Has The Bad Habitual Addiction of Snorting Ruined Me - Or numerous issues?

[elleryder]

What I'm going to include may be brutal and honest, but it is the only way i can rule out, target, and/or locate my problem's source. For two months now, I have been in and out of the hospital. I've had several tests done that came back negative, and even lost my job over this. It began quickly. And quickly got worse to a certain point, and has stayed hovering at that level ever since.The one thing I didn't get checked for just might be what I should do. (Or should have done a long time ago)..... At the beginning, it started in my nostrils. I thought it was just a little thing that would go away within a day or two. Within a week, I was in the hospital, a walk-in centre, and a dentist. It quickly "spread" from my nostrils to my sinuses and to the back of my throat. The "worse" of all of this at that point was my throat. And when the dentist looked inside, she immediately pulled away and said: "You need to get to the doctors....Like, today." - (Not too professional if you ask me, but at least she was being honest)..... We both looked into my throat and the very back (wall) of my throat looked like a strawberry. It was red/purple with white (looks like blisters) marks (scratches) all over it. I do not have tonsils. I do not have allergies. So, I went to the doctors and they took a couple swabs from me and tested me for a few things like: Strep Throat, Thrush, Yeast Infection, and something else along the lines of "Steppococal"?.... The tests came back negative. The next doctor I seen, I told him (Oh, and I told the dentist before, too) about the history of drug abuse that trails behind. And the potentially damaging coping method I used. For several years, I was a bad Opiate addict. Everything from Oxy's, morphine, Hydromorphone, Perks, T3's, Codiene Phosophate, and a couple others. And I snorted them throughout my addiction. I did, however, and I'm very proud to say - "stop" doing pills about 2 years ago now!! :) Well.....Virtually, anyway. What I'm referring to is the way I "stayed away" from those pills. In order to stop being addicted to pills that got me high and gave me terrible withdrawals, I started leaning on another "satisfying" method - Tylenol Number Ones. (They don't get you high, but they give the satisfaction of 'snorting'. Here's where it gets to sound like "Whoa!".... That 'replacement' method began as soon as I stopped the "real" opiates. So, for two years, I've been snorting T1's constantly. There were, although it wasn't like this all the time, occasions when I would buy a bottle of 200 T1's and they would be all gone withing 3 days. So, I told this to the doctors, but they said it was highly unlikely and that they've never heard of any one who had all of that from too much snorting. I was also told that we may be looking at more than one pressing health issue that's currently active. (Possibly even more than 2)..... I've never had allergies, but I have to get a test done anyways. And here's why: The "Symptoms" of whatever I have seems to peak when I go outside for more than 20 minutes at a time, my nose burns, my eyes get watery instantly, and every now and then I have a sneeze fit. Also, the "symptoms" seem to be at their worse when it's night time. Sounds like Allergies, right? But, allergies don't generally give your throat that "Strawberry look".....So, if I have allergies, then there must be something else that's also "fighting" me right now...... SINUSITUS -  I looked into it, and still need to get tested for it, but my symptoms also seem to greatly match those of a Sinus Infection. On the other hand, if that's what it is, then it must be one hell of a bad case..... Here's why I think I might have a terrible sinus infection..... My average sleep during these 2 months is nearly 3 hours at a time (but less than that for the most part). This is due to me lying down, I believe. As soon as I lie down, even as I'm getting comfortable under the blankets, my nose will clogg. (And sometimes it cloggs completely!!!) If I'm lying on my right side, the right nostril clogs. My eyes hurt and I can "feel" them when I blink. (Meaning I can feel the skin tightening and pulling). My cheek bones hurt to touch. My nose/nostrils hurt to touch. The tops of my ears are in pain as well as the top front half of my skull and forehead. It also hurts to swallow (but, again, not sure where that whole throat deal fits in)..... If I don't do anything at all to treat the pain in my nose and face, then the discharge from my nose increases and it noticably yellow. I get headaches from time to time, but not as much as sinus aches. (These are all significant with Sinusitus) How do I treat it? By repeating history. In order for me to gain slight relief from all of this, I MUST snort a few T1's. It's no longer a habit. It has become necessary. If I don't "coate" the inside of my nostrils and throat, the pain is completely and utterly unbearable!!! Extremely painful!. So, presently, I am only doing several at a tme to "ease" up the pain. But I am still doing them. I want my life back.... I don't want to "Have" to snort in order to get dressed or take a bath, or do laundry....... Or eat. It's not normal to live like this, and I wish I could just get better instantly. Personally, even if they are right and snorters - no matter how much they snort - don't develop such health issues, I'm still going to tell them tomorrow and get that out of the way. Not only do i need to tell them everything, but I also need to stop these habits now!  So.....All that, I'm not sure if I'm suffering from everything I mentioned collectively? Or if I'm only suffering from one thing that jsut happens to be in a bad way. Health Problems that I've already had that may shed light on anything: Irritable Bowel Disease, Acid Reflux Disease, Scoliosis in the neck, Depression, Irregular Heartbeat, And low vitamin counts. Can someone please help me....Do you know, or have known, any one who is/has gone through this? What are any options? Please don't hesitate. I need to know.

