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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 10 to 34 of 63. Go back in thread:
Posted by Jane Austen on October 19, 2003, at 14:06:36
In reply to Boy~Do I miss Vicodin!, posted by galkeepinon on October 17, 2003, at 15:44:57
> I really miss it. I even went as far as *possibly* ordering it online, but I'm not into prison, and my jumpsuit wouldn't look good with my hair;-)
Why would you end up in prison just for ordering Vicodin online? I'm in Australia and although I get lots of spam offering me online ordering of vicodin I haven't tried it.
Posted by galkeepinon on October 20, 2003, at 0:28:48
In reply to Re: Boy~Do I miss Vicodin!, posted by Jane Austen on October 19, 2003, at 14:06:36
hmmmmmm I'm not sure after reading this:
http://2thick.elitefitness.com/forum/archive/2/2003/04/4/231814
>
> Why would you end up in prison just for ordering Vicodin online? I'm in Australia and although I get lots of spam offering me online ordering of vicodin I haven't tried it.
Posted by judy1 on October 20, 2003, at 9:43:04
In reply to Re: Boy~Do I miss Vicodin! » judy1, posted by galkeepinon on October 18, 2003, at 14:30:25
I read the link you posted and found a lot of inaccuracies regarding drug classification, so I pretty much discounted most of the other info. It is true that meds ordered from overseas have a chance to get seized, but as I posted before I have never had difficulty with meds ordered through drs. in the U.S. on-line.
Was the ear-ringing attributed to the vicodin you were taking? I've found the opiate/opioid class to have few side-effects compared to 'other' psychotropic medication, but I do know the APAP in vicodin can cause liver damage in high amounts-and is the reason that a lot of docs prescribe norco- which is 10mg hydrocodone/500APAP. Were you able to find an effective med for your migraines? I have periods of migraines that seem to be a result of anxiety, and have found benzos helpful with treating the anxiety so that I don't get migraines as often.
I guess I take a 'whatever works' approach, and am fortunate enough to have found a shrink who feels the same. Obviously you must have felt out of control with taking vicodin when you sought help with de-tox, do you feel this is a class of drugs that you can never use without 'abusing' them?
take care, judy
Posted by galkeepinon on October 21, 2003, at 2:04:46
In reply to Re: Boy~Do I miss Vicodin! » galkeepinon, posted by judy1 on October 20, 2003, at 9:43:04
Interesting, but sort of inaccurate link, I agree.
>>>>>Was the ear-ringing attributed to the vicodin you were taking?
As I felt the need to increase it~yes. It got so bad that's when I knew I needed help and went into detox in Jan 2002.
>>>>>I've found the opiate/opioid class to have few side-effects compared to 'other' psychotropic medication, but I do know the APAP in vicodin can cause liver damage in high amounts-and is the reason that a lot of docs prescribe norco- which is 10mg hydrocodone/500APAP.
I did start to get concerned about my liver, but blood tests showed *it* was OK, but it didn't seem to matter to me at the time, because after I detoxed, I took it again.
>>>>>Were you able to find an effective med for your migraines?
I tried Zomig, Imitrex, and the ER (Demerol and Imitrex Sub-C). But, Amerge and Maxalt, I found worked for *my* migraines the best at the time.
>>>>>I have periods of migraines that seem to be a result of anxiety, and have found benzos helpful with treating the anxiety so that I don't get migraines as often.
I thought Klonopin would help, but it didn't and I was also on Seroquel, and that didn't help either.
>>>>>I guess I take a 'whatever works' approach, and am fortunate enough to have found a shrink who feels the same.
Good for you! Really!
>>>>>Obviously you must have felt out of control with taking vicodin when you sought help with de-tox, do you feel this is a class of drugs that you can never use without 'abusing' them?
Yes, I KNEW I was out of control and after I detoxed, the next term at university, my friends told me I didn't look as *zoned out*, and I had been off Vicodin for a while.
