oxycodone

[skipper]

hey people there has been a question/problem i'ld like some input
on. can oxycodone cause loss of shortr term memory? i seem to be
having problems remembering things in the recent (several months)
that have happened to me or have been said to me. anyone else
notice this?

[OxyDout]

yes, I have noticed it, I'm not sure if it is necessarily a physical change in the brain or another part of the body caused by the abuse of narcotics.  I think its more or less the fact that your always cloudy, atleast i was always high, always in a different world, its almost surreal. you know? I forget a lot of things that happened in recent times but that is because when i was high I would glide through the days, smiling and not paying attention to what was said or done.  Thats my take, but now I'm facing that depression you were talking about.

GWH

[truaddict]

I can definately relate to the memory loss problem.  My family is always telling me things over again that they said they have told me before.  I belive too that it has to do with living life in a haze from the drugs.  Hopefully its not permanent though.

[Old Woman]

I've been trying to wean myself off the vicodin, roxicodone, and short term memory is awful-also bad "bone aches"-can they be part of this?

[GOD]

Concerning Memory loss with any "downer type" drugs...

You REALLY notice those memory lapses while detoxing-- at least I do-- I think it's because your thinking part of your brain is starting to work at full throttle, and we're NOT used to that... Thinking Brain is saying, "hey... what the **** did I do 3 hours ago?" while the Drug craving is saying, "I don't care... give me some more drugs!"

....... WHat was I posting about?
....Damn, I forget.

[DMR]

Try some L-Tyrosine (available at GNC) along with a lot of vitamin B-6 after you have taken your LAST vicodin

This supplement will increase the production of dopamine and norepeniphrine in your brain and you will not feel lethargic or depressed

You will be awake, calm and ready to proceed with daily activities, but the pain will still be there

Try some Kava if you are feeling anxious

Good Luck

[Susucats]

I am attempting to "wean" myself off of Vicodin and Oxycontin after 2 years of 4 to 10 pills per day.  I don't want in-patient treatment due to my job.  I also take Xanax - have for 10 years.  It's helping some, but the memory loss thing is a definite reality.  Like another member wrote, people are telling me **** that I absolutely DO NOT remember.  I just hope I've not done permanent damage.

[J.B. to Brian and Vicky]

I just wanted to check in on this board and say hello.  Yep, I've had the memory problem as well and it can be flabergasting to say the least.  It's funny how my wife can remember things that I said and did 25 years ago and can win arguments by bringing them up time and again!

Seriously though, I suffer from "brain fog" which is one of the symptoms of a failing liver.  I believe it is caused by high levels of ammonia in the blood. Laxatives help in getting rid of the toxins by speeding things along.

When you consider that we are using narcotics daily, our age and our physical condition, it's certain that we will have some memory lapses. Just try to stay busy and use some sort of diversion to stay focused.  "Nodding out" doesn't help matters!

J.B.

[radioboy74]

I hate the break a Thread but can anyone tell me about PANLOR SS ?  What is it equivilant too?

[vikequeen]

JB what are some other symptoms of liver toxicity? This scares me very much, you would think it would scare me enough to get off but I am a true addict. My last go round with these pills I was lucky I had a liver function test and it was normal and I was taking twice as much as I do now. Sometimes I get a minor discomfort in the area of my liver, but no other symptoms. I do know the liver regenerates all the time and will start as soon as the substance is removed. I am trying to coordinate doing an outpatient detox within the nest few weeks but have obstacles in my way. I have a 2 year old I need to find care for from like 10a to 8 pm for 2 days. My hubby does not know but will tell him ONLY if I have too. I cannot tell my parents or MIL. Thanks for letting me vent. Baddgirl

[skipper]

JB:
your sure right about nodding out not helping a thing ( and it
really pissise my wife off too! hope things are holding steady
in your household. this insisent detoxing has kind of upset my
household. i hope things are alright anyhow....

keep an angel on your shoulder
kip

[J.B. to Brian and Vicky]

Yes, I have a chronic liver disease which is Hepatitis C and complications from years of alcohol and drug abuse.

