Posted by jerrympls on April 11, 2005, at 18:52:52
In reply to Opioid combinations: to Matt and Lunesta, posted by ed_uk on April 11, 2005, at 11:24:05
>
> Long-term opioid treatment almost inevitably results in physical dependence ie. withdrawal symptoms will occur if the medication is abruptly discontinued, the same could be said of many drugs used in psychiatry- although pdocs may deny it! True opioid 'addiction' only occurs in people who take excessive doses of their medication in order to get 'high'. If you're euphoric- the dose is too high.
>
> Regards,
> Ed.Ed shows his knowledge very well in this post (as well in other posts). I clipped out this specific section of his post because it's something I brought up when talking to my pdoc about using an opiate for my depression. I said to him: "How is an opiate any different than the stimulants or benzos you prescribe? They all have abuse potential as well as potentially bad withdrawl - what makes an opiate different?"
I also went on to tell him that I've been on and off amphetamines (prescribed) and benzos (prescribed) for 13 years for my depression and have never abused them nor have had problems with withdrawl - in fact, then ONLY meds that ever gave me terrible withdrawl were SSRIs and Nardil - and to combat the withdrawl I had to up the dosage and taper more slowly. Tell me that's not different that what some people experience from stimulants and benzos (I said to him).
I'm proof that opiates CAN be used effectively for use in depression. I also take Dexedrine as well. Do I feel drugged? nope. High? nope. Close to normal? Yup. I never run out of my Rx early and I don't take more than what's prescribed daily.
I wish I could open more doctors' minds about the use of opiates - but I am only one person. Perhaps I can get my pdoc to write in to a journal or something?
Now of course - one can be VERY high on opiates and still feel relieved of thei depression - which Lunesta may or maynot be? I think the big thing that scares doctors from using these meds is that they make you feel better almost instantly - which is reason for caution. But it doesn't mean they shouldn't be used.
Just my 2 cents
Jerry :-)
poster:jerrympls
thread:482353
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050408/msgs/483007.html