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Old 08-29-2015, 12:24 AM #1
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Default DB journey to sobriety

13 days sober. Out of rehab yesterday, and is now home. Will attend 10 days of day patient therapy and then down south to a rehab retreat for 4 weeks more intense therapy. While away, I'm to attend 4 therapy sessions to assist me in my journey to his sobriety. So much to learn.
He is home, safe and sober and on Antabuse which for two weeks I have to give to him, then he has a blister pack for his next 4 weeks and when home again, he is responsible for his own meds. No visitors allowed while away down south.
He is quite unwell still, the catalyst to sober living was a diagnosis of Barretts oesophagus and severe gastritis. Today he has terrible stomach cramps and bad diarrhoea, how long do withdrawal symptoms last?
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Old 08-30-2015, 11:04 PM #2
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Lightbulb Wise to Have a Medical Evaluation

Hi PamelaJune,

He has done well to commit to detox and additional programs!

I had searched a bit about the length of withdrawal symptoms for alcohol withdrawal:

http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/a...oms-treatments

According to timelines I have seen on the net, the symptoms of withdrawal are usually gone or almost gone at this stage. This info could be erroneous and/or there could be exceptions, of course.

I am wondering if the severe stomach cramps and diarrhea are more from the gastritis than the alcohol withdrawal?

I also wonder if the diarrhea might be caused by the antabuse itself?
Diarrhea is listed as a potentially serious side-effect of antabuse, warranting emergent action according to this drug information site: http://www.rxlist.com/antabuse-drug/...de-effects.htm

Also, did he have lab work done at rehab?
Did they check for pancreatitis and check on liver function?

If liver function was checked at rehab before the use of antabuse, it may be important to re-check liver function to see if antabuse is causing, or adding to, any liver-related issues.

I am thinking a physician would need to sort out the real cause of the diarrhea at this stage of recovery.

I hope a physician can fully evaluate him ASAP.



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Old 08-30-2015, 11:23 PM #3
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Hi PamelaJune

Writing as somebody who is in remission from psychological, not physical, alcohol addiction, I think that DejaVu has offered you some great ideas.
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Old 08-31-2015, 06:33 AM #4
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Default 24hr doctor

Had to call locum GP to the house on Sunday he was that bad, after 8 quick trips to the loo and 1 accident - I rang the GP as I googled and saw the Antabuse does have listed diarrhoea to seek medical assistance. So the Doctor arrived and suggested he go to hospital, DB declined.
GP thinks it's the gastritis and or the Antabuse so has to stop that for a few days. Seeing our own GP on Weds and hoping for a referral to gastroenterologist, possibly the one who diagnosed the Barrets and gastritis in the emergency gastroscopy he had in July after vomiting and up black blood and passing it. Not a well man I'm afraid.
He dragged himself out of bed today and attended his first outpatient day therapy, said it was heavy going and with the stomach burn must have been so hard. Sadly his best friend alcohol of 35 years has been slowly and silently poisoning him and only now he has realised. It's been a huge 6 weeks I can tell you and we have many more challenges to come by the sound if it.
Thank you Dejevu and Kiwi for your advice, very grateful to the NT site and users, such a fantastic group of people who come together and offer advice and support.
Will post in Weds after seeing our own GP.
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Old 08-31-2015, 03:41 PM #5
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Hi PamelaJune,

I am glad DB will be seeing a GP on Wednesday.

Very happy to support you and DB in any way possible.

I have had several loved ones go through detox and treatment programs for alcoholism. Some have done very well. This often also takes some level of commitment on the part of family/friends.

DB has a very committed support person in you.
Take good care of yourself as well.

I hope DB feels better ASAP.


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Old 09-01-2015, 04:05 PM #6
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Pam....I sent an email instead.
D.

Last edited by Diandra; 09-01-2015 at 09:59 PM.
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Old 09-01-2015, 10:38 PM #7
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Default Pam,

My daughter dealt with a cocaine addiction for several years. Finally, after attending a couple of rehab 6 week out patient programs; she has been drug free since 1997.

Drug and Alcohol addiction is difficult for all concerned.

Pam, want you to know thoughts and prayers are with you, your husband and family.


Gerry

Last edited by ger715; 09-01-2015 at 10:53 PM.
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Old 09-03-2015, 09:07 PM #8
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Default Pam,

Were you and your husband able to see the doctor on Wednesday? Hopefully he has been referred to a gastroenterologist. Having so many medical issues makes attending the outpatient day therapy even more difficult.

This has had to be extra difficult for you especially with all your 24/7 pain issues.
Pray both of you have the strength to get thru what lies ahead.


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Old 09-05-2015, 02:27 AM #9
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Hi Pam,

I am sorry to interrupt here, but I can't find a way to send a private message on this forum?

I am looking at getting an SCS, nevro with a lamitrode surgically inserted. I was told it was a done deal, but getting the walkaround from the surgeon. You are one of the few people I have seen who has had this done, I just wanted to find out where you had it done and where there any particular compatibility requirements with the paddle lead (from another manufacturer I assume).

If you could email me ** I would appreciate it.

Best Regards,
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Old 09-05-2015, 04:18 AM #10
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Default 21 days

The road is long and hard for us both, my friends on here are just the best, you give me such hope, support and advice and I will always be grateful for NT.
We saw the GP Wednesday, she doesn't want to refer him to a specialist until he has finished these 2 weeks outpatient care and his 4 weeks inpatient care down South, but did tell him his gastritis and barretts is severe and it will take months for his gut to heal and he will need 6 monthly gastroscopies.

Blackwood is a new clinic, they specialise in addiction and recovery, specifically alcohol dependence and ice users who graduated from alcohol to ice. Such an insidious drug and this makes it a challenge for DB given his job as a DDO (drug detection officer) not the fact they are or have been users, but when back into mainstream work he runs the risk of being recognised when out and about. So, he is growing a beard, unshaven now for a week and looks dreadful. A small part of me hopes he doesn't keep it long term...

He says the cravings are not as bad as expected, but some days and hours are worse than others. He is learning a lot and is with a good group of participants at the moment.

Don't know who will be at the clinic down south but he is hopeful they will be a good crowd and not like a number of them discharged from the clinic up here in the city the fortnight he was in. The hospital only holds 30 and is always full. There was a group of 6 there in the 2nd week who were very immature and spoilt, sneaking out over the fence, encouraging boyfriends to break-in, friends flying drones over the rooftop and dropping drugs in... so the hospital had to go into lockdown, 24 of them just got in with it, but it meant no one could go outside and smoke. The 6 set off the fire alarms twice, as soon as the alarm went off the fire doors open and out they dashed to smoke. All 6 discharged the next morning but they were very disruptive for the remainder of the night and the other 24, many of them mature patients like DB were frazzled and suffered with anxiety and panic attacks.

Like I said, the road to recovery is long and hard, I have to attend meetings with the city clinic staff while DB is down south, a part of the program is partners have to commit to attending a minimum of 4 sessions. I'm hopeful it will give me tools to use that will benefit us both in the long run. I have to overcome my fear of being out on my own, this crippling feeling of not being able to even go for a simple walk is just stupid.
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Last edited by PamelaJune; 09-05-2015 at 04:21 AM. Reason: Spelling
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