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Post by aimee30 on Apr 14, 2004 19:53:49 GMT -5
I don't know where to put this thread. Very few people know about this and I don't know where to turn. First let me say this has nothing to do with ADHD but a lot to do with relationships. Neither of us have ADHD. My DH has allergies though. I am kind of scared about how many perscription and over the counter drugs he takes.
About every 4 days he takes 48 Tylenol Allergy/Sinus pills. He goes through 100 benedryl a month. 48 Antihistabs a week. He is on an albuteral inhaler, singulair, flonase, and advair. Doesn't this sound like an awful lot?
I don't know what to do. I have tried talking to him about it and he says "as long as I need them I am going to take them". So I'm turning to you all for help. Is there anything I can do to help him? Who do I turn to? Should I not worry about it? Can you be addicted to these drugs?
I hope someone can give me some insight as to what to do. Thanks!
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Post by Honeysmom on Apr 14, 2004 20:57:40 GMT -5
Oh Amiee, I am so sorry that you have to go through this. Please take it from someone who has been there, he has an additcion and a problem. I think the first thing I would do is call my own doctor. Let him or her know how much he is taking. In those amounts he is going to put a hole in his belly and that is very dangerous. The more you take of an OTC drug the more you need. I used to be addicted to OTC anti-inflamitories. I was taking upwards of 500 a month at about 1000+ mgs. per dose. I had stomach bleeding and that really woke me up. You family doctor will be able to give you info on what kinds of services are available in your area. They will be helpful. I'll be thinking about you...(((hugs)))...hang in there...Becky  |
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Post by 1mom on Apr 14, 2004 23:45:37 GMT -5
i agree! talk to YOUR doctor first and get his opinion/suggestions. i'm not trying to scare you, but another thought besides addiction to OTC came to me. i dated a guy that had a similar pattern of use. after we stopped dating (terrible rage problem and other things), i found out he was a cocaine addict--and huge amounts sometimes. i think it does something to your sinus passages and therefore makes the OTC use common. a red flag i never saw, but surely wish i had. i would hate for you or anyone to go through what i did from not knowing. ignorance is NOT bliss.
whatever is going on, he does need your help, even though he certainly doesn't want it. if the doctor is no help, call one of your local AA or NA chapters. they'll answer all questions and keep all confidential.
prayers and hugs,
1mom
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Post by HooDunnit on Apr 15, 2004 0:34:01 GMT -5
It's hard for me to know if these are addictive substances or not. Antihistamines have a sedative effect, and it may be that he is hooked on that feeling. Has this pattern of usage gone on for a long time? Has he been addicted to anything else in the past?
You might also talk to a pharmacist. I think your husband is above the recommended dosages (at least of the Tylenol), but not so far as to be into high risk. Does he have big allergy problems? If so, then I guess he may well have to take something. I think that if he is addicted, some counselling or perhaps a membership in an NA group can bring him around. But first he would have to get over denial, which can be very stubborn.
I have a friend who is addicted to internet porn. One day I confronted him on it and his response was, "What's normal?" A person in denial will always try to throw the question back onto you. He also said, "Well, I have no other social life." An addict will often excuse themselves very easily with respect to what they are doing. Like your husband said, "As long as I need them. . ." He's giving himself permission for a behavior which probably (or certainly) even he realizes is excessive.
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Post by aimee30 on Apr 15, 2004 6:37:31 GMT -5
Thank you all for your responses. Barry, I have seen his pattern of usage change. We have been together for more than four years and at first it was just antihistabs that he was taking. At one point he said that they didn't work anymore and started taking the tylenol allergy/sinus combo. I finally talked him into seeing a doctor and thats when they added the other prescription drugs. At his last appt. the dr. told him that if he needed something extra to take sudafed.
I don't understand why he won't go to the dr and have something else done. 1mom, I think this has ruined his sinus passages. His nose seems to be on a constant run. Drip, drip, drip, and if it's not dripping he is blowing it or sneezing.
I have mentioned him going to an allergy specialist several times and his excuses are we can't afford it or "You don't know how painful it is to have them stick you with so may needles". As much money as he spends on medicine and kleenex we could afford for him to go! To the painful part, Yeah I'm sure it is painful, but I know it has to be painful now. Going through what he is.
I may try to talk to him again and then if nothing is resolved I will contact AA and see what they recommend. I don't want to lose him over this.
Thank you all again!
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Post by Sorka on Apr 15, 2004 15:09:31 GMT -5
My goodness. I know the albuterol can hype you up and then he may need the benedryl to calm him down enough to sleep/relax.
My husband has been on just about all the meds you mentioned for athsma problems. fortunately he does not need to take them all the time, only in shorter spurts.
He really needs to break this cycle some how.
Have you looked in to the environment of your home and or his work is there something there you all can change that might relieve his allergies?
I would keep pushing for a visit to an allergist.. there might also be something he is eating that is causing this. Food allergies can cause these sorts of problems as well and you may never get to the bottom of this without that information..
And hey.. do you guys have any kids??? if so.. if you can push out that kid.. he can handle a few needles.. offer to hold his hand.. ;D
Denise
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Post by tridlette on Apr 16, 2004 9:30:52 GMT -5
Who is writing the prescriptions? If that doctor knows what is going on, he/she might be able to do something. Or talk to the pharmacist who is filling them. He/she could refuse to fill them without talking to the doctor.
It is easy to become addicted to meds like these. The tylenol is the worst on your liver. The tylenol sinus med. is just tylenol with sudafed in it. Beg him to start by switching first to just the sudafed since the tylenol can cause a lot of problems.
I have had the allergy testing. It is more like getting mosquito bites, since they usually start out with a scratch test. The only advance to the sub cutaneous needles (again not like having an IV) if the first round of tests aren't definitive.
The advair, singulair, flonase and albuterol should alleviate his symptoms just fine without the sudafed anyway. The first three have to be used regularly to prevent symptoms, and the albuterol is for break through wheezing. If he is still having allergy problems with the preventative meds. then he will still wind up saving money if he sees the allergist. A lot of times the allergist just does the consult and your regular doctor can do the follow up care, saving you money that way.
It isn't going to be easy to get him to see the problem, but I think it is crucial to convince him to stop the tylenol NOW. When I worked in the ER, that was like the absolute worst thing you could hear that a kid took.
Hugs and prayers.
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aaa-alison
Member
"Hold on if you feel like letting go-hold on it gets better than you know"-Good Charlotte
Posts: 84
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Post by aaa-alison on Apr 16, 2004 18:58:15 GMT -5
How are things other than this in your relationship? Has he ever had addiction problems before? Is he a bit obsessive/compulsive? Does he have trouble expressing himself? Does he treat you well and with respect? Was he abused or does he abuse others? Has his personality changed or his job changed? Is he taking stuff to deal with life or to make his life better? Confronting never works-unless you have a intervention with alot of other people. If you are seeing a psychologist-see if he will come along with you and what he thinks about seeing someone. If he is seeing a psychologist give them a call. Has he ever taken any one elses medication in your home? If I were you, I would call a anonymous drug support network and get an unofficial diagnosis of what may be going on. Then make a plan of subtle attack, based upon the advise of professionals who deal with this for a living. Good luck.
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