comments (39)

by Bob K, Sep 18, 2000 12:00AM
Your friend is now addicted to opiates. The best advice I can give you is to have him see an addiction specialist. When I gave up opiates I went to see a doctor who treated me with buprenorphine. I had little or no withdrawl. Good luck Bob K

by To Bob K, Sep 19, 2000 12:00AM
Bob I hope you visit this site often. I have to have a procedure done on my back in October then I think I may have to take a trip to visit Dr. G.

I have spoke to them and they said to wait til I get my back work done.When the time gets closer I would like to ask you some questions. Did they push the pellet part of their plan? I'll try to write again and hope you are around. Thanks.

by Bob K, Sep 20, 2000 12:00AM
I do visit this sight almost everyday. I would be glad to answer any questions that you may have. They did not push anything on me, they did strongly recommend that I make an appointment the following week for the pellit. I was not worried about relapse the following week I was concentrating on getting better so I declined. I cancelled my appointment, they wished me goodluck and told me they would be there if I needed them again.They were very nice about it.Its now been 74 days without opiates. Good luck with your procedure and post any questions. P.S Give me some kind of name or initial so I know who Im writing to Bob K

by To Bob K from ML, Sep 20, 2000 12:00AM
Bob,

  Thanks for prompt reply. They were very nice on the phone to me. They just kept mentioning that pellet which I cannot afford. I'm worried about those first few days of withdrawl. I followed your posts and you seemed to do fine.I know everyone is different but I would like to hear more of your experience.When the time gets closer I will leave you my e-mail address.Thanks again.

by Bob K, Sep 20, 2000 12:00AM
I can tell you M.L. that I was also quite concerned about the first few days myself. In short I had no withdrawl after the buprenorphine. When that was discontinued I was tired,had no energy and a little bit sad. This lasted about three weeks. I started feeling better everyday. I still have pain in my leg and back. Im 50 years old and pain cant be avoided. I hope I never have to take opiates again. I hope things go well for you and I will be watching for your posts. Good luck with everything. Bob K

by Renee1060, Sep 21, 2000 12:00AM
Can you please explain where/why/how you received the buprenorphine treatment?  Is this treatment the same as Rapid Detoxing?  I'm a bit confused about how you say you didn't have any withdrawl symptoms..yet..you were tired, had no energy and were a bit sad.  Aren't these some signs of withdrawl?

Being tired, no energy and depression is one of the reasons I've gone back to taking the narcotics.  I am currently slowly tapering off this time...which the doctor states will minimize the withdrawl symptoms.  But, here it is, 3:00 AM and I feel horrible even taking the opiates.  It feels as if I am just prolonging the inevitable by slowly tapering?

I feel like such a hypocrite as I wrote earlier and stated that "PATIENCE" is so important to recovery and that WE WILL GET BETTER OVER TIME.  And here I am bitching again.

I've read through so many comments here and noticed tonight that it seems like I am taking enough drugs to kill a horse.  I take three 40 mg tablets of Oxycontin (120 mg's) 3 times within a 24 hour period for a total of 360 mg's/day.  Has anyone else taken this amount?

I emailed a Dr. Greenberg who emailed me back stating he wanted to talk to me on the phone and that I could benefit from the Rapid Opiate Detox process.  I would have to fly to Canada to have this done, which I would but...it almost sounds too good to be true.  Has anyone else here tried this process?

It's so wonderful to have this place available.  Everyone's comments are so helpful and give me that extra bit of will power to keep going.  I come back here so often in hopes of reading new replys and hoping that maybe someone has listed a question that I in turn may be able to help with.  

Take Care ALL!

by Mike P. to Ken, Sep 21, 2000 12:00AM
Hey Loreen - got your e-mail - let me know if you want to meet up in that Fern Gully place sometime this morning. Talk to you soon.



Mike

by Renee1060, Sep 21, 2000 12:00AM
I'm going there now...it's currently 11:38 am.  CYA

by Mike P. to Ken, Sep 21, 2000 12:00AM
Damn, I always seem to check here too late. It's 12:25 and I'm heading over...don't think you'll be there anymore though...Chat room tag.

by Bob K, Sep 21, 2000 12:00AM
Loreen When I said that I didnt have any withdwawl sym I meant that I didnt totaly climb the walls as I have in the past. I went to see an addiction specialist in New Jersey I was using 100 to 120 mg oxy per day for nine months. I tapered but I lost ground because I had a good supply of oxy. I paid 6 dollars for a piece for 40mg tabs. My doc in Jersey gave me a script for buprenorphine. I was instructed to inject my dose everymorning for three days. I was given three pre loaded syringes. My first day I went on a river cruise with my wife no problems. second day I think I returned to work. No problems. Third day work again I had some sweats but it was a hot day. This is not rapid detox this was like starting out on the fourth or fifth day. I bypassed the first three days which as you know is a blessing. It was not completly easy for me much of it sucked I did have bourbon at some points. I never went to a meeting I always come here. I did not want the pellit it seems like I have lots of allergys so I was very frightened of this. I also wanted an escape route if necessary. You take more oxy than I did but you still can make it back. I hope that you do and I hope that I can stay on this side of the fence. I like it better here. P.S if you need a web site for that doc with more info just ask and I will post it for you Bob K

by addict, Sep 22, 2000 12:00AM
stay away from jeff!

