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Post by the other mark williams on May 12, 2019 23:48:35 GMT -6
Oxy and fentanyl are not uncommon together (fentanyl for short term burst or "break through" pain, oxy for long term management). The addition of Xanax is tough, though. Benzos are fairly addictive in nature, and are best used for the short term (especially Xanax, which has a short "ramp" and "tail" of action). Again, it's much easier to get into a negative feedback cycle with any of these than most people realize. Yep. Been addicted to benzo's twice. Started to OD on fentanyl once. Getting off the benzos each time was about the worst experience I've ever had in my life. They bind incredibly strongly to parts of the brain, and can actually be fatal if you cold turkey. So sorry to hear that part of your story, man. But glad you're still here to tell it. It's true re: fatality - once dependency has been established, the two most dangerous drugs to go "cold turkey" with are benzodiazepines and alcohol.
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Post by Mister Chase on May 13, 2019 11:22:33 GMT -6
Yep. Been addicted to benzo's twice. Started to OD on fentanyl once. Getting off the benzos each time was about the worst experience I've ever had in my life. They bind incredibly strongly to parts of the brain, and can actually be fatal if you cold turkey. So sorry to hear that part of your story, man. But glad you're still here to tell it. It's true re: fatality - once dependency has been established, the two most dangerous drugs to go "cold turkey" with are benzodiazepines and alcohol.
Thank you, my friend. It's all good.
Hopefully there will be more awareness of these addictions and better, less reckless withdrawal plans by doctors.
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ericn
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Post by ericn on May 13, 2019 12:53:21 GMT -6
Yep. Been addicted to benzo's twice. Started to OD on fentanyl once. Getting off the benzos each time was about the worst experience I've ever had in my life. They bind incredibly strongly to parts of the brain, and can actually be fatal if you cold turkey. So sorry to hear that part of your story, man. But glad you're still here to tell it. It's true re: fatality - once dependency has been established, the two most dangerous drugs to go "cold turkey" with are benzodiazepines and alcohol. Man Mark that is what I would call going through hell.
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Post by the other mark williams on May 13, 2019 13:08:44 GMT -6
So sorry to hear that part of your story, man. But glad you're still here to tell it. It's true re: fatality - once dependency has been established, the two most dangerous drugs to go "cold turkey" with are benzodiazepines and alcohol. Man Mark that is what I would call going through hell. Yeah - I mean, this isn't MY story. This is from the work I've done with clients in recovery as a counselor for folks with a history of substance abuse. Some are still actively using. I've seen people almost die coming off alcohol. EDIT: I need to be clear about my certification: I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), not a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) or Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist (LCAS). As an LCSW, I've worked with a number of folks with addiction issues, and it's a special interest of mine. I've worked formally in substance abuse assessment.
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Post by Mister Chase on May 13, 2019 13:37:58 GMT -6
Man Mark that is what I would call going through hell. Yeah - I mean, this isn't MY story. This is from the work I've done with clients in recovery as a substance abuse counselor. I've seen people almost die coming off alcohol. You're doing God's work as far as I am concerned. I definitely could have used the guidance in 2007. Unfortunately I was under the care of a physician who was very liberal and unaware of the true scope of klonopin issues and supported my taking them as needed/multiple times a day. That turned into a daily habit 4 years straight. Then another doctor had me taper off to zero in I think less than 2 weeks. I started hallucinating, my anxiety became about 1000 times worse than when I went on them, my body was somehow freezing cold and burning up at the same time and I couldn't eat for several weeks. I lost 50lbs or something like that and just drank one boost a day because it's all I could do. Just laid in bed. Best part? None of the docs believed my symptoms had anything to do with the meds. In my recovery I discovered that this wasn't uncommon. I talked to an ER nurse that was caring for a guy whose condition was worsening. By the time they found out it was benzo withdrawl it was already too late. There is an issue with these drugs that so many seem to be unaware of in the medical field. Because they are prescribed for anxiety, and symptoms of withdrawal are blamed on the patients anxiety disorder. I had no real anxiety disorder until I had the fentanyl overdose which was due to be defective 3 day patch. It was 2003 when Duragesic first came out and many were defective causing a slew of deaths and large class action suit. I say all this not to get attention or sympathy but to offer some first hand experience into something that usually leaves the person involved dead and unable to give insight. The last 13 years of after effects were just because I had routine sinus surgery when I was 19. Be careful out there people.
