Husband in intensive care

This is not so much a question  as just letting you guys know the latest.    I have just returned from hospital, my hubby (Gixerboy) was taken by ambulance there about midnight.

He was on Oxycontin 8 80mgs a day for almost 3 years due to a severe back problem.   Anyway, he has been tapering over two months (got down to about half that) due to pressure from the doc and the fact that it was beginning to affect him badly etc

When the doc and pain clinic started telling him that rapid detox and drug rehab were options he got really scared.  He didn’t want to leave our daughter and me, instead he wanted to stay here.   Hence the decision to go cold turkey on Wednesday night (his last dose).  

It all started at around 5pm Friday night when he lost the ability to speak verbally, and instead we were communicating on paper.  He told me that he kept going into massive spasms, hot, cold etc.   He was in soooo much pain and just wanted it to end.  But he didn’t want a tablet, and kept telling me not to panic and not to call an ambulance, he would be fine!

This went on and on for hours, until about 9ish when I went to get our daughter from youth club.  He wanted me to get tablets downstairs that we had that would help him to sleep, and hence combat the withdrawals.  I did this and had to dash off for our daughter….   When I came home he was suddenly speaking again and told me that he taken several sleeping tablets as he needed to ensure sleep.       About half hour after this, he started having massive involuntary movement in his arms and legs.   These got worse and worse, and we now had no communication at all, as he could not speak and could not write as his arms wouldn’t stay still.     I tried for about 2 more hours to help him but it did not stop and just got worse….. he kept falling off the bed, banged his head etc…. It got to a stage where he was endangering himself and everyone around him.  At this point, despite his wishes, I had no choice, I called an ambulance.

Sorry for the ramblings guys, I just need to talk to someone, I am so scared, keep thinking that I am going to lose the guy that I love sooooo much.   Been so strong all night so our daughter didn’t get any more upset than she already was, now I can’t help it.   I am supposed to be getting a few hours sleep as they have sedated him now and will let him sleep until 9ish when they intend to wake him up and see how he is.   Daughter is asleep but I just can’t.  The hospital seems to think that this has been caused, not by withdrawals, but an overdose of sleeping pills.   Will not really know anything else  until later this morning but will keep u posted.

Thanks for listening guys.

Karen (Gixerboy’s wife)

[Ronnie152]

I don't know you or Gixerboy, but i am so sorry to hear that he is sick. You do need to get some sleep though, he is in the best place he can be. Give the hospital a call and check on him, have a cup of tea and know things will look better in the morning. best of luck to you and your family.

[freebird227]

I will keep you and yours in my prayers. I will lift you up and pray for a super natural healing....... Be Blessed...Debra

[KAG71]

Thank u I appreciate it.  I will go and have a lay down and see if I can sleep but don't hold much hope.

[kim715]

I will be keeping your family in my prayers.Please keep us posted when you can....Peace...Kim

[10356]

Hi Kag71.. I hope you are resting right now.. Gixerboy is in the best place he can be right now.. While he is there are you going to be honest with the Dr. I remember how bad it was getting and I know he wants off.. I have you both in my thoughts and prayers and wish nothing for the best for gixerboy.. Make sure you do not forget about yourself.. gixer is being taken care of. You need to take care of yourself.. This may be the beginning you both have been looking for.. warmly lesa

[dominosarah]

Gixerboy is being taken care of right now so i hope you can get some sleep.  I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers........Lets us know how it is going when you can.......sara

[lady67]

Sent a prayer up!

[LONESOME]

so sorry to heard that i don't now your husband but i really think he will be better there he probably needs more tham just alone.

Good luck

[KAG71]

Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and prayers.  It's a comfort to know that you are all thinking of us.   I did get a couple of hours sleep last night, enough just to keep me going through today.   I just phoned the hospital and theres no change at the mo.  He is still under sedation but they are going to wake him up shortly.  If he starts thrashing around again they will sedate him instantly again, but they are hoping that he will be calm and able to communicate, we'll see.

Anyway, I'm now getting ready to go there again, so will keep you posted later.

Thanks guys.

Karen

[sickntired08]

Hi there,
I am thinking of you, and even though I really just started praying this last week, I put some in there for you and your hubby and daughter too.
I just hope that everything gets straightened out, they get his pain under control, and you can all get through this.

I really hope he will be ok, please keep us posted the best you can.