The most notable symtoms that I've experienced are chronic fatigue, joint pain, flu-like illnesses, low grade fever for months, and a general feeling of being ill most of the time. You may also develop jaundice(yellow tint) in the white part of your eyes or skin. I developed "liver" spots on my chest and sore nipples. But everyone is different as they say. The liver is such an important organ that when it starts to fail, all sorts of problems will crop up. Diabetes is one of them.

The best thing you can do is seek medical advice and avoid alcohol and anything containing Tylenol.  

My best of wishes to you!

J.B.

[Nod]

Schlub,
Haven't seen any posts from you, just wanted to see how your doing with the WD's.   Hope all is well.  Let me know how your doin.  We're here for you.  
Nod

[Schlub]

You're a good man, Nod.

Things are better, thanks. More balance and perspective. And some more clarity about how this is my last chance -- do or die -- for a wife and baby I'm absolutely nuts for, a perfect marriage, a great place to live, my very own survival.

So let's see: To preserve all that, can I endure some really tough few weeks ahead?

I'm still not entirely sure of the answer, but I think I'm getting more of a handle on it.

I'm a slow learner. Obviously.

[Nod]

Hang in there, your gonna do it!  I'm in your boat and rowing right along with you.  Same deal... new baby and another 3 yr old, best wife in the world, everything I could ever dream of.

This is my last tapper down. Gonna take a month but I'll make it off (again,) just have to stay off or it's like you said.. do or die. I can't go thru the nasty cycle again, it's playing havoc with my body and mind and most importantly the ones I love.

Keep your chin up, Schlub.  We're gonna do it!
Nod

[Schlub]

Thanks, Nod.

Have you thought about taking Naltrexone for a few months just to ensure you build up enough clean time and get more distance from your cravings? I'm going on it as soon as I'm through with detox.

Some say it increases depression bu supposedly blocking you ability to feel your natural endorphins (as well as blocking you ability to feel anything from narcotics of course). But many others say it causes no psychological effects, or even makes them feel better. The research is contradictory, but I think in my case -- since it's really do or die here -- I'll try it.

If I don't like it, I'll stop taking it. No big deal. But if it doesn't increase my post-withdrawal lethargy & depression. then it'll be a godsend to me. I need more clean time to feel secure in my recovery, and Naltrexone may help me get that.

Anyway, you say you're tapering. Does that mean you expect to feel no withdrawal when you quit?

[Old Woman]

Badgirl your Hep C may require Interferon(alpha 2-B)-went on it for a yr.& got liver enzymes back to normal. But, a warning, I was SICK as hell while on the stuff, and went back on Cocaine just to deal with the side effects. So my liver is ok, but with the HIV there are lots of potential problems. I see my "pain pill syndrome" as the only option for my craving coke. Only 4 yrs.on the needle, and I am a fulkl-fledged junnkie substituting codone & morphine(which is TOO strong & makes me itch like heck).
My sister says since I'm terminal anyway, WHY NOT? Well, THIS drug addict still hopes for a little quality in life, and I'm housebound being on these damn pills.

[Nod]

Schlub,
I still have the WD's even when tappering, just not quite as bad as cold turkey.  Guess instead of having it all in one week I spread it out a little over 4-5 weeks.  The depression and lethargy comes during the tapper and continues after I'm off completely for at least a few weeks.

Haven't considered the Naltroxe yet, still trying to get to the clean point.  I'm going to go see my doc next week and "come clean" with him.  I need the pain relief just got addicted and carried away by them.  He's a good guy and hopefully he can give me something like burpenex or clonidine to get me off now and handle the WD's better (I have to work.)  The tapper down is like going thru a slow death any more.  I want my life back.

I'll keep you posted.  Please do the same on your end.  Someday you and I will be high 5'ing our victory together!  
Take Care, Nod

[Schlub]

I found tapering to be like a constant "death by a thousand cuts" rather than the short swift kick in the head that comes with total quitting.

Talk to your doc about Bupfrenex. You will fee ZERO symptoms of withrawal no matter how bad your addiction was. Of course, that's just fr wek one. In week 2 when you sto the Bup, then comes the depression and lethargy. But anti-depressats ca help with that, and for some people it's not so bad. Only lasts a week or two anyway. But Bup let's you kick and go to work.

I'm on Day 5 of detox from a BIG habit and I feel just fine. Normal. All thanks to the Bup.

