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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jerrympls on February 7, 2005, at 22:58:39
I am currently being treated with opiates for my treatment resistant depression. I came out of the closet to my doctor about how opiates have helped my depression in the past and after showing him some research he agreed to an opiate trial.
I've been on Oxycontin 10mg for a month now. It's been wonderful - the most stable and close to "normal" that I have been in years. It's not a miracle cure - but it's better than nothing.
We are going to try a month on hydrocodone to compare the two. I'm so very fortunate to have a doctor willing to try opiates. Yes, I am cautious of tolerance and dependance. However, I do not get any sort of "high" from these meds nor do I "hunger" for them. I'm already dependent on the other depression meds I'm taking - so how can being dependent on an opiate be any different? That's how I look at it anyway.
Tomorrow I start hydrocodone 5mg 4x daily. We found a preparation without acetaminophen called HYCODAN. Too bad there isn't a long acting form of hydrocodone.
At any rate, there are doctors out there who know the benefits of the use of opiates for treatment resistant depression and who will use them. Unfortunately they are few and far between. My adivce is to seek out a psychiatrist at a teaching hospital at a large research university.
I'll keep you all posted....
Jerry
Posted by ed_uk on February 8, 2005, at 8:58:03
In reply to Opiate Trials - Update 2, posted by jerrympls on February 7, 2005, at 22:58:39
Hi Jerry!
>It's been wonderful - the most stable and close to "normal" that I have been in years.
I'm glad to hear you're feeling so much better!
>We are going to try a month on hydrocodone to compare the two.
Take care when you try to compare hydrocodone with oxycodone. It is often claimed that 5mg of oxycodone is 'equivalent' to 5mg of hydrocodone. This is only an approximation however and shouldn't be taken to seriously. The only way to accurately compare the effects of hydrocodone and oxycodone would be to take a range of different doses of each opioid.
Keep us posted!
Ed.
Posted by SLS on February 8, 2005, at 9:12:03
In reply to Opiate Trials - Update 2, posted by jerrympls on February 7, 2005, at 22:58:39
I guess you can think of the opioids as a bridge to the treatment that ultimately brings you into remission.
Good luck in your quest to find a more satisfying treatment. I am greatly relieved that you have found something that will help prevent you from entering a suicidal state.
- Scott
Posted by ed_uk on February 8, 2005, at 10:26:34
In reply to Re: Opiate Trials - Update 2 » jerrympls, posted by SLS on February 8, 2005, at 9:12:03
PS. You're still on a very low dose of OxyContin. Perhaps you'd obtain greater relief on a slightly higher dose.
Ed.
Posted by jerrympls on February 8, 2005, at 18:06:31
In reply to Re: Opiate Trials - Update 2 » jerrympls, posted by SLS on February 8, 2005, at 9:12:03
> I guess you can think of the opioids as a bridge to the treatment that ultimately brings you into remission.
>
> Good luck in your quest to find a more satisfying treatment. I am greatly relieved that you have found something that will help prevent you from entering a suicidal state.
>
>
> - ScottHi Scott
Yes I do think that continued treatment with an opiate will be the bridge that *helps* me achieve remission - as far as one can with medication. I have a great therapist whom I see weekly and I've got a lot of work do to in that area. I haven't been suicidal nor have I had a suicidal thought since starting the opiate therapy - it's the longest I've gone without such thoughts. As I've stated many times before - I don't think this is a miracle cure - but it has helped me more than anything has over that past 13 years.
Jerry
Posted by jerrympls on February 8, 2005, at 18:08:28
In reply to Re: Opiate Trials - Update 2 » jerrympls, posted by ed_uk on February 8, 2005, at 8:58:03
> Hi Jerry!
>
> >It's been wonderful - the most stable and close to "normal" that I have been in years.
>
> I'm glad to hear you're feeling so much better!
>
> >We are going to try a month on hydrocodone to compare the two.
>
> Take care when you try to compare hydrocodone with oxycodone. It is often claimed that 5mg of oxycodone is 'equivalent' to 5mg of hydrocodone. This is only an approximation however and shouldn't be taken to seriously. The only way to accurately compare the effects of hydrocodone and oxycodone would be to take a range of different doses of each opioid.
>
> Keep us posted!
>
> Ed.Hey Ed! Nice to hear from you!
You're right - hydrocodone dosing = oxycodone dosing - however, I still react differently to hydrocodone. If I do decide to return to the Oxycodone - I think I'll be at 20mg instead of 10mg.
I'll keep you posted! Hope all is well with you!
Jerry :-)
This is the end of the thread.
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