Detox at 5mg's a day??

[KAYO68]

Im a 42 old drug addict.My question is ..Is it legal to detox a patient at 5 milligrams a day?.I go to a clinic here in ohio and im being detoxed for non-payment,and its being done at 5 mg's a day from 110 milligrams.Let me say im in absolute AGONY!!.Its in my stomach, its not heartburn,it feels like my organs are on fire.Im going out of my mind!.No sleep in over 4 days not 1 @##$# damn minute.It has to be inhumane and illegal right?..Im also a diabetic and i take insulin,but im not eating or drinking and my sugar is going from 600 to 50 and thats not right.I have told this to the doc,but no money no help.If their is anyone out there that can give me advice on this matter man i would really appreciate it.Thank you for reading my problem

[spankyone]

Not sure what the laws are in Ohio, but in WI you can not be turned down for health care if you can not pay.  Is this clinic federal funded?  That may make a huge difference.

Here if your urine is dirty at the pain/doctor/clinic....they can dismiss you without a script to allow you time to get a new doctor.  So in essence, you are on your own.  Last month my UA came up positive for pot.  That is one substance I have never had an inkling to do.  I told the PA that I would take a blood test to prove I had no illegal stuff in me.  She then told me it could have already in the cup.  What is that?  Your cup is already dirty before you pee!?

[bmdad]

Looks like Gnarly posted the exact same time I was posting. I knew he would notice this post. He always does!

[pillfree21]

As terrible as your situation is, in the long run they may be doing you a favor by crashing your methadone addicition and forcing you to consider the possibility of life without it.  I can only imagine how rough that type of detox is for me and my heart goes out to you as a result.  I am like the previous posters and would like you to encourage you to focus on continuing to treat your diabetes properly, that could cause serious issues above and beyond the WDs.

Definitely follow up on Gnarly's advice about the state aid programs or even some faith based missions in the area.

[bmdad]

I've seen other posts pertaining to this on here in the past. I agree with Vicki that it should be against the law but from reading the other posts about this it's not against the law.

You would think a doctor would have more compassion but the sad part is most of these so called doctors open a methadone clinic for the money and the money only. Most don't do it actually trying to help out addicts. I'm guessing the reason why the just cut people off is to make an example out of them. If they continued treating you because of nonpayment then word would get out and most would stop paying knowing that they would still be treated. Next thing you know the clinic is no longer making any money. But if you ask me it's bs. Like you mentioned they could at least slow down the taper a bit

I think your best bet is to do what was mentioned above and that is to just bite the bullet. You feel horrible anyways so why drag it out? There are a few members here that know their stuff when it comes to methadone. One of them is Gnarly1. Another is KC. I'm sure Gnarly will be on later and will be able to give you advice. If your blood sugar is that far out of whack you really need to get to the er. Once there I would think they would do more than just give you fluids. They would have to get your blood sugar under control.

[gnarly_1]

HI.....SO they kicked you to the curb and said --5 mg a day because of money??? God I hate methadone clinics you know the actual dose cost .32 cents it the nurses and conslors and of course the doctor that wants a boat load of cash  and he never sees a sick pacent
well enough for my rant....well its going ti feel like getting hit by a freight train doing it this way
if you still got 6 bucks get up to walmart and pick up a 3 in one vitamin calcium/magnesium/zinc and start taking 4 in the morning and 4 with dinner in a couple of days this will lighten up your withdrawals a bit  I came off it the right way and this mad a huge difference for me coming off 5mg a day Im not sure if anything is going to help...I would check into some sort of public aid if your unemployed you should be elagable for state run health care and mabe they could put you on sub...other then that  your just going to have to tuff it out....we have had members jump from as high as 120mg it wasent pritty but it was doable about 2 weeks of hell then sick for about 90 days
but doing it this way is only going to spread the pain out longer you may be better off to jump it a tuff on to call I would try for the state run ins and hope and pray they got a program good luck and God bless.....Gnarly    

[vicki595]

If this isn't a crime...it should be!!    I'm so sorry!  I'm trying to think of what you can do
here. I just don't know...you need the drug or you'll feel terrible....which you are!  

If this were someone I loved,this is what I would do:

I'd get some meds and give them to him/her.
I'd start forcing fluids and electrolytes.
I'd give them insulin appropriate to their blood sugar level.
I'd call a lawyer.

I really think you should go to the ER. They'll give you fluids and hopefully a narcotic rx
to keep you comfortable until you can find a doctor or someone to get you on a proper taper plan. What you're going through is torture and inconceivable to me!

Best of luck...let us know how you are...

[Crys833]

Saw your other post, it's methadone. Hmm, i don't have much experience with that, but I know there are lots of people here that do, keep posting:)

[Crys833]

Oh, and just wondering what they are weaning you from?

[Crys833]

That sounds horrible for you:( Maybe you should stop the extended agony and go cold turkey, you might be in more pain for a few days but it's better than living like this for the next couple of weeks! As long as you focus on your diabetes, using good food, water and vitamins, (and insulin) you should be able to get through this, we've been there and I know it's hard work. Just an idea to consider.

[KAYO68]

Thank you for your reply.ive called ER but they said they would just give me fluids.I am so pissed that a clinic would do that to someone who has been clean since the first day on this clinic,and to just be thrown out to the street because even the doc said i cant suceed at this rate of detox, and knowing that coming off at the way their doing it is just plain disgusting to me.With todays economy i was laid off,so i understand that im not paying,but how about 5 milligrams every 3 days or a week.I mean i know i cant stay on the program but my lord give me a fighting chance!!

[Crys833]

I think you should go to the ER if your sugars are going up and down soo much, try and eat something please! Maybe the ER can help you out with this and tell you whether or not tha'ts right....it doesn't sound right to me, especially with your other health condition. Keep us posted.