Locations
Dupage Medical Group/ Institute of Personal Development
romeoville, IL
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About
Bio
Board Certified Addiction Medicine
Dupage Medical Group/ Institute of Personal Development
Castle Connolly Top Doctor Chicago and America Top Doctors
Patient Choice Award
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Addiction Medicine
Doctor Q&A
124 Answers
2 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Leonard Spishakoffanswered
Specializes in Addiction Medicine
Support: Behavioral therapy, occupational and physical therapy including neurostimulation are of help.
You may try omega 3 and vit b complex including linoleic... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Leonard Spishakoffanswered
Specializes in Addiction Medicine
Possible: Back pain that radiates to leg and lancinating that is worsened by coughing or strining is suggestive of a herniated disc
physical therapy, and other ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old member asked:
Dr. Leonard Spishakoffanswered
Specializes in Addiction Medicine
Yes and no: Lamictal is often used as a mood stabilzer in bipolar patients but caution with rash must be observed, duloxetine is indicated for depresssion and pai... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Leonard Spishakoffanswered
Specializes in Addiction Medicine
Yes: Duloxotine like any antidepressant can have withdrawal symtoms such as fatigue, tachycardia, exacerbation of depression , moodiness, etc.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Leonard Spishakoffanswered
Specializes in Addiction Medicine
Yes: Fatigue depression insomnia etc are common.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old female asked:
Dr. Leonard Spishakoffanswered
Specializes in Addiction Medicine
this can be done they can use buprenorphine and then transition to buprenorphine/naloxone , it can be helpful for pain and it is a good option if cons... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Reviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:
Dr. Leonard Spishakoffanswered
Specializes in Addiction Medicine
As it describes: It is the process of examining body fluids or tissue for evidence of chemicals taken or not taken. It does not diagnose addiction however this a comb... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Leonard Spishakoffanswered
Specializes in Addiction Medicine
Yes: Yes but this is contingent on sobriety I have taken care of patients who where sober and received a organ and managed to stay sober. But on the flip ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Leonard Spishakoffanswered
Specializes in Addiction Medicine
Various: Commonly opioid substances, alcohol to name some as they inhibit CRF in the brain and decrease testosterone. This in the process also causes decrease... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 50-year-old member asked:
Dr. Leonard Spishakoffanswered
Specializes in Addiction Medicine
Openess: Explain to him when you are anxious and depressed.Sometimes you can identify triggers
if you need help we are in berwyn also
good luck.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 24-year-old member asked:
Dr. Leonard Spishakoffanswered
Specializes in Addiction Medicine
Soon: Assuming your dose of Suboxone is tapered accordingly most feel relief in 2 to 3 days. A bigger problem is the anxiety, and other behaviors that co-ar... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old member asked:
I have a adiction to a cold medicine. i want to stop. what is this doing to my body? how can i stop?