Love and Light,
Stacy

[Dezdon]

Im SOOO sorry this happend! Im sorry you guys are going through this. Your husband is going to get excellent proper guidance now. I do have to say, I admire his strenth to stop. I mean holy smokes, the symptoms you explained...... I would have bailed hours ahead of those. He was on a pretty big dose. I bet his w/d's were incredible. (no thanks) But geez, his determination is respectful. You can tell he wants this change in his life bad to go through all that. Keep us posted.
Take care of yourself too!
-Dez

[KAG71]

Hi all,

Thanks again for the posts.  Just returned from the hospital for a little while for lunch and to see to daughter and dog etc.

An update, they woke him up earlier this morning to see what he was like, but he was still in a bad way.  He was jerking, not communicating etc, no real improvement, so they had to sedate him again.  They have been feeding him a opiate drip this morning to try and help him, as all they want to do right now is to get him off the ventilator and get him awake and calm if possible.    Once he has had this for a while, they will wake him again and see if theres an improvement (lets hope).

Its just so difficult seeing him like this, his body is there and the nurse says that he can hear me, but theres just no response, nothing.

I really should try and eat something but don't think I can.  To add to it I have a dreadful cold and cough and feel like ****!

Sorry, I'll stop moaning now.

Karen

[Ronnie152]

glad to see u back, moan away, ***** away, yell, what ever you want! I hope you got a little sleep last night. Try some soup, its not to heavy and good for a cold. comfort food...lol... sorry to hear there is no change in hubbie, but as i said last night hes in the best place. try to rest before going back. I will look for your post later. good luck.

[merrymaria]

thoughts and prayers are with you both.  try to relax....you know he is well cared for.  please let us know how everything is...maria

[KAG71]

Just phoned them up and they have taken the sedation off now and he's not thrashing around now, but he still hasn't opened his eyes yet or communicated.  They are going to leave it an hour or so and see how he is before deciding if he needs to go back on it or not.

I am just having a cup of tea and a few mins before I go back in again.  Will post again later.

Karen

[aws01]

Hi, I am new here and don't know you or your husband, but I can tell you that I am really sorry about the problems you and your husband are having.  I pray the hospital can keep his pain under control and find out what is causing him to not be able to communicate.  I will be praying for you and your daughter also.  I know its just as hard on family members when a loved one is in the hospital just in a different way.  Please post when you are able , I will be waiting to hear how everyone is.  (((HUGS)))   April.

[luppygirl]

So sorry to hear about this, hopefully they will also be able to help get through the detox as well as getting him better.  My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

[road2recovery]

Just wanted to say i am praying for you and your husband...He is in the best place he can be right now...you need to rest and take care of yourself, and your daughter as much as you can....He is one tough guy and will be fine...God bless....
r2r

[HelpinUtah]

Prayers are there for you and your husband as well as your daughter!  The hospital will take good care of him!  Hugs, Janet

[lovemypillhead]

What is going on tho?  Why is his body going thru this? I am kinda confused......what is the diagnosis? Maybe I missed it above.

Regardless, good luck and my prayers will be with you.

My dad just went thru severe alcohol withdrawl (withdrawal)/detox.  He was heavily sedated and put into a coma.  sadly, tho, he didn't make it and passed away Jan 19. again, tho--he was an alcoholic..........that is a different tyoe of withdrawl (withdrawal) than opiate withdrawl (withdrawal). point is....i am here for u.  been there. it is hard. i know.

[KAG71]

Hi again all,

Thank u all so much for the thoughts and prayers, you are all wonderful and are helping a very difficult situation easier.

The latest is, as mentioned above he was taken off sedation and off the breathing tube this afternoon and didn't thrash around this time as he was before, so they left it off for a while.  During this time he actually opened his eyes whilst we were there and although he couldn't speak due to the tube in his mouth still, he was able to smile at my daughter and I, and nod his head which is a massive improvement!  He definitely knew that we were there and knew who we were, he also squeezed my hand a couple of times.

It is now 7.45pm here and they have sedated him again just to ensure that he sleeps tonight.  Then tomorrow morning about 8ish the doc will be round again to assess him and they will take the sedation and ventilation off again.    If he improves enough tomorrow then they will be able to leave the tube off.  

They are currently drip feeding him an opiate liquid of some sort to take away the withdrawal.   They had it on quite a high dose earlier today after he started jerking etc again this morning, but now they have reduced it back down again.  I guess the fact that as soon as they started the opiate liquid the withdrawals eased proves that this reaction must be from withdrawals.   In answer to “lovemypillhead” they were ensure originally what the problem was, it was either oxycontin withdrawal or a reaction due to taking too many sleeping tablets that he used to try and sleep through the withdrawal.   Hope that makes sense.  I am so sorry to hear about your Dad, my thoughts are with you too.

