Diet and Relapse Prevention

[Frankinscense]

Dear Dr. Steve,                                                  I am a LAAM maintenance patient. I have found that eating certain foods make me very sleepy after eating. I do not think it is from my dose of LAAM that I take 3x a week. LAAM has turned my life around in a very positive way. Doctor I would like to know what kinds of foods that I could eat for breakfast and lunch that I could eat that would not make me feel a strong urge to take a siesta or nap. I literally am worthless after lunch and breakfast if I eat anything more than a salad or tuna and crackers. If I eat any potatoes or pasta for lunch I am only about 50% or less due to the lethargy I get from eating these kinds of meals. I know a little about tyrosine and trytophan containing foods.  I am scared of relapsing due to the way I feeel after eating breakfast and lunch. I have a fairly good diet due to the fact that I eat very little red meat.  I like to eat carbs for my brain fuel rather than fatty meats. But I feel that carbs maybe the culprit. One last thing. I have to eat a very low fat diet due the fact that I constantly have to fight the levels of colhestral and trygliserides in my diet. (I think my spelling is wrong for these two words) But I would appreciate the
your thoughts on the matter, Dr. Steve. I welcome anyone elses thought on the subject. Thanks in advance Dr. Steve!          Frank

[cindi]

To Brighty:  I read your post about the nurses recovery site...I am a few weeks late but glad I caught it    Thanx alot     Love to all cin

[Brighty to Maryanne]

You have lots of prayers !! You also have a right to be well and whole.... so go for it... and I realize it won't be the easiest thing... but it can be done. Love and best wishes, Brighty

[Marryanne]

Thanks - I'm on my way out the door now - scared as anything but going.  God Bless, Maryanne

[Bob K]

Maryanne I want to wish you good luck today. I do not think you will have any problems with the bup. I was doing 100mg of oxycontin a day before I started the treatment. T he bup will satisfy you for three or 4 days than you will have to fight to stay clean. Dont ever give up without a fight. The withdrawl on the fourth day is really not so bad. You said that you are scared. They are very nice understanding people where you are going. I think the thing to be scared of is not going. Let me know how it all works out. You and your husband are in my prayers. Bob K

[Marryanne]

Hey, we must have posted at the same time!  Meet me in the chat room right now....if anyone else is reading, u too.  If not, talk to u tom. night.

[Marryanne]

Thank u so much.  You have been a tremendous help.  Also, I am going tomorrow morning for my detox.  Am scared, can't lie.  Will be the first time in a year I won't be taking any kind of pain med.  What if the buprenorphine doesn't work for me?  (My disease talking I'm sure).  I am scared and excited.  Feel like I might puke.  Love u all, Maryanne

[Brighty to MaryAnn and Cindi-- Nurses We]

A friend told me there is a website called Nurses in Recovery... but I am not a nurse so I did not look it up myself. I guess you would need to do a search. Also, Dr. Steve posted months ago in a related forum to a nurse about a list for addicted healthcare professionals, where you send an e-mail with the word "subscribe" in the subject line to ***@****   I think it's a list where the individuals post and it arrives in your e-mail box. You do not have to make your e-mail public to the list if you do not respond to the list. You can also choose to communicate privately with only those you choose. Hope this helps in some way.
Love, Brighty

[Brighty to Bob K.]

Congratulations on your accomplishment !! I watched the show with my daughter and it turned out that she was more interested in Philadelphia than anything, mainly because she saw some of the open air drug markets that she had to visit. Sad that the seat of liberty is now a seat of slavery. We were all able to talk openly and after an hour she wanted to see David Duchovny
:-)on X-files. So we didn't see the 2nd hour. I had it with the graphic stuff anyway. I was a basket case trying to be ok with it. It appears she is doing well. Now she is in day treatment 5 days a week and does about 4 meetings a week along with carrying 12 credits. The house arrest is a big help. I pray you are able to explain to your beautiful young daughter about addiction. I don't think kids really get the concept if they have not seen it close up. They always think it's other people who are not as strong as they are... you know they think like kids no matter how cool they are with their peers. I'm sure you can convey to her as a loving dad the truth. It's something I was so naieve about myself that it did not occur to me that heroin was being used by teens in my area. The raves and club drugs are also dangeous so it's wise to stay right on top of things and keep talking to her like you are now doing. I wish you all the best. Love, Brighty

[tom to Marcie]

remember, not everyone has probs with bifocals. also, my reading glasses were made for me for free by the otomotrist after he learned how disatsifisfied I was with the bifocals. He used the prescription lenses that represented the reading part of my bifocals, so they weren't "overthe counter." They were still formulayted for my eyes from the eye exam.