I guess for me, it's a day to day basis. I saw my PCP doctor today and she offered it to me, and I said no, so she gave me Ultracet. I guess that's a good start. But if I got my hands on some Vicodin, I can't say I wouldn't 'abuse' them unfortunately...
Take care.
Posted by Festus on October 22, 2003, at 23:06:31
In reply to Re: Boy~Do I miss Vicodin! » judy1, posted by galkeepinon on October 21, 2003, at 2:04:46
Howdy Folks,This is gettin intrestin,but as far as the chat stuff from the elite fitness forum,ya,ll gotta keep in mind that crowd is more into the steroid side of Controlled Subs.They ain,t likely to be too accurate about benzos and opiates and such.If you ever "lurk in"on a chat when they,re talkin Roids,shweeewwhh,then WE,D feel lost!Galkeepinon,I gotta give this much to ya,you really do like them Vic,s!All us sure hope you can get proper treatment for them migraines.My darlin,Wife has suffered for years with em,and,like you,she,s tried ALL the stuff you wrote down and hardly nuthin helps.She does have luck with Maxalt and Topomax combo.She got rebound headaches from Vicodin,too.Do you see a Neuro,GP,or Pain doc?Festus
Posted by galkeepinon on October 24, 2003, at 16:54:40
In reply to Re: Boy~Do I miss Vicodin!, posted by Festus on October 22, 2003, at 23:06:31
Hey Festus! I see a PCP for the pain, but I'm thinking I should see a neurologist.
Gotta look...
Take it easy
Galkeepinon,I gotta give this much to ya,you really do like them Vic,s!All us sure hope you can get proper treatment for them migraines.My darlin,Wife has suffered for years with em,and,like you,she,s tried ALL the stuff you wrote down and hardly nuthin helps.She does have luck with Maxalt and Topomax combo.She got rebound headaches from Vicodin,too.Do you see a Neuro,GP,or Pain doc?Festus
Posted by Festus on October 24, 2003, at 23:54:11
In reply to Re: Boy~Do I miss Vicodin! » Festus, posted by galkeepinon on October 24, 2003, at 16:54:40
That would probly be a good bet,Gal,from the ones around here that suffer from them,Neuros seem to be able to provide the best results.My Darlin sees a neuro and he has been good to her,giving her samples as much as possible(My work took away our insurance)and she said about half the folks he sees are for Migraines.They seem to be about the toughest type of pain to control.It took them about 2 years to find a suitable med combo that helped her.They even gave her an Rx for some kinda injectable stuff,she,d take a syringe out of the pack and stick herself in the leg with it.Did,nt help.(Think it was Imitrex).Ask your Pharmacist or someone you know for the name of a good one that specializes in headaches.Good-Luck.Festus
Posted by rxnurse on November 9, 2003, at 20:20:38
In reply to Re: Boy~Do I miss Vicodin! » judy1, posted by galkeepinon on October 18, 2003, at 14:30:25
The large amounts of acetaminophen (Tylenol) in your blood from the Vicodin is most likely the cause for the ringing in your ears. Not only does acetaminophen cause liver damage, but damages the nerves used for hearing as well. Rush Limbaugh had similar issues with his Vicodin abuse. Blood levels above 4000mg of acetaminphen in 24 hours is considered toxic to the liver which tries to metabolize the drugs. Using alcohol on top of that can be fatal, either from liver failure or overdose (asphyxia). Taking Vicodin or any other opiate may be fun at first, but ultimately you will pay dearly in the end. Be careful!!!!!!
Posted by bsj on November 23, 2003, at 22:03:21
In reply to Re: Boy~Do I miss Vicodin!, posted by rxnurse on November 9, 2003, at 20:20:38
>Taking Vicodin or any other opiate may be fun at >first, but ultimately you will pay dearly in the >end.
What kind of fear-mongering nonsense is this? It's like the AA "one drink" fallacy: it becomes a self-fullfilling prophecy.