In answer to luppygirl, yes that thought crossed my mind too.  I am hoping that this is going to turn out well, and if it does then it should help him get through the oxycontin withdrawal.  I have no idea what liquid they are giving him, but it can’t be as strong as Oxycontin, so I guess that it won’t mean that he effectively has to start again with the withdrawals when he comes home.   We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it I guess.

Anyway, I am now home for the evening and night unless there is any change and the hospital call me.  I am now going to eat something (hopefully), then relax with my daughter, and hopefully get good nights sleep later.

I may come on later tonight, but in any case I will post again tomorrow and keep you informed.

Thanks so much again for all the posts.

Karen

[SophieShine]

Hi Karen,
I just read all the posts. I am so sorry for what you are all going through. I sincerely hope that everything is gonna turn alright for your hubby, but it seems he's in good hands and with the love of a great wife like you and a beautiful daughter he can only get better. Keep us informed.
Sending huge hugzzz your way.
XXX

[stilltrying1965]

just a note to say we are thinking of you and hope everythings ok.i am new to this site but when i read your story i thought how determind he must ne i too would probably caved in hours before as his withdrawals must be horrendous.Anyway get some rest and i hope you all come through this okay

[steveo30]

you do need to get some sleep for your self and for your daughter,he will be taken care of.when he awakes i hope that they will be ready to help him with the withdrawal which will be horrible.hopefully they will keep him there,it's the best place for him now.really hope for the best and please keep us informed

[KAG71]

Just a quick post before I attempt to get some sleep.    Just read the last three posts, many thanks to you all.    I phoned the hospital about half an hour ago and he's still stable, sedated and resting at the mo, any change they will let me know.  I told them to call anytime during the night if he got worse.

To Steve030, yes I hope so too, I know that it won't be easy for him but I would prefer it if they kept him in too.  I told the nurse today pretty much the same thing, at least there he is well looked after.  The staff there are amazing, they can't do enough for us.

Anyway, gonna put my head down and try to sleep.  Will post again tomorrow.

Goodnight all.

Karen

[dominosarah]

Thank you for taking the time to let us know how he is doing.  Get some sleep and take care of yourself too........sara

[kim715]

Thank you for the update.Still keeping you all in my prayers.I hope you get some much needed rest tonight.Take care...Kim

[Ronnie152]

Stopping by to see how you and hubbie doing. Hope there is change for the good.

[SophieShine]

Hi Karen,

Passing by to have some news. I hope you and your daughter could get some sleep. Take care and thanx for making the time to keep us informed.
XXX.

[10356]

You must feel a great sense of relief now that gixer was able to communicate to you he is alright.. What a strong guy.. and what a wonderfully strong and loving wife.. my thoughts and prayers are with you.. You both may realize his freedom yet.. I'm glad he is where he is.. sometimes it takes incredible feats of determination to get what you need.. You both have done just that. Take care of yourself and wrap your daughter tight... Gixer boy is finally getting the help you both sought.. warmly lesa

[KAG71]

Hi all

Just giving you all an update again.  Great news!!!!  He is now awake, and speaking again (all be it with some difficulty at the mo as his throat is very sore).   We have been there all day today and has been slowly improving all day.    They took the sedation off again this morning, and by the time I got into the hospital this morning he was actually awake properly.   He could not speak at all at this point, could only write down, as his throat was sore from where the tube had been.  However, this afternoon he has been talking quietly and driving the nurses mad!!  So back to his old self again.

He is still on oxygen via his nose, but has been drinking water orally, and has even had some soup and jelly and ice cream this afternoon.  He is still in intensive care and under close supervision but is definitely getting better!    The doctors came by this afternoon and were talking about medication.   They mentioned putting his back on Oxycontin again!!!  To which both Chris and I say no absolutely no way!  This is now day 4 with no Oxycontin and now I hope he is through the worst.    So instead they have given him Lyrica (that he was taking before), Soluble paracetamol via a drip, and they are giving him Oramorph orally.     I finally feel as though the hospital are now doing what the doctors should have done in the first place!!!  The pain clinic actually suggested Oramorph to the doctors and they wouldn’t give it to him for some strange reason!   It takes an emergency like first and ending up in intensive care before they bloody listened to us!    Well, I suppose at least some good has come out of this situation.

He asked today if he could come home and both the nurse and I said no chance, he’s been through a lot.    I do think though that he will be moved out of intensive care tomorrow all being well.

Anyway, that’s about it for now. Will update you further tomorrow.

Thanks for everything to you all.

