Posted by Elizabeth on October 19, 2001, at 12:44:17
In reply to Re: opiates and major depression, posted by JohnL on October 18, 2001, at 2:27:48
> ... I went and did some research on Ultram. As it turns out, it is a lot more than just an opiate. It apparently is similar to Effexor, in that it inhibits the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine.
Ultram isn't really much of a monoamine reuptake inhibitor at safe/accepted doses. It's basically just a weak opioid that has been plugged as something "different." (Don't tell the FDA.)
> There were a surprising number of cases of serotonin syndrome when patients combined antidepressants with Ultram.
Also true of Demerol.
> I saw one study where a patient with refractory major depression was treated successfully with Ultram monotherapy.
It can also help with OCD and social phobia.
> Simply tell a potential doctor that you are experiencing success with Ultram and that all you need is someone who will provide maintenance prescriptions and monitoring of progress.
Frankly, I think it'd be better to say that you had Ultram for pain once and it really helped improve your mood, and leave out the part about self-medicating (which would most likely get you labelled an "abuser").
-elizabeth
poster:Elizabeth
thread:81414
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011015/msgs/81679.html