Posted by Larry Hoover on February 7, 2007, at 13:06:44
In reply to Re: holy mackeral laima! » Larry Hoover, posted by Chairman_MAO on February 7, 2007, at 7:46:30
> I am not negating your experience, but AFAIK the idea that you can never get back to "normal" after using opioids is a myth (my doctor said this as well).
I'm sorry, I'm confused. Where did you get this concept from anything I said? I think my body has gotten back to a more normal state of constant pain, given the nine weeks since last use.
> At the worst time in my life, I was using 20+ bags a day of [good] heroin IV. Granted, I did have buprenorphine treatment, but I am off of that now and feel no hyperalgesia, cravings, etc.
Unfortunately, hyperalgesia (and allodynia, as well as spontaneous firings) are the nature of my disorder, preceding opiate use. They remain with me today. I never craved my opiates. I frankly detest them, but for the analgesia. Anyway, just giving you my experience.
> Of course, I am on psychiatric medication, but self-medication is why I was using that to begin with.
I don't deny that self-medication could have been a motivator for my using that substance, but I don't think I'd choose to use opiates for any reason. I've tossed large quantities over the years.
> People often discount the fact that after having experienced real anxiety relief, coming back to their "default" state can appear more stressful. What is going on is probably psychological.
It may be a factor, but there are clearly measurable differences in excitability of regions of the brain. I'm not up to looking for references just now, though.
> Of course, there is a neural substrate for everything, but in my experience, talking about this without any empirical data (like an fMRI) when trying to improve one's own condition is just another neurosis, i.e. an attempt to control what one feels is out of control by controlling something else. Unfortunately, this whole world of neurotransmitters, etc. is ultimately irrelevant--the clinical presentation is what is important.
In the end, I agree with your conclusion. Assigning symptoms of drug withdrawal to neurosis is not something I agree with, at all.
> I think that if someone feels better on benzodiazepines, they should be on benzodiazepines.
Agreed.
> Personally, I think opioids are a better choice; nobody ever dies from opioid withdrawal.
Not literally, but the depressed mood of opiate withdrawal can lead to self harm.
> With benzodiazepines, there is a small chance due to excitotoxicity upon withdrawal of GABAnergic impairment. However, I stress that this is all theory and that I have been through withdrawal from 80mg/day of diazepam to 0 over a THREE DAY taper (I wish I sued that hospital), and I don't feel as if there was any lasting damage.
In time, things find a more normal homeostasis. I'm sorry you went through that benzo experience. Three days? Geez.
> Best of luck.
Thanks.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:730251
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070207/msgs/730800.html