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We need help

Posted , 9 users are following.

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Guest

Does anybody know of anywere in the UK that is a free rehab clinic for DHC users, my father has been taking them for 30 years and now cannot go on, the doctors are useless and no help is offered, sorry mistaken if you are an alcoholic you will be offered rehab but not if you are dependant on DHC. I would love to know of any groups out there for prescription painkiller addiction.

My father was put on this monster tablest 30 years ago after having several operations for kidney stones, now he is on 30 a day, he lives round his prescription and we dread it when he runs out a week before after taking to many, he has tried to taper them down, but he doesnt have the will power. Today he begged to the doctor to be sectioned and he wouldnt here of it, he just gave him his new prescription and sent him on his way. I no longer know what to do. Does anyone know of any groups in the north west of england that i could contact.

Many thanks

5 likes, 31 replies

31 Replies

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  • quip
    quip

    Posted

    addaction look up that exactly as it is written. and the very best of luck to you and your dad. They may not be in your area but should point you in right place to find help.
  • christine98681
    christine98681 Guest

    Posted

    google it i don't think there is round any area of yorkshire and yes they do get more attention
  • MGSz
    MGSz Guest

    Posted

    I am suprised by your doctors actions. You should ask to see a different doctor and ask them to refer you to an alcohol and drugs dependance clinic so that he can come off them. After all it was THEM who put your father on them. One thing i will say, and that is if your father is feeling very depressed, from my experience, taking more than 300mg of DHC a day WILL cause depression. I would sggest he try and limit the amount he takes to under 200mg per day and use Paracetamol with them if his pain is bad untill he gets a referal. If the other doctors is of no help then speak to the PALS sevice. (Patient liaison Service) http://www.nhs.uk/service-search/patient-advice-and-liaison-services-(pals)/locationsearch/363
  • natalie63529
    natalie63529 Guest

    Posted

    Oh my gosh I am so sorry for your dad and for your reaching out for help being ignored... DHC are the most nastiest meds I know. I have recently come off them myself, having to go through drug withdrawals first. Worst ever experience of my life. I still have issues even though I have been free from these nasties for 3 weeks now. I really feel for you both... Sorry I cant help with the rehab as I live in New Zealand... Wishing you both all the love and support that you both so deserve
    • gary56171
      gary56171 natalie63529

      Posted

      Hi did you just go cold Turkey if so what kind of nasty symptoms did you have ? thank you
    • MGSz
      MGSz gary56171

      Posted

      Not sure who your question was for but with me, it is first heavy sweating 5-6 hours after last dose then severe aching all over my body especially in back and torso followed by stomach pains and diarrhoea, basically you feel like you have flu, you feel terrible! unfortunately Most GP's are unaware of how bad you can feel when stopping suddenly or when you run out of these tablets. I have heard some people say its not far off the kind of cold turkey feeling of heroin withdrawal, depending on how much DHC you take. I have also found over the years if you go over 300Mg per day you will most certainly start to get depression as it effects the brain chemical serotonin. Hope some of that helps.
    • gary56171
      gary56171 MGSz

      Posted

      Thank you so much for your reply , I have gone cold Turkey im on day 6 stomach ache was horrible but is easing now ive lost a stone just through going the the toilet every 5 mins, I suffer with depression anyway so hopefully my other meds will kickin to help stay positive I will never take any pain relief ever again its been horific and you are right the Drs just dont get how hard it is to stop. Thank you so much for your help Hope you and your family have a great new year God Bless
  • christine98681
    christine98681 Guest

    Posted

    hi

    hope you have got the dependencie under control now but if not go to your dr and ask him to perscribe this drug for you ive been reading some of the dependencie about this drug its worked for them hope it works for your dad.

    Modanifil by a company called provigil i no its hard but hope your dr sees sence and gives you them if its only for a few days.

    good luck

  • christine98681
    christine98681 Guest

    Posted

    hi

    i have just read a reply to you i cannot see what the pals dept can be of any use to you they havent worked for me as they are only there to help hospital issues.

  • MGSz
    MGSz Guest

    Posted

    PALS service CAN help you with ANY NHS service you are not happy with including problems with his GP. You can contact them through your GP surgery as well.

    I had BIG issues with a GP I didn't like who blatantly refused to give me my repeat prescriptions of DHC up to the point I was ill, so I contacted my local PALS told them my issues and they were all sorted the SAME DAY, I got to see a different (Senior) GP who gave me all the meds I needed. DONT put up with ANY of their S***t, The receptionists also think they are gods but most of them are arrogant lazy pigs. ALSO Insist on talking to the Surgery Manger and no one else. YOU MUST INSIST on seeing a more understanding GP and REFUSE point blank to see the same GP who is giving you problems. If you still cant get anywhere You MUST make your father understand he is killing himself by taking the amount he is of DHC.  Take the drugs from him and YOU or another family member/good friend carefully administer them to him. Make him reduce his intake to 4 doses a day only, and reduce by half a 30mg tablet (15mg) at each dose for 2 weeks then by 30mg at each dose for the next  2 weeks until he gets down to under 300-400mg per day. BUT the reduction must be done very slowly even if it takes Months. If he kicks up a storm call the police and explain to them what is going on and you are desperately worried for your fathers welfare. Sometimes drastic action is needed and this could help him get the help he needs. I AM NOT JOKING HERE!  DHC is notoriously difficult to come off completely but the gradual reduction will see a lift in his mood eventually as the dosage comes right down.

    I was actually offered drug and alcohol rehabilitation from my GP over 3 years ago but refused as I had it under control myself so they CAN refer him if theyneed to (its all about costs). Go through PALS first or Practise manger. GOOD LUCK.

