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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by judy1 on December 15, 2002, at 13:20:46
disorders- since we don't have a specific site- I just want to lay out what I'm doing and ask if I have a massive denial problem here. I originally went on morphine for pain and depression, it was very effective, but a year later I'm still on it. I also take the long acting form (ms contin) and break it up in smaller pieces, basically saying I'm getting a lower dose but realizing I'm getting a bigger 'hit'. Since I do have a severe disc problem, it is not difficult for me to get this drug. Along with that I take benzos- klonopin and xanax, again for legitimate reasons (panic disorder) and I have no difficulty getting those scripts either. My question is: if I am not increasing my dose daily but take varying doses according to my mental state- do I have a substance abuse problem? This question comes on the heels of a study that said 70%? of people with bipolar disorder have a comorbid substance abuse problem. I no longer do anything illegal to obtain any prescriptions, but maybe by even asking this I'm saying I have a problem. I would appreciate your honest replies. Take care, Judy
Posted by Tabitha on December 15, 2002, at 16:51:17
In reply to To those with former (or present) substance abuse, posted by judy1 on December 15, 2002, at 13:20:46
Everyone has their own definition of "abuse". To me it's only a problem if the substance use is causing problems in your life, yet you keep using.
Posted by Phil on December 15, 2002, at 22:35:31
In reply to To those with former (or present) substance abuse, posted by judy1 on December 15, 2002, at 13:20:46
If you mean you take higher doses when you feel down, not because it helps with the pain, but because it feels good, you have a problem.
If you break up Oxycontin, which is time-released, you get a great hit. So much so that someone from the Haight-Ashbury clinic said it was way more addictive than crack. I guess ms contin is different, hopefully.
There's a law of the universe that says: Anytime a patient calls their meds a hit, that patient is having a problem.
Have you told your doctor? If not, you're withholding info that could take the med away.
I learned from AA, it's not how much or even how often you drink, it's why you drink. Social drinkers never ask,"I wonder if I have a problem?" It's not an issue.
And lastly, if you think you might have a problem, you have a problem.
If any of those fit, you're in denial, yeah. Don't get all druggie on me Judy. At least talk it over with your pusher. I'm sorry, doctor.
Freudian slip.Phil
Posted by Phil on December 16, 2002, at 6:47:36
In reply to Re: To those with former (or present) substance abuse, posted by Phil on December 15, 2002, at 22:35:31
judy, It doesn't sound like a really bad problem. I was pretty dramatic last night. You aren't a druggie by any means. Let me know what's going on, okay???
Posted by judy1 on December 16, 2002, at 11:19:21
In reply to Re: For those about to rock.. » Phil , posted by Phil on December 16, 2002, at 6:47:36
Oh Phil, I didn't take your last message badly at all- I felt you were being honest and since I know you have experience in this I appreciated it greatly. I agree it isn't a huge problem (along with Tabitha's read), but I think it's a potential problem. And no, I haven't discussed it with my dr., because that would indicate a problem and an end to my source. My shrink once addressed the opiate problem (at the time I was purchasing large amounts of hydrocodone on the internet) and I got all defensive so he backed off. Of course he was weighing my response of not coming in at all versus lets address this slowly. So I want to be honest here because there is no downside, just honesty which I want. I'll post if things get worse or better. take care, judy
Posted by Phil on December 16, 2002, at 12:39:42
In reply to Re: For those about to rock.. » Phil , posted by judy1 on December 16, 2002, at 11:19:21
If I were dealing with chronic pain I'd probably want a bump every now and then myself. Are docs any better at giving adequate doses to really help the pain or are they constantly paranoid?
Posted by judy1 on December 17, 2002, at 19:03:34
In reply to Re: For those about to rock.. » judy1, posted by Phil on December 16, 2002, at 12:39:42
I've got some nasty looking MRIs, a younger Internist (I find the younger the less conservative), so no I haven't had difficulty getting meds. Which actually makes me feel better because I could probably get more and I don't. thanks Phil.
Posted by oracle on December 18, 2002, at 23:46:09
In reply to actually I'm lucky » Phil, posted by judy1 on December 17, 2002, at 19:03:34
I would avoid crushing the MS, you are really setting up your body to need more. Peaks cause more tolerance, I think.
You mentioned you took MS for depression, could
get your pdoc to OK doing this again ? That might
take the guilt and worry away.Do you take the MS every day or as needed ?
I think we take what we need to survive but this cannot be an absolute statement.
Posted by judy1 on December 19, 2002, at 10:22:47
In reply to Re: actually I'm lucky, posted by oracle on December 18, 2002, at 23:46:09
no my pdoc won't go for the triplicate- he will give hydrocodone to his panic patients though. you're right about doing what we have to do, if self-medicating takes care of symptoms (w/o a lot of nasty side-effects of psychotropic meds, well...) and yes, I do take it daily- usually just in the am when I'm at my worst. take care, judy
This is the end of the thread.
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