Counselor Snorting Focalin

[MissyKay04]

I am in over my head with drugs and alcohol.  I have been an alcholic for the past 4 years. I was depressed, overweight, my Father died, I got divorced we lost our home etc etc. After my husband left, I tried snorting one of my son's Ritalin pills. An attorney friend of mine told me how she uses it before trial. I tried it and for the past 3 years I have been addicted to it. . I am snorting approx 50 mgs a day. I stopped drinking two weeks ago and have chosen to go to outpatient treatment on June 10th. I have also been addicted to Opiates DOC Percocet. My concern is I have lost my weight and am looking great (Sorry, I know that sounds arrogant) I'm 43 but everyone tells me I look 28. I'm single and I know if I get help for the Focalin addiction, I'm definitely going to gain my weight back. I went from a size 16 to a size 5.

However, I'm very concerned that the Focalin is really affecting my health. My teeth are in terrible shape. I have severe legs cramps at night, My hands and feet occaisionally swell up, I told my Dr. about my alcohol problem but cannot bring myself to tell her about the Focalin. I had some bloodwork done to check my liver enzymes, my liver is fine but I'm concerned about my kidneys. A few of my blood panel numbers were either high or low. I looked it up online and it shows that I was dehydrated and a couple of the others could be kidney related. Does anyone here have any experience with either Ritalin or Focalin and kidney problems?
Thank you
Missy

[MizDemeanor]

Welcome Sammi. I am glad you are here. This is a great place to learn and get support.
Peace~

[ladyboop]

Hello sammi,
     Glad that you found us.. You will enjoy being here, and there is tons of help and support. I do not know about those drugs. But I do know about a few others. I use to drink years ago. Your story is close to mine. I lost my dad, my husband left me 4mos after my dad died. And who know what will happen with my house... Getting of the drugs is the most important right now.. There are many here who have done it, or doing it.. Keep posting, and be good to your self..

           Lady

[malenurse57]

Hello Sammi, and welcome to the forum. You will find a lot of help here and an amazing amount of love. Don't kick yourself to much as you will find several professional people here. I am a nurse and should have seen my addiction to tramadol coming espescially after having beaten a coke and alcohol addiction 14 yrs ago come Aug. 27. This is beatable it is not easy and is not pleasant but very doable. Believe in yourself as we believe in you. Read and educate yourself from our life stories and daily struggles. We as addicts are usually afraid of facing life on lifes terms for whatever reason. Life is really not bad without the pills. Good luck and God bless.

[GoingToMakeIt]

  I am not at all familiar with Focalin, but I wanted to welcome you to the forum. It is late so stick around. In the morning many more will answer you. Some of the basics for you are:              
     You need to join NA or AA or get counseling for yourself. You have said you have been on several things which shows an addictive personality. I would highly recommend that you also start taking vitamins, supplements and amino acids. Look in the Health Pages, top right of page, for the amino acid protocol. Your various addictions have wrecked your body's ability to process nutrients properly.

[studiogirl]

Sammi - Thank you for sharing your story and welcome to this forum.  I hope you can find some comfort and guidance in here.  You did a brave thing even posting your story and admiting your in trouble.  That is not an easy thing to do.  
So, I dont have experience with Ritalin or Focalin.  However, I do have experience with opiates and I know all to well about using drugs to keep the weight off.  I am in the process of trying to get sober from a long addiction to painkillers.  All I can say is it is so much harder for me to stay thin because for so many years I used the pills to satisfy my hunger.  I also used them to get motivated for excercise, so without them its almost impossible for me to even get to the gym let alone work out.  I have tried to rationalize a million different ways.  In the end, I am convinced that if I cant find a way to be thin and sober than i will never really be beautiful.  It sounds so cliched but true beauty really does come from within.  I am not there yet but I have met people who are.  Their beauty is not defined by their dress size, and most of all, they look truly happy.  
It sounds to me like you are getting sick from focalin and its time to quit. I dont know if thats something you are ready to do, but if it is you should stay on the site as much as possible.  There are alot of people here that can help you.  I wish you all the best whatever your choice. Corrine