[elleryder]

Hello. Please accept my apologies for the delay in updates. Also, thank you all very kindly for eagerly waiting for the updates.
Since my first post, I have gone to Emergency at the hospital, and also seen my family doctor. Things are starting to get a bit better, but slowly..... However, I am more than certain at this time, that we have figured out the main underlining cause of these issues. I had 2 catscans done and as it turns out: I indeed DO have a severe infection of Sinusitus. There is still the possibility that there are two problems at this time, but they were only able to find and determine the Sinusitus. The doctor said that it was one of the worst cases of Sinusitus he's ever seen. (However, he also said that he wasn't an E.N.T. and that they would know more about the degrees and severities of the infection.) So, now, I'm waiting to see the specialist for Ears, Nose, and Throat. (ENT)..... The doctor gave me strong-strong antibiotics, sinus meds for Allergies - even though I have no recorded allergies, he said it would still provide a little relief)... And since that night, my sleeps have increased by atleast an hour!! And, the pain has significantly decreased. It is still there, but now - it is not unbearable. The majority of the issue(s) i'm having right NOW are in my nostrils now. (The throat is healing - I think) My nose is continuing to burn and make my eyes watery. Yes. I am currently working on leaving the minor opiate (Tylenol One) behind me forever. However, as with any thing that becomes a dependency, it will take a little tiny while for me to get absolutely clean. And I vow - I will NEVER go back to that "life" ever again. Once I'm completely healed, life is mine forever! I'm going to live the way I've only ever dreamed of. I'm going to do the things I love and always wanted to try.... You have no idea how the upcoming feeling of "freedom" is so exciting and desired. I can't wait to be completely better.
Again, friends.... Thank you all for listening, and replying. I truly appreciate it and am thankful to have found this site.
If there are any questions, I'll be more than willing to continue talking. :)
Until then, take care. :)

[elleryder]

Thank you.
But, if you read it again, you'll see that I am not in denial.
If I was in denial, I wouldn't have been so thorough with my explanations. I wouldn't have been "crying for help" like this. But, that is fine. I understand how words (Especially texts) can be misinterpreted. Again, though - Thank you for wishing me the best. Things are getting better. :)

[1sorryperson]

I don't know if Ms Kansas can keep all us that she helps straight.  But, I am the guy who had polups (caused from various means of using) removed from my sinuses and 1 from throat that i could see with a mirror, back in December 2011.  I came home on morphine and hydros after being 18 months clean, took another 9 months to get back off, for the umteenth time.   This whole thread looks like a rerun of what i went thru from 2009 to 2012, so i tried to stay off this thread, i hope the op gets emails from mh to a current mail account.

[starshine7]

This is extremely painful to read....this person is just in a sad denial...It's a perfect example to ALL of us on here....never to take life for granted and stay away...

I really hope for the best <3

[debsgotcurves]

I'm  sorry, but, thanks for being so frank. Someone had to say it. I love you!

[clean_in_ks]

It's been 8 days since we heard from you? How are you getting on now?

[nursegirl6572]

I agree with clean in kansas's post wholeheartedly.  Read it...again and again.

Sweetie, you are rationalizing what you're doing.  It's still an opiate, you're still abusing a drug, you're addicted, there's no other way to put it.

I'm completely shocked that the doctors KNOW your history of snorting and have told you that shouldn't be an issue.  Find a new doctor asap.  I would bet every dollar in my bank acct that every symptom you describe is directly related to your snorting, both your history of it and your present use.  You've probably done a lot of damage, and unfortunately, a lot of damage in these kinds of cases is irreversible.  The GOOD news is, if you stop snorting now, you can stop this from getting even worse and have the chance to benefit from some healing..

