Advice on someone with ulcerative bowel condition and speed dependancy

[BellaB1]

Hi

My kitty is really broken and needs some help...

Her closest friend, who she often describes as being the other half of her, seems to be having a bit of a problem with speed binges. The thing is, she suffers from ulcerative colitis, which is a bowel condition, and she's really worried she's gonna do lasting harm to herself.

She's finally got to this point because she honestly feared for her life today. The other half of her (OH) had surgery for her condition on Wednesday (it was day surgery) and she's got stitches in that area at the moment. They were going to a gig last night (Saturday) and she was feeling really poorly, so OH left straight after. Kitty stayed out with her partner and OH invited them back afterwards.

So when they got back OH was smashed. She said, like, REALLY smashed. She was also in massive amounts of pain and taking tramadol to ease. OH and her boyfriend are heavy with phet on a weekend, and they had picked up 14grams earlier in the day. She'd given kitty about 1g at the gig for the night, which sorted her. There were quite a few people there and OH was sharing a little of the phet with the party, but by about 9am all 14g were gone.

During the night, OH had consistently made Kitty feel like shit. She contradicted her on every point possible, belittled her, talked over her and wouldn't let her even answer questions for herself. She'd also spent a good 4 hours solid describing how kitty was "soft" with people and not like her at all, and listing all the things that were good about her and that Kitty didn't have. Kitty had voiced concerns about OH and going through that much phet in a weekend a few weeks before, and OH told everyone at the party that "some people" think thought she was doing too much and then blatantly lied about her usage in front of Kitty, knowing that kitty wouldn't contradict her in public.

About 12pm Sunday OH said she was going for a bath, so kitty and a couple of other people stayed to make sure she didn't fall asleep while in there. She was gone about 2hrs before Kitty decided that she was getting into that bathroom no matter what. As Kitty was knocking on the door, OH came out covered in sweat and as pale as a ghost, saying she hadn't been for a bath at all and had been trying to go to the loo, which had led to a lot of bleeding. Kitty helped her to bed and OH tried to make her promise not to tell anyone downstairs and kept trying to tell her downstairs. Kitty went straight to OH's partner, who seems to be the only one she listens to and told him he needed to help her asap.

OH and Partner came down about an hour later, and said they were going to pick up a vivarium (why the hell you'd want to help lift a viv after bowel surgery is beyond me?!) and they'd be back later. Kitty waited for them to return and when they did they were oddly a lot chattier and more jittery than when they left. Kitty had to come home because she was tired and couldn't cope anymore, and she knew exactly what had happened.

Kitty is at home now, and having to keep herself topped up with what she's got because she's scared of how hard she's going to break when it stops. Last year, OH was Kitty's rock after a failed suicide attempt and she can't believe that person doesn't even seem to be there any more. And it's selfish, she knows. She's terrified OH is going to do something utterly stupid, and then she wont be there at all.

OH's become incredibly selfish, and she will go out of her way to point out that Kitty isn't as socially comfortable as her. OH is insecure, and doesn't like Kitty being close to other people, especially female ones. This has increased the longer OH has been doing the binges (Kitty weighed one of her bombs the other week, it was 1.5g, and this is what she was taking in one dose) to the point of active sabotage. She goes into work at least twice a week absolutely spannered, and its affecting her job.

She's not eating from Friday morning to Monday morning, and claims that her condition asks for her to fast, and this is what she is doing. She went to the hospital for a checkup and they told her that her condition is much worse than it should be for the amount of meds she's on. She has to take about 6 tablets a day (Aminosalicylates, Antibiotics and painkillers) to manage the colitis, which could eventually lead to her having parts of her bowel removed and possibly renal failure.

OH says that taking speed is good for her colitis, and will not be dissuaded otherwise. Kitty has spent hours trying to find more detail on the effects of speed on the lower bowel, but there only seems to be info on the short term gastrointestinal effects. She's read that speed can actually cause colitis but she's having to read medical journals and she's only understanding about 1 in 3 words. She's spent hours online researching and just can't do it anymore, she can't find anything that matches what she's looking for.

