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First of i apologize for a detailed story, but I dont know of any other way to get some answers.
I am new, for i am seeking answers. My g/f has been sober for well over 40 days now. She has been taking Antabuse for the duriation of her sobriety. A few weeks ago, she consumed an unknown amount of cocaine. I arrived around 9pm, where she had a seizure around 2am that night/into morning. The doctors at the hospital told her that her current meds, gabitril and anabuse shouldn't of caused it. He says its more of the cocaine.
Now we come to the present, where the other night around 10pm, she had another seizure. She denies cocaine use, and stayed home after the emt's arrived. Today she visited the doctor, where she tells us now that the antabuse is the cause of the seizures.
Has anyone here had any issues with antabuse and seizures? Im confused and looking for answers, for I am too afraid of her driving to work, going anywhere alone, etc, etc
Hello Mike , the only thing I know about antibuse is that if they drink or use durring this time they become extremly ill . they do not mix . Have never heard of anyone having a seizure on antibuse if they are clean and sober . Antibuse causes blood pressure to rise and if using alcoholics turn red which can cause a problem , pretty hard to deny using if your bright red . Louise
i dont know what to do, see my A is telling me that shes trying something new, she gave me the name, im sorry it checked out but i can't remember it right now. She says her doctor says its proly whats causing it, and her head doc put her on the meds.
im confused and i dont know what to do. I do not condone the use of cocaine and im hoping shes not using
Severe and sometimes fatal liver problems have occurred in patients taking Antabuse even without a prior history of liver problems. If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Antabuse and seek emergency medical attention:
*
an allergic reaction (swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; shortness of breath; closing of your throat; or hives); *
seizures; *
extreme tiredness; *
dark urine; *
yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice); *
large appetite changes; *
weakness, dizziness or loss of coordination; or *
severe diarrhea or vomiting
-- Edited by Christy at 10:12, 2007-11-21
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If we think that miracles are normal, we will expect them. And expecting a miracle is the surest way to get one.
Tiger is 100% correct, this is a medical problem and your A needs to see her doctor asap. From my experience, an over dose of antabuse can cause seizures.
PLEASE call the doc, asap. Remember we are not responsible for their disease. Sometimes we may need to guide them.
My guess is they will never figure out what cause those seizures. My guess is the coke caused the seizure. I have heard of others having seizures from either meth or coke. Think about the mix of the coke with the anti buse... who knows what chemical reaction that caused, because who besides the person who made the coke knows what is really in the coke.
I do know this, what ever is going on. Seizures are serious business. I hope your girlfriend was honest with the doctor about the coke. She should be seeking medical attention to get the seizures under control. The second seizure could have more to do with the first that any other thing. Once our bodies learn to seize it might take a bit to get them to stop.
In my state, the rule about driving is ...No driving until your 6 months seizure free...I live in a boarder town...the state south of me is...automatic license suspension until you are 6 months seizure free. All these things need to be check out. A wreck caused by a seizure when suspended is serious bussiness!
I hope your taking care of yourself Mike...Lot's of times they don't figure out what causes a seizure. The first suspects are stress and lack of sleep.
hello again mike , I hope u find meetings for yourself quick I am sure u have better things to do than worry about the A in your life . She will do what she has to do use or not that is her choice there is nothing u can do about her. You need support from people who have been where your at and can share thier own experiences with you . Obsessing about someone elses life is a waste of yours . Louise
i completely agree. My father was an A and i haven't seen him since i've was 6, im 24 now. I have some experience with dealing with A's, but its different when you watch the love of your life down a pint of vodka everynight.
she's been sober for 40 days now, which to me has been a big hurdle for her. Im trying to not ask about sobriety and how shes doing. Im trying to treat her like any other person.
Im looking into meetings, one BIG problem tho is i had a bit of an accident with a deer 2 weeks ago, and one problem after another is surfacing with my car. (i dont let shops fix my car for they have caused bigger problems)
but that is off topic. I am so in love with this woman it drives me nuts. The ONLY issue we have ever had in our relationship was her drinking habits. I wouldn't stand for it after her problems surfaced later in our relationship. I will never give up on her for she needs all the help she can get, but at the same time, its only up to her. I can't leave someone that im so deep in love with. Shes never abused me physically or mentally, just denied the fact that she drank, and felt terrible about herself afterwards. Which yes i see as a big problem, but shes come a long way since i've met her, so she is due a large amount of credit.
Mike, if she has used cocaine, she has not been sober for 45 days. Denial is a side effect of their disease which affects us. My daughter dated a guy for over 2years, a drug user, I'll ask you the questions I asked her: " Would you trust this person to raise your children if something ever happened to you? Would they be safe with him? When he gets arrested for the drugs, are you willing to lose your house/savings trying to fix it?"
You are important too. It is not just about her. You deserve a great adult life. Get the support you need to live it. Let her decide how she will live hers. I spent too long "telling" my AH how to live his, he did what he wanted anyway. Addicts do what they think is best for them, not us.
Keep coming here, I read a lot hear and take away a lot that helps me live my life in peace.
I feel for you Mike. It's so hard to watch someone you love deeply destroy themselves. It's like they hate themselves so much that they are set to kill the good things in their life. What worries me is that your posts sound like you are fixated on her problems and I read nothing in them about your role. In worrying so much about her it seems you've forgotten that you are a person that deserves a good life. I hope that you will remember to take care of yourself, sometimes we forget to do that when we fixate on the A. She needs medical help and unless you are a doctor you can't provide that kind of help. When you are ready to take an honest look at your relationship I won't be surprised if you notice that it's not only just her drinking habit that is the issue. I used to say that too. I was in denial until I started educating myself and being totally honest to the point I'd cry for hours because getting real with yourself often causes deep emotional pain.
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If it looks like a duck, sounds like a duck and walks like a duck - it's a freakin duck and no amount of wishing in the universe is going to change it into a swan
I totally agree with the previous post. Addicts (no matter the substance) tend to have a lot of self-loathing. We (as people who love them) wish we could love that ache away from them. We need to remember, though, that we didn't cause it, we can't control it, and we can't cure it. Sometimes when we see "improvement" or some sober time (and I must say that if she's using ANY mind-altering substance - then she hasn't been sober for 40 days) - but when we see a little bit of hope, we cling to it so desperately because we want for them to be better and whole. Mike - you've GOT to keep something in mind, though. We can't change anyone in the world except ourselves. Loving someone doesn't change them. If it did, then the world wouldn't have an addiction problem. Her body is addicted to a substance. In my opinion, you are VERY young to be putting your life on hold/in chaos. You can love this woman - but NOT have to pick up the pieces of her life. And believe me, if she got sober tomorrow, that would only be the beginning of her journey. This is a lifetime issue. Not one that gets cured. I've spent some of my best years in love with a man with a very stubborn case of alcoholism. (That's putting it MILDLY). I love him and care about him more than I have any other human being - except for my son. But I'll tell you that life with an addict is HARD - read some of the posts on this board - they will open your eyes. Glad you are here - you're right where you need to be. Remember that your friend has a Higher Power - and you're not it. (That one was especially hard for me to come to grips with.) Love her, but let HP have her. You need to take care of yourself. Hugs to you - I know how hard this is.