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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Temmie on September 7, 2003, at 15:25:00
I have had such insufferable depression lately, it's been difficult to get up out of bed. Lately I've been taking swigs of the Tylenol with Codeine left over from my son's surgery in July. This seems the only thing that seems to bring any relief.
I mentioned this to a friend, who said, "Well, that's the nature of opium, morphine, and all the opium derivitives. They take away your pain."
Why IS it we can't find some combination of legal/prescribed medications that might help in a similar way? I'm currently taking 200 mg. of Serzone and .25 mg. of Lexapro once each day, and .25 mg. of Xanax on an "as-need" basis (which in the last week or so, I haven't been using at all).
Is this use of Codeine something I can (should) mention to my prescribing RN? Does anyone know enough about Serzone or Lexapro to comment on whether increasing either of them might help? In any case, I do need to speak to my RN. It would be nice if I knew ... better ... how to explain my malaise.
Life is too miserable, and I need all my wits about me to get through the demands of teaching and grad work this fall.
Posted by justyourlaugh on September 7, 2003, at 16:18:37
In reply to Depression/Tylenol with Codeine, posted by Temmie on September 7, 2003, at 15:25:00
temmie,,
number 3's have a large amount of caffine..
mabe that in it self helps you " get going"
try a few cups of coffee..even though it causes weight gain and nervousness....blah blah blah..
wouldnt it be nice if there one drug that could fix us..
mabe its called happiness...where is it sold?
i bet its back ordered
j
Posted by shar on September 7, 2003, at 17:30:47
In reply to Re: Depression/Tylenol with Codeine, posted by justyourlaugh on September 7, 2003, at 16:18:37
There are many posts/debates about treating depression with opiates, etc. on 'regular' psycho-babble.
Those meds make me sick, so I don't use them, and don't know if people have continued success with them. Might be worth a search.
Shar
Posted by Temmie on September 7, 2003, at 17:39:19
In reply to Re: Depression/Tylenol with Codeine--Tem, posted by shar on September 7, 2003, at 17:30:47
Posted by janejj on September 7, 2003, at 17:45:23
In reply to Re: Depression/Tylenol with Codeine--Tem, posted by shar on September 7, 2003, at 17:30:47
Yeah tylenol 3 is pretty good. They make me feel peaceful and happy, but also extremely tired, even though they have caffeine. I guess opiates are highly addictive, so thats why they aren't used. However benzos are addictive too.
I just take them for period pain once a week and they always do the trick, lol.
Janejj
Posted by Temmie on September 7, 2003, at 20:23:27
In reply to Re: Depression/Tylenol with Codeine--Tem, posted by janejj on September 7, 2003, at 17:45:23
Janejj -- I hope you meant period pain "once a month," and not "once a week!" Thanks to you (and all) for responding. I have not had time yet to do a PB search on depression + opiates ... but believe me, I will! I've tried 11 (or 12 or 13?) different Rx for depression, and sure wish I could find a cure. Yes, if "happiness" were bottled, we'd have a different kind of board here -- and it's definitely on back-order.
Thanks everyone. Will go to bed with a book, and hopefully rise sufficiently early tomorrow to prep for another day of school. I can't deal with it tonight.
Posted by galkeepinon on September 7, 2003, at 21:30:34
In reply to Re: Depression/Tylenol with Codeine, posted by justyourlaugh on September 7, 2003, at 16:18:37
> maybe its called happiness...where is it sold?
> i bet its back ordered
> j
Yeah, what aisle is that one on? Bet it's back ordered too!
Posted by galkeepinon on September 7, 2003, at 23:46:08
In reply to Re: Depression/Tylenol with Codeine--Tem » janejj, posted by Temmie on September 7, 2003, at 20:23:27
Here are a few links that start out some EXCELLENT threads by former posters here at PB.
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030411/msgs/218705.html
Posted by Temmie on September 8, 2003, at 7:40:44
In reply to Some Threads Re: Opiates, posted by galkeepinon on September 7, 2003, at 23:46:08
Thank you for your research, galkeepinon!!! I'm so grateful.
