Posted by BarbaraCat on August 3, 2004, at 13:29:03
In reply to Re: Opiates for depression, posted by J. Backer on August 3, 2004, at 13:15:19
I've noticed an interesting phenomenon. I occassionally take oxycodone and sometimes hydrocodone for fibromyalgia pain. Sometimes the drugs will lift a depression, sometimes not. Sometimes the drugs will help the fibro pain but not always. What I do notice is that after a few days of taking the opiate after a flare-up, my fibro pain will be worse, even though the other symtpoms (fatigue, headache, anxiety) are lessened. I've wondered about opiates interferring with the body's own natural production and stores of morphine like compounds, making pain perception more sensitive after stopping.
I also wonder what happens to the addictive tendency when opiods are taken for pain vs. pleasure. I have never had a problem taking them/not taking them and have never suffered any withdrawals, no cravings at all. But I can't take high doses, just don't want to, so maybe this has something to do with it. I cannot say the same for Chardonnay, whereby just a teensy bit sets me up for a major jones. Anyhow, the nature of addiction is curious.
poster:BarbaraCat
thread:363941
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040730/msgs/373633.html