Is there anyone here who can shed more light on long term effects of amphetamine usage on someone who has a bowel condition? Is there anyone who can just give any advice on what the hell Kitty should be doing? In fact, is it all OK and Kitty is just being a paranoid idiot? It's beginning to feel this way, Kitty and her partner are the only ones that seem to be outwardly questioning the situation, and her partner hasn't been doing drugs long, so says he's not going from experience, but gut feeling. Which doesn't inspire confidence in Kitty.

Sorry for such a long post, there's just a lot going on in that Kitty's head.

[iceflame]

Hi BellaB1 blue butterfly,
I'm really sorry that you're going through this, but your loving support of OH is very admirable, you're a beautiful friend whilst apparently receiving very little in return, sadly.

I have Crohns Disease, but originally I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Collitis after a year.
Therefore I completly understand what OH is going through...and it's hell.

Now I've been searching for answers for your questions since yesterday via PubMed & Google Scholar, with mixed results.

There's some evidence to suggest that small doseages of prescription amphetamines ie: Dextroamphetamine, that have be proven effective in the treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Low doses aid by helping patients energy levels to increase, as IBD takes it's toll and suffers have great difficulty living life because of the immense fatigue associated with this chronic condition.
(Not to mention the hardcore side-effects of some medications used in treatment)

Therefore OH may be partially correct when she claims it helps, although this might only be the addiction talking!

Other literature/peer reviewed journals say that using stimulants ie: methamphetamine/stimulants/ street speed etc. can cause Inflammatory diseases of the upper/lower bowel.
Aswell as Gastrointestinal Intestinal (GI) inflammation in general.
There are many other serious conditions which can occur.

There are many other issues involved re: GI & using street drugs.
(Again, I'll provide links)

Firstly it's almost impossible to tell what's in these drugs...the cutting agents specifically.
Irrespective of this, OH is still using amphetamines and stimulants being what they are they over-stimulate the body/mind & THE BOWEL.
eg: Excessive diarrhoea/bleeding/mucous because of collitis.

Many complications can arrise, such as constipation from dehydration/not eating, and from 'fasting' that OH claims is necessary.


All of these things are going to severely complicate her recovery, and her bowel condition may never improve or go into remission which is the ultimate goal...sadly leading to possible further operation(s).
Worse case scenario is that she may need her whole bowel removed.
( This is where I'm heading fairly soon & colostomy bag)

From my personal experience as a IBD patient, & through my proffesion as a Nurse who regularly works in the GI Unit, the only time 'fasting' is a requirement is when our patients are booked in for surgery. (Endoscopy/Colonoscopy etc.)
Has OH ever elaborated on this?

Another requirement for those diagnosed with aforementioned chronic diseases is diet.
Namely 'Low Reside Diet'.
If you'd like more information on this I'd be honoured to assist as this is something I've mastered, having been on this regime for years, and I have to inform my patients weekly on the protocol.

Another reccomendation I have, that was a life saver for me, is an Inflammatory Bowel Disease drink.
It's a powdered milk supplement called Modulan, I'll do a search for you and confirm the name/availability in your country than edit this asap.

It contains approximately 80 different nutrients/vitamins etc. especially formulated for the needs of IBD patients.
Modulan restores all the depleted essentials that are lost through the severe diarrhoea/mucosa/medications/bleeding etc.
It's also incredibly soothing on the whole digestive system, and it's easy and enjoyable to drink.

Hopefully this long post has provided you with something that might help you, & OH.
I wish you well, and if you need more help on anything please don't hesitate to PM me.

EDIT ~~~
The following link contains info re; Using Dextroamphetamine for the treatment of Ulcerative collitis.
Granted it's from a peer-reviewed journal and it's occasionally difficult to comprehend, but towards the end all the crucial info is contained and it's much easier to grasp.

This patient had phenomenal results, and regained her quality of life.
OH might have luck with this treatment also, but she must have a consultation with her dr or GI Team, as she claims amphetamines help her condition.
A supportive GI Team would be willing to discuss options with patients that have treatment resistant conditions.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/1...ibd.21387/full

(Wil supply more links re: negative effects as soon as time permits, possibly after work)

[iceflame]

Hi bellab1 butterfly,
Havn't heard back from you in awhile, hoping that no news is good news doll.

Please come back and let the df family know how you're coping.
love your friend, Ice xx oo