I had terrible dreams last night about having some kind of palsy ... not being able to play the piano, then walk, then talk, and finally, collapsing in a heap.
I don't want to go to school today, but it's only Day 5, and I can't call in sick. Plus it's a short day. I only have the kids 50 minutes for language arts, then (after lunch, thank God, there's a break in my earlier-morning Monday schedule), 40 minutes before returning them to their homeroom class for dismissal.
I'm sorry, I'm babbling.
Trying to pull things together today re. a "plan." Thank God also, my children are only eight and nine. (And bless them for being so sweet.)
I'll make it somehow, and will go back and browse again to see what types (names) of Rx might be possibilities to discuss with my RN.
Thank you all for writing, and Galkeepinon, for such selfless giving of your time!
Love, Temmie
Posted by MysticalMeds on September 8, 2003, at 11:43:47
In reply to Re: Some Threads Re: Opiates, posted by Temmie on September 8, 2003, at 7:40:44
opiates for depression are such a fascinating & controversial topic, and the powers that be have pretty much decided that they don't want yout to take them for any purpose other than pain. that leaves you in a sticky situation if you believe they are the anti-depressant of choice for you. i don't believe that RNs are allowed to perscribe controlled substances (including codeine, which is the main component of tylenol 3s) - and even if they were the DEA makes them very very afraid to do so.
it is true that certain people will only feel truly well on opiods (check out http://opioids.com/index.html) but its very hard to assess genuine need. opium-derivatives have the tendency to create a very strong need in the user, which in a certain sense makes all users need them.
in my opinion, and from a wholistic perspective, the mechanism of action of opiates are not dissimilar from SSRIs, in that they 'turn the volume' down on everything in life. everything is softer and less difficult to deal with. what makes opiates 'dangerous' is that they cause an immediate change in the brain, whereas SSRIs take weeks to reach their peak effect. hopefully the will develope some form of antidepressant that will work on the endogenous opiate system in much the same way SSRIs work on the serotonin axis, but I don't see this happening anytime soon.
i've found that through excercise I get a very significant benifit from the endogenous opiate peptides (endorphins, enkephalins, dynorphins). your body has a replenishable supply of these chemicals. this, in combination with the overzealous societal control of products of the opium plant, has led me to abstain from exogenous opiates.
let me know how things turn out for you =) its a very controversial topic that people frequently have very strong, ill-thought out opinions about!
Posted by Temmie on September 8, 2003, at 15:53:06
In reply to Re: Some Threads Re: Opiates » Temmie, posted by MysticalMeds on September 8, 2003, at 11:43:47
Thank you for your thoughtful, well-written ideas on the use of opiates ... vs. the more "standard" approach of using SSRIs. I have a little more to go on now. My prescribing nurse is a Ph.D., but I'm not sure whether she'd be able (or inclined) to recommend something of this nature -- which would be, by the way -- what? Someone wrote of using hydrocodone (sp?), I believe. I'll have to go back with paper and pen in-hand before revisiting the various links I was referred to ....
In general, I'm wondering how to broach the subject of the relief I've found with swigs of Tylenol with Codeine .... Doesn't this red-flag "substance abuse" and all manner of (unpleasant) repercussions?
Sounds like a med-talk visit is necessary asap. Thanks to you and all for spending such time with me here. Am most appreciative.
Am moving now to Psycho-Social Babble for updates on my (apparently still) crack-using boyfriend .... Paul has a trial coming up on Wednesday and will probably be in jail before the week's end.
How did things unravel so for him? For discussion on "the mind of the addict," interested parties please join me there ....
Much love ...
Om ah ra pa tsa nah dih!
Temmie
Posted by Janejj on September 8, 2003, at 17:54:28
In reply to Re: Depression/Tylenol with Codeine--Tem » janejj, posted by Temmie on September 7, 2003, at 20:23:27
Hey Temmie,
Lol, yeah I meant once a month!!!! Couldn't handle having a period every week!!!
janejj
This is the end of the thread.
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