help me understand!!

[uni_scubi]

My father in law was just hosptialized for Diverticulitis something to to with his colon, but he drinks every day and now they say he is going through withdrawals. He is acting very weird. He thinks he is in jail sometimes and sometimes he thinks he is at work and sometimes he thinks he is at home doing laundry. He also says some really nasty things to his children who are only trying to help him get better so he can go home. He also becomes very combative, he kicks the nurses, rips out his IV's and they have to strap him down to his bed. The doctors keep telling us it is because of the alcohol withdrawals. Can anyone tell me what the symptoms really are? And if the doctors are telling us the truth?

[motox4fun]

The doctors are ABSOLUTELY CORRECT! Those types of behaviour as you described are excatly what happens when a Alcoholic withdraws in a hospital bed. I am an ICU nurse myslef and I have detoxed many an alcoholic. COMBATIVE as HELL! I would rather w/d from opiates anyday as opposed to alcohol withdrawl. Sorry he is in such a prediciment but give it 72  hours or so and he should start coming around again and speaking normally. I would hope the doctors are giving him Ativan or Librium to keep him sedated in this period. It is much safer for the patient and the staff like that. After it's over, you could suggest AA to help him to abstain from drink in the future. The diviterculitis is a direct result of his drinking. His liver is also screaming for HELP also i would assume.
I hope things work out for you and your loved one.
James

[uni_scubi]

Thank you very much for your time and information It is a help to me to know this. He has been in the hospital since Friday. I hope it is almost over. Actually they put him in ICU so they could sedate him. Otherwise he would not do what he was told.  Thank you again!!!

[The Golden Slipper]

I did it again.  I had a relapse (or as I like to call it a slip) and again got an Rx for fioricet.  The doctor gave me 20 last Thursday with 1 refill.  I decided I would use the second refill to begin tapering.  Of course I am now down to 4 pills left from the second refill.

This has got to stop!! Does anyone have any suggestions of how I can taper down.  The last time I was able to taper quickly and then took ativan (0.5 mg. twice daily) which I was able to stop after a week.  The anxiety got to me and I knew I could get another prescription.
The most pills I have taken daily are 6-8.  I was previously told by an addiction counselor that at that low a daily dose I would not have a seizure, however it still scares me because I know that barbituate withdrawal can be dangerous.

My husband, who just recovered from major surgery, knows nothing about this. We are also thinking about trying to adopt a child. We have tried to have a child for 6 years with no success.  I cannot keep this up I have way too much to lose.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  I have been lurking around this forum for the past couple of months and it has really helped.

[Walking Bad Habit (WBH)]

9-11 is a day to reflect
I have read the posts in this forum for the 6 weeks that I have been recovering. It has helped greatly, thanks all.I feel like a winner. I see the people that I was using with as losers. I would like to show empathy but it is becoming harder to. I know they are good people with bad problems, I know addiction is a disease, but as some of us know it is a disease that is cureable. I can no longer make excuses for drug abuse Everyone has their cross to bear, not everyone is drug addicted. For the people that want to taper off the drugs taper. For me it was 3 days. For others it is a way to hold out untill they can con a docter or score on the street. The other thing I have heard alot is they cant shut down for 10 days to sober up. You have to find someone to help you. (family member, Nieghbor, friend,Church,) You have to work this out or you will just make something else your reason not to sober up. I dont mean to be harsh but I am going through an angry period right now. I also feel alive and have a desire to tell it as I see it. Good luck to all of us.
                                        Paul

[bmac]

Right on!I know how you feel.It day 22 and I am fine.I beat this
and it took me a long long time.But it is a matter of will.I wanted to be clean and fought to do just that.Thanks for
just being here for us that follow.Clean and sober 22 days!!
                                     bmac

[GOD]

9-11

Don't worry my friend. Their deaths will be avenged. For each victim who died one year ago today, 1000 of the Godless desert scum will die. It is OUR way.

