From here, what should happen? Long one. Serious answers only, please?

Question

Last year, my fiance's mother died. Afterwards, he had anxiety so bad that he started having migraines that escalated to ice pick migraines. He went to his doctor and was gievn 120 tylenol 3's a month. Anyone out there that has ever dealt with codiene would know that it's highly addictive, and 120 is enough to start that addiction. It did. That was a year and a half ago, and it's alot worse now. He probably spends anywhere from $800-$1500 buying pills off the street in a month. He came to me last night and told me that he wanted to quit, and he asked me to call his doctor and talk to him about it and see what could be done without him having to go to rehab because he'd lose his job. I did, and his doctor said he would do nothing. HE is the one that caused this, and he said he would do NOTHING. "Sorry, I can't help you" is what he told me. He also told him that he could not be his patient any more. He then called my fiance's work place and reffered him to a detox center.

He CANNOT do this because he would have to stay there for 2 weeks without any communication to the outside world.

My fiance's addiction is to the point that if he were to go a certain amount of time without having codiene in his body, that he could go into cardiac arrest or have some other sort of major organ failure. This was told to us by another doctor. Now, he hasn't had any for almost 20 hours. He's vomiting, shaking, seizuring and having to run to the bathroom every 5 minutes.

He cannot go into rehab. He would get fired from his job. A about a year ago, we tried a step down method over a period of two months that worked for some time. I have really bad menstural cycles and I have to take percocets for the pain. He found them, and started again. I have since then stopped taking them.

I'm not looking for people to give me lecutres or judge me here. I'm also not looking to hear that going to detox would be the only way, because I know it isn't. I'm simply asking what you would do in our situation. Is there anything that we can do about this doctor? I'm really starting to freak out because it seems there's no way to get out of this and I don't want to lose the person I love most to a tiny white pill. Thanks.

Ok, I guess I forgot to add that it is oxycodone and hydrocodone that he's into. Percocets and vicodin.

And what's up with this nightmare thing?

To the third answer - yes he can be outright fired. He is the administrator of the largest call center in Ohio and they have a 0 drug tolerance. A co worker of his didn't tell management that he was on vicodin for a tooth ache and they caught him taking it on the floor and fired him. He tried pursuing this with a lawyer and nothing could be done. Just figured I'd let you know.

I thought that I might get atleast one sensible answer if I did this, but I guess I was wrong. Please understand that he CANNNOT go into detox or into rehab because he WILL lose his job. I know that doesn't sound very significant, but you've got to understand that I can only work at certain places because of MY medical issues. Those places don't pay that much....certainly not enough to pay all of our bills. And if I didn't care about him, would I have posted this?

Another thing, it is not just codeine that he is addicted to. It's oxycodone and hydrocodone, too. I'm sorry, but with the amount of doctors and with the amount of research that I have done, I have significant proof that it IS highly addictive.

Answer 1

First of all, one cannot die from withdrawl from opiates, although they most certainly feel like it. See if you can find an addiction doctor and get an appointment. He or she may be able to prescribe meds that can make the detox more humane. I use Subutex, clonidine, Motrin, Parafon, and Immodium for my patients with good outcome. You can try over the counter Motrin for body aches along with hot tub soaks, Immodium for diarrhea, and Benadryl for anxiety. Push fluids like diluted Gatorade or buy some meal replacement supplements like Ensure as he needs to stay hydrated. The worst of it will be over in around two weeks.
Next get in touch with your local 12-step NA or PA meeting. It can be a tremendous source of support that he will need to deal with this addiction. Lastly, there are numerous drugs that can be used for migraine headaches that are not narcotic. He needs to tell any healthcare provider that he has an addiction problem and never take narcotics for his headaches. Good luck to you with this difficult problem.

Answer 2

He most likely cannot be outright fired from his job because he sought medical help. If this is his biggest fear then he needs to contact a lawyer first just so he has someone on his side. As for his doctor dumping him as a patient so to speak he probably is just afraid of a law suit etc. He needs treatment so look for a treatment facility in your yellow pages and call more than one to see what seems better suited for him. Get him in to see the people at a clinic that deals with addiction so he can get his life back together. You also mentioned that you have bad periods and for a time used Percocet for the pain. This too is not an a good idea. YOUR doc should be working with you to find the cause of your severe period pain and working to correct that not just cover it up with a pain pill. Get your period problems properly checked out and taken care of. Good Luck

Answer 3

The nightmare is the least part of your problems. In the first place the doctor that told you he'd have a heart attack if he went into detox is wrong or, if his organs would fail.
If that doctor didn't want to help you, that was fine but, he should have given you a referral. He had no right to just drop you, he forgot his oath "to harm no one"

If he's going to lose his job by going into detox, how can he work in that condition. What are you telling us.

There is no alternative Dear, I'm sorry but, detox is the only answer. I would say that you'd better think about your spouse right now because his life is on the line and it's from drugs. The drugs are killing him, get this in your head, the drugs are killing him, he will be dead. There's no other way to say it.
Don't worry about what the doctor did, don't worry about his work, don't worry about anything else in your life but, you'd better worry about him, he needs detox. I don't know any other way to say it.

Answer 4

you need to get him into rehab as soon as possible because they will know how to handle his coming down from the medication.
I also praise you for sticking by him through this and not abandoning him for greener pastures. I understand that he will loss his job but if his employer ever found out that he was using the medication like this he would be fired anyways and right now he needs to work on making himself healthy again not making money. He can always find another job after rehab.
You need to look into any and all rehab centres that are close to you so that you can get him admitted soon so that nothing else happens to him.
Just to let you know codeine is not as addictive as other highly addictive meds like Oxycontin,,Demerol.
anyways take care and good luck
my thoughts and prayers are with you as you go through this difficult time.

Answer 5

A nightmare is a disturbing dream that causes the dreamer to wake up feeling anxious and frightened. Nightmares may be a response to real life trauma and situations. These type of nightmares fall under a special category called Post-traumatic Stress Nightmare (PSN). Nightmares may also occur because we have ignored or refused to accept a particular life situation. Research shows that most people who have regular nightmares have had a family history of psychiatric problems, bad drug experiences, people who have contemplated suicide, and/or rocky relationships. Nightmares are an indication of a fear that needs to be acknowledged and confronted. It is a way for our subconscious to make up take notice. "Pay attention!" here for a more in depth look at nightmares.

Answer 6

What you needed to honestly tell us that he is addicted to pain killers-simply stating it correctly.
I had a friend died from this.
He can get off by going cold turkey or going into a clinical tril for painkiller addiction.

He does need help or else he will be up against life.
Please go to your state website & can find by going to

http://www.firstgov.com

Next will be a link to go to your state of residence website.
Here you can check if he can legally be fired for going into a hospital and/or taking time off for medical leave.
If the state has a law that he cannot be fired for this, he can sue his company of employment or their insurance company,or their worker's comp will be ordered to pay him.
This step was taken at a place I worked at & they had to pay dearly.

Good Luck & get help

Answer 7

Codeine is not highly addictive, not nearly as much as oxcodone and hydrocodone. In all my years of practice, I saw only one codeine addict. Get the man into rehab now.

Answer 8

After detox, he should see a headache specialist.
There is no other way.
I wish you both the best.