    • robbie1967
      robbie1967 MGSz

      Posted

      you are right that is exactly what happened to me doctor who thought he knew better and receptionists who think they are doctors,thing is pals said they could'nt help me and i needed to see a practice manager but i got lucky and ended up seeing a belter doctor (female) and she helps me although she says she does hate the drug dhc ;-)
  • UK-Ven-medicate
    UK-Ven-medicate Guest

    Posted

    You know you can self admit and get hospitalisation. You could always ring 111 and get advise on NHS locations
  • robbie1967
    robbie1967 Guest

    Posted

    i know were your coming from i have been taking them now for 2yrs & i am currently taking 18p/day when i am meant to take 8...so i have to look elsewere for it in the form of me work manager as i never have enough for the month and always ran out to soon and then its a nightmare.Thing is my doctors dont even want to give it to me as they say it is a dirty drug and i struggle to get it at times.I should of said it is for severe sciatica caused by disc deteriation,it is ruining my life and i dont seem to have control over it it beats me hands down everytime and i am a strong person and never had this problem before ;-S it has got me at every turn and it runs my life day to day as my day is based around taking dhc and everything else can just wait..(sure thats a line from a pink floyd track lol) anyway i am also wanting to get off this awfull drug of which they tell you nothing about they just write a script and off you go,it works great for a while and also the euphoria is a very nice change after being in pain for years on end but that subsides unless you take more and more then migraines turn up for abuse of it....i am only taking it now to stop withdrawl as it does nowt for me anymore but i cant stop still...NO HELP! i just want to get me life back before its to late and would love to attend a rehab or something similar,hope you can sort out something for your father me though i live alone and it makes it doubly hard....i will chck back with the forum tomorrow as i need to sign off to yes you guessed it...sodden tablets....chin up cheers robbie ;-) 
    • gary56171
      gary56171 robbie1967

      Posted

      Hi mate, your life sounds just like mine however  I finally stopped and im starting to get better, Dr tells you to taper off lowering dose etc but they dont take into accounts that addicts are not capable of doing that. I have lost everything in my life through taking that drug lost all my friends because it made me lazy i'd lie that i'd meet them and not turn up , lost my job for the same reason and then my home. There is however a positive spin I went cold Turkey (which I think is the only real way) day 6 today and the with drawals are finally subsiding ive lost a stone in weight but I can feel my own imotions again although I feel like I have bad flu I can finally see a future even tho ive got a lot of repairing to do I feel very much alive . if you can take 2 weeks off work bite the bullet and get your life back before its to late Good luck with everything Godbless
    • MGSz
      MGSz gary56171

      Posted

      Gary 56171 I admire you my friend. As you have found out for yourself you feely really sick comimng off them and all those things you said about your life is the same with me and I suspect many others who take DHC,they run your life and you lose friends, confifence, jobs etc. Keep up the good work and I'm sure the day will soon come where you will never touch another DHC tablet.
    • MGSz
      MGSz robbie1967

      Posted

      Very good advice from craig33246.  To be honest I have never got any kind of euphoria or a buzz from taking them as I have been on them for over 10 years and stick strictly to the original dose. I am on them for the exact same reason as you, severe back pain Sciatica, & Spondylosis. You simply MUST NOT increase the dosage no matter how bad your pain because this is where it starts all going down hill. I made this mistake once and NEVER AGAIN. You must try to use other meds in combination with them like Paracetamol and Ibuprofen and resist taking higher dosages of DHC. When my pain was severe I was prescribed  diclofenac but as my stomach is too sensitive for ALL types of NSAIDs I asked for the highest dose of diclofenic suppositories and they worked very well. I know a lot of people are blaming the GP's for giving out DHC but when you go into the docs in severe pain they DO want to help you with the pain and one of the best for a lot of people are DHC and Tramadol but I really don't think they all realize how bad it effects your life in the long run and think they (and their receptionists need more understanding of this) I dread going for my fortnightly prescriptions, it feels like I'm off to see my personal (legal) drug dealer and boy do I go nuts when the receptionist tells me my prescription has not been done (they treat you like brainless junkies) and have no concept of the cold turkey withdrawal symptoms suffered by DHC users (pain all over your body especially your back, severe stomach cramps with diarrhoea, serious hot sweats, headaches etc.. I actually order it on their website by email the same time every fortnight and get a confirmation sent straight back to me but those arrogant receptionist still have the audacity to say "you didn't order it" so I take my confirmation print outs with me now and shove it their face. Robbie please try to bring your dose down to the original amount, you will find it a lot easier. Also if your pain gets too bad demand a referral to a pain specialist who can give you steroid type injections and denervation procedures to help with the pain.
    • robbie1967
      robbie1967 MGSz

      Posted

      i have tried droping the dose but my withdrawls just come back within 6 to 8 hours and i have to take more so its just a vicious circle i only use them for the withdrawl as i do not want that awfull emotional feeling away crying like a baby for know reason its a nitemare...does anybody get that it cant just be me?....i have had root block injections and they worked great for 8mths pain free but just had 1 on xmas eve and tho it worked the pain is now in oppisite side...gutted!!.....i am going to get off this sh*te if its the last thing i do so i will start looking for clinics and drug support groups...thx guys n girls?
    • Jeanette1604
      Jeanette1604 gary56171

      Posted

      Hi Gary

      iv just read your blog and I went cold turkey 2 days ago, I feel constantly cold, a headache from hell and pretty down. Are they some of the symptoms you had

    • gary56171
      gary56171 Jeanette1604

      Posted

      Hi Yeah its a living hell but so worth is to get that poisen out of your body , you have done things right in reducing first please keep it up , if you need any help from all of us here you are in the right place wink all the best
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