[GiannaM]

I could never taper by myself-you fell overconfident when yiu have your fresh supply and then a day or 2 later we start panicking. I would always try to use just enough so I would not get sick, but ended up being miserable cause I wasn't high and you can guess the rest. Most of us cannot do it alone-it is not because we are weak or lack willpower, it's because it is a disease which is cunning and baffling and just waiting for us to f--- up so it can have it's way with us once again. I tried for years to get off pills-opiates were my first love but when I ran low fioricet will fill the void. I don't know your story, either your husband doesn't know your problem or else he thinks you have it under control. You need to confide in someone who understands and is willing to help you by holding your supply and giving them out only when needed. I finally went into a rehab and believe me, I was the absolute last persin who would have ever agreed to that-I always had a million excuses and then one day I had my moment of clarity along with my families love and support. For me, it has changed my life and although I felt pretty darn good while in detox/rehab (they kept me comfortable as they promised and I was coming off of 80mgs of methadone and fioricet.) That's where I learned how much help I needed and continue to need by attending and PARTICIPATING in NA. I was in for 3 weeks and after I came home I was on a natural high. I knew this was a "honeymoon" phase and sure enough on day #45 I wanted to use pills so badly, I'd have done just about anything to get some. Thank God I informed my dr and the people I used to ask to give me a few for this ache etc..are now aware of my problem, so I have no sources!! Instead, I remained miserable for 2 days, being kinda nasty to my family and forced myself to go to my meeting that night. The topic at the meeting was "compulsion" and it helped me to share and get over myself. Now when I look back I was like a big baby having a tantrum

[hippy]

you  could try to take 2 a day fir 10 days
take them at right before dinner.
i myself have never been able to taper.
i got clean in aprial cold turkey for 15 t0 20 vikes a day
after taking that many for 6months.
i found this fourm and read about thomas's receipe.
a vitamine receipe that helped me greatly.

it took away the sever depression aqnd the totol lack
of energy.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
thr receipe
l-tyfosine 500 mgs 8 a day week 1 ,4 a day the week s after.
b6 2 a day100 mgs.
astrong multy vitamine
vitamines  a-  c-- and e
copper
calsium-magnisum
zinc
magneese
phosphous

-----------------------------------------------------------------banna's for restless leg
plenty of water and gatoraide for the loss of electrolites,
imodium (immodium) for the runs and the shits in the 1st week,
the runs will deplete us of all our nutreints and cause
uneseary pain and suffering.

if you have xanax or valuim it would help for sleeping 1 a night
for the 1st month, then drop them

-----------------------------------------------------------------

[JSmith02]

Congratulations on 6 weeks clean! That's a ton, WBH. That's something to feel proud of. I've been struggling with grief and anger today, also.

I picked up the Big Book to remind myself that gratitude for sobriety, humility about the process and empathy for those who still suffer are the qualities that keep us sober over the long haul. That's what Bill says, anyway.

I just turned the TV to Concert for America and immediately heard Reba MacIntyre singing Woody Guthrie's This Land is Your Land. I cried tears of joy at the sound. I have never felt more proud to be an American than I do today. We are, more than ever, the hope of the world.

God bless America, land that I love.

Thomas

[bmac]

Hey guys the recipe works.I have been on it for 4 days.Feel
much stronger and mentally a lot better.I stopped the
Wellbutrin(anti-depressant)Sunday and began recipe.I have eaten broccilli,aparagus anything green and healthy looking.
Man I went to the grocery store and bought a lot of vegs and fish.The GNC lady was very helpful.She guided me thru all
the ingredients and I have been on the recipe since Sunday.
Already in now the 5th day the feeling of hopelessness has gone.
No more shakey no more runs no more depression.Either this
is all mental or your recipe really works either way I don't care,I feel really good.Like I said two days ago.I feel like
a hundred bucks!!23 days opiate free.Hard to believe I made it.
                          thanks guys,
                          bmac(Bill)

[OxyDout]

Thank you, I sure hope so.  Hey, do me a favor, read the post below with "baygirl" I have just posted twice, I have no idea whats going on, let me know what you think.