Dr. Leonard Spishakoffanswered
Specializes in Addiction Medicine
Like a hallucinogen: I am assusming yo u are using cold medicine with dextrometrophan known as candy, ” “c-c-c, ” “dex, ” “dm, ” “drex, ” “reddevils, ” “robo, ” “rojo, ” ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Leonard Spishakoffanswered
Specializes in Addiction Medicine
1 week: You need to stop smoking as this is never a good choice. But for practical purposes you need to remain 1 week at minimum without smoking.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 55-year-old male asked:
Dr. Leonard Spishakoffanswered
Specializes in Addiction Medicine
No evidence: Dopamine is increased by smoking however although in theory a good question not used options are nicotine replacements varencline nortriptine buprop... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Leonard Spishakoffanswered
Specializes in Addiction Medicine
Not common : It could happen however if structural damage exists and if alcohol is overused a underlying cause of cardiomyopathy could be hastenend. In most likeli... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old female asked:
Dr. Leonard Spishakoffanswered
Specializes in Addiction Medicine
Yes: On average it will be eliminated from the urine before 7 days.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Leonard Spishakoffanswered
Specializes in Addiction Medicine
Contact your dr: Contact your dr o go the emergency room withdrawal symptoms are very serious and must be managed in a prompt manner.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 49-year-old member asked:
Dr. Leonard Spishakoffanswered
Specializes in Addiction Medicine
Triggers: The holiday season afford multiple cues and triggers the brain feeds on. Also alcohol is available at many gatherings because of social acceptability ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Leonard Spishakoffanswered
Specializes in Addiction Medicine
Weed withdrawal: Can be associated with GI symptoms including stomach problems a person can be agitated depressed etc and this also be due weed
currently no treatme... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Leonard Spishakoffanswered
Specializes in Addiction Medicine
Yes: Like any substance that rewards the brain the potential for addiction in polygeneticallly and environmentally susceptible individuals will exist.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Leonard Spishakoffanswered
Specializes in Addiction Medicine
Yes: It can cause a pulmonary embolism which is a very serious complication arising from a clot in the leg.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Leonard Spishakoffanswered
Specializes in Addiction Medicine
Ssri withdrawal: You may experience headache, dizziness , tremor, worsening of depression, anxiety aggresiveness, insomnia to name a few. It is wise to never abruptly ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Leonard Spishakoffanswered
Specializes in Addiction Medicine
Yes: When used yor blood pressure increases plus it causes the arteries of your heart to (vasoconstrict) close up and lead to a heart attack. Other effects... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 22-year-old member asked:
Dr. Leonard Spishakoffanswered
Specializes in Addiction Medicine
No: Although candida can be found in the sputum it can be considered a contaminant except in certain situations such as immunosuppresion (cancer, HIV etc)... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Leonard Spishakoffanswered
Specializes in Addiction Medicine
Yes: Only if it involves the female or male genital tract which is not common in the us , more common in other countries.
Exremely rare.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Leonard Spishakoffanswered
Specializes in Addiction Medicine
No: Ethnicity does not confer risk of addiction, rather a combination of pyscjsocial and physiological events.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Leonard Spishakoffanswered
Specializes in Addiction Medicine
3-10 days: If a bladder infection research shows 3 days same as 10 days of antibiotics however an upper UTI ie kidney 10 to 14 days with careful follow-up.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Leonard Spishakoffanswered
Specializes in Addiction Medicine
Yes: Yes particularly stimulants like cocaine, and sedatives like benzodiazepines and barbituates. Even smoking as it affects fetal growth and alcohol whic... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Leonard Spishakoffanswered
Specializes in Addiction Medicine
None : Major culprit of oral cancer is nicotine and alcohol . Ethnicity, family history znd heredity have not been implicated in common forms of oral cancer.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Leonard Spishakoffanswered
Specializes in Addiction Medicine
Cbt and medications : You may try cognitive behavioral therapy, some research and personal observation has shown modafanil and Armodafinil with some success along with topi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Leonard Spishakoffanswered
Specializes in Addiction Medicine
Action in brain: Nicotine causes activation of senstive areas of the brain which then releases Dopamine , thus causing a pleasureable effect and reinforcer of a action... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Leonard Spishakoffanswered
Specializes in Addiction Medicine
Yes : Esophagus and oral cancer also breast cancer is increased in women who have alcohol abuse or dependence.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Leonard Spishakoffanswered
Specializes in Addiction Medicine
