Just Checking In..new Record Of Sorts And New Info

Pain Pills
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Just checking in with you guys. It has been a little while. It was 11 weeks ago Tuesday since my last mg of methadone after 10yrs of heavy use( the last few years of which was 400mg a day). Even though I am on Sub, I consider this a great milestone in my career as a pain pill addict. Prior to 11 weeks ago, the longest I was able to stay off of the full agonists opiates which has included Lorcets and Percocets was 60-62 days. That is the reason I started the methadone and little did I know that I was going to be taking an opiate much harder to get off of. I took the hydro and oxy/codones
from the early 1980's till 1996 and then switched to the methadone.

I was in my family Dr's office the other day and was told I had chronic kidney disease. I am at the beginning stage of Grade 3 CKD on a 1-5 scale with a 5 meaning dialysis. When I think of all that tylenol use, I used to think only of my liver being effected. I am convinced that the tylenol in the percs and hydros has played a role in my kidney condition. The last time I had any blood work done was almost a year ago and that is what she is basing my condition on. Since then I have gone through the worst wds of my life with the precipitated wds I had when I went straight from methadone to Subutex without tapering. I hope that experience did not worsen my condition but I will have more testing done next week. The reason this was even brought up was because of some pain that is breaking through since I have gotten off of methadone.

My Dr and I was talking about pain relief and I told her motrin helped me but she told me to d/c the use of it because of my kidney condition. That is when she told me about my kidneys. I went home and learned all I could in a short period of time about causes of kidney disease. Being in and out of wd for a lot of my life has played hell with my kidneys also. My wds consisted of dehydration because I would lie in bed and not drink anything. My wds also consisted of my blood pressure going sky high. Living a life in and out of wds from the age of 30 to the age of 50(I had my first pill when I was 30) because I could not get enough pain pills, has definitely played a role. My Dr says my kidney problems could be hereditary but I am certain as to what has caused mine, me. It is my understanding that I can never go from a grade 3 staus back to a grade 2 and that all I can do is to try and slow down the process of progressing through grade 3 and into a 4.

For those of you that are like me, somewhat surprised to hear that tylenol can effect the kidneys and not just the liver, I have included a link to where I found the info. Just one of many reasons to stop this addiction while young.

Jw


Here is the link and the quote:

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/chro...se/page2_em.htm

"Use of analgesics such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) regularly over long durations of time can cause analgesic nephropathy, another cause of kidney disease. Certain other medications can also damage the kidneys".


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((((((((((((((((((jw)))))))))))))))))))
God Bless your kidneys and you.............
you have come so far.......your are just amazing

thumper
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Thumper,
Good to hear from you. And thank you.


JW
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Hi! JW
I've been off the board for a while now and just started to page thru some old postings. I have followed your progress, because I find your story so inspirational and by the way. Way to go!!!! You are remarkable!!!

I am a dialysis RN and take care of pt with CKD everyday. Many pt go on to lead a real productive life and not have to go onto dialysis. Just look what you have been able to overcome so far.

Keep yourself well. My thoughts and prayers to you!!!
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hey jw! thumper sent hugs and i will too ((((((((((((JW))))))))))))))
great job on 11 weeks!!!!!!!!!!!
how are ya feeling these days? k-9