Stimulants Methamphetamine damage/frightening symptoms.

[NOT Stepfather]

I am a 24 y/o male. I’ve been overweight my whole life, I’ve smoked a pack per day for six years, and I’ve been using many other drugs for six years. My heaviest use beside nicotine is meth. I used it off and on from early 18 to early 20 often getting strung out and having to move to a relative’s or in a more extreme case, rehab when I was 19.

Although I used other drugs including alcohol, I managed to stay off meth for a little more than two whole years, and started back when I was mid/late 22. It started out quite infrequently, but became a weekly activity soon after I turned 23. I had always enjoyed smoking it, so that was my ROA primarily with the occasional line.

By this point, I had lost all regard for my health and nearly every time I used, I masturbated almost constantly for three days with little food, water, and sleep. Almost every time, I would give myself horrific anxiety attacks, that felt like heart attacks/strokes. I went to the ER many times and my HR was 110-130 each time, and my BP was around 150/100. Despite these gruesome stats, I always figured I would get high just one more time.

I’ve just turned 24 and my use is daily, although I’ve almost completely stopped masturbating. I don’t seem to be losing any fat, in fact I’ve put quite a bit back on(5’10” 200lbs) I’ve recently injected once, and I’ve noticed my health to be progressively declining( shortness of breath, not able to get out of bed when sober, slow onset of paranoid delusion(although not severe like it has been in my younger years)). I know that I have to stop this abuse.

i am about to go to rehab once more because I am certain that I do not want this poison in my life, and I know rehab has been effective before. I simply can no longer handle the drug. Assuming I follow through with this interest in my health, and quit smoking, quit using drugs, eat healthy, and exercise for the rest of my life, how long can I expect to live based on the damage I’ve already done? Thank you to all who can help.

 

[NOT Stepfather]

Also what are the best practices for recovering body and mind

 

[negrogesic]

Assuming I follow through with this interest in my health, and quit smoking, quit using drugs, eat healthy, and exercise for the rest of my life, how long can I expect to live based on the damage I’ve already done?

You can likely be expected to live as long as you would have otherwise. Time is a great healer. A healthy lifestyle with plenty of exercise will speed up that healing process significantly.

 

[Zephyn]

I'm not a doctor, but I bet you'll make it past 30. Then again, maybe not.

 

[Zephyn]

You can likely be expected to live as long as you would have otherwise. Time is a great healer. A healthy lifestyle with plenty of exercise will speed up that healing process significantly.

Nonsense, I can't speak on the meth but the smoking, even though its "only" six years definitely signifigently decreases life expectancy all around

 

[negrogesic]

Nonsense, I can't speak on the meth but the smoking, even though its "only" six years definitely signifigently decreases life expectancy all around

Oh perhaps, I was referring only to the meth (not the tobacco).

 

[NOT Stepfather]

“Nonsense, I can't speak on the meth but the smoking, even though its "only" six years definitely signifigently decreases life expectancy all around”

Wow! I can’t believe the cigarettes of all things! I’ve seen people smoke a pack a day my whole life, I thought if I quit in my early 20s it wouldn’t be the death of me. Thank you for this info!

 

[NOT Stepfather]

Nonsense, I can't speak on the meth but the smoking, even though its "only" six years definitely signifigently decreases life expectancy all around

When you say all around, do you mean that all of my other unhealthy choices have cause my smoking to have a multiplied effect on reducing my life expectancy?

 

[Xorkoth]

It's hard to say why people die early... some people (like my grandma) can smoke their whole lives and be fine, she's 95 now, she stopped smoking at about age 87 when she went to a nursing home and they wouldn't let her, but she's always been healthy as a horse. She has dementia now but otherwise is healthy. But some people get cancer quite young from it.

In general, the human body and mind have a great capacity to heal. You're quite young, if you actually cut the drugs out of your life, you should expect to recover fully or nearly so, and if you live a healthy life moving forward, there is no reason to think you won't be able to live a normal lifespan.

