What is happening to my body/brain? (poly-drug use & emotional trauma)

[arthunter888]

Background: I'm 23, male, physically fit. Have suffered from anxiety, nervous tics, and AD(H)D since early teens. Also have suffered from emotional trauma from several life crises from 18 to present. I smoke a small amount of medical grade weed every evening (.1g or less). I started chipping on opiates when I was about 20. I would take Opana or Oxycodone once or twice per week, and sometimes there would be periods of abstinence lasting several weeks. Last year, I began taking oxycodone daily. When I was unable to maintain that, I got off of it and went on benzos to get me through the WD and cravings. There was a traumatic death to a close family member immediately after I quit opiates and right before I went on benzos. The next few months was a continuous wave of less traumatic but difficult situations popping up in life that did not help with the 'healing' process.

Drug Timeline

(weed every night though all of this)
February-October 2012: 60-120mg oxycodone daily. Weened off completely in October.
October 2012-February 2013: .5mg Klonopin every night before bed. Weened off completely first week of Feb.
February 2013- present: No benzos at all. Chipping with small amount of oxycodone (15-30mg) once a week.

Current Issues

I am suffering from some very noticeable physical symptoms that are really interfering with life. Every single day, as soon as I wake up, I experience cold/sweaty feet (also a sore/heavy feeling in the feet), and irritated/itchy bowel (stool is normal though). I have to change my socks and underwear a few times per day because they both get damp. These symptoms are often accompanied by mental anxiety/depression and lethargy, but the physical symptoms always present first. They last the majority of the day, and only begin to calm down at night when it gets dark, and I can sleep okay usually. I experienced these same symptoms to a greater extent when coming off of benzos, so I assume they are anxiety-related.

I can't figure out why this is happening and it's really scary for me being effectively paralyzed by these uncomfortable sensations for the entire first half of everyday. I haven't even taken a single dose of benzos since early February so I don't think it's that. I still get physical WD from 3-5 days after opiate-chipping, but as of today I've abstained from opiates for 2 weeks now and my symptoms are the same. The only remaining thing is weed: I still smoke weed almost everyday, but recently I quit for 3 days to see what would happen and I still have the same symptoms. Is this not long enough to rule out weed? I find it incredibly difficult to quit weed for longer periods, because I don't have many friends and get lonely and bored often and it helps take my mind off things.

This is really driving me nuts. I can't tell whether I'm still in benzo WD after 3 months, in opiate WD after 2 weeks, or all of the sudden can't tolerate weed anymore. I work 3 days per week at a physically demanding job, so I'm sure I get enough exercise. I also take nutritional supplements. I can't afford to see a doctor, and I wouldn't even know what kind of doctor I would see anyway. Most general doctors and psychiatrists would just want to put me on some medications, but I DO NOT want to be dependent on anymore substances. I may be able to afford seeing a specialist one time who would be inclined to actually figure out what the issue is without putting me on meds, but not sure what category that would fall under.

For now I am on my own, and need some insight on what is probably the cause. I can't imagine suffering like this everyday for much longer. I do not feel alive, this is a horrible feeling of being imprisoned in my own body.

 

[herbavore]

While I would suggest that you try to see a western doctor about these symptoms, I would also go to see a trained, certified and reputable acupuncturist. Western medicine perceives/treats a symptom often whereas Chinese medicine treats the whole body, assuming that the body will resolve its own symptoms when in balance. most practitioners will accept sliding scale and or payments. I would cut out all drug use while you are trying to get to the bottom of this. I hope you can find some relief.

 

[missmeyet?]

I agree that all drug use should stop for awhile and see. I do not think 3 days of no weed after such a long period of time of continuous use is anywhere near long enough.

Also, were you buying your oxy, weed and benzos? I mean was it prescribed? 60 to 120 mg of oxy everyday for 9 months is quite a chunk of money. If you were buying the weed too, well, it adds up.. can you not take all the money that you would normally spend on all of that and seek medical help? I mean, that should be more than enough for more than one visit and an opportunity to get to the bottom of things. I really think that it is definitely something you need to see the doc for. I also think its a great idea to see the accupunturist too. Approach it with an open mind and the results may be nothing short of amazing.

 

[arthunter888]

I quit weed for 7 days. The symptoms are not as severe as when I was smoking daily, but they are still present. Although it's stored in fat cells for months, I don't think it should be actually effecting the CNS after this long, right?

I'm considering seeing a doctor, but like I said I don't know what type of doctor I'd see. And another thing I worry about is admitting to drug use, I'm paranoid that a record will be created and it will follow my health history.