Should my husband be medically detoxed

[roundnround]

My husband takes hydrocodone, a lot of hydrocodone, but he wants to come off of it.  My question is do you think he will be safe w/d at home, he is only 36 but he has extremely high blood pressure, heart disease and is on a lot of medications, (blood pressure pills, cholesterol pills, heart pills)  I am just worried about him suffering a heart attack or something but these pills have got to stop

[Robin6298]

Yes, he would be much safer with a medical detox, given his health problems.  That way, he could still get his heart and BP meds by IV, if necessary.  Withdrawals frequently cause cramps/vomiting/loose stool, and he may not be able to keep his meds down.  Bad news for someone with heart and BP issues.  

If this isn't an option, my only other suggestion is a very slow taper of the hydros.  Very slow.  He has to want to do this, and let you hold and administer the pills.  He would still feel some WD, but it won't be as severe as cold turkey.  If we knew how much he using in a day, it would be helpful.  Best of luck yo you both.  

[peaceinknowing]

I agree with what theeagle says here in this thread. Sometimes the members here are more apt in their abilities to give out better information and advice if more of the story was given to us to go over. If you could provide us with a little more information, we could go from there and try and help as best as we all know to do at this time.

Until then, my prayers are still with you and your husband. I sincerely hope that everything is going okay for the both of you, and that this message finds you and him well at this time. Please try your hardest to keep posting here on the forums to let us know what's going on!

[rbaz5732]

I would definitely suggest that you get your husband to see a professional detox program.... YES i know they are expensive but they can teach you some very amazing things about addiction/PainControl/PT/Meds...... The program I just graduated from was basically Engineered around your heart rate... At first I thought it was foolish but after seeing a few people that had high blood pressure and other issues... it is the safest way... no matter how much hydrocodone he takes...

The program I just graduated from cost 20k if you had no insurance but 10k if you did....I was on a methadone taper for 4 weeks... I would take a bottle/shot at 8am and 8pm... after completion of the program I can live with the pain easier than before... I think there are many things he could learn....

But I want to make a few things very clear...  Due to his medical history and how long he has been on the meds will determine his methadone taper.....I was taking 120-160mgs of OxyContin a day for over 2 years.... and I survived... Not going to lie detox is something that a person needs to decide on for themselves... if he truly wants to do this.... Send me a message and I will put you in contact with my program.... they offer free housing for the 4 week time period... they check your heart rate after every exercise to ensure that you do not "over do it"....... it is very controlled environment where they have a nurse that check/helps with you daily to make it through the process.... but its not easy... but if he wants it bad enough he can do it....... it will make him feel much better....
Rick

[Ella789]

Please, take him to his Doctor and tell his Doctor what he wants to do concerning Detox.   Ask his Doctor to help with it.   His Doctor should provide help with this, esp. if he is adamant abt. going off the hydro.  
Detox is hard on the body,  for abt. the first 5 or 6 days.  It sure can be done but with so many medical issues, I can not in good concious say that he should detox unless it is under a Doctors care.

Best wishes
Ella

[122 Tactical Fighter Group]

Clarify what extremely high BP is with numbers if you can. And what heart disease there is besides the high BP.   There are only two withdrawals that will kill you outright.  Those are alcohol and benzodiazepines. That is UNLESS you have a pre-existing condition. Then the addiction per se may not kill you,but the events that it initiates may kill you.  How many of what strength has he been taking for how long? That makes a difference. Right now make sure his diet and nutrition are good. Kep him hydrated with good fruit juices (no citric or acids / think tomato & grapefruit as no no)  And educate both of you as much and fast as possible. He should try and taper his dose if this is his first attempt at sobriety. Most of us are lousy at this, but need to try. If he must do this at home then at least monitor BP every 1/2 to 1 hour....shygnomometer and stethescope is easy but the new machines are accurate and cheap.......Look up theThomas Recipe and the Amino Acid Protocol via medhelp search engine or find then in the Health Discussions area. keep posting with questions and for support......and good luck!!

[peaceinknowing]

Welcome to the forums, you've definately come to the right place to get all the advice, information and education as you'd need to start in on the journey you AND your husband are about to embark on together. The first step has already been completed, it sounds like. Especially if he and you together recognize that this is an issue which needs a solution to the problem.

I went CT [cold turkey] from Percocets 19 days ago and I'm doing better than ever. I did my entire detox and WD here at my apartment without the assistance of any other medications. The detox part from home shouldn't be an issue for your husband, HOWEVER I would strongly advise you to speak with your doctor about this, since he has other medical issues that are at hand right now.

Do you feel as though your PCP would be okay to talk to about this?