Posted by liliths on February 12, 2007, at 11:35:04
In reply to Re: opioids for BP depr. -- need to find doc » aminated, posted by JerryPharmStudent on February 9, 2007, at 12:59:16
hi Jerry
like you, I found hydrocodone to be a life saver. My poc was willing to prescribe it and I never needed to escalate my therapeutic dose in the 5 years I used it. I was on 7.5mg 2x daily
The only problem I ran into was that I couldn't get prescriptons for pain meds filled for dental work or whatever, because of the existing one for hydrocodone but I managed around that by simply tapering my dose - even went off it for a little while and acumulated enough to take as needed 'for pain'
now the REAL downside of this treatment is that, because of it, the dept of health has denied me a license as a Massage Therapist, despite being deemed 'safe and stable' by an independent psychiatrist. Admitting to being treated for depression on my application kicked me into this program called PRN and they took my being on hydrocodone to scare the board into believing I needed to be monitored like a drug addict when 'they' decided I wasn't to be allowed to take it if I wanted a license. These contracts line their pockets with a lot of money.
I went off the damn drug and NOT being an addict, refuse to submit to being monitored like one
so say hello to my world...no more relief from the hydro and no license
the public is terrified of the bug-a-boo of 'abuse'. People refuse to believe that someone can take a drug therapeutically and not become an addict.
PRN wants me to have to continually 'prove' I'm not taking it anymore and even though I'm told I have a civil case against PRN for discrimination, mention to a lawyer that you were taking hydrocodone and THEY treat you like a drug addict as well and won't even consider the case on its merits
now I'm appealing again and if I don't win, I'm simply walking away. I sold my house to go back to school, got great grades, aced my boards, only to run into a brick wall - all because I was treated for depression with opiates
I mention this NOT to scare anyone but simply to point out that the prejudice of our society prevails over individual rights. IF you can find a pdoc to write off-label use of opiates for you (and my pdoc told me there was no additional liabilty in doing do), you should make sure there's nothing in your life that's going to be taken from you as a result
good luck to you all
namaste,
lilith> Hello-
>
> My case is somewhat similar to yours. I'v been through every treatment from meds to ECT to VNS and nothing has hlped except opiates - mostly hydrocodone. Finally doctoras at the research center at teh University of Minnesota allwoed me to try hydrocodone 5mg - 4x daily and it has been a life saver. I've been on the SAME dosage for 3 years now with NO tolerance - NO abuse and consistant efficacy.
>
> I believe there certainly is a place for opiates in psychiatirc medicine. It's going to be difficult to find a doc to prescribe them - however I would suggest to seek out a psych at a major university meadical school/research school like the Univerisyt of Minnesota. Private practice docs aren;t going to Rx opiates not just beeucase they are against them - but mainly because their malpractice insirance goes up dramatically (I was told this by my current psychdoc).
>
> Be honest with your psych and tell him/her how opiates help you more than anything. There is a relation between opaite centers in the brain and emotion, etc.
>
> GOod luck
>
> Jerry
poster:liliths
thread:730885
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070207/msgs/732103.html