You are right regarding minimal dose of Oxycodone. It was prescribed by my GP for TRD and chronic pain (only10mg p/d). It literally saved my life. But I'm afraid what's gonna happen if or when I develope tolerance? It's a bit scary because I don't see any legal and affordable alternative. New treatments are not covered by Medicare and they are extremely expensive.
Thanks a lot mate. You gave me a piece of mind. As you said getting more than 10mg p/d is almost impossible.. I have to wait 3 months for the Government to approve this. Did you make any breaks during the 6 years interval?I think tolerance is inevitable, but that can take a while, and it doesn't mean you lose all the benefit. I've been on the same supply of hydrocodone for at least 6 years. It doesn't feel as good as it used to, but it's still very helpful. TRD is demoralizing to deal with. I would hope that your provider might be open to upping your supply to twice daily, at some point, if the efficacy starts to really dwindle. But, these days, that can be hard to get.
I'm glad that the oxy restored your will to live. Someone who was savvy about drugs explained to me that a subset of depressives are "opiate responders," meaning they feel and function better, both mentally and physically, on an opioid. Controlled studies have borne that out. It's hard to argue with success.
You are absolutely right. But if it's your only option in order to stay alive then be it. We are not talking about being "high" we are talking about minimal dose for the Treatment Resistant Depression.Not calling anyone a liar here but it's important to keep in mind that it's the nature of addiction to not think that it's wrong to continue using. Seems like at least the vast majority of users, if kept long enough on opioids, exhibit this behavior of escalating doses, with negative effects on the user and everyone who knows them. I mean, they tried opioids in psychiatry, and it didn't work out. Abuse was rampant. A true antidepressant doesn't require regular escalating doses.
True. It was working for me almost 8 months. Then it stopped overnight and all side effects hit me. It took me a year to recover. Still not 100% fit.I can see buprenorphine used for depression.
Thanks a lot mate. You gave me a piece of mind. As you said getting more than 10mg p/d is almost impossible.. I have to wait 3 months for the Government to approve this. Did you make any breaks during the 6 years interval?
Not calling anyone a liar here but it's important to keep in mind that it's the nature of addiction to not think that it's wrong to continue using. Seems like at least the vast majority of users, if kept long enough on opioids, exhibit this behavior of escalating doses, with negative effects on the user and everyone who knows them. I mean, they tried opioids in psychiatry, and it didn't work out. Abuse was rampant. A true antidepressant doesn't require regular escalating doses.
New treatments for TRD: Psilocybin, MDMA, Esketamine nasal spray.So I gather you believe that long-term opioid use tends to lead to abuse. Thanks for the warning. I have a feeling that most of us here at bluelight are not unaware of that. Tolerance is a reality. It motivates escalating dosage. BTW, some studies report that opioids can help relieve depression. Granted - developing an addiction is the last thing a depressive needs.
I have Crohns and Drs. have no problem giving me pain meds. When I had some of my intestine removed because there was a hole in it they put me on a machine I could administer Dilaudid with the push of a button. I had the procedure done twice now and both times they put me on that machine. Morphine shots wont touch the pain which feels like I'm being stabbed in the stomach, but Dilaudid is on another level.
The first time I had the surgery at 18 I was able to stop the pain meds no problem. The last time I had the surgery at 35 I got addicted to Dilaudid and the withdrawals were horrible. But the last surgery was insane, ill just say they really opened me up.
True. It was working for me almost 8 months. Then it stopped overnight and all side effects hit me. It took me a year to recover. Still not 100% fit.
I would love some Oxy right now but its probably one of the last things I need, can see it going sideways pretty quick.
Does anyone like Gabapentin? I recently got a script and feel it calms my nerves and seems to stop negative thoughts.
I was on gabapentin (Neurontin) for a while to treat anxiety. I didn't see where it helped either my depression or my anxiety. It did give me a big appetite at night. I'd take it and go to bed. After an hour or two, I'd be back up pulling out pots and pans to start cooking. A mere snack wouldn't do. That stopped when I discontinued it.
Currently I can feel the positive effects of gabapentin, i'll feel a little off and my lower back starting to sweat, kinda like the feeling if withdrawals coming on, and i'll take 300mg Gabapentin and it does go away.
One thing I noticed is it seems tolerance builds very quick. Taken as needed at 300mg doses. I tried 600mg doses and it seemed the effects were the same.
