Posted by dougb on March 30, 2001, at 11:46:36
In reply to Re: ML Opiates and Treatment resistant Psychiatrists, posted by Elizabeth on March 30, 2001, at 4:17:11
Thanks Elizabeth:
What you describe is exactly what the Hydrocodone does for me, at the doasage mentioned.
It may sound counter-intuitive, but if i take too much, instead of feeling normal with energy to do all those little tasks that life requires, i feel sedated with diminished clarity of thought.
Now, you might think that my Dr. in the interest of science or whatever, might be interested in these and following observations.
Instead, he gets this kind of blank stare and goes back to filling out his paperwork or whatever the hell it is, he does when he sees me :-)
I guess he just thinks I'm babbling, eh Dr. B ;- ?
In any event, at the onset of a real bad spell, my whole body starts aching, Flu-like. Which i interpret as my endorphine receptors short-circuiting.
The body manufactures it's own opiates, The Endorphines, the purpose of which are pain control, pleasure and a state of mind we call 'well-being', amoung many others I'm sure.
Interestingly enough, the Alpha, Beta and Gamma endorphine receptors (the locks) are similar enough to the molecular structure (the keys), in the opiates, for the body to accept and use.
When I exercise for a vigorous and extended period of time (thus producing endorphines, i guess) I get euphoric to the point of giddiness.
All this, to my unwashed logic, seems connected:
no endorphines/or receptors not working right = -- > depression,Add opiate (artificial endorphines) = -- > 'well-being'/ healthy psyche.
But hey, - What is wrong with that picture?
Most likely, their are seperate receptors or sub-receptors controlling the different functions ie pain control, euphoria and well-being. And on and on.
The opiates must be like a shotgun, Buprenorphine a little less so and the future will most likely see drugs that will just a single receptor.
Medical wizards will then be able to complement seratonigenic therapy with a 'your-state-of-mind-is-now -- > _Well-Being_!
Thus breaking the 'i-feel-like ____', so i don't do anything, since i don't do anything, i-feel-like ____ spiral.
But, because your doctor has never been there, S/he can only guess at what severe chronic depression is like.
In a more enlightened era, we will recognize many addicts for what they are. Sick people sub-consciously seeking normalacy through self-medication, who have gotten bushwacked in their pursuit of well-being.
Disease = not being at-ease, i don't know about you but that is the understatement of the year when it comes to D.
Sorry to be so long winded, hope my thoughts somehow somewhere make a difference.
Anyway....
This begs the question; get hooked on hydro or whatever to 'earn' a script for a needed medecine?
Also ma'am, do you build up tolerance for this rx?, Thanks
If anyone else is still reading ;-)), what is the diference between Bupernorphine and Naltraxone?
And, do these drugs create a dependence of their own?
If so, how does their withdrawal compare to that of some of the so called AD's (Paxil, et. al)?
Thanks Doug B
poster:dougb
thread:57821
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010327/msgs/58067.html