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Re: Suboxone???? Is it only for Opiates or an Ad Too?

Posted by undopaminergic on June 2, 2008, at 0:33:42

In reply to Re: Suboxone???? Is it only for Opiates or an Ad Too?, posted by undopaminergic on May 28, 2008, at 2:32:05

This message is the fourth (4th) in a series of reports on my experience with buprenorphine (Temgesic). The previous reports can be found at:
1. http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080519/msgs/831180.html (26th May)
2. http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080519/msgs/831307.html (26th May)
3. http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080519/msgs/831558.html (28th May)

It is now early in the morning of the 2nd of June 2008, a few hours after the conclusion of my first week of exploring buprenorhpine (BUP) - starting on the 26th of last month. The total weekly consumption amounted to 2.5 mg, yielding an average dose of about 0.35 mg a day.

Yesterday, upon waking, I took three successive doses of 0.2 mg intranasally, separated by approximately 30 minutes to allow time for absorption and assessment of tolerability. The only side effect - noted some time after the third 0.2 mg dose - was slight sedation, which was too mild to produce any notable tendency to nodding, but manifested itself mainly as exophoria, with divergence and double-vision upon relaxation. In other words, the (modest) adverse effects that were noted initally (see report 2) are now barely perceptible, even at a higher dose.

Benefits and effects that have caused little or no distress are discussed below.

The suppression of appetite previously reported has remained in effect - although food intake was notably increased yesterday relative to the preceding days, it was hopefully an exception, as I would prefer to get rid of another 5 kg or so. I have previously not remarked on constipation, as the aforementioned reduction in appetite has precluded an accurate diagnosis of its presence.

The enhanced tolerance to cold has been sustained, but it is not clear whether tolerance to heat is conversely reduced, or whether sweating is increased, as it objectively has been rather hot, with temperatures around 28 degrees Celsius in my office (there is no air-conditioning) a lot of the time.

Pupil diameter has remained reduced, although perhaps slightly less than initially - however, any such mitigation of this classical opiate effect may as well have developed in response to other drugs rather than tolerance. The previously noted paradoxical muscle tension affecting the neck and shoulders has apparently abated, whereas the dryness of the mouth has been variable, but most of the time not troublesome.

The enhanced freedom from distractions of a sexual nature has been sustained, although some temporary physical arousal was noted at least once, temporally connected to the onset of wakefulness.

Alertness, attention and focus have been stable at excellent levels, although some aspects are not notably improved over the immediately preceding period. In particular, the efficiency of reading - including speed and comprehension - has remained substantially improved relative to the already enhanced performance noted in the period immediately preceding BUP. Motivation and initiative have remained considerably improved over preceding baseline performance, whereas laziness and procrastination have stayed diminished. Working memory and executive function - such as planning, rational execution of tasks, and the capacitiy for organisation - have remained consistently elevated to heights that may be unprecedented in my life.

Mood has probably been slightly elevated, but no clear effects on the capacity for satisfaction and enjoyment have been noted. Although interest has improved, there has been little or no enthusiasm and excitement.

The remarkable range of benefits noted soon after starting buprenorphine treatment has thus been sustained at a highly consistent level for about one week without interruption. Such durability and magnitude of beneficial effects has rarely been noted before in my psychopharmacological experience.


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poster:undopaminergic thread:831072
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080528/msgs/832456.html