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584338 tn?1226971604

Husband in intensive care

This is not so much a question  as just letting you guys know the latest.    I have just returned from hospital, my hubby (Gixerboy) was taken by ambulance there about midnight.

He was on Oxycontin 8 80mgs a day for almost 3 years due to a severe back problem.   Anyway, he has been tapering over two months (got down to about half that) due to pressure from the doc and the fact that it was beginning to affect him badly etc

When the doc and pain clinic started telling him that rapid detox and drug rehab were options he got really scared.  He didn’t want to leave our daughter and me, instead he wanted to stay here.   Hence the decision to go cold turkey on Wednesday night (his last dose).  

It all started at around 5pm Friday night when he lost the ability to speak verbally, and instead we were communicating on paper.  He told me that he kept going into massive spasms, hot, cold etc.   He was in soooo much pain and just wanted it to end.  But he didn’t want a tablet, and kept telling me not to panic and not to call an ambulance, he would be fine!

This went on and on for hours, until about 9ish when I went to get our daughter from youth club.  He wanted me to get tablets downstairs that we had that would help him to sleep, and hence combat the withdrawals.  I did this and had to dash off for our daughter….   When I came home he was suddenly speaking again and told me that he taken several sleeping tablets as he needed to ensure sleep.       About half hour after this, he started having massive involuntary movement in his arms and legs.   These got worse and worse, and we now had no communication at all, as he could not speak and could not write as his arms wouldn’t stay still.     I tried for about 2 more hours to help him but it did not stop and just got worse….. he kept falling off the bed, banged his head etc…. It got to a stage where he was endangering himself and everyone around him.  At this point, despite his wishes, I had no choice, I called an ambulance.

Sorry for the ramblings guys, I just need to talk to someone, I am so scared, keep thinking that I am going to lose the guy that I love sooooo much.   Been so strong all night so our daughter didn’t get any more upset than she already was, now I can’t help it.   I am supposed to be getting a few hours sleep as they have sedated him now and will let him sleep until 9ish when they intend to wake him up and see how he is.   Daughter is asleep but I just can’t.  The hospital seems to think that this has been caused, not by withdrawals, but an overdose of sleeping pills.   Will not really know anything else  until later this morning but will keep u posted.

Thanks for listening guys.

Karen (Gixerboy’s wife)



58 Responses
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584338 tn?1226971604
Many thanks for your comments.  It's so good to have him home again!!!
It was my birthday yesterday so it was so nice that he could spend it with me.   We borrowed a wheelchair from red cross so that he could get out and about, as he still has big problems with walking.  It'll still take time, but he's getting there.

Karen
Helpful - 0
611067 tn?1458591483
WOOHOO!!! I'm so glad to hear from both of you and happy to hear of the improvement.  Prayer works wonders!  Keep us updated and you will stay in my prayers and hopefully you will heal fast and Karen, you are an incredible woman!  You are lucky to have each other!  :)  Hugs, Janet
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584338 tn?1226971604
I really do feel for you, been there and done it for 3 years, and it was hell!!!   However, we got through it and u can to, will PM you.  Can't today (it's my birthday!! so off out..) but will def.  PM you tomorrow.

Take care.

Karen
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Avatar universal
I am glad things have improved. My husband takes approx 20 pills of percocet or oxycontin a day for his back. The dr doesn't prescrib this much, he has just gotten addicted to them over the past 6 or so years. Through your many visits at the hospital has any one talked to you about what would happen if your husband doesn't come off of the pills? Or how long can someone's body put up with this abuse. I really don't have anyone to talk to, I found this site yesterday and have been getting feed back from alot of people. Nothing has happened to my husband to scare him off of these pills.And he is only getting worse.
I am so happy for you that your husband is on the up swing.
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Avatar universal
I really hope everything works out for u and ur husband. I will keep both of u in my prayers
Helpful - 0
718869 tn?1236260459
So glad to have you back. I know it is going to be a rough road with the pain, but some how you will do just fine. You are going to have to make a new post this one is like 3 pages back. so post a new one tomorrow for everyone to see. Yes I know your family was going crazy. Your wife is so sweet, I am sure she wont even sleep tonight eather always lifting her arm over to see if you are really there all night...lol.. Maybe tomorrow she can sleep! I wish you lots of luck.
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584338 tn?1226971604
oops sorry guys, that last post was from me (KAG71) not Gixerboy!!!!  Forgot to sign out!!
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575947 tn?1220742187
Well, there's nothing really that I can add to that, except to say thank you to you all for supporting us through this.  Also, to anyone wanting to take Oxycontin, don't do it!!!!!!
Helpful - 0
575947 tn?1220742187
Well I guess I've been to hell and back, and it was the kind of hell to be honest I thought i would never return from. It's not a nice place to visit and to be honest I am stunned at the intensity of sheer pain and terror that gripped me so tightly that night. But somehow someway I was dragged back from the darkest place I have ever known and awoke to find a tube down my thoat and a dozen lines in my veins keeping me alive. I then walked among angels because the ITU staff were amazing, I am completely lost for words when trying to explain how incredible they all are.  

