danger's of cold water extraction

[onthefence]

Hi, I am day 19 clean from 8 year daily opiate addiction, am lifelong alcoholic,( although I haven't drank in weeks) , and until the recent change in FDA rules on amounts of APAP in Hydrocodone /APAP formulations, was using cold water extraction to crush and filter APAP out of Hydro pills (mainly 10/660's) as have had high alt in past (80's 90's)now alt-42 lipase-78 , so not bad, but have been having terrible stomach issues starting aprox. 6 months before detox.Since second week of of detox stomach problems have become worse, I have been to doctor and now GI and am scheduled for upper/lower barium & xrays tomorrow.

My question is utilizing liquid after filtered (R.O.A. by ingestion) and quantifying amount to ML.  could this of damaged my stomach lining or something else, I have been honest with doctors but they are always in such a hurry they either don't acknowledge my question, or don't seem to understand, which I have a hard time believing a MD. of any type would not  know APAP, is only water soluble to 8 mg. per ML. and opiate is not water soluble  , at least that is what my research has shown, I know I was throwing away huge balls of APAP filtering 250 MG. of 10/660 Hydro pills, and could get the quantification to about 20.MG. per 5 ML. although realizing some was lost during process, at least that's what it felt like compared to just ingesting whole pills.

I have a strong desire to be clean and am afraid I might of hurt myself doing this over last few years, and if this is dangerous I really think that should be made  aware to people, and would really appreciate your opinion on this.
Thank You
OTF-no more

[Julia M Aharonov, DO]

I believe that you are unduly concerned with your paracetamol injection and what it could have done to your upper GI tract.  You seem like a very intelligent person and you understood that over-consumption of paracetamol (acetaminophen) can lead to hepatic damage. Since you have checked your liver enzyme and we know that they are within are relatively reasonable range, you can assume that if any damage was done it was done by your alcohol consumption. Being such a well-read person, you should also know that paracetamol is not known to do any damage to upper GI tract whatsoever.
Now, having said that, let us address the things you have done to yourself that are well known to do extensive damage to upper GI tract: ETOH abuse. The following is a summary from a medical article on alcohol and GI tract:  
"Alcohol consumption can interfere with the function of all parts of the gastrointestinal tract. Acute alcohol ingestion induces changes in the motility of the esophagus and stomach that favor gastroesophageal reflux and, probably, the development of reflux esophagitis. Alcohol abuse may lead to damage of the gastric mucosa, including hemorrhagic lesions. Beverages with low alcohol content stimulate gastric acid secretion, whereas beverages with high alcohol content do not.
Acute alcohol consumption also damages the mucosa in the upper region of the small intestine and may even lead to the destruction of the tips of the villi. The excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages interferes with the normal function and structure of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.”
ETOH abuse can certainly lead to liver cirrhosis, esophageal varices, and severe upper GI bleeding.
I am very glad that you have stopped drinking, but it took a long time for you to mess up your body, it will take more than a few weeks to get it back to normal.   As to your opiate abuse, if you are ready to get clean, read some of my blogs, if you have time. You can reach them by clicking my name in blue or by going on my website www.mdsdrugdetox.com.
Good luck and I hope all your tests turn out OK.

[onthefence]

my brain is still kind of hazy as when i reread what i wrote i see i said opiates are not water soluble, but of course i meant they are.

[onthefence]

What I meant to say that during the 1980's and once in the 90's I was told the liver enzymes were off the charts high and I should either quit taking shots, or stop drinking altogether, during my opiate addiction my drinking gradually declined and then stopped.