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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Rainee on April 29, 2003, at 14:17:35
HI all I take lexapro 30 mgs a day and some xanax .
I took a half of a endocet(generic for percocet)
and I feel so good for a bit my mood lifts and I wish I could be that way all the time..lol
but usually in a little bit I get a little anxious.
or irritable.
can some one explain what it did chemically?
to someone who suffers from depression.
thanks
Rainee
Posted by Caleb462 on April 29, 2003, at 16:09:02
In reply to endocet and mood lift, posted by Rainee on April 29, 2003, at 14:17:35
> HI all I take lexapro 30 mgs a day and some xanax .
> I took a half of a endocet(generic for percocet)
> and I feel so good for a bit my mood lifts and I wish I could be that way all the time..lol
> but usually in a little bit I get a little anxious.
> or irritable.
> can some one explain what it did chemically?
> to someone who suffers from depression.
> thanks
> Raineeendocet/percocet contains oxycodone. Oxycodone is a semi-synthetic opiod. An opiod is any drug that binds to the mu-opiod receptors in the brain.
The body contains natural chemicals, called endorphins, that bind to the mu-opiod site. The body releases these chemicals whenever you experience pain, they act as natural pain killers. The body also uses these chemicals to induce feelings of pleasure and reward.
Morphine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, etc. do the exact same thing as the endorphins - but to a greater degree. Low doses of these drugs generally have a anti-depressant, anxiotylic effect - high doses ususally induce intense euphoria.
These drugs will induce feelings of pleasure in any person, whether they are depressed or not. However, a person suffering from depression may be more sensitive to the pleasurable effects of oxycodone, since they are likely lacking in endorphin activity.
You said you end up getting anxious and irritable, and yes, activation of mu receptors can cause these things, particularly irritability. The anxious effect may stem from the fact that GABA transmission is reduced by mu activation. I generally find that I do not get anxious from opiods, unless the dose is medium/high and I am in a social situation. By myself, the opiods act as awesome anti-anxiety agents.
The bad side, of course, is that continued use of oxycodone or any opiod produces tolerance and dependance, and upon discontinuation, horrible withdrawl.
Posted by Barbara Cat on May 1, 2003, at 16:36:16
In reply to Re: endocet and mood lift, posted by Caleb462 on April 29, 2003, at 16:09:02
Yes, a great deal of help from opiods, bless 'em. I'm going through a downturn lately, classic depressed symptoms vs. my usual mixed state bipolar. No energy, no spark, tired and antsy. Probably aftershock of dealing with my Mom's death, cleaning out her house, etc., major stress. The only tried and true help is taking a small amount of hydrocodone or oxycodone, presents from the poppy. A wonderful fast acting antidepressant and the little bit of tolerance effect is worth it because when I'm in a better mental space I can wean off with no problem. I seem to have some paradoxical effects from drugs in that benzos make me jazzed and opiods do as well and that always makes me curious.
The endorphin connection is the one that seems to be most ignored in AD therapy. The anhedonia and increased pain sensitivity of depression point to something not right with our opiod pathways. Wish some pharm research would get on the ball with that one. We just want to feel better.
Posted by paxvox on May 3, 2003, at 21:08:41
In reply to Re: endocet and mood lift, posted by Barbara Cat on May 1, 2003, at 16:36:16
As you may have noticed on this (as well as the other Dr. B) board, the subject of opiates/opioids and anti-depressant use has been discussed for some time. There is indeed an AD modality from these drugs, the rub, of course, is addiction. There are a few experimental uses of Ops. for depressive illness that doesn't respond to other treatment, but I serioulsy doubt there will ever be any (acknowledged) wide-spread use of opiates/oids for the treatment of depression. A few of us who have had access to self-medicate have found the efficacy of the drugs are worth the risk of addiction. Interestingly, those I know who have done this, HAVE been able to taper off the opiate w/o any major problem. I believe their is an untapped resource here that most likely will remain that way.
PAX
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