Posted by rxnurse on November 24, 2003, at 1:05:13
In reply to Re: Boy~Do I miss Vicodin!, posted by bsj on November 23, 2003, at 22:03:21
This has nothing to do with any 12-step "prophecy", but merely a fact. If any prescription is abused, that person risks psychological and physical dependence and addiction. Some people are at a higher risk than others for addiction,and opiates are the most widely abused prescription drug in our society. I am a registered nurse and have seen the process too many times. For some, all it takes is one pill or one drink. This is not a matter of personal opinion. Why so defensive?
Posted by bsj on November 24, 2003, at 1:53:26
In reply to Re: Boy~Do I miss Vicodin!, posted by rxnurse on November 24, 2003, at 1:05:13
"Why so defensive?"
I'm glad you asked that question.
I'm defensive on this topic because there are too many persons like yourself who have nothing to offer but fear: fear of addiction, fear of horrible consequences, fear of the unknown. Sure, opiates cause physical addiction; but so does Paxil--I spent two weeks in hell when I went off it; I'll never forget that agony.
Your overbroad generalization of "...ultimately you will pay dearly in the end" is what evoked my ire; it's the very same deterministic garbage put out by AA. It's not a fact; it's fallacious reasoning, based on projecting from a general to a particular. Not everyone who uses--or "abuses" in your lingo--opiates will end up "paying dearly in the end"; there are some of us who use them, and for a good purpose, yet you want to thunder prophecies of our doom based on your limited experience as a nurse. Come down from the pulpit, please.
Posted by krazybirdlady on November 24, 2003, at 13:59:52
In reply to Re: Boy~Do I miss Vicodin!, posted by bsj on November 24, 2003, at 1:53:26
bsj, perhaps you could rephrase your post without the anger. It's really not contributing anything to your cause....
Posted by KimberlyDi on November 24, 2003, at 15:37:13
In reply to Re: Boy~Do I miss Vicodin!, posted by bsj on November 24, 2003, at 1:53:26
Why should her opinion bother you, or threaten you? Talk about projecting. I didn't see any pulpit, just a nurse who has seen things she wouldn't wish on anyone, including you.
Posted by bsj on November 24, 2003, at 17:06:27
In reply to Re: Boy~Do I miss Vicodin! » bsj, posted by KimberlyDi on November 24, 2003, at 15:37:13
"Why should her opinion bother you, or threaten you? Talk about projecting. I didn't see any pulpit, just a nurse who has seen things she wouldn't wish on anyone, including you."
Hers is an attitude I see all too often; and frankly, I'm tired of it. I don't feel threatened by it; it's just BS I'm scooping out of the way. Her generalization about opiate users all "paying dearly in the end" set me off.
Posted by krazybirdlady on November 24, 2003, at 17:29:19
In reply to Re: Boy~Do I miss Vicodin!, posted by bsj on November 24, 2003, at 17:06:27
bsj, bet you're a laugh a minute at parties...
Posted by rxnurse on November 24, 2003, at 17:29:45
In reply to Re: Boy~Do I miss Vicodin!, posted by bsj on November 24, 2003, at 17:06:27
I'm sorry that my opinion upset you. I am not a physician, and do not make medical diagnoses nor give medical advice. I am a concerned health care professional and an ER nurse who has seen multiple intoxications and overdoses resulting from prescription opiates. I do not preach nor advocate abstinence from alcohol or drugs, that would make me a hippocrate. However, when I read the messages on this site and the overwhelming negative effects of substance abuse, I feel somewhat compelled to voice my opinion. It is one opinion out of many!!! Opiates can do wonders for those in need, to say the least! They are also very powerful chemicals that create a false sense of well-being, and this is what may or may not lead to dependence in certain individuals: certainly not everyone who uses them!!!! In short, I care about the members of our society and would like to share my thoughts and opinions on what may be dangerous: this website is the appropriate forum. If ignorance is bliss, what is an education????
