Posted by Questionmark on September 13, 2003, at 22:45:24
In reply to Re: Opioids and Depression, posted by jerrympls on September 13, 2003, at 21:34:52
Hey, i just wanted to comment on this, and add my own complaints. i don't personally know if opioids would be beneficial for me on a consistent basis (though i do love what they do on the rare times i actually get to try them). But i do think it's FREAKING ridiculous how so many pdocs are so freaking reluctant to try opioids or any other "questionable" drug for patients who really believe they might help them-- especially for those who HAVE tried numerous other drugs. i mean, isn't EVERY drug addictive-- or at least able to cause dependence-- to some extent? Opioids, benzodiazepines, SSRIs, whatEVER-- they can all cause dependence, right? So come on, i mean seriously. Also, (like Jerry kinda said) how bad off does one have to be before they'll consider something like opioids? i mean, if someone's in severe physical pain they won't be morons about giving narcotics, so why not severe psychoLOGical pain?! i mean if someone is suicidally depressed, for example, is that not reason enough to try desperate measures for f***'s sake??? But no, you can't mention anything about being suicidal, cuz then they'll send you to some @#*&ing mental institution and pump you full of antipsychotics or some bull**** like that. It's freaking ridiculous. It's so stupid. People are so stupid. And psychiatrists are no exception to that. Makes me sick. Okay i'm done.
> Hydrocodone (is in Vicodin) has ALWAYS been the best antidepressant for me - increases my mood to "normal," brings back my motivation, longing to live, reduces fatigue, helpe me sleep better - everything the SSRI's are SUPPOSED to do but never do for many of us. I've never gained any tolerance to opiates - when I've been on them for extended periods of time after a surgery, dental work, etc.
>
> I get so frustrated because doctors throw SSRI's at us saying, "Oh, we'll increase it by 5mg and then you should be fine" or whatever - and I just want to say "Vicodin will save my life not an SSRI!!" How many years of my life do I have to waste being on ineffective meds before a doc tries something "unconventional" like an opiate???? I know that docs do that too because I brought it up to my reseach psych doc once and he said "Yes, there are conditions in which opiates are used for depression."
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> WELL!?!???!!?!? I'm 31 - have been battleing depression since age 20. Antidepressants, ECT, VNS and therapy have only made me plain, more depressed with side effects. Do I need to beg? Plead my case with research? Cry? attempt suicide? I have a list of all the meds that I've been on over the years and I've been on EVERYTHING - and EVERY combination - then the doctos say - "Well, let's try Prozac again..." for the 4th time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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> UGH!!!!! Sorry I'm just so frustrated that depression is/has ruined a GREAT portion of my life, pushed away family and friends....something that could help me sooo much is right there - but doctors would rather prescribe months worth of amphetamines and not something like Vicodin - because "Vicodin is addictive." And amphetamine is not??
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> I jsut don't get it.....thanks for letting me vent.
>
> Jerry
poster:Questionmark
thread:120871
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030912/msgs/259805.html