There is a saying that each cigarette takes X minutes off your life, but take that with a grain of salt, everyone is different. But for sure, if you continue to smoke a pack a day, you will greatly increase your chances of dying prematurely. And the same goes for meth (probably even moreso, chronic meth abuse wrecks your body and mind). Start living healthy and you'll be able to look forward to recovering.

 

[NOT Stepfather]

In general, the human body and mind have a great capacity to heal. You're quite young, if you actually cut the drugs out of your life, you should expect to recover fully or nearly so, and if you live a healthy life moving forward, there is no reason to think you won't be able to live a normal lifespan.

I’m happy to hear this from someone. I feel a lot of motivation to get the ball rolling. Even if I die at 24, I plan to die living well. I’m done with this juvenile abandon. I’m getting on a plane tonight. Thank you all.

 

[Jabberwocky]

Good luck on your recovery. If you feel like it, drop back in and let us know how your rehab went.

There are also lots of resources on Bluelight for recovering from meth and plenty of people who are recovering or who have recovered who will be happy to support you in your own recovery.

Don’t worry too much about the masturbation (without drugs). As long as it’s not obsessive it’s both natural and good for your mental health to rub one out a few times a week.

 

[ControlDaddy]

Hi, another meth user here, with stats that make me jealous when I read each one of yours. I won't go point for point through all of them right now, but can PM me if you want the nitty gritty.

I just wanted to say, you have the exact right idea to be concerned about your health, to point primarily at the meth for the symptoms you are most concerned about and as the culprit behind the crisis that sent you to the ER several times. On top of that, it is your own idea to go to rehab, with nobody twisting your arm. I don't always want to recommend rehab, but you have had a good experience there so it certainly seems like the next best good idea, and is not going to hurt you in the long run. So welcome to Bluelight, and if I were you I would go forward with some confidence that you are seeing things clearer than many others do, as you will see if you hang around here a little while.

I have read a lot of posts by meth users/abusers who have a plethora of pressing ailments, both physical and psychological, that sometimes read like a screenplay for a double feature with The Human Centipede. Usually, they bring a Pandora's Box full of questionable harm reduction ideas, endless excuses for themselves, and pathological narcissism and denial that prevents them from believing they need time away from meth to recover from their meth induced-"issues".

 

[agnosia]

Also what are the best practices for recovering body and mind

See this is why meth users get a bad rap. You're now out of the honeymoon phase with meth when not eating and taking yourelf didn't adversly affect you as much as it will going forward. it does not have to be that way though. I am nearly 50 and have been using for almost 20 years ( stims, meth , speed, cocaine , etc ) but my tolerance has not gone up and according to my doctor am in great shape.

Before going on a binge you should set aside prepared meals and should set an alarm to remind yourself to eat them. You need to jump up right away when that alarm goes off, no matter what, and eat a nutritous meal. No processed foods. Low salt. Personally i eat all whole grains and veggoes all day and snack on fruits. Also never stay up more than 2 nights. Always take one day off between a two day binge. You also need to excersize. I am a road cyclist and go on a 2-4 hour ride every other day.

Unfortunately you have now lost a lot of your muscle mass ( when you thought u were getting skinny ) due not eating properly. Until you get that muscle back you will continue to gain weight.

Just be responsible. If you love drugs as much as i do then taking care of yourslf has to be a priority. Also always keep a benzo in the house to calm you down if you do too much. Xanax works great but don't become dependent on it. If you have high blood pressure and are overweight you should get in shape before doing meth again.

There are no secret foods or vitamins. Just eat REAL food , sleep every 2 nights and excersize. My health is perfectly fine. Meth is not what is causing your health issues , it's the lack of respect of your own body that is.

 

[Xorkoth]

^ I generally agree with a lot of your points, but only sleeping every other night is a horrible idea. I mean from time to time, yes, but humans are supposed to sleep every night. If you only sleep every other night as a regular practice, you're looking at serious chronic sleep deprivation.