by Lynn to Neena, Sep 25, 2000 12:00AM
I have heard of using buprenorphine in a hospital for 4 days, then they let you go home.  What are the benefits of detoxing in a hospital setting vs. trying to do it at home? Either way, if you have easy access to the drugs, are you that much cleaner (for lack of a better word) than if you went to a hospital. I know you mentioned about the first 3 days. Are those the worst? HOW DID YOU STAY CLEAN???

by Shiny, Sep 25, 2000 12:00AM
How in the world did you get 360m a day from a doctor.  I only get 100 10m Lortab and 60 20m oxycontin every six weeks.  In fact I had to go to the ER a while ago for stomach problems and the doctor said I should ask my doctor for Stadol because it is easier on the stomach.  When I told my doctor this he had a fit, and said that stuff is really addictive.  Why it could be more addictive then Lortab and Oxycontin I don't have a clue and I wasn't about to ask.  This is the same doctor that gave the Lidoderm, which I immediately called and told him I could not attached these things all over my body, I look like a mummy.  Anyway go figure.

by From Aunt Lindy to Mariah, Sep 26, 2000 12:00AM
n/m

by Renee1060, Sep 26, 2000 12:00AM
I've been on pain meds since the early 1980's.  My tolerance has increased drastically over the past few years...therefore the large amount of Oxycontin.  I started with only 80 mg's per day.  I am now down to 80 mg's every 8 hours which is great.  I am actually starting to feel a bit normal.  Not as weak and fatigued  as when on the higher doses.  The depression seems to be easing a bit also.  This is giving me great incentive to stick with the doctors orders and keep cutting back extremely slowly.  

My doctor believes I am physically dependent upon the meds...and psychologically also to a degree but he knows I am sticking with his directions and not abusing the meds.  Therefore he will give me up to 2 months of meds at a time.  If I decide I do want to take more than perscribed I agreed to give the meds to someone else so they could dole them out to me.

by Bob K, Sep 27, 2000 12:00AM
Lynn Im sorry I havent been able to answer I had a bad flu virus that lasted a couple of days. I dont knw the difference between hospital detox and doing it at home because I only did it at home. It wasnt easy but it wasnt impossible either. I was tired of giving my money away. I started to have bad feelings from the oxy ie numbness when I woke up, blood from my nose. I do have some bourbon at night after work. I try to put my energy into music etc. I dont know why I made it so long this time (almost 12 weeks) Good luck with this terrible disease. P.s I did try withdrawl with clonidine and valium. That was not for me buprenorphine seems to be the best choice as far as Im concerened. I wish you the best Lynn. Bob K

by Gary, Oct 04, 2000 12:00AM
could someone please post a note to help me...i hurt my back in january riding my 4 wheeler in the snow..i started taking percocets for pain.then,i was introduced to oxy's..i take about 3 80mg. per day.but the thing is i never saw a doctor for a prescription,i was street buying.well now my back is feeling better but i'm now addicted to oxy's.i come from a small town in which everybody know's everybody's business.the doctor does not give prescriptions to help addict's kick..i'm so ashamed of myself cause i never did drugs in my entire life till i hurt my back..i tried to go cold turkey,and that was the worst experience of my life..i was sweating all day,i was restless and forget about sleeping..so i had to go back,just so i did not get sick..i can't afford to take off of work.if i take off i will get fired.nobody know's of my addiction accept my girlfriend cause she takes them with me.she is not as bad off as i am,i mean her withdrawl won't be as severe as mine.i just want to get clean,can someone please help me..i have a 10yr old son that lives with me ,and we just had a baby 5 weeks ago..i'm not a bad person and i'm afraid that i will start taking stronger drugs cause they are cheaper.i'm terrified to go thru a withdraw.i tried it once and i only lasted 5 hrs.i just started to sniff a little heroin,so i don't get sick cause i can't afford the oxy's anymore.i know it's not smart to post your e-mail address,but i feel i'm hitting rock bottom.can someone please help me..***@****'s for listening..gary

by Lizzy, Oct 05, 2000 12:00AM
Bob K!  I need to talk to you!  I have been through the whole Chonic Pain thing for some time now.  I still have the pain but want to get off all meds.  I was given Vicodin by my neurologist and then Oxycontin by a Pain Dr.  In the past week or so, my doctor has refused to treat me anymore but also refuses me help to get off the damn things.  I spent the whole day yesterday shaking and sweating and wishing I was dead.  I finally gave up and got more.  Wow, does it feel good to get this out...

I have a small baby and two other kids that need me.  I don't like myself much anymore.  Can you tell me about the addiction Specialist you went to see since we are both in New Jersey?

Thanks.