Karen

[kim715]

Oh hon,I'm so glad to hear he's improving so much.Sounds like he's on the right track now with the doctors help.You make sure to take care of you now,make sure you're eating and getting proper rest.Thanks for keeping us informed.Still praying for you all.Peace...Kim

[KAG71]

Just spoken to Chris (Gixerboy) on the phone and he wanted me to pass a message on to you all.  He wants to say thank u to each and everyone of you that has been reading these posts and sending your prayers etc. He wants you to know that he loves you all for being there for us and for everything u have done to help us through this difficult time.   Once he is out of hospital he will post here to thank u himself.

Karen

[Ronnie152]

Thats great news, so happy for u! Good for u both on putting your foot down on the drugs. Driving the nurses crazy yuppers he is feeling better...lol... Tell him we hope he gets better soon and cant wait to hear from him. take care.

[KAG71]

Thnak u Ronnie152, I will let him know!  Gonna catch up on some sleep now I think.  Will speak again soon.

Karen

[aws01]

So glad to hear your husband is doing better.  I hope you are taking care of yourself as well.  You sure don't need to get run down cause I'm sure he'll be counting on you to help him make it thru all of this. Thanks for keeping us posted. Warmly, April

[SophieShine]

I'm sooo happy for you that your hubby is better. He's gonna get there. Send him all the hugs of the world from us. And driving the nurses loopy and eating ice cream and jelly is definitely a goooood sign.LOL.
Think a little about you and your daughter now, get some rest if you can and keep us posted if you got a little time.
Big hugzzzz to ya.

[Ronnie152]

Just stopping by to say hello, hope you slept, and hope hubbie is doing even better today. Take care, dont forget yourself. ttyl

[KAG71]

Hi all

Well I went in today and he was actually sat in the chair today!  However, he had his wrist up in a sling.... because he bled internally into his wrist as a result of the needle.   It swelled up and looked deformed etc.... so they had to take the needles out quick and send him for x-ray.   He's a haemophiliac you see, so they had to be careful!    

His doctor from the pain clinc has been to see him today as well, and has said it wasn't advisable what he did, but she was really pleased with him for managing it!   The plan now is to gradually reduce the oramorph that he is on, as the last thing he wants is to become addicted to that too!  So they will gradually reduce that, and replace it with Lofexidine.  Don't know if any of you have heard of it but apparently it helps with withdrawal from opiates.   Apparently you start with a low dose, increase it up and then reduce it back down again until 10 days after the last of the opiate is used.   Obviously the oramorph dose he is on at the mo is nowhere near the oycontin dose he was on, and he is now getting assistance with this. Also they have to monitor him daily with the lofexidine as it can affect his blood pressure.

So there is still a way to go, but hopefully he is now through the worst.

To Ronnie152, I slept very well actually, I think the last few days caught up on me and I was exhausted.  Knowing he was doing better now gave me more chance to relax a bit.

Speak to you again soon.

Karen

[steveo30]

i've been following your post and am pleased at how things seem to be going for you and hubby.your in my prayers every night, hope things continue to get better.  steveo

[KAG71]

Thank u so much Stevo, so good to have so much support with this.   I just phoned the hospital and he has now been moved to the high dependency unit, and out of intensive care.  When and if they get a bed he will be moved onto a ward.

[SophieShine]

So happy for you that your hubby is better. he seems to be in good hands concerning the pain and the addiction. I really wish you all the best. Thanx for keeping us informed.

[freebird227]

I kid you not...I have been trying to post all day and couldn't get a word in edgewise. But now that I'm here I want you to know I have been praying for a great healing for your husband also praying for you and your daughter. Know that God has his hand on this and sends special angles for little children and as for you ....Well.....I am woman watch me roar.You really stepped up with super natural strength.  Much love and happiness for your husband  may he continue to heal

[KAG71]

Thank u totallost and Freebird.  I don't know what else to say except thank u.  I am totally overwhelmed by how many people have responded to and kept track of this post.  I know my hubby will be too when he comes home and reads all this!!  He just can't wait to get home now, he keeps asking the nurses!    As much as I want him home, I tell him not to rush it or he'll end up straight back there again!

[KAG71]

Further to my earlier post, just been doing some research and Lofexidine is very similiar to Clonidine that I've heard mentioned a lot on here.   I think Clonidine is used is the states a lot as Lofexidine isn't so widely available there.

[Ronnie152]

Thats great! Glad to hear he is doing good. He will be home making you crazy soon!  LMAO.. Glad you got some rest to. got to run ttyl

[Ronnie152]

Checking in, any news yet?

[KAG71]

Hi Ronnie152 and everyone else that is watching this thread!

