Opioids itchies and a ? or two

[ReeFungorio]

Hey everybody, hope I don't have to say swim here 'cuz I'm too lazy. Anyway I recently stopped about 120mg daily hydrocodone habit, even at a low(ish) price it was getting too spendy, and cleaning out the APAP was getting to be a PITA. Thought I'd taper down on DHC (dihydrocodeine BTW, it's not common in the us) and now after a couple months I'm munchin about 360mg of time release DHC (chewing does increase onset but I still feel good effects for a long time) throughout each evening. I like the really mello dull buzz OK, BUT I'm finding that otherwise I feel great, I'm getting things done, my generally depressed attitude is actually better than it's been in a long while. Only thing is the itchies are real bad (or, good sometimes). Anything besides antihistamine going to help me? I love itching my ears so much I actually have like an abrasion from scratching so hard recently after I cut my nails. So roundabout my questions:

1. Any good itchyness lesseners besides antihistamines?
2. What health issues will long term use of DHC bring me if I continue? AFAIK there is no APAP in these pills from UK. The bottles from Napp factory state only DHC tartrate and lactose. I use MJ and coffee with DHC, an occasional clonazepam when I can't sleep.
3. Has there been any study on the use of DHC other than pain, ie the antidepressant effect I seem to be having? It's a wonderful feeling that last throughout the next day and way more effective than the multitude of pills I've been rxed most of my life. I have confidence like I haven't had for years. It has been three months so it's not withdrawal from the Vikes or any kind of placebo effect. So far I'm not experiencing any downside except I'm addicted and if I stop taking them I just want to sleep and sleep.
4. NO DRUG TESTING QUESTIONS
5. For some reason my usage pattern has kind of made my nights into days, and I'm worried not being out in the sun will turn me into some sort of vampire or vitamin-deprived freak. If I can set aside an hour a day to be outside in daylight is that enough for a 30s male?

Thanks, what a great forum

Peace, y'all
Ree

 

[Cane2theLeft]

The pruritus (itchiness) is caused by a histamine release so I can't imagine anything other than antihistamines stopping this except maybe steroids but you don't want to be taking steroids when you could be taking antihistamines.

Opioids will never be used in psychiatric medicine (at least not on a large scale) because physical dependence, abuse and addiction far outweigh the benefits. Of course you are less depressed and more confident with it - YOU'RE HIGH.

I believe the only reason people need to go outside is because of vitamin D but if you are getting that from other sources, you're fine... even if you aren't, around 15 minutes a day would be sufficient.

 

[SECONAL]

Most all opiates have a "antidepressant" effect in most people - whenever I take 'em they usually lift my mood regardless of any situation because they cause euphoria.

I agree most psychiatrists won't ever script them for depression, and if you find one that does you're lucky. They are more "concerned" about addiction like the poster above me said. It's a general statement (which I've read about, not made up), that Psychs don't "like" addicts, and detox centers don't "like" anyone with a mental illness.

I also want to note that opiates sometimes release "histamines" causing the itchiness - especially with hydrocodone, codeine and morphine.

 

[phoenix_risin]

Opioids will never be used in psychiatric medicine (at least not on a large scale) because physical dependence, abuse and addiction far outweigh the benefits. Of course you are less depressed and more confident with it - YOU'RE HIGH.

I have nothing to really add but that quote right there is priceless.

It took me SO long to get that message through my head. I thik it usually hit around the 3rd day of WD. 8)

 

[NeighborhoodThreat]

^Yep. A lot of people self-medicate with opiates for depression but they're not going to be scripted for the purpose.

As far as "something other than antihistamines" well, you're basically out of luck. OTC antihistamines are extremely safe and usually knock the itches down very effectively when used as directed...and you should be using them as directed.

 

[ReeFungorio]

cool this all makes sense, I've been gradually reducing and kind of been at the same level for a couple months. I haven't stopped long enough to get any w/d only that I'm really tired and for lack of better words, depressed and unmotivated.

It does seem a little odd (only to me so that's not saying much) that the physicians are more concerned over a physical dependence to DHC when first hand experience tells me that w/d and addiction with some of the rxed antidepressants can be as serious or worse. I guess they just don't consider being "high" a valid positive treatment result. I've had so many bad experiences with flavor-of-the-month antidepressants that I won't try any more, ever. The only suicidal ideation I've ever had in my life was a month into celexa. I think the bevy of these meds has screwed me up more than any street drugs I've used or abused.

I don't seem to have any tolerance problems with DHC, in fact I've decreased my dosage from around 800mg when I stopped my hydro habit. At 240-360 mg/night I don't get any of the side effects (constipation!) except the itching, which is way worse than when I was eating pretty large amounts of hydro. Guess I will break out the costco small-village sized bottle of benadryls! From what I hear about what steroids might do to your naughty bits, I certainly don't need any

I drink a large glass of organic grapefruit juice each night as well; I've heard that the GFjuice/DHC connection is bunk but I must get a placebo effect. Can't hurt to have a nice glass of juice every day, too!

I'm just surprised it's not more popular, I personally like the fact that it is not as strong an opiate but has a longer duration than hydro or oxy. If I were to stop CT I can't imagine the w/d would be anything more than irritating. Do you think that it is not rxed in the US for anything only because there isn't something like APAP to discourage higher dosages? Most MDs in US I've asked don't even know what I'm talking about.

I think I'll just gradually keep reducing, I'd obviously like my mental health to be natural, but for the moment this stuff is working well for me.

 

[burn out]

Opioids will never be used in psychiatric medicine (at least not on a large scale) because physical dependence, abuse and addiction far outweigh the benefits. Of course you are less depressed and more confident with it - YOU'RE HIGH.

As if that ever stopped them when it came to benzos. Despite their drawbacks, opiates are safer and often more effective than many of the drugs psychiatrists do use. I agree they aren't going to be using opiates any time soon but I would argue that has just as much to do with stigma (and the drug laws) then it does with the downsides outweighing the benefits. I refuse to believe that amphetamines and benzos are beneficial long term psychiatric medicines while opiates are not. Every drug has its drawbacks and in my experience they almost always outweigh the benefits unless that drug is only used sparingly.

 

[max_]

Psychs don't "like" addicts, and detox centers don't "like" anyone with a mental illness.

OFF/T
sorry for the off, but i wanted to say that this ^^ is sadly very true, finding a psych that won't look at you like a freak after you told em you use drugs, is utterly impossible. I don't have personal experience with detox centers but i know people with mental illness who had really bad times in these places because of their illness (worse time than those who where 'only' addicts).

ON/
You should get your sleep cycle right. I've come to realize that it doesn't matter what you're doing, daytime is for being awake, night is for sleeping. Your body is supposed to do it that way. Your brain will be working better, so you'll probably have more dopamine to release anyway. Trust me, i know this for personal experience, i used to binge really hard on stims/psychs and it is really better if you wake up at a reasonable hour, have breakfast, dose up- rather than changing your sleep patterns, which never actually sticks, cause you'll never be totally used to sleeping on daytime. never.