how long is he going to vomit and shake ? should i take hime to a hostipal to detox ?

hello again... well my boyfriend is now complete off of meth plus pain killers..so we are on day 2 of withdrawls . hes been off of methodone for about a month  but he was still taking oxycodone now he has nothing at all.im freaking out I have never seen someone kick ..he is vomiting and has the shakes bad...im actually thinking of taking  him into a hostipal to detox..i make him drink water and ginger ale..but he doesn't want to eat..i don't know how long this is going to take ..i called out of work tomorrow to try to deal with this ...my 12yr walked into our room and started to cry because hes dad is shaking and throwing up..i told him its a virues.....if anyone can tell me how i can ease his shakes and withdrawals please let me know...ill be on later to check in...how long does this last???  he was on meth for 5yrs...need feedback please  thank you

[Ann2497]

How long has he been taking oxys? How strong a dose and how many per day?  When he stopped the oxys was he still in the bad meth WDs or had he stabilized?  If he has a good relationship with a dr you could call and see if they will call in a presription for Clonidine.  It will not relieve all his symptoms but it will take the edge off.  It is a blood pressure med used in rehab for opiate WD.  Check out the Thomas Recipe (bottom right hand of page under most viewed Health Pages).  Good to keep him hydrated as best as possible.  Put a blanket in the dryer for 5 - 10 minutes and put it over him for the chills.   Or put his pajamas/a robe in the dryer to keep him warm.  Let me see if I can think of some other things and I will post again.

[Ann2497]

Your question about the hospital.  To be safe maybe you should call the dr and see if he thinks he should be hospitalized.  If he is throwing up and not keeping down any liquids he could get dehydrated.

[vicki595]

It sounds like he jumped off a a fairly high dose of Methadone...

How is he now?

This is usual but it's not good. If he's vomitting he needs fluid replacement.That's number one right now. If you can't get him to drink enough then he needs to go to the ER for treatment. Personally, I wouldn't try to handle this at home...too risky.

Let us know...

[Kendraerika]

From what I understand, is that quitting a high dosage can cause seizures. This is best done at a hospital where they can help, especially if something goes wrong. They can also keep him more comfortable.

[worriednscared235]

he is not drinking like he should...but he is not vomiting since this morning 6am its now 5pm..chills he has on and off.. as for oxys he was only taking it for about a month and half,his pain dr gave it to him to take the edge off the meth..he was on meth for 4 1/2 yrs and was taken down slowing hes dose was 110mgs.he was taking 3 or 4 a day of oxy..but no meth during that month..then about a 2 weeks ago no more oxys...i thought the meth was out of his system..i guess the oxys was covering it up..his sister has gone thur this with her ex..she says its normal..but its scary..i do have to go to wrok tomorrow ..his sister will be here to be with him.....he chose to kick it this time hes just tried ..i will warm up his blanket in the dryer...he feels like he has the flu now...thank God no more vomit..he only pissed twice so maybe thats not cool..but he also has had no food in his system...i gave hin chicken broth and jello.what else can i do for him ?? ill be on line in about 2 hrs...thank you ann

[atthebeach]

he needs to drink more fluids. have him take small sips of gatorade,juices or water every 15 minutes.also ensure it good. eating small amounts of soup,yogurt,crackers,pudding,drinking smoothies with fruit and yogurt.he needs to get some nourishment. he has to urinate more than twice a day. push the fluids.

yes the oxys were covering up the methadone withdrawal. how low did he taper down to on methadone when he stopped?

debbie

[Jaybay]

Soaking in hot baths with Epsom salts helps the shakes and restless legs business.  It's temporary but at least it's relief.  Everything you describe is unfortunately completely normal at this point.  

The next part of detox is perhaps the worst: the emotional craziness.  His brain needs time to start manufacturing normal chemicals again, and until it does be prepared for insomnia, depression, anxiety, hopelessness and tears.  That's where staying hydrated, forcing good nutrition and above all, physically moving around makes a big difference.  All of that helps the brain start to manufacture its own "feel-good" chemicals again after being supressed for so long.  It's a process and everyone responds differently.  As one of the regulars on the addiction forum says, "You have to be OK with not being OK for a while."  It WILL pass.

[worriednscared235]

hello its been awhile..my boyfriend in up the hostiptal..he was dehydrated.he was in a week ..he lost part of his memory..he was home for 2 weeks and then decided to take klonpins..i threw them out and now hes depressed and  doesn't want to do nothing ..he saw a doctor who gave him Paxil for his depression and anxiety ..its only been 2 days on that he also gave him ambien to sleep i only gave one pill. and hes been worse for 2days..laid out in bed..i have no idea how to deal with this ...im losing my mind ..i thought once the withdrawls of meth was under control thur hosptial ..we were good..i was wrong..sometime he just stares out into space and wants to sleep...hes not happy .. maybe hes withdrawing the klponpins..im at a total lost..

[worriednscared235]

hello its been awhile..my boyfriend in up the hostiptal..he was dehydrated.he was in a week ..he lost part of his memory..he was home for 2 weeks and then decided to take klonpins..i threw them out and now hes depressed and  doesn't want to do nothing ..he saw a doctor who gave him Paxil for his depression and anxiety ..its only been 2 days on that he also gave him ambien to sleep i only gave one pill. and hes been worse for 2days..laid out in bed..i have no idea how to deal with this ...im losing my mind ..i thought once the withdrawls of meth was under control thur hosptial ..we were good..i was wrong..sometime he just stares out into space and wants to sleep...hes not happy .. maybe hes withdrawing the klponpins..im at a total lost..

[Jaybay]

Unfortunately, your boyfriend's behavior is normal for this period of his detox.  It can take weeks to months for the brain to heal enough for the person to begin behaving normally.  The depression is just one part of detox.  Remember when I mentioned above about the emotional craziness that happens with detox?  This is it.  

Another hard thing to understand about detox is that once the physical and emotional storm is over, the addict is going to be seriously baffled by things that non-addicts take in stride.  Their emotional growth is pretty much stunted at whatever age they started using regularly.  The way they dealt with uncomfortable emotions was to cover it up with drugs.  They just haven't learned how to self-soothe when anxiety overwhelms them.  That's how relapse happens and it's also why a recovery program is so important.

The more he physically moves around - taking walks for example - the faster his brain will begin to manufacture the chemicals that have been suppressed for so long.  Seriously good nutrition is also a big part of that process.

There really isn't a magic pill (paxil, klonopin, etc.) that will make this process much easier.  Some things, like klonopin and ambien, may actually drag the process out even longer.  If he's been taking benzodiazapines like klonopin and xanax for a while, he needs to wean off them.  After long-term use, quitting benzos cold turkey can cause seizures.  It's good that your holding the meds for him but since he knows they're in the house don't be surprised if he hunts them down at some point.

I worry more about you.  You're losing yourself in his addiction - just like I did with my husband.  If your boyfriend refuses a complete rehab program or committed participation in AA or NA, you can count on a relapse at some point.  It's entirely your choice whether you want to continue living like this.  Al-Anon can help you find your way out of the insanity.