Posted by Elizabeth on December 12, 2001, at 16:14:05
In reply to Re: Need Doctor to Prescribe Opiates in Baltimore » Elizabeth, posted by Annie Z. on December 12, 2001, at 9:35:55
> In Philadelphia, I started off with Oxycontin, but then my insurance started to hassle me about the very expensive Oxycontin. I decided not to appeal my insurance companies decision, since I was going to be moving to Baltimore in short time. So, instead, I changed my medication to Codeine.
Oof! Morphine would probably have been a better choice -- codeine is very weak (as you've no doubt discovered), and its effect really relies on metabolism to morphine.
> I am taking 30 mg, four times per day. I like the drug. It has a relatively long half-life compared to the other non-time-release narcotics, and I am not too constipated on it.
That's surprising. Well anyway, consider morphine, which does come in a sustained-release formulation.
> The downside to this drug is that it can’t be taken in more than 60 mg dosages without people getting seriously uncomfortable side effects. I can’t remember what the side effects are, but nausea is one of them.
They're probably typical opioid side effects -- itching, constipation, dry mouth, sweating, etc.
> > Also, would you be willing to travel a bit, and if so how far?
>
> Well, given my health, traveling isn’t the easiest. But, ultimately, I will do what I have to do (within the law).I meant just to southern MD or the DC area. Shelli is getting opioids from a psychiatrist in DC, I think, so you might ask her about that.
> I have made six more appointments with three psychiatrists and three internists in Baltimore, who all went to medical school at John Hopkins or Harvard, or schools of this caliber, so I hope one of these doctors will come through with my opioids.
Good luck to you!
> Today, I talked to a professor in John Hopkins’s affective disorder department; he said his department tried buprenorphine several years ago with less than stellar results.
I wonder what type of patients they tried it on. I think opioids aren't right for all depressed patients, and some may even feel worse on them. Also, the dose and route of administration can affect the efficacy and reliability of bupe quite a bit.
Again, good luck to you!
-elizabeth
poster:Elizabeth
thread:86365
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011202/msgs/86717.html