Ephedrine and ... aftermath effects of another.

[Fitzgibbons]

Ephedrine to my knowledge is not chemically addictive that I know of... but I feel I'm more than living proof that it can become so addictive you just continue to take it, even when you feel like sh*t.

Back in '95 at a party I was tired, and a friend offered me some of his meds that had Ephedrine in it. Soon thereafter I started taking prior to workouts, and late at night while partying.

I never took anymore than 75mgs on a lifting day... That (the last time @ 75mgs) was in '96. I've managed to find myself now at around 30 a day, give or take, with no particular reason other than to just do it, and the fact that I work shift work, and stay up for days at a time, with no special reason... (yup, you guessed it, I'm a rocket scientist! <duh>)

Anyhow, I'd like to toss'em aside, but don't even now seem to be able too... Been getting worse just recently, and have gotten scared to the point within the last week that I promised I wouldn't buy more, and I did. Surprised?

I'm not sure what to do, if its in my head, or in the pills... Either way, I know I have to stop, but can't. Would like to talk w/someone, just can't talk with anyone here. If anyone has any suggestions, please, reply... Thanks.

Someone suggested rehab before, but really, for ephedrine? Funny.. Plus I'd embarress the family to a point which I wouldn't even want to acknowledge. Not an option, but there has to be something that'd be non-intrusive to everyone else around me, them not knowing I mean.

My char limit is up..

[OxyDout]

lets back/up, I think I can help you out, let me know what you are taking "exactly" what pill, the company, the name, etc. and I will give you all the info I have.

[Fitzgibbons]

I ran out of characters... Sorry...

The other was this. A couple of years ago I did quite a bit of 'e' but haven't touched it since. But while I was messing around with it, I also took pretty large amounts of Ephedrine. (lets just say, I should've died, I even know that now) Seems since then, its been an ever growing thing, until then, using prior to workouts was enough, now... Lets just say for instance, the local Sunoco station, morning employee, before anything else, asks,"1 bottle or 2?"... Seems to be a joke, we both always smile.

[OxyDout]

I don't think you saw my post, so let me know what your taking, what company, what kind, what milligram etc......

[Fitzgibbons]

Answer to your question:

Ephedrine Plus : Marketed by - DMD Pharm. a Div of Dickey Consumer

[OxyDout]

I'm not sure how you can take 30 of those. I have been there done that with oxy, cocaine, e and ephedrine ESPECIALLY EPHEDRINE, I'm a fitness freak however, I hate the feeling of ephedrine, a lot of people have started taking 5htp, and or ecdodriene, or what is called Rosaven, (sp) rosaven can take the edge off. I don't know what you can do except start to taper off, because that can do some serious damage to your body, trust me, I"m not one to preach, but it really does. I need you to be truthful here, are you taking anything else?????? cocaine, ridalin, etc........

[Fitzgibbons]

May god stike me dead right here, right now, NO, just the ephedrine for awhile now... Never touched coke, tried e and when I was working out all the time dball (which landed me in the hospital with rabdomyolosis).

The last 1yr + just ephedrine...

[Fitzgibbons]

30 a day isn't that difficult, trust me, especially if your up most the time.. Usually 3 every 2hrs, sometimes only 2.. Every now and again, depending on how I feel, up to 10 at a time. I haven't taken that many at once since I had to do weekends in county jail though. (long story..)

[mrmichael67]

The ephedrine might start to mess around with the cirulation in your body.  Escpecially your legs.  I know a couple of people who this happened to.  Any type of speed can have very detrimental effects to the heart and I am sure you know that you don't want to stay where your at.  As far as I know, there should not be any withdrawal from them, so just try to put them down.

[J.B. to Brian and Vicky]

Well Fitz, I'm sorry to hear about your ephedrine addiction. But you are by no means, alone. I have used "Mini Thins" for over twenty years. Legal in my home state, they are sold at liquor stores, gas stations and even health food stores for $4 to $7 per bottle of sixty 25mg tabs. This is the stuff that is used to manufacture methamphetamine around these parts of the midwest...if that tells you anything?

I still use them but rarely take more than 100mg per day.  If you(I) take more, you end up like a Zombie or worse.

Apparently, you cannot use them in moderation so be prepared for some extreme health problems.  Heart attack, anuerism, psychosis are but a few of these.  Thank God that I'm not predisposed to taking such stimulants in high doses, preferring opiates myself.

