Medication Warning!

[Ritchie1268]

Hello all.

Those who read my post regarding OxyContin & how it nearly killed me will have read that I suffered severe Sleep Apnoea where I was stopping breathing an average of 80 times per hour per night, which I always believed was down to the massive dose of Opiates over many years.

After coming off Methadone 9 months ago now, I've just had it confirmed by the sleep clinic that my sleep apnoea has now gone completely & to return the machine.

The reason so many Heroin addicts lose their lives, is due to how Opiates supress the respiratory system.

Please always double check the medication your doctor prescribed you, especially Opiate based. Take care.

Ritchie

[Bananas5]

Good news.

Hopefully most who take opiates won't become addicts. My David was on Oxyconti for some years but stopped over a 2 yrs period.

The pain is just as intense but he feels less fuzzy. Research has shown that long term use of opiates is of no benefit.

x

[Ritchie1268 in reply to Bananas5]

I have read your posts about David & the suffering he has endured Pat. So sorry for what you've both been through.

I think we got off on the wrong foot when I was using some expletives when I first joined after my nephew was killed in an accident. That wasn't me & I apologize for that!

All I want to do now is to help others & try to prevent them from the suffering I went through.

Having got my enhanced DBS certificate back, I start training in 3 weeks to go into Schools, Colleges, Universities, Prisons, & to talk at events to warn about the dangers of substances.

I will face a lot of denial & a lot of "everyone is different" yes they are, but I've also learned that Opiates do make pain so much worse in the long term, after initially helping. They just mask that pain, initially.

Also how they mess up receptors in our brains & cause mental health issues that we didn't have before. Not only that, but those who also take Heroin & other Opiates to escape their mental health problems, later realise their mental health gets far worse from what they took to help them escape in the first place!

Hope you & David are ok.

Ritchie x

[Bananas5 in reply to Ritchie1268]

Thanks for that Ritchie. All done and forgotten now.

What people don't realise is taking more and stronger doses of opiates doesn't manage their pain. These powerful drugs were inventive for short term palliative care. And yes they work.

David is in a mess now....mentally and physically. Excellent pain consultant saw him recently with a view to operating on upper spine. I wait ready with my tlc hat on

Good luck for the future. Sure you will be a good ambassador

x

[Ritchie1268 in reply to Bananas5]

Thank you for your understanding Pat, truly appreciated!

Very sad to read that about David, hope he gets the help he needs.

I have an appointment in October with the trauma & orthopaedic consultant at spinal outpatients after being referred by the pain clinic after my last MRI showed 2 bulging discs in my neck, but no matter the outcome, I will refuse medication & research other alternatives.

What I didn't realize at the time of my doctor prescribing Oxy, was years down the line, just how very much it affects us in so many other ways, along with making that pain worse! Zero testosterone levels, severe depression, severe sleep apnoea, the list goes on.

I wish you both the very best, & thank you x

[waylay in reply to Bananas5]

Actually, long term use ofopioids is of benefit to many chronic pain patients. The "of no use" thing is due to a study that found *little evidence* that opioids are useful in the long term. That was because most drug studies don't last more than 8 weeks-3 months.

[Hidden]

Hey Ritchie1268... Yep... I betcha u will notice more stuff get better for ya too over time. I was on Methadone for 20 plus years..been off about 3 years now.. thank goodness.I can smell things I couldn't before.My hearing, taste also returned.Plus I feel and look hugely better.Only thing I haven't got back.... memories.Everyone around me says... remember this ??? Nope. That's probably the worst BUT.. Im here and helping others with info on that med that nearly killed me and honestly only covered everything like a band-aid.

Great news..I hope things keep looking up for ya my friend.

[Ritchie1268 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you hippolove1 & well done for coming off the Methadone! Some people never come off that stuff.

I'm exactly the same, even though my memory is improving, there is still stuff I cannot remember from the time I was on all that Oxy.

If only we knew then what we know now hey!

On the plus side, I've been invited to a community meeting in October with local services including doctors & my story is in the next DDN magazine that goes to all clinic's, so I'll keep on spreading the word. Start my training on 3rd October to go into Schools & College's etc to warn of the dangers. Onwards & upwards my friend.

Thank you 👍

[Hidden in reply to Ritchie1268]

That is absolutely fantastic news.Can't wait to hear about more of ur new journey an the road.

Life gets way better after opiates.u get to actually live life.just wish others weren't so quick to pop a pill on a docs suggestion.people need to educate themselves on there other options first,because one pill can start a lifetime of hell.

Best to u my friend

[Ritchie1268 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you again.

A VERY short version of my story has been printed today & can be read at drinkanddrugsnews.com under the heading of: A Prescription for Pain. Under the name Paul.

[Pips04]

Thanks for letting us know and brilliant news that you don’t need the machine any more Pip x

[Ritchie1268 in reply to Pips04]

Thank you Pip. Take care x

[Pips04]

You too Ritchie x

[Ritchie1268]

Really pleased it helped you, it helped me also, in the beginning.

But after years of a very high daily dose, it almost killed me. And 4 years after taking my last one, I'm left to suffer with the long term health effects it has caused.

[Ritchie1268]

Thank you. I am one of the very lucky ones. I'm still alive 👍