Drug Abuse (Oxycotin)

[J_cee]

I have been addicted to painkillers for over 9 years. My choice of painkiller was Oxycotin 20 & 40 mg is what I had access to, but any opiod would due, I took over 600 mg of oxycodone per day, (all I could get I would do). I have been off the pain pills for 2 yours as of 8/8/2007. But my health is failing; eye sight bad, hearing bad, short term memory gone, joints hurt (all), teeth are rotting out of my mouth, skin rashes/sores, bowels are blocked, & so on. Here is the question: Is my health issues all caused by the pain pill abuse and what else will fail? Please tell me what more to expect?  

                                                                                                    J_cee  

[122 Tactical Fighter Group]

Glad to hear that - your symptoms share some similarities.... dont have any tea leaves and not an MD - -  So I will wish you all the best.... I would encourage you to take care of the teeth to start with.....they frequently kick off these type episodes.....and if I were you I would also get a liver panel accomplished - only about $30 - and maybe ask about opiate bowel disease.....Good luck to you.......

[J T Junig, MD PhD]

You mentioned methadone in a prior post;  that will certainly cause significant constipation, which can lead to other health problems.  The opiates cause problems with behavior-- impulsivity, for example-- but have little chronic effect on the rest of the body.  I think Eagle is on the right track;  just because you used opiates doesn't mean you couldn't have an unrelated condition-- like diabetes, for example.  You need a good medical work-up, or at least a physical exam and some basic labwork.  If you cannot afford it, look for the county services or an academic institution-- they usually take indigent patients.

[J_cee]

No I'm not.

[122 Tactical Fighter Group]

Are you by any chance at risk for the hepatitis c virus?