Detoxing more than once

[mellie4]

I'm just curious.  My boyfriend detoxed off percocets a few weeks ago and it was pretty bad.  He missed two days of work, and truthfully, I don't know how he managed working the other days (he's a mailman.)  Can't imagine delivering mail with all the symptoms withdrawal brings.

He is on them for a medical condition. but he overuses them and runs out. (And personally I think it's because he's undermedicated for his pain but he refuses to change the dose or how often he takes it.)

So here we are nearly a month later and it's the same thing.  Withdrawing again because he ran out early.  He says the wds are much, ,much worse this time.  He has all the usual symptoms of diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, depression, hard to move, legs and arms feel like cement, and he's having trouble breathing, which I think is anxiety.

He was in such a bad way I brought him to my house.  Since he doesn't want to totally detox (he's awaiting a surgery in the summer,) I gave him a clonidine, 2 mg. ativan, and 10 mg. percocet (his usual dose.)  Within 40 minutes he could breath more easily, etc.

What he'd like to do is taper down and use ibuprofen in between on his pain until he gets to the surgery.  He does not want the doctor to up the dosage (though she suggested that.)

So, the question is, each time you detox (from the same stuff), does it get worse every time?  He says this time was much, much worse.

Thanks for any insight.

[mellie4]

I don't know why he's against upping the dosage, since essentially he is doing it anyway, just doing it himself.  And then running out.  I think he thinks he should be able to "tough it all out," both the withdrawal and the pain.  But the fact is, until he has the surgery (maybe sometime in the summer,) he will need narcotic pain relief.  So, IMO, the best thing is to get an appropriate dose that will cover the pain and will last the month.

We're planning on calling the doctor today.  Usually he lets me come into the appointment so maybe I can explain it a bit better for him.  I hated watching him go through it.  (And I started  the withdrawals once or twice and it was awful.  Once was when I had a stomach bug after surgery and I couldn't keep anything in my stomach.  Never occurred to me that vomiting so much would cause my meds to not work.  It was horrendous.  And then last Saturday, my script was late coming in the mail.  It finally came on Saturday, thank God.  But I still had weak, shaky legs, upset stomach and my arms and legs felt soooo heavy.  I have no idea how he carried a mail bag and went up and down steps.)

He's due to go back to work tomorrow but I think he needs one more day to get his strength back, rehydrate, eat some nutritious food.  But he's worried about his job.  But I figure as long as he has a physician's note, he should be all set.

He's sleeping now.  His breathing is just about normal.

Thanks for the information.  It's appreciated.

[jamajessie]

Why dont he want his Dr to up his dosage? If he let the Dr do it he might not be in the shape he is now. Something doesn't sound right here. Why put yourself through this over and over. How long before he can get a refill?  He needs to call his Dr and tell her what is going on. He just needs to tell her the truth. He needs to tell he runs out early because he has to take more. The reason he is taking more is because his usual dosage isn't working amd he has to take more to get any effect. His tolerance is probably through the roof. Why not tell him to call the Dr( make him call her) so she can adjust his meds and end his suffering. It's either suffer and ride this brutal hell out

[IBKleen]

For me, it got harder each time as well. Opiates "retard" the respiratory system so it is not surprising that his breathing is compromised.

I hope he gets the relief he needs with his surgery.

[sway1]

for me it absolutely gets much worse each time. i am 47 and have been through it too many times.in fact i just got through the worst one of all. i think the plan with the ibuprofen is a good one. can you hold his pills for him so he doesn't get carried away? i can't even imagine carrying a big bag of mail around in that shape. he must be pretty tough. you'll be in my prayers. peace, sway