Posted by dmlvt on December 19, 2006, at 7:58:49
In reply to Opiates-Experiences Opinions?, posted by Tom Twilight on December 17, 2006, at 14:39:31
Before I was diagnosed with depression, I had been fighting a long term problem with chronic headaches. It's still a problem for me, but I've gotten some relief recently through acupuncture. My primary care doc at the time thought that it was an issue with repeat sinus infections. The antibiotics never seemed to help, but hydrocodone (Vicodin) helped tremendously.
At the time, I was working in a very stressful work situation and the vicodin made my days go amazingly well. I never felt the need to increase the dosage and I didn't think I developed a tolerance, but my usage was limited to a max of 6 months straight. I had multiple periods of time where I used it for 2-3 months.
I will admit that I was happy every time the doc agreed to one more refill. I don't think I realized it then, but the headaches were giving me an excuse to take a medicine that was helping my then-undiagnosed depression.
Regretfully, my primary care doc retired and my new PCP is adamantly opposed to opiate usage. He works with lots of patients who are addicted to various meds and street drugs, and doesn't like the fact that my pdoc has me on ritalin and ativan. So, there is no chance that he would ever give me vicodin for depression.
dmlvt
poster:dmlvt
thread:714590
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20061217/msgs/714966.html