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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by MelD on April 7, 2003, at 18:13:34
My son (age 23) experienced severe paranoia after heavy use of amphetimines and pot. The doc has him on Seroquel, which has eased the paranoia, but he is suffering extreme agitation, trouble concentrating, trembling and sweating. These dont seem like Seroquel side effects, so i was wondering if anyone has an idea if these symptoms are connected with the drug use? Do you think they are permanent or temporary?
Posted by fayeroe on April 7, 2003, at 19:29:12
In reply to Withdrawal from amphetemines and pot, posted by MelD on April 7, 2003, at 18:13:34
can you take him to a nearby emergency room and consult a doc there. they see A LOT of this and will know what to give him to help him through it. best, pat
Posted by MelD on April 7, 2003, at 21:04:10
In reply to Re: Withdrawal from amphetemines and pot, posted by fayeroe on April 7, 2003, at 19:29:12
Pat, thank you for responding. He first came home in this condition a couple of weeks ago and was given Seroquel in the emergency room. He was not admitted to a facility because he has no insurance, so we followed up with our own doc. So far we have recieved over $2500 in bills from the emergency room people. The system is a nightmare.
Posted by utopizen on April 7, 2003, at 21:12:59
In reply to Re: Withdrawal from amphetemines and pot, posted by MelD on April 7, 2003, at 21:04:10
> Pat, thank you for responding. He first came home in this condition a couple of weeks ago and was given Seroquel in the emergency room. He was not admitted to a facility because he has no insurance, so we followed up with our own doc. So far we have recieved over $2500 in bills from the emergency room people. The system is a nightmare.
>If he qualifies himself, he might get money from the hospital's free-care pool. And call up the rehabs in the area and see if they offer out-patient services. ER assistance is best avoided, because it's so expensive. Medicaid I'm sure covers addiction... have him see a psychiatrist with an addiction specialty, there's plenty of those. The doc I'm seeing this week for the first time is one (I'm not seeing him for that).
Posted by MelD on April 7, 2003, at 21:23:30
In reply to Re: Withdrawal from amphetemines and pot, posted by utopizen on April 7, 2003, at 21:12:59
Thanks so much for the suggestions. We will follow up, and figure out the system. Best of luck to you, and thanks again.
Posted by fayeroe on April 7, 2003, at 21:37:43
In reply to Re: Withdrawal from amphetemines and pot, posted by MelD on April 7, 2003, at 21:23:30
> Thanks so much for the suggestions. We will follow up, and figure out the system. Best of luck to you, and thanks again.
i just called my ER doc friend and he said "absent from drug use with space or if in extreme conditions...valium. he said he might give valium one out of twenty times.".........good luck and prayers for you. pat
Posted by fachad on April 8, 2003, at 0:33:33
In reply to Withdrawal from amphetemines and pot, posted by MelD on April 7, 2003, at 18:13:34
Are you in the US?
If you are you can call your state's Department of Health Services and they may be able to help you or they may refer you to an agency called the Regional Behavioral Health Authority that can help you find free substance abuse treatment and mental health services.
> My son (age 23) experienced severe paranoia after heavy use of amphetimines and pot. The doc has him on Seroquel, which has eased the paranoia, but he is suffering extreme agitation, trouble concentrating, trembling and sweating. These dont seem like Seroquel side effects, so i was wondering if anyone has an idea if these symptoms are connected with the drug use? Do you think they are permanent or temporary?
Posted by MelD on April 8, 2003, at 18:31:52
In reply to Re: Withdrawal from amphetemines and pot » MelD, posted by fayeroe on April 7, 2003, at 21:37:43
I will call the doc tomorrow and see if it is ok to give him a benzo. I have Klonopin on hand, but have been hesitant to give him anything, since the doc says no caffeine, cold pills, etc. Thanks so much, Pat. He is desperate to relax. Melodie
Posted by MelD on April 8, 2003, at 18:42:16
In reply to Re: Withdrawal from amphetemines and pot » MelD, posted by fachad on April 8, 2003, at 0:33:33
I called the Dept and found that he can apply and qualify for Medicare and then can be referred to a mental health agency. Thank you so much for replying. Any and all advice and information is greatly appreciated.
Are you in the US?
>
> If you are you can call your state's Department of Health Services and they may be able to help you or they may refer you to an agency called the Regional Behavioral Health Authority that can help you find free substance abuse treatment and mental health services.
>
>
> > My son (age 23) experienced severe paranoia after heavy use of amphetimines and pot. The doc has him on Seroquel, which has eased the paranoia, but he is suffering extreme agitation, trouble concentrating, trembling and sweating. These dont seem like Seroquel side effects, so i was wondering if anyone has an idea if these symptoms are connected with the drug use? Do you think they are permanent or temporary?