 

[NOT Stepfather]

Hi, another meth user here, with stats that make me jealous when I read each one of yours. I won't go point for point through all of them right now, but can PM me if you want the nitty gritty.

I just wanted to say, you have the exact right idea to be concerned about your health, to point primarily at the meth for the symptoms you are most concerned about and as the culprit behind the crisis that sent you to the ER several times. On top of that, it is your own idea to go to rehab, with nobody twisting your arm. I don't always want to recommend rehab, but you have had a good experience there so it certainly seems like the next best good idea, and is not going to hurt you in the long run. So welcome to Bluelight, and if I were you I would go forward with some confidence that you are seeing things clearer than many others do, as you will see if you hang around here a little while.

I have read a lot of posts by meth users/abusers who have a plethora of pressing ailments, both physical and psychological, that sometimes read like a screenplay for a double feature with The Human Centipede. Usually, they bring a Pandora's Box full of questionable harm reduction ideas, endless excuses for themselves, and pathological narcissism and denial that prevents them from believing they need time away from meth to recover from their meth induced-"issues".

Hey, I really appreciate the warm welcome and kind words. You seem to have some insight on the type of damage that my attacks are doing to my body. I can only assume that it’s so bad, it’s literally sending my body into a state of fight-or-flight. I’m afraid there is nothing I will be able to do to recover physically.

Can you share your own experience with meth use to shed a little light on my situation?

thanks

 

[NOT Stepfather]

There are no secret foods or vitamins. Just eat REAL food , sleep every 2 nights and excersize. My health is perfectly fine. Meth is not what is causing your health issues , it's the lack of respect of your own body that is.

I would LOVE to start an exercise routine. Unfortunately, I can’t spent ten minutes on a treadmill without getting tightness in the center of my chest. I am almost certain that it is cardiac pain. And this is currently deterring me from exercising. I’m not sure how to approach this.

Thank you

 

[Jabberwocky]

I would LOVE to start an exercise routine. Unfortunately, I can’t spent ten minutes on a treadmill without getting tightness in the center of my chest. I am almost certain that it is cardiac pain. And this is currently deterring me from exercising. I’m not sure how to approach this.

Thank you

You should see a cardiologist if you cannot even do 10 minutes of light exercise. Although with all your multiple symptoms other kinds of specialist may be more appropriate. Your General Practitioner/Primary Care Physician/Family Doctor ought to be managing your case dealing with the most serious things first. Generally cardiovascular problems are considered pretty high on the seriousness scale.

There really is no other option but seeing a specialist. Although if you cannot afford a specialist, if you go to an emergency room complaining of heart pains they’ll at least give you an ECG and make recommendations on what to do if it detects abnormalities.

 

[NOT Stepfather]

Although with all your multiple symptoms other kinds of specialist may be more appropriate. Your General Practitioner/Primary Care Physician/Family Doctor ought to be managing your case dealing with the most serious things first.

I’ve missed two appointments for tests (echo and stress test) the cardiologist didnt order another test and told me to get help from an in-network treatment facility. So that’s really my next step, or find another cardiologist, and try to be more responsible towards him/her.

 

[Jabberwocky]

I’ve missed two appointments for tests (echo and stress test) the cardiologist didnt order another test and told me to get help from an in-network treatment facility. So that’s really my next step, or find another cardiologist, and try to be more responsible towards him/her.

For doctors time is money and if you blow your appointment off they get pretty shitty.

 

[NOT Stepfather]

You should see a cardiologist if you cannot even do 10 minutes of light exercise.

The reason I said I’m almost certain it’s cardiac is because I can’t determine if it is substernal. The last time I tried to exercise was when I was masturbating heavily, and I think/hope it might have been pectoral. I understand though, that I shouldn’t put off bad news. The point I’m at in my addiction has made me often question my logic.