Don't ever think that going into rehab for any drug addiction "sounds funny".  From chocolate to heroine, it's all the same for us. It's not a laughing matter so much as it is a life and death matter, afterall!

J.B.

[rowanshyne]

Fitz, I apologize for hi-jacking your thread, but I tried to get my own at ten minutes after midnight (this site's time) and they said, of course, they had reached their limit of questions for today.  I *do* wish you well and will share whatever I can with you, but ephedrine just makes me sleepy, so you'd only laugh at me. <G>
I needed to post for - J.B.
I was just re-reading some material down farther and, if  my brain cell is even semi-functional, you've got about ten days left 'til your one year?
I know you've been devastated by this issue, but you didn't let it kill you, and you didn't let it stop you.  With all the pain and horror you've seen in your life and all you've lived through, you've hung on, stayed strong and you've been one of the ones who's posts I've clung to when I didn't have the strength to post myself. I am honored to be a part of your circle and admire your faith in your Higher Power, and your conviction that He is keeping you strong.  I also admire you.  You have done a miraculous thing.
Thank you for letting me in.

Wren

[groovygirl]

i saw your post on a thread waaaay at the bottom...i thought i'd answer it up here, so maybe others will too.

my friend was on adderall (adderrall) (sp?) for a few months, and she went thru what you are describing when she stopped. she now takes it when she wants extra energy...NOT how she's supposed to take it.  she's supposed to take it for adhd, but she sort of faked the symptoms so her doc would give them to her....she really wanted them for weight loss.  they make her really hyper, and i can always tell when she's on them.  

you should ask your doc if they are a med you'll be on for life.  if you are taking it for adhd, then it seems like you might be taking them for quite awhile, but i don't know.  is there a reason you want to stop?

[OxyDout]

your up early this morning....  Well, we haven't really talked all that much, but I do want to know your doing ok, I would love to see you as well as everyone else (including myself) come out of this ok. So if you get a chance, give me an update. I will be here.

GWH

P.S - i guess we could use the rain, but it makes me miserable.

[groovygirl]

i'm fine - nothing that happens on this forum would make me not fine...know what i mean?  it isn't my life.  have a great day!

[tex3]

Good morning all. Looks like y'all have been up for awhile, unless it was just a late night. Question: I am six weeks clean, and still have no energy, very little "drive" and just feel plain blah and depressed. Can anyone who is further along then me give me an idea of when things will look up? I am on the recipe, haven't added the 5HTP yet though. The only other time I've detoxed to this point I was switched to Buprenex, so I've really never been this far. I was on opiates for about 2 years regularly, off and on before that. This sucks! I just want to be back to normal, whatever that is. I hate have zero motivation. Any insight would be appreciated. tracy

[oh please already]

good afternoon. is there a reason that no one seems to be acknowledgeing me for the last few days? not even a hi,how r u doing.im feeling invisable. just nothing

[groovygirl]

hi - how're you doing?  i don't usually say hi to anyone specifically - just the group as a whole.

[Witchywoman]

You must have missed the posts from tex3 and a few others asking where you were when you were not posting for a while.

I know over the internet and on message boards it is very easy to misinterpret things and to get a bit paranoid, but take it from one who's been there...it is far better to not make assumptions.  Instead, just jump on in. Post to someone specifically. Ask how they are doing, then tell us how you are doing, and it never hurts to say "I really need to hear from someone so please post to me".

I did that at first, when I was working on getting clean. It worked better than sitting at the computer feeling paranoid that no one liked me.

good luck...people did wonder where you were while you were not posting.

love,
WW

[oh please already]

thanks guys,  i was a little lonely thats all- plus my computer is acting wacked-since emily(OK OK OK I admit it i split soda on it)and now does whatever,randomly changing pages,superimposing one on top of each other and it seem sometimes the posts read out of order.  i love you all, im feeling great ,i switched to the patch and have to say i love it- i dont even think about pills can sleep in the night ands i ran down the steps before ,something i havent done in five years since i broke my ankle and had all these rods and pins and plates in it-i usually go down like a little old lady,all timid,I know that the patch is also a narcotic but im finding that popping it on and 3 days im good to go and not seeking a high so i think that for the 1st time in a long time im doing it right-and not obsessing or abusing.When it was sugessted last year i refused because what was the fun of that but now i m using it as a step on changing my pattern of addiction and assocations and ritual and its working,and ive even found it easier not to smoke,kinda like always having a smoke in a bar because they taste good together,no pill, no smoke.its amasing how much ritual runs our days. have a great night  sleep tight and dont let the monsters bite     laura

[rowanshyne]

I am *so* glad the patch is helping you.  My DH gave it up after a month because it made him feel stupid, I told him he *is* .... well, lol! nevermind!
Seriously, they weren't working for him, but I've had patients with chronic pain at they are nothing short of a miracle.
You "sound" the best I've ever "heard" you.