No. I have stuck with it. I'm now dependent. If I stop, I get withdrawal within 36 to 48 hours. That happened when I got hospitalized 2 years ago. I had an intestinal infection, so they didn't want an opioid slowing my gut down. I understood their reasoning. They failed to understand how much distress that put me into. Next time I had to go to the hospital, I made sure I packed some Vicodin tablets, which I hid in a sock. (Cause they go through all your stuff.) I was so glad I brought them
What are withdrawal symptoms and how long do they last? Just in case...No. I have stuck with it. I'm now dependent. If I stop, I get withdrawal within 36 to 48 hours. That happened when I got hospitalized 2 years ago. I had an intestinal infection, so they didn't want an opioid slowing my gut down. I understood their reasoning. They failed to understand how much distress that put me into. Next time I had to go to the hospital, I made sure I packed some Vicodin tablets, which I hid in a sock. (Cause they go through all your stuff.) I was so glad I brought them.
What are withdrawal symptoms and how long do they last? Just in case...
What are withdrawal symptoms and how long do they last? Just in case...
Thanks for detailed response. Hopefully I will get Government approval for another year supply of 10mg Endone p/d. It's a minimal dose but it helps a lot. Especially psychologically. With TRD every little thing counts.For me, the onset of withdrawal consists mainly of "restless leg syndrome." That may sound like not a big deal, but it is a very big deal. I think the term "akathisia" may be more accurate. RLS usually bothers people mostly at night. (I've experienced that with iron deficiency anemia.). The restlessness I get with withdrawal is around-the-clock. It's horrid. It would drive me to suicide, if I didn't feel confident that it was temporary.
There's no lying down without feeling like I have to keep flipping from side to side, only to find that turning does no good. There's no sitting in a comfortable chair. There's no ability to engage in some distracting activity. Impossible to watch TV or read. The only relief is for me to get into a tub of very warm water. If I make it very hot, that might override the restless sensation. But not for long. I leave the tub full of water and get in and out of it repeatedly. I've tried alcohol for relief and gave up on that. It does absolutely no good.
I've also had nausea and vomiting during withdrawal. There's also insomnia. Then, when I finally get a refill on my Vicodin, I immediately take two tablets. In half an hour, I start to feel huge relief. Hasn't happened in a while because I don't let it. I ration my supply of hydrocodone, so I don't run out before a refill is due.
I'm not sure how long withdrawal would last because I always end it by getting more tablets. Mind you, I take Vicodin 10/325 twice a day. So I'm habituated to 10 mg of hydrocodone twice daily. That level of use is not very high, but it is definitely high enough to result in dependency, if you've been doing it for a long enough while.
The cure for dependency is to be weened off the drug gradually. I got off of benzodiazepines in that way. They had previously produced the same restless syndrome when I would run out of them.
Thanks for the detailed and helpful info. While waiting for the new "miracle cure", 10mg Endone p/d is my only option. It's a bare minimum but regardless of that tolerance and dependency will follow. But what other choice do l have? For TRD there is no plan B and more antidepressants are not a solution. Been there done that. Tapering down? In general it's an excellent idea but what then? Go to the dark place again? This is a very tricky subject and reminds me of catch 22. I'll be seeing my Psychiatrist very soon but don't know what to ask and what to talk about. Any alternative to the current treatment is either too expensive or not accessible. So let's hope for the best and try to survive. Cheers mate.For me, the onset of withdrawal consists mainly of "restless leg syndrome." That may sound like not a big deal, but it is a very big deal. I think the term "akathisia" may be more accurate. RLS usually bothers people mostly at night. (I've experienced that with iron deficiency anemia.). The restlessness I get with withdrawal is around-the-clock. It's horrid. It would drive me to suicide, if I didn't feel confident that it was temporary.
There's no lying down without feeling like I have to keep flipping from side to side, only to find that turning does no good. There's no sitting in a comfortable chair. There's no ability to engage in some distracting activity. Impossible to watch TV or read. The only relief is for me to get into a tub of very warm water. If I make it very hot, that might override the restless sensation. But not for long. I leave the tub full of water and get in and out of it repeatedly. I've tried alcohol for relief and gave up on that. It does absolutely no good.
I've also had nausea and vomiting during withdrawal. There's also insomnia. Then, when I finally get a refill on my Vicodin, I immediately take two tablets. In half an hour, I start to feel huge relief. Hasn't happened in a while because I don't let it. I ration my supply of hydrocodone, so I don't run out before a refill is due.
I'm not sure how long withdrawal would last because I always end it by getting more tablets. Mind you, I take Vicodin 10/325 twice a day. So I'm habituated to 10 mg of hydrocodone twice daily. That level of use is not very high, but it is definitely high enough to result in dependency, if you've been doing it for a long enough while.
The cure for dependency is to be weened off the drug gradually. I got off of benzodiazepines in that way. They had previously produced the same restless syndrome when I would run out of them.