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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by kittencat on May 28, 2004, at 5:39:21
Perhaps the wrong forum...but I'm just curious. Has anyone experienced tolerance to opiates such as Vicodin (increasingly larger doses, less effective pain relief, less of a sense of well being, etc.?) I know these effects will happen to anyone who is on any kind of synthetic opiate-based narcotic pain reliever for any extended period of time, but what I don't understand is why, when you completely taper off of the drug, & don't take it again for say, two months, the tolerance is still as high as if you had been continuously taking it when you begin again? (at least for me, it is). We all know there is a pretty enjoyable high (for most...not all) on these drugs...why does it subside, even after a long vacation from the drug? What happens in your brain that you continue to tolerate high doses & no longer feel "high", if you will? Does long term opiate use actually permanently alter the brain's chemistry?
Any thoughts, facts, or guesses? Thanks...
Posted by kittencat on May 28, 2004, at 14:04:44
Can you offer any facts or postulations regarding the above post of 5/28, concerning prolonged opiate tolerance? Thanks!
kittencat
Posted by chemist on May 29, 2004, at 1:00:51
In reply to Chemist...please?, posted by kittencat on May 28, 2004, at 14:04:44
> Can you offer any facts or postulations regarding the above post of 5/28, concerning prolonged opiate tolerance? Thanks!
>
> kittencathello there...sorry for the delay, i have been very, very busy with other stuff....likely the recetors being hit are rapidly desensitizsed (mu, kappa, delta). in particular, the mu receptor subtype is hit hardest. you will become tolerant, although if this condition is long term, then the benefits outweigh the risks. i realize this is a foggy answer, but it is what it is: if you keep taking opiates/opiods then you will develop tolerance. what is the condition you are ameliorating? all the best, and again, apologies for the delay, chemist
Posted by Dr. Bob on May 29, 2004, at 7:20:36
In reply to What exactly happens re: opiate tolerance?, posted by kittencat on May 28, 2004, at 5:39:21
> Perhaps the wrong forum...
Right, I think this would be a better fit at Psycho-Babble Substance Use. Here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/subs/20040409/msgs/351784.html
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by kittencat on May 30, 2004, at 12:10:11
In reply to Redirect: opiate tolerance, posted by Dr. Bob on May 29, 2004, at 7:20:36
Thank you so much...I did get a very interesting reply over at the substance use board...I think you should check it out...makes sense...
I'll just throw this out there, though it's bound to cause controversy...my doctor is one of the few who believe in opiate therapy for depression...I know, I know. But that's why I thought I could maybe post it here...
kittencat
This is the end of the thread.
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