Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 61258

Shown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

VERY DRUG RESISTANT ??!!

Posted by KS on May 1, 2001, at 12:32:05

I would really like to know if anyone suffers the same exasperating problem that I do. My doctors haven’t given me a name for it – so if you have the name, please hand it over! I’ll have to give you the long story in the absence of short-cut jargon to describe my condition. I am “immune” (poetic licence) to benzodiazepines, phenothiazines and some anesthetics. This is a problem as I am insomnia, generally anxious and have good old “treatment resistant depression”. For example, I could take about 6mg of Klonopin (clonazepam) and it would –at best – have a very mild anxiolytic effect that would last about an hour. I’ve tried large doses of Rohypnol (flunitrazepam) but even 8mg allowed me to happily socialize and watch the late night movie! With antidepressants that are supposed to have sedative side-effects, I feel absolutely nothing. Also, any antidepressants I have tried (and there have been many) have always had to be taken to maximum dose before they had a mild effect on me. My GP was shocked when she gave me 2 injections of Stemetil (antiemetic phenothiazine) and a double dose of Pethidine the other day. She thought she’d have to call my wife to cart me away but, since it was the last appointment of her day, I merrily chatted to her for half an hour or so before driving home! Does anyone else have this problem? I think it might be genetic as my mother has the same “immunity”? I would appreciate any feed back, specially about how to overcome it. Some have suggested it a metabolism problem?

Look forward to hearing from you.

KS

 

Re: VERY DRUG RESISTANT ??!!

Posted by Lisa Simpson on May 1, 2001, at 14:48:29

In reply to VERY DRUG RESISTANT ??!!, posted by KS on May 1, 2001, at 12:32:05

Yes! I've been there. Just to give you one example, every year I have to have a colonoscopy... as I have ulcerative colitis, I have to have my colon examined to make sure I haven't got cancer. Anyhow, they sedate you as it's very painful, and the sedation doesn't work on me. Twice now I've tried to climb off the operating table in the middle of the procedure! They've had to give me an extra dose, and have been very surprised afterwards when I 'came to' so quickly, with no drowsiness. I think the reason for this is the fact I have been on codeine phosphate for very many years, which has made me resiliant to similar types of drugs. Do you take any sort of drug like that on a regular basis? Because if so you might have built up an immunity.

Anyhow, just an uneducated guess!

Lisa

 

Re: VERY DRUG RESISTANT ??!!

Posted by Elisabeth on May 1, 2001, at 16:54:56

In reply to Re: VERY DRUG RESISTANT ??!!, posted by Lisa Simpson on May 1, 2001, at 14:48:29

In a slightly similar situation...I was on benzos for over 12 years. 90mg Valium a day and 60mg of Restoril at night. I could sit up and read an hour after taking them in the end...which is why I gave them up...withdrawal has actually been minimal. I did not start out on that amount, of course, but built up a tolerance over many years.

Recently I had to have a serious lidocaine injection for dental work. It took over 1/2 hour for the correct area to get numb (3X as long as normal) and double the amount had to be injected.

At first my dentist thought I just had thick nerve sheaths...until he checked my chart where I disclosed my meds over the years and remarked that no wonder I wasn't getting an effect. He was right as I had been going to him for years and he never had to use that much before and it had been quite some time since I had needed a filling.

Perhaps any Central Nervous System depressant or painkiller taken over years can make you very tolerant...maybe like people who can really "hold their liquor" and not experience drink effects but have the alcholol level in their system.

 

Re: VERY DRUG RESISTANT ??!!

Posted by Mr.Scott on May 2, 2001, at 16:01:35

In reply to Re: VERY DRUG RESISTANT ??!!, posted by Elisabeth on May 1, 2001, at 16:54:56

DID you say 90 MG of Valium and 60 MG of Restoril? Holy Shit!!! How long did it take you to taper off that?

mr.scott

 

Re: VERY DRUG RESISTANT ??!!

Posted by Elisabeth on May 2, 2001, at 16:25:23

In reply to Re: VERY DRUG RESISTANT ??!!, posted by Mr.Scott on May 2, 2001, at 16:01:35

> DID you say 90 MG of Valium and 60 MG of Restoril? Holy Shit!!! How long did it take you to taper off that?
>
> mr.scott

Yes....but should have said I took 60 throughout the day in 10mg tabs and 30 at bedtime with the two 30 mg of Restoril.

I started dropping off last June..we sold our house here in US...so was having a wee "high" spot in my life. Got down to 30 Val and 30 Restoril by November...stayed that way through move to UK and took a supply with me. After January I was down to just 20 mg of Valium at night and day divided...but using some natural Valerian too which is useless unless you have really tapered off. I use the tincture under the tongue then chase it with juice.But I use a LOT. It does work if you are way down on your benzos and can stand the taste.

I still am having some wee "fidgets" and "twitches", but never take more than a 10mg Valium in one day or more than 2 or 3 times in a week if in a real crisis. The Valerian is great for night...while I am not getting consistent sleep and get 4 hours together at most...my mind is working again. I can actually THINK. I may get nervous and upset..but am not a zombie and with the Wellbutrin I mentioned I was on, I have a clearer head. I am not used to being so "up" in the evening..it's nice, but makes mornings without restful sleep rather nasty until about noon.

Bummer is no Wellbutrin for depression in UK...no benzos either...so this will be very interesting.

I would say I was very very lucky to discover I had no problems weaning off the way I did when I now hear of others' troubles. Had no idea that it was difficult, so had no fears...also, I can take or leave alcohol and when I quite smoking (from age 17 to age 32) I just did it cold turkey and never looked back. It's a pain to be so emotionally wrecked in my head yet not be physically addicted...I almost wish it were the other way!

 

Re: VERY DRUG RESISTANT ??!!

Posted by Mr.Scott on May 3, 2001, at 9:50:59

In reply to Re: VERY DRUG RESISTANT ??!!, posted by Elisabeth on May 2, 2001, at 16:25:23

That is atruly amazing story!! Talk about indiviudal differences..

They make ZYBAN in the UK right? That is another brand of wellbutrin for a different indication. Also could you have the Wellbutrin shipped from the US? I'm sure with a docs RX the 'authorities' would be understanding if they even knew at all..No insurance though I guess.

If there's a will there's a way.. You could have a friend in US get it prescribed who is insured. Pay her for it..Have it shipped.. Totally illegal of course.

mr.scott


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