Any Help for Caffine and nicotine Detoxing

Need suggestion on how to help a 29 yr.old woman, going through withdrawls of caffine and nicotine, she has nicotine poisoning again, has had petti mal seizures and confution right now, what can we do for her on our end, her provider services are letting her fall through the cracks
Angie

NTM - Really, if the symptoms are severe, the lady does need to be monitored by a mediacl professional for extreme cases of nicotine and caffeine withdrawl. Water and time are by far the best treatments. Water intake should not be excessive, though; and to ease the suffering, perhaps only tackle one withdrawl at a time. Cutting back on both, rather than outright cold turkey ould also be adviseable. have her keep a log of nicotine and caffeine intake (ie times when she has a cigarette and when she consumes anything containing caffeine).

Have her try to slowly reduce the amounts of each that she takes every day, but do it slowly and gradually. Depending on how bad the anxiety that she experiences from detoxing, she may have to see a doctor to get a low dose (and limited supply) of benzodiazepines to help her through the worst times.

I'm sorry that I cannot be of more help. - Cam

Cam, Thank God you answered.
She has had 2 Peti Mal Seizures in the last week, total confusion, when she trys to answer her eyes float raoidly back and forth, forgets what she is doing, last night two of our members walked her home, she tried to leave her apt. twice saying she needed milk (already bought), 2nd time she was on way to pick up her Meds ( they get delivered every morning), our members have been sharing the work of staying with her and keeping an eye on her for the last 2 weeks, she has an evaluation today, what else can we do?
Angie

NTM - I would say that she should keep up with the drinking of water; approximately a couple of litres a day. I am not much help on this as I have had no real experience in detoxification as I am a community pharmacist and have never worked in a hospital. I really don't know what is causing the seizures (ie. the physiologic mechanisms involved), so rather than guessing at what to do, i had better suggest that the treatment be handled by a physician.

I am sorry that I cannot be of more help. The best that I can suggest is to monitor the situation and keep a log of any observations (eg. time of seizures and the circumstances and activities she is doing at the time of the seizures). the more information that you can provide the doctor with the better he/she can tailor the treatment. Also, maybe you can also log what she is doing (eg what she has eaten, any activities she is currently involved in) when the confusion is at it's worst.

Again, I am sorry that I have no more advise than just be as supportive as you have been. - Cam

caffein problem should be adressed first as it's a strong trigger for nicotine, and withdrawal simptoms are not as brutal. Increase exercise and water intake in small daily increments. Habitrol program greatly increases chance of sucess in quiting smoking. Use the whole program, not just the patch. Nicotine withdrawal symtoms are severe and incapacitating for the first 3 - 10 days even with replacement therapy and can continue to a lesser degree for many months. long term support from friends is very helpfull, but when all is said and done it's up to the individual. I try to focus on the positive and not make it a black and white issue. Meditation and other relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, massage, visualization, etc. are great tools. I'm a smoker, but I am on the path of quiting totally.
dan

Unfortunaly she has been hospitalized, almost catotonic, memory loss due to peti mal seizures and confusion
Angie