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Post by the other mark williams on May 13, 2019 14:44:34 GMT -6
Yeah - I mean, this isn't MY story. This is from the work I've done with clients in recovery as a substance abuse counselor. I've seen people almost die coming off alcohol. You're doing God's work as far as I am concerned. I definitely could have used the guidance in 2007. Unfortunately I was under the care of a physician who was very liberal and unaware of the true scope of klonopin issues and supported my taking them as needed/multiple times a day. That turned into a daily habit 4 years straight. Then another doctor had me taper off to zero in I think less than 2 weeks. I started hallucinating, my anxiety became about 1000 times worse than when I went on them, my body was somehow freezing cold and burning up at the same time and I couldn't eat for several weeks. I lost 50lbs or something like that and just drank one boost a day because it's all I could do. Just laid in bed. Best part? None of the docs believed my symptoms had anything to do with the meds. In my recovery I discovered that this wasn't uncommon. I talked to an ER nurse that was caring for a guy whose condition was worsening. By the time they found out it was benzo withdrawl it was already too late. There is an issue with these drugs that so many seem to be unaware of in the medical field. Because they are prescribed for anxiety, and symptoms of withdrawal are blamed on the patients anxiety disorder. I had no real anxiety disorder until I had the fentanyl overdose which was due to be defective 3 day patch. It was 2003 when Duragesic first came out and many were defective causing a slew of deaths and large class action suit. I say all this not to get attention or sympathy but to offer some first hand experience into something that usually leaves the person involved dead and unable to give insight. The last 13 years of after effects were just because I had routine sinus surgery when I was 19. Be careful out there people. wow, insane, brother. I wish I could say I was surprised re: your (former) docs. Unfortunately it’s all too common.
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Post by Mister Chase on May 13, 2019 18:30:28 GMT -6
You're doing God's work as far as I am concerned. I definitely could have used the guidance in 2007. Unfortunately I was under the care of a physician who was very liberal and unaware of the true scope of klonopin issues and supported my taking them as needed/multiple times a day. That turned into a daily habit 4 years straight. Then another doctor had me taper off to zero in I think less than 2 weeks. I started hallucinating, my anxiety became about 1000 times worse than when I went on them, my body was somehow freezing cold and burning up at the same time and I couldn't eat for several weeks. I lost 50lbs or something like that and just drank one boost a day because it's all I could do. Just laid in bed. Best part? None of the docs believed my symptoms had anything to do with the meds. In my recovery I discovered that this wasn't uncommon. I talked to an ER nurse that was caring for a guy whose condition was worsening. By the time they found out it was benzo withdrawl it was already too late. There is an issue with these drugs that so many seem to be unaware of in the medical field. Because they are prescribed for anxiety, and symptoms of withdrawal are blamed on the patients anxiety disorder. I had no real anxiety disorder until I had the fentanyl overdose which was due to be defective 3 day patch. It was 2003 when Duragesic first came out and many were defective causing a slew of deaths and large class action suit. I say all this not to get attention or sympathy but to offer some first hand experience into something that usually leaves the person involved dead and unable to give insight. The last 13 years of after effects were just because I had routine sinus surgery when I was 19. Be careful out there people. wow, insane, brother. I wish I could say I was surprised re: your (former) docs. Unfortunately it’s all too common. Seems like it! Thanks. Life is a wild ride. I'm doing pretty well compared to many, so I am grateful for that. Cheers bro.
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Post by johneppstein on May 13, 2019 19:56:08 GMT -6
Yep. Been addicted to benzo's twice. Started to OD on fentanyl once. Getting off the benzos each time was about the worst experience I've ever had in my life. They bind incredibly strongly to parts of the brain, and can actually be fatal if you cold turkey. So sorry to hear that part of your story, man. But glad you're still here to tell it. It's true re: fatality - once dependency has been established, the two most dangerous drugs to go "cold turkey" with are benzodiazepines and alcohol. And barbiturates, but you rarely see them anymore.
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