GWH

[koalabear]

I was trying to protect you GWH, since I didn't know who that person was.  I know you said it was your sister, but we didn't know that.  (It could've been an imposter for all we know)!

Anyhow, hope you are feeling a bit better today, and it's great to have you back.

As for the "baygirl" thing, is it someone you know?  They said they were called RJ?

Leah

[OxyDout]

thank you, I do appreciate that, and I understood that, I just have no idea who this "baygirl" is, very freaky, and chaser? whos that........

[chasers]

Hi. I just saw the post yesterday from baygirl and I thought it was really rude. I have asked a couple of questions on here before and you answered them (obviously you don't remember):) Anyway , I just kinda stepped in and said what I thought. But then she answered back and said it was just a joke. I'm staying out of things that are none of my buisness from now on.  LOL

[OxyDout]

no, I remember, I just didn't understand and thought that you knew each other, I don't know....... but I remember :)

[chasers]

I don't know her but from what the post said, it wasn't really her anyway. They said they were jusy logged in under her name?? Who knows.The whole thing didn't make any sense. Sorry I even posted anything. I didn't mean to upset you. It sounds like you don't need the confusion right now:)

[OxyDout]

thats ok, i wasn't bothered by you, it was him, he said his name is RJ, its not a big deal anyway, I have had a long week, and I could care less about what he has to say.

[alexandra_r]

Hi Jess,

I want to say something and I hope I don't offend you.  I have a lot of respect for you--your posts almost always make sense and have inspired me in the past.  BUT what you said about the victims of 911 being avenged bothered me-- YOu did not say the "terrorists," but rather referred to the people who were responsible for 911 as "desert scum."  The reason this bothered me is because I am 1/2 Egyptian (and 1/2 French).  I was born in Alexandria, Egypt.  I am very proud of my heritage and proud of my father for moving to the U.S. when I was six and giving my sisters and myself a better life.  I have dealt with prejudice concerning my heritage for years.  Using terms like "desert scum" doesn't refer to terrorists per se, but classifies a whole group of people based on what their ethnic background is.

I was devastated by the events of 9/11.  I grew up in New York City--it is my HOME TOWN.  I knew 2 people who died in the twin towers + my real estate lady's brother was on flight 93.  It touched me deeply.  But more than anything, I was saddened that some of the people who were responsible for these terrible acts were from the same part of the world that 1/2 of my family is from.  Throughout the last year, my family has dealt with ignorance and hate crime, directed at them ONLY because of the heritage that they happened to share with these terrible "evil-doers."  "DESERT SCUM" is as hurtful as the word "******"  Not to mention, these terms do nothing to promote much needed peace in our ever hostile world.

I was hurt that you used this term and wanted to mention it to you.  I'll probably get a whole ration of s***t from people because I have disclosed something personal that people may resent me for, but I just had to say something.

Sincerely,
Alex

[4kids]

I started my detoxe today. I was taking 10 Vicoden a day. I went to a Freedom Clinic and they enlisted the help of my doc. to detox me. I am scared but I think what the doctor did will benifit me in the end. Here is my tapering schedule.
Day 1---9 pills
Day 2---8
Day 3---7
Day 4---7
Day 5---6
Day 6---5
Day 7---4
Day 8---4
That is all I know until I go back next week. Also, and this is the scary part, the doc. put me on pharmacy lockout. He called the parmacy and told them to do this to me. He told them he is the only doc I can get scripts from and they are to be the only pharmacy allowed to fill my scripts. That makes me scared because of the "what if's". You know, what if I need them. I am due for a script of 90 pills on Monday from my Phyc. but now I can't get them filled. I know in the end this will be a blessing but right now it is a major fear. He also said if I mess up I will have to go to an inpatient detox hospital. Please everyone pray for me as I do you. I hope this might help you or give you the courage to seek outside assistance.

[GOD]

Alex... I'm sorry to have offended you with my comment of "Desert Scum" referring to the terrorists. At the time I wrote that, I was VERY angry and almost used the term "Sand-Ni**ers". I thought about it, and decided that it may be TOO offensive; but the other term that I did use has offended you, and for that, I am sorry.