BB,
Wren

[tex3]

Hi Me! I'm sorry I haven't posted; for the past two days I've been in excrutiating pain from migraines, so have selfishly done nothing but wallow in my misery. I posted about it under another topic.
I'm soooo glad that the patch is helping you! That's wonderful! I really think this is a step on the road to recovery for you. Get a plan on how long you want on this, then if you can, think about getting off it all (when YOU are ready). You sound much, much better. I, too, get paranoid that no one likes me and no one wants me to post, but I push it aside as stupidity (I hope!) and keep on posting. Email me anytime. I'm sorry I didn't respond yesterday, but again I haven't been online until now. Unfortunaly things have not been so good for me, but I'm trying. I'm really proud of you, and check the old posts to see how concerned I was -- I asked about you all the time!
Tracy/tlk/tex3

[elyzabeth76]

i have read all your comments on Ephedrine and haven't seen a lot of mention about the side effecs you had while on it.  I am trying to figure out if it is what my husband is taking and it may be the reason behind his mood swing and irrational  & irresponcible behaviors.  and does this show up in a drug screen? If he is taking something i imagine it would have to leave the system compleyly and quickly to not be dected ona drug screen since he is an officer. thanks and good luck to all over comming their problems.

[angst]

Sorry if i butchered your nickname.  I'm good at that.  Ephedra is another form of ephedrine, I believe.  Side effects are mood swings, having energy all at once and then none, and staying up for long periods of time.  I do not know if all the over-the-counter forms of ephedrine show up as an amphetamine or if it stays in the system a long time.  
We need Mr.Michael.

[Fitzgibbons]

It can (I think) be attributed to mood swings by people who use it on a regular basis.... I think. I've been told.

[dylanboi19]

I began taking Metabolife and other pills with ephedra/ephedrine about two years ago and have been on a fairly regular basis ever since.

I have noticed some adverse reactions though including mood swings and irritability as well as insomnia.  I know that when the pills wear off I go from feeling great and euphoric to severely depressed, which often leads me to taking two more.  IN that sense, it is addictive -- if one cannot tolerate how they feel without it and must continue to acheive desirable feelings.  

When I do not take them, I fear getting fat and I notice how self-concious I am.  This feeling leaves me longing for the confidence and euphoria that I get after taking them.

I am concerned not about having some sudden reaction as I only take the certain doses recommended each time, but I have been taking it for a long period of time than recommended.  I do worry about this and hw it can effect someone due to prolonged use.  Sometimes, the only thing I find regarding that is it can lead to insomnia, etc.  I tend to think if one were to have a heart attack or something, it would be from one single dose and that has never happened so I imagine I react well to it.

Any thoughts on this?

I did find two sites with good information:


http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/5000/5409.html

http://www.uwrf.edu/student-voice/issues/1997/1997dec11/19971211ac.html

[elyzabeth76]

maybe he isn't taking E then. his sleep when he decides to is very restless and disturbed, his breathing is irrattic, he can be the nicest guy in the free world but the slightest thing sets him off into a rage and the decisions he is making are irrsponcible and from farrr left field.  He doesn't lift anymore but maybe E mixed with little sleep, drinking and late nights are causing the downward spiral. i just want to figure some way to bring him out of it. Thanks to all  and again good luck with recovery. E~

[tex3]

Are you sure he's taking something? It could be that mixed with high stress or depression or a combination of things. I say this because I also worked in law enforcement until two months ago and saw many officers like this. If you think he is taking something, I wouldn't feel bad at all about snooping through his stuff to find out, as you obviously love and want to help him. Good luck and please let us know how you're both doing.

[elyzabeth76]

Thank you so much to everyone for your help, comments and concern. It has all come to a head. I had gone through his back pack this week and through his personal truck and police truck. On top of some over the counter something ( a black and yellow pill) and a large quanity of some energy drink called Red Bull. He caught me going through his desk and i told him my suspicions, worries and concerns. And today (5/23) was served with divorce papers. The stress of being 28 and having a wife and 2 small children is something he doesn't want anymore.

