Dr. Earthman's answers to your questions – March 2009 – Part 2

Jerrod C.: “If you have a bad heart can Oxycontin withdrawals kill you?”
Dr. Earthman: Detoxing from any substance has potentially damaging physical symptoms.  A person’s level of withdrawal will depend on what drug(s), how much, how often, how long, and their individual body.  Oxycontin withdrawal is generally not considered life threatening but if someone has co-occurring medical problems anything is possible

Lee K.: “I have taken myself from 8 Percocet a day down to 3/4 of a tablet twice a day and plan to go to 1/4 of a tablet twice a day then 1/4 of a tablet 1 a day. I know I will go through withdrawal but will taking less and less of the Percocet help the withdrawal. I want to do this without any DR. help. I have been on narcotics for 35 years for a severe case of [chronic back pain]. Will WITHDRAWAL EASE HELP ME?”
Dr. Earthman: In most cases, lowering the total amount of opiates you are taking before stopping completely will decrease the intensity of the withdrawal syndrome.  Check out the customer testimonials on this website and you can see that Withdrawal-Ease has helped many people already.

Mitch R.: “I have an addiction to Butalbital- ASA – Caffeine. I take 2 tablets a day and have been doing so for some years now. I want this to stop. I am 67 years old, non-drinker and am not abusing any other drugs. Will Withdrawal-Ease work for that type of withdrawal?  Thanks!”
Dr. Earthman: Although Withdrawal-Ease was specifically formulated to target opiate withdrawal symptoms, it is likely effective for helping with the symptoms of other drug withdrawal syndromes.  Please be aware that some patients have experienced seizures when stopping Butalbital.

Debbie O: “I’m a mother of a 28 year old son who’s addicted to Painkillers. He’s under a doctor’s care, has been prescribed a controlled amount of Percocets, and I suspect very strongly he is supplementing this with his Dad’s Oxy tabs (on this due to cancer,)  Should I tell his Doctor???HELP”
Dr. Earthman: HIPPA privacy guidelines do not limit and individual’s ability to give information to the doctor.  I encourage my patients and their friends/family to take a direct approach to these types of problems. Confront the individual first and allow them to confess to their doctor. If they refuse then call the doctor yourself.