>
>
Posted by fayeroe on April 8, 2003, at 19:29:41
In reply to Re: Withdrawal from amphetemines and pot, posted by MelD on April 8, 2003, at 18:42:16
how long has he been using meth? and how much?
it will depend upon that concerning how much damage has been done.....i doubt that he's used enough for it to have done permanent damage. have you tried 10 mg valium. get him on medicare and get him some help. xoxox pat
Posted by MelD on April 8, 2003, at 21:04:09
In reply to Re: Withdrawal from amphetemines and pot » MelD, posted by fayeroe on April 8, 2003, at 19:29:41
> how long has he been using meth? and how much?
> it will depend upon that concerning how much damage has been done.....i doubt that he's used enough for it to have done permanent damage. have you tried 10 mg valium. get him on medicare and get him some help. xoxox patIm afraid i dont know either how long or how much, since he wasnt living at home at the time. He has told me he used it daily, and i am guessing that it has been less than a year. Thank you for your kind help and interest. Much appreciated, Melodie
Posted by fachad on April 8, 2003, at 21:41:08
In reply to Withdrawal from amphetemines and pot, posted by MelD on April 7, 2003, at 18:13:34
I've seen a few people recommend klonopin or other benzos.
They may work, but docs may be reluctant to write for them, esp. given your son's history.
I would bet they would much more willing to write for a sedating AD like Remeron or doxepin. They may even be able to give you some rapid-dissolving Remeron tables as free samples. Hydroxyzine is another non-controlled med that may help him relax.
Just a few things to ask for if he is denied benzos or if they don't want to give him benzos very long.
> My son (age 23) experienced severe paranoia after heavy use of amphetimines and pot. The doc has him on Seroquel, which has eased the paranoia, but he is suffering extreme agitation, trouble concentrating, trembling and sweating. These dont seem like Seroquel side effects, so i was wondering if anyone has an idea if these symptoms are connected with the drug use? Do you think they are permanent or temporary?
Posted by jessi on April 9, 2003, at 9:50:05
In reply to Withdrawal from amphetemines and pot, posted by MelD on April 7, 2003, at 18:13:34
Hi, I've never used meth myself, but I dated a guy who did. (found out later). When he would stop using, he would do exactly the same things you said your son is doing. Especially the sweating and irratibility, both were extreme. As for the pot, I've used, and I've also stopped, I've never had any side effects, other than a "want" for it. I know there are postings about taking valium, but if he has/had a drug problem, valium is probably not a good choice. Valiums are very addictive, and easily bought on the streets. Hope this helps you in some way. Jessi
Posted by fayeroe on April 9, 2003, at 11:19:03
In reply to Re: Withdrawal from amphetemines and pot, posted by jessi on April 9, 2003, at 9:50:05
> Hi, I've never used meth myself, but I dated a guy who did. (found out later). When he would stop using, he would do exactly the same things you said your son is doing. Especially the sweating and irratibility, both were extreme. As for the pot, I've used, and I've also stopped, I've never had any side effects, other than a "want" for it. I know there are postings about taking valium, but if he has/had a drug problem, valium is probably not a good choice. Valiums are very addictive, and easily bought on the streets. Hope this helps you in some way. Jessi
THE VALIUM IS FOR SHORT-TIME USE ONLY. AND I WAS QUOTING AN ER DOC WHO DEALS WITH THIS ALL THE TIME. I WASN'T ADVOCATING THE BUYING OF THE VALIUM ON THE STREET.......I BELIEVE YOU MISUNDERSTOOD ME. I ONLY ADVOCATE MEDICATED WITHDRAWAL UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A PHYSICIAN. THERE ARE ADDICTIONOLOGISTS THAT CAN HELP. PAT
Posted by jessi on April 9, 2003, at 13:11:10
In reply to Re: Withdrawal from amphetemines and pot, posted by fayeroe on April 9, 2003, at 11:19:03
No, I didn't misunderstand you nor was I trying to say that you were giving bad advice. Valium can be very helpful. I was just saying that since he already has a drug problem to be careful, because if he does get a "taste" of valium and decides he likes it, it could create a whole new problem. I wasn't trying to contradict your advice, I was just trying to add to and warn. Sorry if it sounded bad, I didn't mean for it too. Jessi
Posted by MelD on April 9, 2003, at 18:52:02
In reply to Withdrawal from amphetemines and pot, posted by MelD on April 7, 2003, at 18:13:34
First, thank you to Fachad, Jessi and Faryoe for your responses. They have been more helpful than you know. We did see the doc today and he put him on Paxil and Geodon. It is a "crapshoot" at this point, unfortunately, until we can figure out how badly the drugs messed up his brain and how long it will take to sort out his symptoms. He does have a history of depression and attempted suicide two years ago, so as you can see, the issue is complicated. As for benzos, the doc is saying no because of his addiction tendencies and previous alcohol abuse. I take a benzo myself, for sleep and have had no problems with years of use. As doc explained it, some brains can handle benzos, pot, even amphetamines and be ok, but my son's brain is not one of them. Thank you all again for the information and support. Melodie
Posted by MelD on April 9, 2003, at 18:56:19
In reply to Re: Withdrawal from amphetemines and pot, posted by MelD on April 9, 2003, at 18:52:02
Did i just mispell misspelled? Lord, i need a break! LOL, Mel
This is the end of the thread.
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