[angst]

I don't know what to say.  I hope the feeling was mutual between the two of you.  Please do not mope around like you did something wrong.  If you had cause, and could not rest, then you had to find out for yourself what he was up to.  If you kept looking, you might have found out other things.  I am here if you need to talk.  You can take care of your children.  The court will make him pay his part, and make sure he provides insurance for them also.  You are in my thoughts.   I really hope and pray things get better,  Ava.

[Fitzgibbons]

You mentioned circulation problems, gotta wonder, if maybe you could help with this one seeing how you mentioned circulation.

For awhile now, lets say I bring my son home, pop ephi's all night, drink beer and sit around on the computer, or maybe work on the car. The next day my left pinky and finger next to it are numb, like they are sleeping, last for days sometimes.... Always my left until last week, my right hand did the same thing, pinky and second in from my pinky halfway up my hand and forearm. I'm not sure if its just from typing or whatnot, but either way, things liks that if serious don't stay the same for say, 1yr and all of a sudden switch to the other side, I wouldn't imagine. Didn't last long, not nearly as when on the left.

Its a really wierd feeling, makes you wanna wiggle your fingers constantly.. I used to do that when I rolled, but only on my left, although I never got the numbness rolling.

Frank

[angst]

That numbness could be related to your radial nerve being cut off somewhere along the arm.  Just another suggestion.  The E's can cause your blood vessels to constrict, but I doubt you would have long lasting constriction unless you are a heavy user.

[angst]

Those symptoms could also relect Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

[Rob2626]

I was addicted to ephedrine for over 3 years.Yes I said addicted,I had to have them.And beleive me 30 a day is very easy to do because that is what i was up to sometimes even more.I got scared,I was afraid of a heart attack as you know your pulse skyrockets.I ended up in the hospital one night because i also suffer from depression and I became suicidal.They whole time I was there I had no way of taking my ephedrine.I was so weak I slept most of the time.The rest of the time I was trying to get out of the hospital,kinda hard to do when they think your suicidal.Listen I have beaten the worst part of ephedrine withdrawls.One sunday I promised myself that I wouldnt take any and It was pure hell.I was so weak I couldnt stand up.Now I might take 3 or 4 when I workout or if im really tired but I can go without it.If you can go a day or two without them you can beat it.just make sure its a day that you dont have to work or do anything else.Something else that helped me and I still take is mega men multivitamins from gnc.Get some and give it a shot.You can beat it.post back and let me know how it goes.As far as numbness and bad circulation goes I went throught that as well.My legs mainly but it was the ephedrine because now that I rarely take them I feel so much better.It can also cause anxiety and depression.

[Fitzgibbons]

Reading your message... You mentioned, as you know your pulse skyrockets. Not so much that but those skips, I think, when you get alittle short of breath, and even if you try to count or follow your heart beats, you get lost.

Suicidal, I don't think I have. And for the record, god bless you for getting past it. I've had smaller complications, flying off the handle, banging my head off, say, a concrete wall and ending up in the hospital getting staples, little things like that. (that most likely is because I generally have a bad temper anyhow)

I've been taken multi-vitamins, I get sick to my stomach to be honest, I tried to stick w/them, but I throw upo 50% of the time, regardless of how much I eat before I take them.

You said you were weak? That can't keep your eyes open feel like your drugged kinda something ain't quite right I could just sleep forever feeling? You stand up and almost fall over. I only feel like that once or twice a week, but man, I know what you mean, I'd sooner be shot, thats what it feels like.

[Fitzgibbons]

for the record, I think thats what it feels like, being shot... I, for the record, haven't as of yet been shot. (and hope not to)

[August48]

I Have been taking any type of ephedra product out there.At the gas station in the morning I ussually wash them down with a 20oz diet coke. And keep it going all day. Been doing this for about 3years. Today I didn't ,my heart beat went down to 42 BPM,was very dizzy,And I thought i was going to pass out.I went home from work and went to an A.A. meeting, then home to bed.I am quite sure It was from not having my ephedra fix.I'm going to refrain tommorrow. I do have a doctors appointment in a couple of days. I now for a fact I have no heart problems,and I'm sure I'm hooked.Today was my worst episode of being without. Cause I usually have a bottle of Hydroxy Cut ,or somthing similar real close.

