I am married to a drug addict. He is addicted to primarily Methadone. But anything else that will alter him as well. He takes Zyprexa (Dr. says to help his anti-depressant work and help him sleep) He takes it and will sleep for days. Topomax (for headaches I guess) Lexapro (He quit taking this because he says he isn't depressed.) and of course the Methadone, anywhere from 60 to 250 Mg a day, depending on his availability.

My first question is how can I tell if he is dying.

Sounds awful I know, but I can't get him to quit. He doesn't see the hurt he is causing himself and since he does this cycle irregularly he thinks it's not a problem.

Please give me advice on any or all of these medications as far as abusing them and death.

Thankyou

Hi--I dont know what to tell you. As far as Meth goes, well, a couple of people here inorder to keep them in recovery..I don't know what to tell you when somebody is using it to get high. I honestly didnt think you could get high/buzz from Meth...but anyway. Does he get it legally? As far as all the other meds mentioned...well, you would have to talk to his Doc or a Doc to get all the info on what they do. I wasnt much help but maybe others on the board will respond that can contribute more than I did. Ally

Quote from karebear02:

I am married to a drug addict. He is addicted to primarily Methadone. But anything else that will alter him as well. He takes Zyprexa (Dr. says to help his anti-depressant work and help him sleep) He takes it and will sleep for days. Topomax (for headaches I guess) Lexapro (He quit taking this because he says he isn't depressed.) and of course the Methadone, anywhere from 60 to 250 Mg a day, depending on his availability.

My first question is how can I tell if he is dying.

Sounds awful I know, but I can't get him to quit. He doesn't see the hurt he is causing himself and since he does this cycle irregularly he thinks it's not a problem.

Please give me advice on any or all of these medications as far as abusing them and death.

Thankyou

ok, as far as the Zyprexa and the Lexapro go they are very new medications. Zyprexa is an "atypical" antipsychotic drug. It's a combination antipsychotic drug like "orap" anti-depressant and hypnotic drug like "valium". It's in it's own class called "thienobenzodiazepines" This drug is commonly used for manic depression and schizophrenia. If he is prescribed this just for insomnia I would look at other options. If you look on the internet you'll find that this drug could cause hypoglycemia causing diabetes and in fact killing people who are already diabetics. Now that Lilly has settled a class action lawsuit because of this drug, people are stopping the drug abruptly and having symptoms of benzodiazepine withdrawal which is the worst. I was on this drug and ill be happy to tell you more about it.

I just have one question, he must have not admitted to drug abuse because there is no way he would be giving methadone w/o a clinic.

Opiates, People say no but in fact methadone can be and is abused. He is quite classic actually, opiates stop working after a while and you actually have to cut back or detox to regain less tolerence. This is infact very dangerous because without the tolerence there is a better chance of respiratory depression leading to arrest. I would read up and gain a lot of knowledge about the drugs and have a sit down with him. Then maybe you both can come to a conclusion to help him get better.

Thank you for your response.

He goes to a Pain Management Specialist. He just goes in once a month so that the Dr. can see him face to face. Then hands him the triplicate form to take to the pharmacy. He is actually prescribed Meth for chronic back pain, that's it.


He takes Zyprexa for insomnia and the Dr. told him it would help his anti depressant work better. (He was on Zoloft, and switched to Lexapro, but stopped taking it because he "isn't depressed".) As far as the diabetes concern, I did find information about that also. He was diagnosed as a kid with hypoglycemia. And since being on all this med he has gained 50+ lbs so Diabetes may be in the cards for him!
Alot of these things scare me, but my husband is one of those people that thinks nothing will happen to him.


He sleeps more than he is awake. Unless he is "up" with his high doses of Meth he sleeps all day and night, maybe waking to eat or just to smoke. He is supposed to be dieting and quitting smoking, but doesn't have any drive to do anything but sleep.

I don't want to abandon him, I do love him and we have children. I just go crazy with this cycle of abuse and worry about him dying.

LaynesAddiction: I should also mention that when my husband takes a pill, he doesn't just take a pill. If it calls for 1 he'll take 4-5. He does this with Zyprexa alot.

When he is out of it or doesn't take it for a few days to a week he is sick to his stomach. Has MAJOR headaches. I can fairly say he hasn't felt well for 2-3 months now. Nausea and headaches.

I am so puzzled trying to figure out what is going on with him, I am sorry for rambling on and on.

"""""""""He was diagnosed as a kid with hypoglycemia"""""""""

Get him off that drug!! And yes, weight gain and adema is also a problem with Zyprexa as you mentioned plus he is taking the methadone which weight gain is also a problem.

Zyprexa can also cause NMS, Tardive Dyskinesia and Parkinsonism.