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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Squiggles on February 9, 2007, at 17:14:53
Just wondering if moving to another class from
the current tricyclics to the opiates is an option today in the US and Canada?Is this opiate-related drug available?
Has anyone tried it for severe depression?
And is it dangerous to switch from another
drug to this one? Who would do it?Thanks if you have any feedback on this;
Squiggles
Posted by Phillipa on February 9, 2007, at 22:06:44
In reply to Buprenorphine for major depression, posted by Squiggles on February 9, 2007, at 17:14:53
I just know they have a detox place where I live that uses it for opium withdrawal. Love Phillipa
Posted by Squiggles on February 10, 2007, at 7:56:16
In reply to Re: Buprenorphine for major depression » Squiggles, posted by Phillipa on February 9, 2007, at 22:06:44
> I just know they have a detox place where I live that uses it for opium withdrawal. Love Phillipa
Well, I'm not interested in opium withdrawal, but
rather the really unpleasant/dangerous effects of my friend having to take a max imipramine dose.I did a search and it seems that in Canada they are preparing to use this drug for opiate addiction and withdrawal. But, on PubMed and many other sites, incl. a study from Harvard University, it is found to be far safer and easier to function on than the tricyclics. Apparently, opiates were used for depression until the 50s. And then they fell out of favour when the tricyclics were introduced.
So, I guess it's just not available in Canada and
used only experimentally in the US for major depression. I think that the need for monitoring some drugs may make them less popular, even though they may be a healthier option for the patient.Squiggles
Posted by med_empowered on February 10, 2007, at 12:05:04
In reply to Re: Buprenorphine for major depression, posted by Squiggles on February 10, 2007, at 7:56:16
Yeah, I dont get the bupe situation: its OK to use long-term, maybe indefinitely, if you've actually been a confirmed addict to an opiate, but if you're suffering and want something helpful for depression...then, well, you're probably out of luck. Good for addicts, yes; good for the very depressed....no. Its ridiculous. Its kind of like how docs rx amphetamines to little kids (or should say for the teachers/parents of little kids) who wont sit down and shut up, but if you're miserable and amphetamines might help you out...probably not. Take you Effexor and shut up. Sigh. What an intolerable situation.
Posted by notfred on February 10, 2007, at 12:28:35
In reply to Re: Buprenorphine for major depression, posted by med_empowered on February 10, 2007, at 12:05:04
You need to find a doc that uses Bupe for depression. I know my doc has patients on bupe.
The poster Elizabeth used to post here and provided
quite a bit of info on finding a doc. Search out her posts.
Posted by Squiggles on February 10, 2007, at 16:59:35
In reply to Re: Buprenorphine for major depression, posted by notfred on February 10, 2007, at 12:28:35
> You need to find a doc that uses Bupe for depression. I know my doc has patients on bupe.
> The poster Elizabeth used to post here and provided
> quite a bit of info on finding a doc. Search out her posts.Thanks for your suggestion notFred. I'll do that.
After seeing the 2006 preparation for the use of this drug on HEALTH CANADA, I realize that this government's first priority is to use it for substance abuse of opiates. Therefore, I would not expect it to be applied for depression for many years to come, especially with the "narcotic" association and stigma it carries, no matter whether it works or not.However, I think that as people enter their "golden years" and become seriously ill, the use of opiates is more liberal-- after all what does it matter if you get addicted with only 5 to 10 years left to live. And perhaps that is something to look forward to, for people who have suffered through these really inadequate drugs for a quality life. I'm not ungrateful of course-- it has saved lives. And as for me, I had a lucky strike with lithium-- serendipity has followed me through my life, like an angel.:-)
What we're hoping for now, is reducing the K some, and maintaining the max tricyclic dose-- that may end up being the best alternative. I don't think we have enough specialists in this area in the whole field of medicine, and particularly, where we live.
tx
Squiggles
Posted by notfred on February 10, 2007, at 17:14:54
In reply to Re: Buprenorphine for major depression, posted by Squiggles on February 10, 2007, at 16:59:35
"After seeing the 2006 preparation for the use of this drug on HEALTH CANADA, I realize that this government's first priority is to use it for substance abuse of opiates. "That is Buprenorphine's only indication in the US.
Posted by Squiggles on February 10, 2007, at 18:29:54
In reply to Re: Buprenorphine for major depression, posted by notfred on February 10, 2007, at 17:14:54
>
> "After seeing the 2006 preparation for the use of this drug on HEALTH CANADA, I realize that this government's first priority is to use it for substance abuse of opiates. "
>
> That is Buprenorphine's only indication in the US.So, where do you get it?
Squiggles
Posted by notfred on February 10, 2007, at 18:59:20
In reply to Re: Buprenorphine for major depression, posted by Squiggles on February 10, 2007, at 18:29:54
> So, where do you get it?
>
> Squiggleshttp://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/psycho-babble-tips/links/buprenorphine_for_de_001146748536/
Posted by Squiggles on February 11, 2007, at 12:59:18
In reply to Re: Buprenorphine for major depression, posted by notfred on February 10, 2007, at 18:59:20
Thank you all for your suggestions.
I'm afraid there has been a misunderstanding
in the med dept. I think I will just stop
playing Dr. Squiggles now, and let everyone
listen to their doctor's advice. I won't
go into details, but when all the pieces of
the puzzle aren't there, you don't get the
picture.Squiggles
Posted by Larry Hoover on February 11, 2007, at 16:04:37
In reply to Re: Buprenorphine for major depression, posted by Squiggles on February 10, 2007, at 7:56:16
> I did a search and it seems that in Canada they are preparing to use this drug for opiate addiction and withdrawal.
> So, I guess it's just not available in Canada...I'm surprised to discover that it was approved by Health Canada (Subutex brand) in February 2005. It was supposed to be available within months thereafter, but they've totally bogged down in regulatory red tape. Thank you, Conservative minority government.
One of the regs would require the individual to attend a trained physician every day to receive monitored dosing. They've got it more restricted than they have methadone.....that is, if they ever do actually release the drug for use.
Lar
Posted by Squiggles on February 11, 2007, at 16:51:06
In reply to Re: Buprenorphine for major depression » Squiggles, posted by Larry Hoover on February 11, 2007, at 16:04:37
> > I did a search and it seems that in Canada they are preparing to use this drug for opiate addiction and withdrawal.
> > So, I guess it's just not available in Canada...
>
> I'm surprised to discover that it was approved by Health Canada (Subutex brand) in February 2005. It was supposed to be available within months thereafter, but they've totally bogged down in regulatory red tape. Thank you, Conservative minority government.
>
> One of the regs would require the individual to attend a trained physician every day to receive monitored dosing. They've got it more restricted than they have methadone.....that is, if they ever do actually release the drug for use.
>
> Lar
>"... attend a trained physician every day to receive a monitored dosing?" You may as well attend a trained monkey to dispense his bananas.
I think your only hope with this drug is Hell's Angels. I give it up, especially as my friend is unlikely to receive any drug combos or new drugs without a trail of NRC grants and articles in American and International journals.Enough rope.
Squiggles
This is the end of the thread.
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