Posted by krazybirdlady on November 24, 2003, at 19:32:38
In reply to Re: Boy~Do I miss Vicodin!, posted by rxnurse on November 24, 2003, at 17:29:45
well said rxnurse...maybe education is acknowledging things that we don't want to acknowledge....facts are facts and these drugs can be very dangerous. To everyone who uses them? no, of course not..they are a godsend to some people. but with every drug that makes us feel better lies the potential for abuse, and all the ugly things that go with the word "abuse". you are right that this forum is for opinions and personal experience. whether you agree or don't agree with the poster, we should at least put forth opinions diplomatically.
Posted by rxnurse on November 24, 2003, at 21:21:22
In reply to Re: Boy~Do I miss Vicodin!, posted by krazybirdlady on November 24, 2003, at 19:32:38
Thanks for the support!
Did you mention earlier that you are a pharmacist? How is it that people are able to refill controlled substances without the DEA catching on? Is that true just for triplicate prscriptions? I know with those a copy goes directly to the DEA and they keep track on the number of times a schedule-II substance is given, and the prescribing physician.
Posted by bsj on November 24, 2003, at 21:39:25
In reply to Re: Boy~Do I miss Vicodin!, posted by krazybirdlady on November 24, 2003, at 17:29:19
I don't go to parties. I just recently got my life back, and I work like a fiend. I have a lot to catch up on, and I don't know how long this will last.
But I think there's a de Quincy quote that's appropriate here: "...nobody will laugh long who deals much with opium; its pleasures even are of a grave and solemn complexion; and, in his happiest state, the opium-eater cannot present himself in the character of L'Allegro; even then, he speaks and thinks as becomes Il Penseroso."
Il Penseroso indeed.
As for opiates inducing a "false" sense of well-being: what of SSRIs, TCAs and other politically acceptable depression treatments? Why heavens no! They only make the depressed person feel like himself again, it's said--which is exactly what hydrocodone does for me. Whatever good feelings it brings are, on the contrary, not fake but quite natural and real; it's the constant agony of depression that's truly fake--the drug merely banishes that agony to a corner of my mind where I can let it sit and have its way on occasion; as opposed to its controlling my every waking hour.
Posted by rxnurse on November 24, 2003, at 22:55:22
In reply to Re: Boy~Do I miss Vicodin!, posted by bsj on November 24, 2003, at 21:39:25
You seem convinced your self medication regimine is working for you. I guess you are lucky you have found something that works for your depression. You are the only one who truly knows what you need to feel better and function.
As far as the efficacy of "politically acceptable" antidepressants goes, they do not produce a "high" nor false sense of well-being. They reduce the re-uptake of circulating serotonin, and to a lesser degree norepinephrine. SSRI's and the like restore the amount of neurochemicals in depressed people to the levels of people who do not demonstrate depressive symptoms. This effect does not take an hour but weeks of daily use. Opiates have no affinity for these chemicals, but for opioid or mu receptors in the central nervous system. There is not nor will ever be a comparison clinically between opiates and antidepressants. Opiates are a central nervous system depressant. Opiate withdrawl can kill people, not withdrawl from Prozac. People do not lie, cheat, and steal for antidepressants.
Have you discussed your findings with your physician? I am curious what their opinion on the subject is????
Posted by Dr. Bob on November 24, 2003, at 23:49:11
In reply to Re: Boy~Do I miss Vicodin!, posted by bsj on November 24, 2003, at 17:06:27
> What kind of fear-mongering nonsense is this?
> there are too many persons like yourself who have nothing to offer but fear
>
> Your overbroad generalization of "...ultimately you will pay dearly in the end" is what evoked my ire; it's the very same deterministic garbage put out by AA.> Hers is an attitude I see all too often; and frankly, I'm tired of it. it's just BS I'm scooping out of the way.
Different points of view are fine, and in fact encouraged, but please don't post anything that could lead others to feel accused or put down, thanks.
Bob
PS: Follow-ups regarding posting policies, and complaints about posts, should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration; otherwise, they may be deleted.
