Long Term Effects of Oxycontin Abuse

[GeriP]

I have recently discovered that my 23 year old son is addicted to this drug.  He is in the mental health unit of a prison awaiting trial for crimes commited while under the influence of this drug.
He is being treated for hallucinations, anxiety and panic attacks, and general depression.  I do not know the names of the drugs he is being given but he is slowly returning to normal.
The doctors do not know if these symptoms will be re-occurring, and what the long term effects are going to be.
i am trying to find out what I can do, and can be expected in the future.  What are the chances of beating this????

[GeriP]

Thanks for the (((Hugs))), I appreciate them.  As I said, I'm trying to learn how to help my son(my only child).  He is receiving medical treatment during his incarceration, and while we don't know if he will recieve additional jail time as a result of his crimes, my concerns are for his mental health as well as the addiction.

He had a good life.  Recently engaged, good job.  As a result of a car accident two years ago, he was given Percocet for pain.  His addiction led to Xanax and now the Oxy.  From what I have learned, he was taking up to 160mg. every couple of days.  The girlfriend swears she didn't know, but I have my doubts.  She's gone now, and he's in jail, and I am the only one standing by him. His natural father, nor his step-dad, have anything to do with him.

While we wait for the trial, which isn't until January, I can only talk to him via phone.  He doesn't want me to visit. His doctors give me updates on his progress, and we hope to have him clean by the trial date.  It's been hard on me, but I stay cheerful on the phone.  His bouts with paranoia and hallucinations are scary.  It takes him 4-7 days to return to normal.  This has happened twice since mid-October.  I can only sit and wait for a call from the doctors.

Well, thanks again for your kind words.
Geri

[Witchywoman]

Butterbean, thank you for the supportive words. I needed to hear some support coming back at me, more than you could ever know.
I may be having an irrational reaction to this ear ringing, but it is hard to keep the fear away that this means I did major damage to my hearing through my years of hydro abuse.

I feel overwhelmed, sad, scared, and helpless.  I'm taking action by seeing doctors and doing what I can to find out what is going on, and I am trying really hard to stay focused on the positive.

No matter what ends up happening, I know that I have a lot to be grateful for. Yes I have bad back pain, but I have two legs that work and some folks don't.  I may end up with more hearing damage, but I have two eyes that see and some folks don't. I need to focus on what I have, and not let the fear over run me.
I don't mean to sound like I'm whinning, but I am feeling very scared and vulnerable.
Any and all support right now is greatly appreciated, so thank you, very much.

How are you doing Butterbean? How is your detox coming along? I thought about you, and Telby, and Ginger over the weekend and prayed you were all doing ok. Please let us know.
love,
WW

[butterbean]

WW, please don't feel ashamed.  Don't be ashamed for being human.  You may find the ringing is just an inner ear problem.  I am here for you, and you were in the same field I do and you know in your mind and heart that we are only human. If only I had never touched a pain killer.  Too late now.  My pain is better today and I am putting up my Christmas Tree since I have the rest of week off.  Remember, we are all here for you too.  Geri-keep being optimistic that your son is getting the help he needs and he will be OK.  You are a great mom for standing by him, I never had a mom like you, so I know how special you are.  Have good day.
Love Butterbean

[Witchywoman]

Ok folks, this has gotten out of hand.

I honestly don't see the purpose of continuing to stir this pot up.  

When I saw the word "delete" from Dr. Steve, my imediate assumption was that he had somehow intended to delete a certain post, but had made an error because he is not used to the new software format.

I could be wrong. But I think a lot of assumptions have been made in this debate, on both sides, and I think this had caused it to go from bad to worse.  

I truly doubt that Dr Steve has any ill intentions. My "assumption" is that he does not have the time to give to this board.  I tend to not get a whole lot of from the posts that he does offer, but I think that calling him names over that is at best ineffective.

My policy with this board has been to "take what I like and leave the rest". I've continued to post here because I've gotten so much help. I've chosen to let go of my feelings about my deleted posts, and continued to be a member of a community that saved my life.  

I am not ready to say goodbye to this forum. It holds a very precious place in my heart, just for being here.  Those who are unhappy with the format here have a new place to go. Please remember though, that there are hundreds of new people every day who find this place, who NEED this place as badly as I once did. The bickering that is going on here is hurtful to them, and may prevent them from getting the positive warmth and caring they need. If I came across this site now for the first time, I'd cruise right on by.

I remain extremely grateful for the help I've gotten here. I just would like to ask that we let this bickering die down. Let's focus on the positive, sharing our experience, strength and hope, as we all struggle with this addiction demon. The bickering is a huge distraction to the real work that we need to do, the work of recovery.

To my friends who may disagree with what I'm writing, please, let it be ok to disagree and still hold love in our hearts for each other.  But please, lets stop the name calling and go to wherever each of needs to go to do the work of recovery.

love,
WW

[cindi]

was that post to me  cindi?   cindi41 or cindy from medhelp?

[Francoise]

Cindi, I have to agree with Frank. This forum seems to have become just another chore for Steve. I've frankly NEVER seen a substantial, well thought-out answer from him. Never. And I don't believe that one must have a medical degree to be helpful. That kind of elitism has killed a lot of people.

I am also a permanent denizen of a melanoma bb. And I can tell you for a fact that many doctors don't know their butts from third base when it comes to that disease, one of the most deadly and most frequently mis-diagnosed cancers on the planet. The "non degreed" yet well-informed regulars on that site have saved many lives in the four years I've been on it. Those people helped save my life. And there's not an M.D. among 'em.

And as desparate as addicts can become, I'm all for telling all who post here about the new site. The fact that you don't want Frankie Lee to advertise the new site on this one leaves me absolutely breathless. I cannot believe my ears! Um, eyes! That's far too much elitism for me. This site hasn't all the answers, and Steve has become less than desultory. And it's hard as hell to post here, an original one anyway. What gives you the right??? Do you honestly feel that position is ethical?

And now that I have your attention, supposedly, perhaps I can finally get an answer to the oft repeated, never answered question, "why do you delete ALL the Ibogaine posts and refuse then to discuss why you do it?"

Standing by,

Francois