If you want a bunch of brief research abstracts on how effective Bup is so you can show them to your doc let me know.

Hang in there.

[noclue]

hi..new to the board and I read all of it everyday and even posted a comment regarding Darvon. (skip was kind enough to answer) Anyway in regards to your liver question: Get a liver panel done..(I also have achey, annoying pain in my upper right quadrant...kinda feels like when you sleep on an empty stomach all nite and wake up with that horrible ache?..yep) been taking vicodin for 3 years and drink on occasion.  I have had a ct, mri, and hyda-scan and docs say NOTHING WRONG! I believe if you hurt or ache, your body is telling you something. Personally, I want to ask my dr. for a liver biopsy to see if my liver is ok...Do the same! I stopped the vics 4 days ago and the pain stopped! Go figure!  I do have some tylenol 3's that I am contemplating taking if the pain gets too much and I have not taken any darvon since yesterday (makes me too tired, no good on pain)..and if the pain starts again, I'll know it's the damn acetominifin (sp) and tylenol...i'll let ya know.  Also, been drinking "detox" herb tea (taste like ****) but maybe it will help.  You can get it in any vitamin store. By the way, meeting my doc next week to talk about other pain meds...any suggestions on what other to take for chronic back pain besides anything with acetominifin?  something not that addicting?

noclue

[noclue]

also, what is the difference between hydrocodone and codein?
I really have NOCLUE!

[Nod]

Schlub,
Day 5!  Thats just great.  Won't be long now, keep up the fight. Soon you will be YOU again. What a great thing.

Came "clean" with the Mrs last night.  She kind of knew all along, she's a pretty smart lady and I have to admit I'm one luck SOB to have her. She is ready to support me all the way. I just have to hold my end of the bargain. That's step one.  Next is the Doc, see him next week.  It's like you said Do or Die.  Like you, I have decided to live.  

Gotta thank you.  Your email to me 4-5 days ago slapped me upside the head.  Keep fighting, Schlub.  I'm hear for you. Were gonna make it!  By end next week I'll have my 'support' team all in place.  
Nod

[Lamiman]

HI, I'm new to this forum (thread ) But find it encourging to hear from others suffering the same delema as me. I've had 4 laminectomies at L4-L5, the last one being a Fusion of L4-L5 and L5-S1. I still have pain but the narcotics have become more of a problem than my back. I've been on Vicodin to Oxycontin for the last 2 years and it's a battle I desperatley want to win. Reading these postings have givien me confidence I CAN DO IT!
I'm not alone.
                 Thanks for listening,  Lamiman

[Schlub]

Great going, Nod! Isn't it a relief to have told your wife?

Now, if you go through withdrawals or post-withdrawal depression, you don't have to try to hide it from her (which will drive you back to addiction).

It's our secrets that kill us.

Absolutely.

[dunit]

hi-I am brand new to this site and I have enjoyed and learned from all of you comments and suggestions. I have been on and off (mostly on) opiats for 15 years or so. percocet,vicodan,lorecet then came the oxy's. WOW. I knew after a year they were really bad news. I quit cold turkey- was in bed for a week real sick-my husb thought I had the flu. Then felt bad and couldn't sleep or eat it took 25 days to get the OC's out of my system, then still had the depression. I stayed clean for a few months, had dental surgery-got percocet and started using pills again(no oxy's!). All these years of pills has been rough on my body (i'm 39) too much tylenol also. Went to a pain/dteox place and got Buprenex 3 days ago. I hated to have to start injections (never did that b4)
but I feel great. 3mg 5X pr day. Absolutly no withdrawal-My ? is what will happen when I stop taking the Buprenex?? Dr. says take it for 2 mont--a slow withdraw--I plan to do it in 2-3 weeks--I want to cut down a lot faster--anyone had ecperience with this? I'm almost afraid I will get addictd to the Bup! I then plan to follow Thomas's recipe for vitamins. I expect to feel rotten for a day or 2. Any of you know what I am in for? I would like to know what to expect when I quit the Bupernex totaly--physicaly anyway. I know from previous x's the depression will probobly last 90 days or so?? ANY advise would be apreciated. I had never heard of this Bupernex till last week. Thanks to all of you I feel like I have new friends that can understand what I am going thru! Bless you all-b back tomorrow