Posted by Chuckie on May 3, 2004, at 19:38:29
In reply to Re: Buprenorphine - I INSIST YOU TELL ME MORE!, posted by bupe_fan on May 3, 2004, at 18:36:30
That was beautiful, just beautiful. Thank you.
I just have a couple more questions, if you have the patience.
Firstly you didn't tell me how much this costs. I have some resources at my disposal, but i did lose a contract over all this and so money is tight. I only have Social Security and some miscellaneous odd jobs. And credit cards, lots. :D
Secondly what means "polysubstance abuser," to a doctor of this sort? I've been on clonazepam for fifteen years, and i'm not about to even try to give that up at this time. It helps me out a great deal as my depression is triggered by stress. I handle it much like you do the buprenorphine; adjusting it to circumstances to maintain balance. My script is for 2mg/day, generally i take 1 to 1.5mg. Do you think such usage makes me an "abuser"?
Good grief i can't imagine the pain of having to quit that too. For no good reason either, since it does no harm and in fact helps me.
You realize, you know, that you've reinforced just about every fear i have about my appointment tomorrow? But i guess i needed to hear it. It's just strange, and wrong, that such judgements should be passed in a practice specializing in harm reduction. Or that there should be any question about the propriety of buprenorphine maintenance, when the alternatives are illegal substances or methadone.
Here's what i plan to say, for lack of anything else; see what you think:
1) I took the opium for depression, after every conventional AD had failed me.
2) Opium turned out to be a mistake.
3) Detox put me in Hell. (I honestly don't remember what sort of Hell it was. I remember a few Bonanza episodes, otherwise the only objective information i have is what my wife observed. All i know for sure is i couldn't take it.)
4) I don't want to continue doing opium because it's illegal and unhealthy. I don't want to do methadone because it's impractical hour and a half driving per day, and i don't want to be addicted to it.
5) My current dosage is 12 level tablespoons/day (~ 3/4 cup) raw product. (I equate this to approx four 750mg Vicodins, i have no other reference. Sound right?)My whole point, as i think i said, is to be in a balanced state from where i can accomplish things. I have a plan in place for my mind and my body, however when i'm so wildly imbalanced i'll never get a damb thing done and i know it.
In any case, thank you very much for the descriptive picture. I hope my experience to be a bit more copacetic, but now i understand some the potential pitfalls and i'll tread lightly. If you have any further advice based on my specific plans, please share.
Thanks Again. Really.
- Chuckie
poster:Chuckie
thread:333744
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/subs/20040409/msgs/342998.html