Posted by bsj on November 25, 2003, at 2:30:13
In reply to Re: Boy~Do I miss Vicodin!, posted by rxnurse on November 24, 2003, at 22:55:22
"As far as the efficacy of 'politically acceptable' antidepressants goes, they do not
produce a "high" nor false sense of well-being. They reduce the re-uptake of circulating
serotonin, and to a lesser degree norepinephrine. SSRI's and the like restore the amount
of neurochemicals in depressed people to the levels of people who do not demonstrate
depressive symptoms. This effect does not take an hour but weeks of daily use. Opiates
have no affinity for these chemicals, but for opioid or mu receptors in the central
nervous system. There is not nor will ever be a comparison clinically between opiates and
antidepressants."That's the party line; do you write ads for drug-makers, by any chance?
But you completely ignore the likelihood that some with depression suffer from manfulction of
the endogenous opioid systems. It would be _astounding_ if these systems alone were immunue
to dysfunction. SSRIs and the like wouldn't do squat for these people; and right now
the only treatments available are opiates. They're crude drugs, to be sure, but
there's no alternative. The serotonin and dopamine theories of depression are hot in
acadamia right now; so there won't be many people researching alternative drugs. It
would be nice to see someone working on an antidepressant derived from morphine or some
other opiate; but I'm not holding my breath. I really don't like the fact that I have
to choke down hydrocodone pills twice a day or I spend all my time staring at the ceiling
and thinking about killing myself.But as for mainstream antidepressants: I guess you missed that study in the BRITISH JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY where it was shown that, on the whole, ADs and placebos perform on a comparable level; something like 80% of the response to ADs are attributable to the placebo effect. OUCH. Mainstream ADs are third-rate psychotropics; they're like psychic powers: they work largely when you BELIEVE. (What was all that stuff about
reducing the re-uptake of circulating serotonin?)"Opiates are a central nervous system depressant."
In textbooks from the 1950s they are; but today, it's apparent that they're far more than
that. Opiates have a lot of actions that are poorly understood or not understood at all.
To fit them into the neat "central nervous system depressant" box shows your ignorance."Opiate withdrawl can kill people"
Not otherwise healthy people.
"...not withdrawl from Prozac."
I don't know; it wouldn't surprise me if there were deaths associated with withdrawal
from Paxil or Effexor. Withdrawal from the former was the worst two weeks of
my life.
Posted by bsj on November 25, 2003, at 2:31:53
In reply to Re: please be civil » bsj, posted by Dr. Bob on November 24, 2003, at 23:49:11
All right; I'll play nice. But I hate misinformation and the casual disregard--or worse, accusation--that some have for those in pain.
Posted by krazybirdlady on November 25, 2003, at 14:00:02
In reply to Re: Boy~Do I miss Vicodin! » krazybirdlady, posted by rxnurse on November 24, 2003, at 21:21:22
rxnurse....i am in Canada so different regulations apply. but yes, we have a drug monitoring system in place. it is very hard, however, to monitor all the information. it is usually only a DR. that constantly prescribes certain drugs to many, many patients that raises a red flag. that is why so many DR's are reluctant to prescribe opiates on an ongoing basis. however, even at that, certain conditions DO require that they do so. see how hard it is? most people who are becoming trully dependant turn to the streets eventually, as they are given no choice.
Posted by bsj on November 25, 2003, at 14:46:50
In reply to Re: Boy~Do I miss Vicodin! » rxnurse, posted by krazybirdlady on November 25, 2003, at 14:00:02
"most people who are becoming trully dependant turn to the streets eventually, as they are given no choice."
Absolutely true. I recently left a doctor after being told he would never prescribe hydrocodone or any other opiate for depression. He wanted me to have ECT--which I've _already_ had, three and half years ago. I was ok while in the hospital during the treatment, but within a week of going back home, it was the same old thing again. My doctor at the time told me that I'd likely need followups for the rest of my life; so instead, he put me on Adderall (which worked great before I started having panic attacks).
The gray and black markets for pills aren't the cheapest source of hydrocodone ($200-$300 for 60 pills), but there's a steady supply and no alternative. I'd love to find a doctor who'd put me on hydrocodone and keep me on it, but that's not a realistic short-term goal. I hold the hope that they exist, but I have no idea who they are or where they're at.
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