Certanly, over the conter reaing glasses are cheap and wont hurt your eyes, so that may still be a viable idea.

[From Aunt Lindy to Mariah]

Hi Tom,
Thanks for the reply!  You know I thought that they could make someone nauseated.  That is NOT for me.  I would rather learn BRAILLE.  You had a really good idea with the reading glasses. I had not thought of that before.  I will just get a cheap pair from the drug store.  Cant beleive I had never thought of it.  It is bad enough feeling like I am 89 in a 39 year olds body but then to throw up (sorry hehe) I mean to throw in BIFOCALS! NO WAY.  Thanks again for your post!
Marcie!

[tom to Marcie]

uggg! Bifocals. Been there. Done that. Hated it. I won't say it will happen to you, but here's me experience with them.

Couldn't have them on for more than 20 seconds without getting nauseated. If you're like me, and have a habit of glancing down at the keyboard as you start to type, the refocusing back to the screen will drive you crazy, even make you seasick or give you a major headache. But if you're a normal human being, you probably touchtype and won't have to constantly glance up and down from keyboard to screen.

I wound up using plain reading glasses at work and carrying a pair of distance glasses to drive or see the screen in a meeting at work. That's where it really sucks. If I use the distance glasses to see the projection, I can't read the notes I'm trying to take. I now use just the reading glasses for note taking and look past them to see the screen or blackboard. Pretty stupid, clumsy, embarrassing situation but I live with it. I use the distance glasses for the car and movie theaters.

Growing old and loosing your eyesight sucks, as I suspect all old age changes will. Good luck. I hope you have a better result.
I'm told radial caratotomy will fix this but haven't tried it yet.

[From Aunt Lindy to Mariah]

How are you doing today!  Sorry I have not posted to you sooner.  I have been doing the paralegal thing!  It is so great being able to work from home researching legal issues!  This used to be something that could only be done from work on software that charged you $2.00 a minute.  How times have changed!

I know what you mean on the vitamin issue.  I actually get shots of B Complex.  I also take alot of vitamins.  When I remember to take them that is.  I also take lots of Flaxseed Oil.  Flaxseed Oil has lots of Omegas 3,6,9.  One tbls. has 200% of the RDA for Vitamin E. It has lots of natural anti-oxidents.  It also comes in pill form and I really do not work for the company (by the way is Spectrum but I hear that Barleans is better).

I wish that we would hear something on Brian and Oxy Tom.  Something needs to surface on these people already.  I must admit this is the ONLY site that I frequent like this (meaning I dont post to anyone). I dont even post anything anywhere but here.  That is why this situation tears me up so much.  It is a wierd emotional attachment that you get on this site (or any site I guess that one gets involved in at a deeper level).  Dont you agree. I mean I have met some really nice and kind people here that I consider to be friends yet I have never been so clueless in a friendship.  I mean Geesh, I could be a transvestite with really no kids who travels with the circus and have surfing as a hobby.  You know what I mean. FOR GODS SAKE I AM NOT ANYTHING LIKE I PUT IN THAT SENTANCE PROMISE! And as Seinfeld says NOT THAT THERE IS ANYTHING WRONG WITH THAT!

Anyway, I hope you are doing okay.  I went to the eye dr. today. My vision has changed. There has been no change in my vision for 10 years.  And now the "B" word has come into the picture you know BIFOCAL AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!  I said no way.  I will not go there until I turn 40 (which is next year). I am falling apart all over!