Sounds to me (in my unofficial opinion) that you probably have a hole that the snorting has eaten away at the tissues that goes directly into the sinuses.  You also probably have holes in your nasal septum, and could even have holes starting inside your nostrils.  I'm not trying to scare you but the extent of the damage could be severe.  

You need to find a good ENT and find out the extent of the damage.  You need to stop snorting immediately, this is serious stuff, and you need to start thinking about what kind of addiction help you need to seek out, as you never addressed it, you just changed meds.  Harm reduction wise, it was a good thing, but the addiction is still there...you never addressed it.

Please be realistic with yourself here hon.  This isn't a mystery.  This is a direct cause/effect situation, your symptoms most definitely are related to snorting things that were never meant to be snorted.

I wish you the very best and look forward to reading about your story.

[weaver71]

I think you are dealing with multiple issues. Your PH is acidic, your vitamin count is low, you take liver damaging pills, and you've snorted for a long time. Allergies can develop later in life, especially from excessive exposure.  First thing I'd do is change your diet, stop the acetaminophen, and form a solid plan of recovery. I don't mean avoid drugs, I mean a recovery program that encourages your growth. Check your house for mold and change the air filters in your house. Take local bee pollen and herbs to support your immune system. Even if those things don't heal you, they give your body a fighting chance. Stop doing destructive things and start doing healing things. Do you take vitamins to balance your deficiency?

[vaughn22]

You are so right about Tylenol and the liver. I asked my Mom 30 years ago when I saw her take Tylenol everyday, if she did so daily. Yes, she did take it everyday and she passed away from cancer of the liver. Well, 1st it was lung cancer but metastasized to her liver. Alas, though even Ibuprofen has several bad side effects too.

[elleryder]

Thank you for your response. Much Appreciated.
Yes. I AM proud of "staying" away from Opiates. As you can imagine, I am aware of the drugs and all the things that accompany them. After all, it has been quite some time. Therefore, I'm aware that T1's are part of the Opiate family. However, they are on the lowest side of Opiates. Unfortunately, they are also filled with acetametaphine and caffeine. I wish I could've walked away from Opiates completely, but I guess I wasn't strong enough. I went to rehab, but it didn't work. I think part of the pride comes from me being able to say "No more" to the 'Stronger' opiates, and the crazy addiction that comes with it. I recallt he withdrawals being unbelievably unbearable! I remember times when I wished I was dead because I didn't want to go through the withdrawals. The longest W/D I had lasted just about 4 weeks! Each and every single day! I'm so happy that I don't go through that anymore. Unfortunately, now..... I've got another terrifying process to endure. (For the lack of a better description - Withdrawals from Habitual Snorting).... All that time of nose and throat abuse requires some time to heal.....And that's so tough. It's just so terribly tough. And I feel so alone with no friends or family to be here with me for it.... But, that's okay. I've got you guys to listen to me now. :) And to help me. :)   Soooo....Thank you very very kindly, all of you. And yes. Tomorrow morning, I am definitely going to tell them everything again. (I already did).... And this time, i'm going to try and sound stern with them in regards to helping me. I'm even going to ask them if I can be admitted for a few days so that I have the proper care and comfort. :)
Thank you, Clean. I will keep you and the rest of youse posted. :)

[clean_in_ks]

Sorry to be so direct....but it is glaringly obvious that you are ruining your nasal passages, your muscous membranes, it's now affecting all areas of your entire ENT system (ears, nose and throat).  You say you snorted oxys, morphine, hydromorphine, percs, on and on.. for 2 years....and you are proud of yourself because you have ONLY been snorting Tylenol 1's for the last 2 years ???  They still have codeine, caffeine and acetaminophen (paramectol in Canada) in them.  You have just reduced the opiate level of the drug you are snorting.  The amount of opiate is the only thing you have changed....and the caffeine offsets the codeine.

So for 4 YEARS you have been burning up your nasal passages...now it's moved to facial pain, your ears hurt, your throat is raw and has blisters and sores on it.  There are some people that have done irreversible damage to their nose/passages.  
I cannot believe that if you told the dr. that you had crushed and snorted 200 Tylenol 1 pills in a matter of 3 days and let them know you have been snorting pills for over 4 yrs that they wouldn't automatically know all this inflammation and pain was related to snorting pills that weren't mfrd or designed to be snorted.  They have all kinds of fillers, additives and some have coatings on the outside of them that simply were never intended to be put up your nose.  They are ruling out everything....except the obvious.