[smh10]

I no I have an addictive personality and I started drinking Speed Stack before working out.  It really gave me the energy I felt I needed to get through a workout after a hard day.  Then I bought Hydroxy Cut. So now I use both and found an excuse to use it every day, workout or not. I quit drinking coffee and drink a Speed Stack now. (has natural caffeine etc. in it) I feel I can't wake up in the morning without it.  It's not overwhelming use but enough to where "Hey, I've got a problem". I guess ephedrine may not be physically addictive but all I can say is, if it isn't, my mind thinks it is. I'm spending a small fortune on these drinks now!! Anyway, I just wanted you to know that you aren't the only one using ephedrine.
My history is , I am an addict.  I've worked for a fortune 500 for 20 years, so I can work fine. I don't get crazy or anything like that, but I know, that I have a problem.  So you might not be using like I use it.  Anything that gives me a lift, I would probably use, thats part of my illness.  You are just a guy trying to work out and I feel there are things added or ephedrine itself is a physical addiction. However, NEVER, rule out or not question yourself and ask, do I have an addictive personality? Could I be an addict.  Probably not. But, ask yourself truthfully. Sorry for the long input.

[bry9]

I have been on ephedrine since 1990.  My wife and I had our first baby last year and my health problems have gone down hill since then.  Here is what my last doctor's visit resulted.  -Hope it leads to clues with what is happening to you.  The fluttering in your heart rate is a condition called arrhythmia.  Not serious now but can lead to problems later on.  The numbness in your finger tips can actually be mild to moderate heart attacks.  I recall serveral times this happened to me and with this last doc visit I showed enlargement on the left side of my heart as viewed on the xray and EKG showed a Q wave.  They told me this is the signature of a recent heart attack and indication of heart damage.  Now, for the reason I went in the first place.  Kidney stones have been fairly common on the male side of my family.  I only thought it was a matter of time for me, and when the first one hit recently I was not suprised.  I was shocked to find out that the stone was almost pure ephedrine.  It was explained to me that ephedrine along with the cola I chased it with raised the acid content of my urine.  Since you only process about 25% of the ephedrine you take the other 75 percent is either digested or passed through your system.  Since the acid level was so high it created the prime conditions for a urinary tract infection which led to the stones.  I couldn't believe something I started so harmlessly 12 years ago could lead to this.  This comes almost word for word from my doctor, who is also a close family friend, your heart is one of the only muscles that doesn't get stronger with use after maturity.  It has a "beat counter" on it running down until if fails if something else doesn't kill you first.  When you abuse it that counter runs faster than normal.  I am about to turn 30 and only hope that I will have the opportunity to see my daughter's children.  With all this in mind I still could not stop Ephedrine cold turkey, I have almost gradually weened myself off of it and feel that it is one drug that should be banned.

[Fitzgibbons]

bry9,
  Just read your thread... I'm thinking the finger thing is something different (I hope) than what you suggested, but you remind me too much of myself not to see my doctor. Tomorrow, I'm gonna schedule an appt..
  The reason I think maybe my fingers are bothering me due to something else is because they (today actually being the first) literally ached, but only my left pinky and finger just inside of it. Maybe arthritis, otherwise wouldn't my hole hand bother me?
  Either way, thanks for the reply... What you said makes sense, and unfortunately sounds just like me.
  The last full physical I had was good, about 1 1/2yrs ago. Blood pressure high, but that was all. Everything else that of a fitness finatic, so I was told. I haven't gone back because they always nail me for my bp (ephedrine I assume is the cause, I try not to take it on doctor days, but its still high) and when they ask if I take the ephi's still I tell'm no.
  Anyway, thanks.... Frank....

[notmenow!]

Sorry didnt mean to post twice,  I guess I hit the enter key and not the shift key!  
Anyway I just wanted to let people know that there are a lot of suboxone users that find the combination of the two helpful when they get feeling fatigued from the sub. Its probally very dangerous and may even show up on your U/A, should your dr decide to give you one. I suppose they pass if off as saying they took sudafed. I think there is some psudoephedrine in that. Maybe that would work for people trying to taper down, take a 12hr or 24hr sudafed as they are time released it may keep the cravings down to a tolerable level. Quinine will help for leg cramps. Its given in detoxes for  that purpose. In closing I say a friend who had taken 8 ephedrine and he could not even write a check, he was shaking so bad. What about the DEA are sales recorded.--- Noah