I have NO animosity towards people of Middle-Eastern descent; rather, my anger is aimed at those who hold a radical, sick view of their religion, and use God to justify killing of innocents. Every Religion has examples of these extremists whether Cristian, Jew, Muslim, Shinto, Etc.

One thing we all can count on is the fact that Truth ALWAYS prevails (It may take some time, but righteousness wins), and Injustice shall be met with Retribution on a scale that is almost unimaginable. Take the events of Pearl Harbor for example. At the end of WWII, we (The American forces) bombed Hiroshima, and Nagasaki. Do ANY of us really beleive that we did that to "Save lives" and end the war with Japan Quickly? No- the Atom bomb was Vengeance and Punishment for Pearl Harbor.

I would NOT want to be anywhere within a 300 mile range of Iraq, Iran, or Saudi Arabia right now. I fear that a large portion of the Middle Eastern desert will be transformed into glass before this is all over...

Take care of yourselves tonight!
Jess

[alexandra_r]

Thanks, Jess--I understand about the anger.  I have an enormous amount of anger for those who are responsible for 9/11.  I am a U.S. citizen and I love this country as much as anyone who was born here.  Perhaps more so, because I know what the alternative could be.  

And you are right, there have been many examples throughout history of zealots who use the name of religion to promote their own sick beliefs.  

I am very worried about the U.S. going to war.  I also believe that Saddam Hussein needs to be removed, but I am very worried because I know what Arab sentiment is right now about an invasion.  I really fear for the future of our world as we know it.  I hope we know what we're doing and that this doesn't end up escalating into a nuclear WW3.  I have always enjoyed going to Egypt throughout my life for vacations--it is a country that is rich with history and the pyramids are singularly the most outstanding piece of architecture I have ever seen in my life (the first time I saw them as an adult, they brought tears to my eyes).  But I would NEVER travel anywhere close to the Middle East right now.  

I think a better plan would be to have the Mission Impossible crew go over and quietly take him out--where are those guys when you need them??? =)

[OxyDout]

I share the anger, and I'm also afraid for our world, kind of interesting, I was watching a nostradamus (sp) tape from 95 that my mother taped, and it said that the middle east would turn to canabalism........ scary stuff.  Either way, Saddam needs to be taken out ASAP regardless of what it takes because he will use nuclear warfare.

On another note, how are you guys doing? J Dawg?

[pjn]

I've been off vics for one month today. Hooray! I quit vics on August 13, 2002 and it's September 13, 2002. I feel like my old self again. I went cold turkey and nobody but my husband and best friend knew about it. They really helped me. I was on 8-10 vics a day for 2 years. I knew it couldn't last forever. I had no idea what I was in for when I decided to quit. I felt like ****. I was sooo depressed, no energy, couldn't get interrested in anything, and did not leave my house for three days. Finally things started to look up.  I tried some valium but it only depressed me more. So I took nothing but tylenol for the pain and nyquil to help me sleep. Oh yeah and imodium (immodium) for the runs. The runs seemed to last forever. My body ached all over for about 2-3 weeks but got a little better everyday. After 3 weeks I felt pretty normal again. It feels great. This is what I worked for and I'm not going to screw it up. I know if I use just one vic it will start all over. Never take that first one or give in to that first impulse. Stay busy and help others. Keep your mind off yourself and things will get better. Good Luck! I don't know what I would have done without this forum and all of you guys!

[alexandra_r]

Hey pjn--

How great for you.  Never forget how you are feeling at this moment.  I used to have a really serious drug problem--I was addicted to heroin, methadone and crack over ten years ago.  When I quit, it was hell, but gradually, I started feeling better.  Then one day, I woke up feeling great and I would say, "I feel so DAMN good today."  I also tried to never forget the sickness and pain of the withdrawals.  It kept me clean for a LONG time.  Anyway, your post brightened my day.  Thanks for sharing it!

Alex