Posted by Chairman_MAO on February 27, 2004, at 13:13:19
In reply to Methadone for depression for me??, posted by geeper16 on February 26, 2004, at 23:07:35
Opiates/opioids are the original and best antidepressants. In fact, the tradition of antidepressants that began with imipramine is more biopsychiatric sophistry than advance in treatment. Opioids are also much, much less toxic than the new drugs. People have been using opium poppy alkaloids for thousands of years. Aside from "dependence", there is virtually no risk save overdose, which is honestly almost impossible to do unless you're using it intraveinously (overdose is IMPOSSIBLE with buprenorphine). From your post, I believe you are taking appropriate antidepressant doses of the opioid. Unfortunately, I doubt--unless you have lots of money--you will ever find a doctor to prescribe schedule II drugs--ESPECIALLY opioids--for depression. You DO NOT want to take Vicodin long-term because of the other TOXIC painkiller in it.
Good luck with the methadone, but if you cannot get it, ask for buprenorphine. It might even be best to ask for buprenorphine first, because the dependence/withdrawl is negligable and it's not schedule II. If that fails, I'd ask for tramadol, which is less safe and less effective, but a fine antidepressant. You may want to consider asking your doctor about buprenorphine/tramadol (or a better opioid) + stimulant (preferably dextroamphetamine), under the guise of treating your ADD. Stimulates potentiate the analgesic and antidepressant effects of opioids and also attenuate some of their adverse effects.
Best wishes, and please, do let me know how it's going and if you need any more help getting what you need. I understand how frsutrating it can be spending years under the care of psychiatrists that simply won't "cut to the chase".
poster:Chairman_MAO
thread:318084
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040223/msgs/318241.html