Nicotine: Multiple chemicals are present but nicotine is the most important because of carcinogenesis and addiction reinforcing features via the reward system.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old male asked:
Dr. Leonard Spishakoffanswered
Specializes in Addiction Medicine
No: campral does not repair the damage it works as a anti-craving medication. Also has some effect on anxiety which leads to relapses. Thiamine or Vita... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Leonard Spishakoffanswered
Specializes in Addiction Medicine
Many ways: Gambling addiction like all addictions relies on Dopamine and positive reinforcement. The behaviors leading to gambling included compulsive behavior a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old member asked:
Dr. Leonard Spishakoffanswered
Specializes in Addiction Medicine
No: Ssri can help if symptoms of depression are present and often are however if dizzy medications like Antivert (meclizine) can be used with the advantag... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old female asked:
Dr. Leonard Spishakoffanswered
Specializes in Addiction Medicine
should be careful as clobazam ( urbonal) is a long acting benzodiazepine if cutting back concomitantly can cause irritability, abnormal dreams etc whi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Reviewed Apr 08, 2021
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Leonard Spishakoffanswered
Specializes in Addiction Medicine
Not impossible: Currently we have medications to help with addiction and also you need support groups and cbt and other counseling
talk to your doctor.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Leonard Spishakoffanswered
Specializes in Addiction Medicine
Generic: There is a generic 2 and 4 mg gum respectively however if trying to quit smoking by itself it is not very effective.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 22-year-old female asked:
Dr. Leonard Spishakoffanswered
Specializes in Addiction Medicine
Anxiety : Withdrawal from cyclobenzaprine caqn cause anxiety and insomnia akso it can cause abnormal dreams . Because it has a tricyclic structure it can cause ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Leonard Spishakoffanswered
Specializes in Addiction Medicine
Flashbacks: Flashbacks have been described after use of lsd years later I am not aware of any studies looking at the effect of lsd that long after having used it.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Leonard Spishakoffanswered
Specializes in Addiction Medicine
Very dangerous: Serious enough to be life threatening
if stopped it needs to be sone slowly.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Leonard Spishakoffanswered
Specializes in Addiction Medicine
No: No, but if this behavior becomes more common with symptoms of withdrawal and/or cravings with disregard to consequences etc, thenit is consistent wit... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old member asked:
Dr. Leonard Spishakoffanswered
Specializes in Addiction Medicine
No: Pharyngitis due to gonocuccus would be present sice january, nor chlamydia. To note sometimes neisseria meningitidis is islated from the throat but it... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Leonard Spishakoffanswered
Specializes in Addiction Medicine
Seldom: Opioids are not the first line nsaids like Naproxen etc are tried first if not helpful some nsaids may work better than other, then tramadol and aceta... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Leonard Spishakoffanswered
Specializes in Addiction Medicine
Yes: It is often hard to treat and identify, since both can co-exist, however a helpful tip is sudden deterioration in a stable patient with alzheimers.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old female asked:
Dr. Leonard Spishakoffanswered
Specializes in Addiction Medicine
Combination: both narcotic and benzos are " downers" although at first you may feel different their combination is dangerous and many deaths have occurred when com... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 29-year-old female asked:
Dr. Leonard Spishakoffanswered
Specializes in Addiction Medicine
Yes: dizziness ataxia, rash( can be life threatening) sleepiness, depression, blood abnormalities
serum blood are frequently monitored but even proper b... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Leonard Spishakoffanswered
Specializes in Addiction Medicine
10 to 15: 10 to 15 mg / dl/hr.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Leonard Spishakoffanswered
Specializes in Addiction Medicine
Family doctor: A primary care md (family physician, internal medicine ) is a good starting point, dependending on the success of treatment or findings you might be r... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
2
Recommendations
563
Thank you notes
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Spishakoff is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Spishakoff is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
It had been occurring for 8 days
It radiates around the front and into the front of my hip and thigh. No constipation.
HealthTap member
Your answer made me feel good! Thanks :) made me feel more sensible & responsible :) thank you!
HealthTap member
Your answer made me feel good! Thanks :) Thank you so much, this really made a difference
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon Faculty of Medicine, Mexico
MD
Awards
Castle Connolly Top Doctors: Chicago: 2000 â 2003,Patients' Choice Award, 2008 -2010 Compassionate Doctor Recognition, 2009
HealthTap Founding Doctor
Affiliations
american board of addiction medicine
american academy of family physicians
Dupage Medical Group
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