Opiate Induced Deficiencies and Imbalances - Complete list and how to treat
First of all, this is not yet an exhaustive list. Your help is needed. Together we can make a comprehensive and extremely useful guide on what are the consequences and what can be done to mitigate them for long term opiate users.
Why do this :
From what I have read on the subject and my personal experience, even some, or dare I say most, medical professional in the fields won't give much attention to those. For instance, none of the toxicologist doctors I've consulted (5 of them) suggested me to check up my levels or to consider therapy, nor refered me to an endocrinologist regarding one of the most notorious imbalance : low testosterone. Even tho it is widely aknowledge as a consequences of long term opiate use. If we want to improve our life quality, compiling this information will be of tremendous help. I am also convinced that taking steps to correct those imbalances will lead to easier withdrawal.
After over a year of opiates usage, I realised my mood and energy levels were deteriorating. I've researched testoterone deficiencies and then wondered if there might be other imbalances associate with prolonged opiate usage.
What I found was staggering.
Altho this information is impressive I believe it might be incomplete. For instance, I haven't look into Mineral and Vitamins deficiencies yet.
I am starting this thread in the hope that people will share their knowledge (and provide credible source) to those known imbalance. I will update the original post as the information comes in.
The Structure :
First there is the list of the imbalances.
I also think it would be appropriate to add a list of supplements and strategies to target each imbalance and symptom in order to mitigate the impact of long term use of opiates.
As I am rushed at the moment I'll go on with the lay out and will update the OP as my personnal research provide more information.
For now, my source of information was this one (yet quite in dept) article. The number (written in this format : #1) following every statement in this post will refer to the source section at the end. As people will submit new information or alternate source confirming statements, I'll edit the post to refer to the new source as well.
________________________________________________________
List of imbalances and their symptoms
________________________________________________________
Opiate-induced a suppression of the brain's pituitary gland.
#1
This suppression results in :
Hypothyroidism
#1
Adrenal insufficiency
-Adrenaline deficiency
-Cortisol deficiency
-DHEA deficiency
#1
Deficiencies of the sex hormones
-Testosterone
-Estrogen (Estradiol)
-Progesterone
#1
The resultant hormonal deficiencies prevent endorphin production and decrease dopamine receptivity. Opiate-induced deficiencies of estradiol and testosterone, disallow serotonin and dopamine, respectully, to activate brain receptors.
This of course cause deficiencies of :
-Endorphin
-Serotonin
-Dopamine
#1
Which in turn causes :
-depression
-anxiety
-insomnia
#1
Additionnaly, prolonged use of opiates causes :
-memory loss
-chronic fatigue
-weakness
-lethargy
-bone loss
-muscle loss
-weakened immune function
-elevated cholesterol
-insulin resistance with diabetes
-metabolic syndrome
-increased risk of heart attack and stroke
#1
Serotonin deficiency also cause elevated norepinephrine which cause parts of those symptoms mentionned, for instance, norepinephrine is a powerful vasoconstrictor which cause an increase in blood pressure. The article also mentioned anxiety and other symptoms as well.
#1
____________________
Potential treatments
____________________
Testosterone deficiency :
-Testosterone Replacement Therapy
________________________________________________________
Source :
________
#1
Written by :
Dr Marvin “Rick” Sponaugle
Based on his clinical research at Florida Detox & Wellness
http://www.choopersguide.com/articl...te-pain-pills-eventually-cause-more-pain.html
________
First of all, this is not yet an exhaustive list. Your help is needed. Together we can make a comprehensive and extremely useful guide on what are the consequences and what can be done to mitigate them for long term opiate users.
Why do this :
From what I have read on the subject and my personal experience, even some, or dare I say most, medical professional in the fields won't give much attention to those. For instance, none of the toxicologist doctors I've consulted (5 of them) suggested me to check up my levels or to consider therapy, nor refered me to an endocrinologist regarding one of the most notorious imbalance : low testosterone. Even tho it is widely aknowledge as a consequences of long term opiate use. If we want to improve our life quality, compiling this information will be of tremendous help. I am also convinced that taking steps to correct those imbalances will lead to easier withdrawal.
After over a year of opiates usage, I realised my mood and energy levels were deteriorating. I've researched testoterone deficiencies and then wondered if there might be other imbalances associate with prolonged opiate usage.
What I found was staggering.
Altho this information is impressive I believe it might be incomplete. For instance, I haven't look into Mineral and Vitamins deficiencies yet.
I am starting this thread in the hope that people will share their knowledge (and provide credible source) to those known imbalance. I will update the original post as the information comes in.
The Structure :
First there is the list of the imbalances.
I also think it would be appropriate to add a list of supplements and strategies to target each imbalance and symptom in order to mitigate the impact of long term use of opiates.
As I am rushed at the moment I'll go on with the lay out and will update the OP as my personnal research provide more information.
For now, my source of information was this one (yet quite in dept) article. The number (written in this format : #1) following every statement in this post will refer to the source section at the end. As people will submit new information or alternate source confirming statements, I'll edit the post to refer to the new source as well.
________________________________________________________
List of imbalances and their symptoms
________________________________________________________
Opiate-induced a suppression of the brain's pituitary gland.
#1
This suppression results in :
Hypothyroidism
#1
Adrenal insufficiency
-Adrenaline deficiency
-Cortisol deficiency
-DHEA deficiency
#1
Deficiencies of the sex hormones
-Testosterone
-Estrogen (Estradiol)
-Progesterone
#1
The resultant hormonal deficiencies prevent endorphin production and decrease dopamine receptivity. Opiate-induced deficiencies of estradiol and testosterone, disallow serotonin and dopamine, respectully, to activate brain receptors.
This of course cause deficiencies of :
-Endorphin
-Serotonin
-Dopamine
#1
Which in turn causes :
-depression
-anxiety
-insomnia
#1
Additionnaly, prolonged use of opiates causes :
-memory loss
-chronic fatigue
-weakness
-lethargy
-bone loss
-muscle loss
-weakened immune function
-elevated cholesterol
-insulin resistance with diabetes
-metabolic syndrome
-increased risk of heart attack and stroke
#1
Serotonin deficiency also cause elevated norepinephrine which cause parts of those symptoms mentionned, for instance, norepinephrine is a powerful vasoconstrictor which cause an increase in blood pressure. The article also mentioned anxiety and other symptoms as well.
#1
____________________
Potential treatments
____________________
Testosterone deficiency :
-Testosterone Replacement Therapy
________________________________________________________
Source :
________
#1
Written by :
Dr Marvin “Rick” Sponaugle
Based on his clinical research at Florida Detox & Wellness
http://www.choopersguide.com/articl...te-pain-pills-eventually-cause-more-pain.html
________