Do meth users often get unexplained sores on their body & believe it is not caused from their drug use?

I have a sister who is recovering from meth use. She has an undiagnosed skin condition with phychological, gastrointestinal & neurological problems. She has convinced herself that she has a mystery disease called morgellans, her doctors are not convinced of this malady. They believe it is phychologically induced by her previous drug use, or a result of it by making her immune system weak. Her children also had this condition, but are now doing well in a temp foster home. I'm concerned for her but she will not listen to me or believe that it is caused from the meth. She's on a desperate mission to prove it is a real physical disease. I don't believe this nor do her doctors. Can anyone give me some insight on this subject?

Actually, some people really believe in Morgellans (sp?) disease. It's where small fibers are produced inside the body and work themselves out through the skin. Some scientists have examined these "fibers" and they have not been identified as anything synthetic (ie. they don't appear to be produced by man). The majority of doctors, however, don't believe this disease exists, despite many people who believe they have the disease, some of whom have died.

However, some patients who abuse meth have a habit of picking at themselves, creating sores. Sometimes its due to hallucinations, and sometimes a nervous habit.

My question would be - does your sister have sores on her body that she could not possibly reach with her own hands, or are the sores only in spots she can reach? That would be a clue as to whether or not she's inducing the sores herself.

I'm not sure of the validity of their claims, either. Still, I find it interesting. And I feel its probably wrong to automatically assume they are crazy. Anyways, good luck to you both. Report It

Yes they do.. they also have poor hygiene, and want to sleep all the time... my dad is in jail for Meth so I know... but Her kids would not get the sores if she is doing meth just her

it's like fibromyalgia, it's not a real disease. It's a psychosomatic disease in which people, for whatever reason psychologically, are making themselves sick (not intentionally). Psychological issues create the physical symptoms of the disease.

You are probably correct in your assumption. Meth users are often, like other drug users, in extreme cases of denial. I had a friend who once tried to apply for disability due to her Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The one thing she would never tell the doctors..because she KNEW deep inside all the complaints she had could easily be attributed to the meth addiction. Which she called recreational use. I have seen this drug, and all the junkies that make excuses....picking at their faces and arms...all kinds of problems....claim some sort of alternate condition. Your hunches are most likely correct.

Sometimes when people use meth and or other drugs, it is cut with laxative, shaved glass, as well as other harsh poisons. It could be that she has done damage to her nervous system, and this is the bodys' way of telling you something is wrong and needs to be fixed. Most people want to defend the drug for some reason, and will put the blame on any or other thing else. On the gastro side, if she has not eaten for awhile the body actually starts feeding off it-self to stay alive. Hopefully she will recover and these symptons will disappear, as it sounds like she has been using for awhile. Hope this helps...