He is now looking so much better, back to his old self.  They are gradually reducing the Oramorph and he has now started the Lofexidine, which he says is helping a lot.  Only trouble now is that with no oxycontin his back is killing him and he's finding it hard to walk.   The physio team are helping him regularly with walking him, they took him up some stairs today as we have stairs in our house and an upstairs toilet.   I think he is really going to struggle with walking now, unless they can give him something else for the pain.  Before on the oxycontin he could walk unaided, at the mo he can only walk with the assistance of two other people.

He is now nagging the nurses and doctors constantly to let him home, and they agreed he was proabably ready for home.  However, they don't like discharging patients from intensive care or high dependency, but the only reason he is still there is because there are no beds on the wards!  However, they did say today that he should be okay to come home tomorrow.  To be honest I think if they don't let him home tomorrow he will create so much noise they'll be pleased to let him go lol

He will still need to visit pain clinic weekly to assess things though.  Also, I would guess that his wrist would need a eye kept on it as well.

Thats about it for now.

Karen

[Ronnie152]

Well it sounds like he is doing good. I feel bad for his back, I know thats going to be hard to deal with. Maybe get a walker for the home might help him get around better. Can't really chat  now kids are hungry  why???? LMAO Law says I have to go feed them. lol TTYL

[GixerBoy]

Well I guess I've been to hell and back, and it was the kind of hell to be honest I thought i would never return from. It's not a nice place to visit and to be honest I am stunned at the intensity of sheer pain and terror that gripped me so tightly that night. But somehow someway I was dragged back from the darkest place I have ever known and awoke to find a tube down my thoat and a dozen lines in my veins keeping me alive. I then walked among angels because the ITU staff were amazing, I am completely lost for words when trying to explain how incredible they all are.  

Guys I had to do it, the life I was living at that time was no life at all for either me or my wonderful amazing and beautiful family.  I took a leap of faith and trusted God to bring me back, and I guess he did.  I'm certainly not out of the woods yet but there is light at the end of a very long tunnel.  I just feel so utterly rotten to have dragged my family through this awful experience.  My daughter hasn't slept for a week and my wife looks like death warmed up.  I feel rotten to the core, the guilt I feel is eating me alive but I just had to do it.  I am now racked with pain and I can't walk more than a few paces now without having to stop, but deep down inside I feel free.  I must say a huge thank you for all the responses that my wife recieved, it quite literally kept her going, I cannot thank you all enough.  I am so tired now so I'll sign off, but I just thought I'd say hi.

[GixerBoy]

Well, there's nothing really that I can add to that, except to say thank you to you all for supporting us through this.  Also, to anyone wanting to take Oxycontin, don't do it!!!!!!

[KAG71]

oops sorry guys, that last post was from me (KAG71) not Gixerboy!!!!  Forgot to sign out!!

[Ronnie152]

So glad to have you back. I know it is going to be a rough road with the pain, but some how you will do just fine. You are going to have to make a new post this one is like 3 pages back. so post a new one tomorrow for everyone to see. Yes I know your family was going crazy. Your wife is so sweet, I am sure she wont even sleep tonight eather always lifting her arm over to see if you are really there all night...lol.. Maybe tomorrow she can sleep! I wish you lots of luck.

[momma918]

I really hope everything works out for u and ur husband. I will keep both of u in my prayers

[mdwife]

I am glad things have improved. My husband takes approx 20 pills of percocet or oxycontin a day for his back. The dr doesn't prescrib this much, he has just gotten addicted to them over the past 6 or so years. Through your many visits at the hospital has any one talked to you about what would happen if your husband doesn't come off of the pills? Or how long can someone's body put up with this abuse. I really don't have anyone to talk to, I found this site yesterday and have been getting feed back from alot of people. Nothing has happened to my husband to scare him off of these pills.And he is only getting worse.
I am so happy for you that your husband is on the up swing.

[KAG71]

I really do feel for you, been there and done it for 3 years, and it was hell!!!   However, we got through it and u can to, will PM you.  Can't today (it's my birthday!! so off out..) but will def.  PM you tomorrow.

Take care.

Karen

[HelpinUtah]

WOOHOO!!! I'm so glad to hear from both of you and happy to hear of the improvement.  Prayer works wonders!  Keep us updated and you will stay in my prayers and hopefully you will heal fast and Karen, you are an incredible woman!  You are lucky to have each other!  :)  Hugs, Janet

[KAG71]

Many thanks for your comments.  It's so good to have him home again!!!
It was my birthday yesterday so it was so nice that he could spend it with me.   We borrowed a wheelchair from red cross so that he could get out and about, as he still has big problems with walking.  It'll still take time, but he's getting there.

Karen