I hope you can be extremely forthright about how much...and how long...you have been snorting pills intended to be taken orally.  If you equip the dr(s) with details and are completely honest....then maybe they can help you begin to heal.  I surely hope you will stop snorting before you have damage beyond what you already have....we have been given amazin bodies that heal from many things.....but we have to stop hurting them for them to heal.
Please be sure to let us know how you are doing....and I hope you can see for yourself that you aren't "clean" if you are still abusing yourself with drugs.  Be good to yourself.....you are SO worth it~  

[elleryder]

No. I don't own one. But, I'm trying other things such as - Saline Spray, Vicks Rub, Nose Inhaler, And just like...Slow, but forced breathing excercise....I don't think it helps really, but keeps me focused on something other than the discomfot

[VICourageous]

OK. Come back and let us know what in the world is going on.Or stick around and read or share your experiences. There are many areas on here to. Maybe go in to some where they have info regarding the throat or mouth or even sinus. There are Videos to watch on here too. Heck I get all kinds of great info from this site. A-Z they seem to have a lot. Good Luck and do come back if you go. Let us know whats up..
Bless

[atthebeach]

flonase is used for allergies, it reduces inflammation in the nasal and sinus cavities.it is a nose spray.
yea the nedi pot is a saline nasal spray, mixed with water, it costs about $20.

[elleryder]

Thank you kindly, Ariley. Much appreciated. :)
I will return with more information to share tomorrow, too.

[elleryder]

Thank you kindly, Ariley. Much appreciated. :)
I will return with more information to share tomorrow, too.

[elleryder]

Hello.....
No X-Rays yet..... Going to inquire about Sinusitus tomorrow morning..... No real diagnosis yet - just "ruling" everything out....... Yes. They gave me Amoxicilan, and Nystatin, and Fluoco (Something-Something)..... I haven't tried the nedi-pot yet. I cannot afford it at the moment. :( .... And, yea. I've had several Liver Function Tests. My liver is fine, they said. (In fact, I think he said something like it was great)

[atthebeach]

if you keep on snorting then you will continue to damage them. so you will need to stop so the healing can really begin. have you tried using a vaporizer in your room to soothe the sinuses and keep the air moist?

[atthebeach]

your response wasn't there, I now see about the liver panel, that's good.

[elleryder]

Bless you, too. <3
And yes. I am currently taking Nystatin as well. Even though they said I don't have a yeast infection of anykind, they said that the Nystatin should still help and that I have to take it until it's all done. So, I got two more bottles to finish. I don't really know if there was any improvement or change, but I'm still taking it just in case. After all, the doctor said that the location of my health concerns in my throat and sinuses are fragile. And will take a bit of some time to heal.
So, maybe I have no other choice but to wait it out... :(

[atthebeach]

have you had an xray of your sinuses? have they ruled out sinusitis?
did they give you any diagnosis? did they treat you with any antibiotics?
have you tried to use a nedi pot?
did they give you a blood test to check your liver function?

[ariley13]

Well thank goodness the liver tests came back ok. I am sorry you are going through this. I know how frustrating and scary it is when doctors can't seem to figure out what's going on. ANd yes, please keep us updated. Hang in there.

[VICourageous]

Oh Good thing about the cancer. Ya that sounds like it could be the ulcer thing. Like Ariely said they can just keep testing until they know. Hey there is this medicine called Nystatin, Lido, Digel a so called magic mouthwash. It numbs the mouth and throat. No No You can not snort it!!! The Dr should give you something for the sore nose. Keep me updated because I am very curious about this too. OK
Bless

[elleryder]

Thanks for the reply. :)
Yes. That's what they said the Thrush tests were about. (Std's).... So, I don't think so....But, idk.
That's another thing that stunned me, too.... I am aware of the terrible effects of Tylenol w/Codiene, and what it's capable of doing to your liver, but I had 3 liver tests done, and all three were excellent. My family doctor even said that my liver was pretty healthy. I was like "Are you sure??".... (That's why I had it done three times)... And yes. Nothing wrong in the liver. Also, my immune system is pretty good, too.... It's almost feeling like a curse. (Seeings how they can't find anything wrong with me, and I appear healthy).......I'm going to the doctors first thing in the morning. I'm hoping that I can make them keep me there in order to help me.