Guys I had to do it, the life I was living at that time was no life at all for either me or my wonderful amazing and beautiful family.  I took a leap of faith and trusted God to bring me back, and I guess he did.  I'm certainly not out of the woods yet but there is light at the end of a very long tunnel.  I just feel so utterly rotten to have dragged my family through this awful experience.  My daughter hasn't slept for a week and my wife looks like death warmed up.  I feel rotten to the core, the guilt I feel is eating me alive but I just had to do it.  I am now racked with pain and I can't walk more than a few paces now without having to stop, but deep down inside I feel free.  I must say a huge thank you for all the responses that my wife recieved, it quite literally kept her going, I cannot thank you all enough.  I am so tired now so I'll sign off, but I just thought I'd say hi.
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718869 tn?1236260459
Well it sounds like he is doing good. I feel bad for his back, I know thats going to be hard to deal with. Maybe get a walker for the home might help him get around better. Can't really chat  now kids are hungry  why???? LMAO Law says I have to go feed them. lol TTYL
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584338 tn?1226971604
Hi Ronnie152 and everyone else that is watching this thread!

He is now looking so much better, back to his old self.  They are gradually reducing the Oramorph and he has now started the Lofexidine, which he says is helping a lot.  Only trouble now is that with no oxycontin his back is killing him and he's finding it hard to walk.   The physio team are helping him regularly with walking him, they took him up some stairs today as we have stairs in our house and an upstairs toilet.   I think he is really going to struggle with walking now, unless they can give him something else for the pain.  Before on the oxycontin he could walk unaided, at the mo he can only walk with the assistance of two other people.

He is now nagging the nurses and doctors constantly to let him home, and they agreed he was proabably ready for home.  However, they don't like discharging patients from intensive care or high dependency, but the only reason he is still there is because there are no beds on the wards!  However, they did say today that he should be okay to come home tomorrow.  To be honest I think if they don't let him home tomorrow he will create so much noise they'll be pleased to let him go lol

He will still need to visit pain clinic weekly to assess things though.  Also, I would guess that his wrist would need a eye kept on it as well.

Thats about it for now.

Karen
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718869 tn?1236260459
Checking in, any news yet?
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718869 tn?1236260459
Thats great! Glad to hear he is doing good. He will be home making you crazy soon!  LMAO.. Glad you got some rest to. got to run ttyl
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584338 tn?1226971604
Further to my earlier post, just been doing some research and Lofexidine is very similiar to Clonidine that I've heard mentioned a lot on here.   I think Clonidine is used is the states a lot as Lofexidine isn't so widely available there.
Helpful - 0
584338 tn?1226971604
Thank u totallost and Freebird.  I don't know what else to say except thank u.  I am totally overwhelmed by how many people have responded to and kept track of this post.  I know my hubby will be too when he comes home and reads all this!!  He just can't wait to get home now, he keeps asking the nurses!    As much as I want him home, I tell him not to rush it or he'll end up straight back there again!
Helpful - 0
654560 tn?1331854581
I kid you not...I have been trying to post all day and couldn't get a word in edgewise. But now that I'm here I want you to know I have been praying for a great healing for your husband also praying for you and your daughter. Know that God has his hand on this and sends special angles for little children and as for you ....Well.....I am woman watch me roar.You really stepped up with super natural strength.  Much love and happiness for your husband  may he continue to heal
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711224 tn?1344771687
So happy for you that your hubby is better. he seems to be in good hands concerning the pain and the addiction. I really wish you all the best. Thanx for keeping us informed.
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584338 tn?1226971604
Thank u so much Stevo, so good to have so much support with this.   I just phoned the hospital and he has now been moved to the high dependency unit, and out of intensive care.  When and if they get a bed he will be moved onto a ward.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i've been following your post and am pleased at how things seem to be going for you and hubby.your in my prayers every night, hope things continue to get better.  steveo
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584338 tn?1226971604
Hi all

Well I went in today and he was actually sat in the chair today!  However, he had his wrist up in a sling.... because he bled internally into his wrist as a result of the needle.   It swelled up and looked deformed etc.... so they had to take the needles out quick and send him for x-ray.   He's a haemophiliac you see, so they had to be careful!    

His doctor from the pain clinc has been to see him today as well, and has said it wasn't advisable what he did, but she was really pleased with him for managing it!   The plan now is to gradually reduce the oramorph that he is on, as the last thing he wants is to become addicted to that too!  So they will gradually reduce that, and replace it with Lofexidine.  Don't know if any of you have heard of it but apparently it helps with withdrawal from opiates.   Apparently you start with a low dose, increase it up and then reduce it back down again until 10 days after the last of the opiate is used.   Obviously the oramorph dose he is on at the mo is nowhere near the oycontin dose he was on, and he is now getting assistance with this. Also they have to monitor him daily with the lofexidine as it can affect his blood pressure.

So there is still a way to go, but hopefully he is now through the worst.

To Ronnie152, I slept very well actually, I think the last few days caught up on me and I was exhausted.  Knowing he was doing better now gave me more chance to relax a bit.

Speak to you again soon.

Karen
Helpful - 0
718869 tn?1236260459
Just stopping by to say hello, hope you slept, and hope hubbie is doing even better today. Take care, dont forget yourself. ttyl
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711224 tn?1344771687
I'm sooo happy for you that your hubby is better. He's gonna get there. Send him all the hugs of the world from us. And driving the nurses loopy and eating ice cream and jelly is definitely a goooood sign.LOL.
Think a little about you and your daughter now, get some rest if you can and keep us posted if you got a little time.
Big hugzzzz to ya.
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Avatar universal
So glad to hear your husband is doing better.  I hope you are taking care of yourself as well.  You sure don't need to get run down cause I'm sure he'll be counting on you to help him make it thru all of this. Thanks for keeping us posted. Warmly, April
Helpful - 0
584338 tn?1226971604
Thnak u Ronnie152, I will let him know!  Gonna catch up on some sleep now I think.  Will speak again soon.

Karen
Helpful - 0
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