Neena, Let me know how you are doing.  I have been so wordy up there you probably wished you have never asked for me to check in huh! Have a good evening.  Kiss the Baby!!!!!!!

XO,
Marcie.

[Bob K]

Brighty Ive been coming to this site for almost a year now. Ive read most of your posts and I am aware of your situation. I have a sixteen year old daughter who does not live in Phila with me. She comes every other weekend and always has. She reacently has shown interest in the drug world by mentioning nickel bags at school and E and raves. I taped Heroin Along comes the horse an MNBC special that I hope will scare and educate her. I feel that I must stay away from opiate pills so I can protect her. I hope and pray she never has to go where I have. Thank you for your kind words. Bob K

[Brighty to MaryAnn ( and Bob K.)]

I just found your post... oops... I did think it was Gina who posted.... and I am glad to hear from both of you about the buprenorphine. I somehow mis-read and was under the impression it was the rapid detox you were seeking. I am always interested in the various informations posted here about the bup because of it's potential post surgical use when it becomes available in the pill form. Hopefully it will spare addicted patients all the relapse problems that now occur with the use of traditional narcotics for post surgical pain. I am also pleased that Dr. G... who is quite famous now.... is still able to assist addicts with the buprenorphine. I was not sure if he was told to not practice at all or just to stop the rapid detox. God bless you both in your determination to claim healing for yourselves. Love, Brighty

[cin91860]

To Maryann,

Good job,  I am so proud of you for making that phone call.  Whe I talked to you earlier today I knew that you would make the right decision.   Let me know how it goes........God Bless  cindi

[To sick and scared from Neena]

Marci, where are you?  I've missed you.  I've binged a little, but got back back on track, but am still using.  I am dead sold on taking vitamin B12 and Centrum with a meal each day.  If I don't take them, withdrawals or not, I feel puny and weak.  How are you?  I am waiting also, to hear how John B. is and how his trip was.  Marci, how are you?  Please let me hear from you, Neena

[To Tom and rest of forum from Maryanne]

Alright everyone - don't laugh, I did it again, thought it didn't get sumbitted and tried to write it over....you know the rest!

[To Tom and rest of forum from Maryanne]

Congratulations on your 6 months!! That's such an accomplishment!  I hope that I'm posting the same six months from now.  I called and made my appointment for detox!! I am so excited.  Wouldn't consider med detox a few months ago because I thought you had to do it inpatient.  I wrote Dr Steve a while back and he told me I needed medical detox - he wrote back very quickly and Dr. Steve if you're reading this, Thank You.  You were the first person to tell me straight out what I needed to hear and although I brushed it off at the time and opted for tapering (which obviously didn't work) I am now taking your advice.  Anyway, my husband is now changing his mind about detox and is going to try to taper on his own because he says he's not "like" me.  Yeah right!  I understand though and only hope he will see how it helped me (hope it does) and follow suit eventually.  Or better yet, maybe he will be successful.  We have a long road ahead of us.  NA/AA here we come!!  Thank you all for being here - this is a great forum and it really helps me!  God Bless, Maryanne

[To Tom and rest of forum from Maryanne]

Bob, that is terrific - Wow 6 months - Congratulations!  I'm so glad it went well.  I take like 6 - 8 lorcet daily so I hope my detox goes as well as yours did.  (If a detox can go well!)  Anyway, that's great about the dentist.  I just hung up the phone with Dr. LG's office and am going on Friday!!  My husband has backed out of the detox on buprenorphine saying that he's not "like me" and he is going to taper himself off of them.  Yeah right!  Anyway, I am moving ahead with my own recovery.  Maybe once he sees how I did it, he will follow suit and if he doesn't well then, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it!  I love him and will support him, best thing I can do right now is let him find out for himself just the way I did.  I hope he changes his mind though.  Anyway, you people in here are so great to interact with - feels like a family - nothing like one addict helping another.  God Bless to Everyone!  Hi Cindi - email me!  Maryanne

[Bob K]

