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Hello, My Husband Has Been Clean From A Heroin Addiction
Question: Hello, my husband has been clean from a heroin addiction for about 5 years now and he has been having withdrawal symptoms randomly over the years. Right now he is freezing, shaking, sweating, with a lot of abdominal pain and throwing up. Nothing seems to be consistent in triggering it. He doesn't want to go to the ER but I don't know what to do
Brief Answer:
Well.... a few other possibilities.
Detailed Answer:
Ok, there are countless other serious things that can cause these symptoms, they have one major distinguishing feature from heroin withdrawal----abdominal infections, perforations, obstructions, infections CAN KILL YOU. And fairly rapidly. Fever is NOT a withdrawal symptom and if he has fever, then, it is plain clear it isn't withdrawal. If there isn't fever, it could be either.
THere can be a learned expectation response that gives the same result as a drug or drug withdrawal. I even have this and I can't tell you much about it (whenever I get in a particular dentist chair I feel the effects of nitrous). BUT, in YOUR case, clonidine will knock it right out in about an hour. SO... two reasons to go to the ER in someone who has withdrawal symptoms without taking drugs ok three 1) to make sure that person doesn't die 2) to get a medicine (NOT A NARCOTIC!!!) that will fix the symptoms and 3) to verify the person really isn't using drugs. While that is common, it actually is a bit less common than the feeling of the drug as a learned response, so, no, I don't think he's using.
Oh, btw, clonidine is quite effective on the learned response. It isn't that good on the real withdrawal.
Well.... a few other possibilities.
Detailed Answer:
Ok, there are countless other serious things that can cause these symptoms, they have one major distinguishing feature from heroin withdrawal----abdominal infections, perforations, obstructions, infections CAN KILL YOU. And fairly rapidly. Fever is NOT a withdrawal symptom and if he has fever, then, it is plain clear it isn't withdrawal. If there isn't fever, it could be either.
THere can be a learned expectation response that gives the same result as a drug or drug withdrawal. I even have this and I can't tell you much about it (whenever I get in a particular dentist chair I feel the effects of nitrous). BUT, in YOUR case, clonidine will knock it right out in about an hour. SO... two reasons to go to the ER in someone who has withdrawal symptoms without taking drugs ok three 1) to make sure that person doesn't die 2) to get a medicine (NOT A NARCOTIC!!!) that will fix the symptoms and 3) to verify the person really isn't using drugs. While that is common, it actually is a bit less common than the feeling of the drug as a learned response, so, no, I don't think he's using.
Oh, btw, clonidine is quite effective on the learned response. It isn't that good on the real withdrawal.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Okay, I think I have a better idea of his symptoms now. It's really hard for him to talk to me or be very coherent but he is extremely cold, like so cold that it hurts. I've had him in and out of the bath/shower like 5 times now. He hasn't thrown up again in about 45 minutes/hour but he was having an episode of actually puking every half hour or so. He is also extremely lethargic when the other symptoms die down for a bit. He doesn't think it's addiction related either I guess. Sorry, I'm getting as much out of him as I can...
Brief Answer:
Hi,
Detailed Answer:
Lethargy, pain, nausea, cold feeling...these are quite worrisome symptoms.
cannot say in your particular case, but generally, they can indicate a life-threatening condition. Gall bladder going quite bad, appendix, an appendix like condition called diverticulitis with peritonitis, blood poisoning/sepsis... a lot of bad things can have the symptoms mentioned.
Hi,
Detailed Answer:
Lethargy, pain, nausea, cold feeling...these are quite worrisome symptoms.
cannot say in your particular case, but generally, they can indicate a life-threatening condition. Gall bladder going quite bad, appendix, an appendix like condition called diverticulitis with peritonitis, blood poisoning/sepsis... a lot of bad things can have the symptoms mentioned.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Alright, thank you very much for the response. I have him at the ER right now, just waiting to be seen.
Brief Answer:
You are welcome
Detailed Answer:
I cannot advise / diagnose / treat without being there, and I would like to know what happened if that is possible.
You are welcome
Detailed Answer:
I cannot advise / diagnose / treat without being there, and I would like to know what happened if that is possible.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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