Maryanne It was the very same Doctor. During my first visit I told the doctor my situation. I was using 100mg of oxycontin per day for about ten months. Previously I had used darvocet for 5 years. I was given a precription which was filled right down the street from the docs office. The deal was that I received 3 preloaded syringes with buprenorphine and clonadine. I did as directed injecting one syringe per day for three days. There was no high but more importantly there was no withdrawl. It went well enough that I didnt have to take the clonadine or muscle relaxer after the third day. I hope that you and your husband do this as soon as you possibley can. P.s today is 6 months for me I just realized. Life is so much better. I had dental surgery Friday and refused the pain script. I laughed all the way home.I couldnt believe it and neither could my wife. Good luck Bob K

[From Aunt Lindy to Mariah]

I just wanted to say thanks for your post.  It is good to hear that addiction does not discriminate.  Please keep posting!
Sincerely,
Marcie.

[Bob K]

I wanted to let Maryanne know that I used a doctor in N.J with the same initials Dr L.G. I also used buprenorphine for my detox. I followed his directions and I have been clean since early July. With Buprenorphine I had little or no withdrawl I was very lucky to have had Brian guide me in this direction. In my opinion you can not go wrong with this decision. I also should note that I didnt read what Brighty had stated to you about L.G. circumstances. I always respect and read her posts but I missed that one. Sincerly Bob K.

[cindi]

To Mary Ann Re:  Detox

I am an "impaired nurse as they refer to us around here.  Went into treatment in 1990 for "polysubustance abuse".  My drugs of choice were anything and everything but I preferred Demerol.  up to 2400 mgs.  in any 24 hour period.  No, I am not bragging, the point I am getting to is this...On my days off I would have to have a supply,  on scheduled vacations  ditto, Sometimes it was hard getting enough to keep me ok until I returned to work.  At times I went ahead and cancelled my vacation and picked up extra hours.   On the unit where I worked we kept Buprenorphine unlocked and in the med drawers, free for the taking.  It was easy enough to get this stuff and use it when I would feel withdrawals coming on.  I found this also to be true with stadol and Nubain.  So I suppose the Buprenorphine under supervised conditions would be the route to go as opposed to rapid detox.  As a nurse I have to agree with you about the effects such trauma as rapid detox would have on our already abused bodies. When the hospital sent me to rehab I did the detox dance for about 2 weeks.  They gave me clonidine and Librium which at the time I felt did not help but imagine what it would have been like without the them. A few years later I did it again.  A few percs I took from work landed me with 12 felony charges.  This time a new Ohio law had been passed that it be reported to the Board of Pharmacy and of course they filed charges. I received treatment in lieu of conviction and probation.  I lost my job and my license was put on probation.  I opted to get out of the nursing profession.   The best thing for me.    I am concerned about you.  Are you working as a nurse?  Please, for your own saftey don't be too specific.  Just get the help you need.  Once you detox do you plan on going to meetings?  Please do this as soon as possible.  I have had alot of friends that have been found in hospital bathrooms with prn adapters hanging out of their bodies.  If you want you can e-mail at cin1960@aol.  If you ever need to talk to another nurse I'm always here.   My mom just passed away on Christmas wo the place where I work has given me off until the 13th. I'll be online alot.       Cindi

[To Tom and rest of forum from Maryanne]

This is in response to your question, Frank, about carbs and feeling sleepy.  I am not on LAAM but I just wanted to tell you that I also feel very sleepy if I eat carbs early in the day.  My breakfast used to be a bagel and lunch pasta or a sandwhich and I would feel SO TIRED for the rest of the day.  The same thing happened to my 2 friends that I worked with (we often ate breakfast and lunch in the employee cafeteria).  I'll tell you how we solved this: Ate high protein breakfast (almost always egg whites) and high protein lunch with vegetables (like fish or chicken with a veggie) and if you feel unsatisfied, eat a piece of fruit for snack between meals - fruit is simple to break down (for most people's bodies) and it always makes me feel good.  Combine that with regular exercise (I try to walk 20 minutes every morning) and you should see some definate results in the way you feel.  At first you might be tired until you adjust, then you should feel better.  This is all just a suggestion - it worked for me.  Good luck and congratulations on changing your life!  Maryanne