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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by merry_dove on October 12, 2005, at 17:38:21
Can anyone tell me in layman's terms what chemical Vicodin effects in the brain? I have been taking 1 to 1 & 1/2 (500mg) pills a day in 2 -3 divided doses for a couple of years now. It was prescribed to me for fibromyalgia pain in addition to the antidepressant I was already taking for depression. I noticed that it lifted my mood and gave me much needed motivation even at such a low dose. My dr. was fine with me taking it but he has now moved out of the state and my current dr. doesn't want to prescribe it. I have tried other medications (to go along with whatever antidepressant I happened to be taking at the time) to help my severe fatigue and amotivation such as Ritalin, Adderal, Vivactil, Wellbutrin - but nothing helps like the Vicodin. Although it is only slightly helpful after 2 years - it still helps a little which is better than nothing. I don't intend to increase it because I don't want to become addicted. Even taking a whole pill at once makes me incredibly sleepy. Are there any other medications that would help me in the same way Vicodin does since my dr. is soooo afraid I'm going to become an addict?
Posted by crazy teresa on October 12, 2005, at 18:05:32
In reply to What exactly does Vicodin effect in brain?, posted by merry_dove on October 12, 2005, at 17:38:21
Vicodin is a narcotic. That is why you've built up a tolerance to it and it is not as effective as it once was. I would guess that you are already addicted to it.
crazy t
Posted by lunesta on October 12, 2005, at 18:42:23
In reply to What exactly does Vicodin effect in brain?, posted by merry_dove on October 12, 2005, at 17:38:21
Vicodin (hydrocodone) is a syntheic dervative in the opioids class (codeine, morphine etc..)
Vicodin binds to the mu opiod receptors in your body and takes for for your natural endorphins, which also bind there.
Endorphins regulate the immune system, mood, euphorias, sleep, sex and many other things.
You might want to look into low dose naltrexone works great for fibro, i take it. it blocks that same receptor at night, and tricks your body into making more of its own natural endorphins.
Posted by lunesta on October 12, 2005, at 18:43:58
In reply to What exactly does Vicodin effect in brain?, posted by merry_dove on October 12, 2005, at 17:38:21
also people with fibromyalgia have been prven to have low endorphins, hence the pain, and immune system problems..
Posted by merry_dove on October 12, 2005, at 19:55:00
In reply to Re: What exactly does Vicodin effect in brain? » merry_dove, posted by crazy teresa on October 12, 2005, at 18:05:32
> Vicodin is a narcotic. That is why you've built up a tolerance to it and it is not as effective as it once was. I would guess that you are already addicted to it.
>
> crazy tI don't think one and one-half pills a day constitute an addiction. If I quit taking it altogether tomorrow I wouldn't have withdrawal symptoms. My mood would just be blah.
Posted by merry_dove on October 12, 2005, at 19:59:01
In reply to Re: What exactly does Vicodin effect in brain?, posted by lunesta on October 12, 2005, at 18:42:23
> Vicodin (hydrocodone) is a syntheic dervative in the opioids class (codeine, morphine etc..)
>
> Vicodin binds to the mu opiod receptors in your body and takes for for your natural endorphins, which also bind there.
>
> Endorphins regulate the immune system, mood, euphorias, sleep, sex and many other things.
>
> You might want to look into low dose naltrexone works great for fibro, i take it. it blocks that same receptor at night, and tricks your body into making more of its own natural endorphins.
>
>Thanks for responding. I will look up more info on naltrexone. What other medications, if any, do you take?
Posted by 4wd on October 12, 2005, at 22:55:31
In reply to Re: What exactly does Vicodin effect in brain?, posted by lunesta on October 12, 2005, at 18:42:23
> Vicodin (hydrocodone) is a syntheic dervative in the opioids class (codeine, morphine etc..)
>
> Vicodin binds to the mu opiod receptors in your body and takes for for your natural endorphins, which also bind there.
>
> Endorphins regulate the immune system, mood, euphorias, sleep, sex and many other things.
>
> You might want to look into low dose naltrexone works great for fibro, i take it. it blocks that same receptor at night, and tricks your body into making more of its own natural endorphins.
>
>
Really? It makes your body produce more endorphins? That sounds great. I guess that's why some pdocs prescribe it as an adjunct to ADs?I took it briefly at 50mg and 100mg I think , but it made me nauseated, just like opiods do.
Marsha
Posted by lunesta on October 12, 2005, at 23:28:50
In reply to Re: What exactly does Vicodin effect in brain? » lunesta, posted by 4wd on October 12, 2005, at 22:55:31
no it takes over FOR your endorphins, in replace of them, so your body after awhile makes less of them since its getting them externally with vicodin. this would cause imunnosupression and withdrawl symptoms common with opiates etc..
its not a good thing generally.
Posted by jerrympls on October 13, 2005, at 2:27:32
In reply to Re: What exactly does Vicodin effect in brain? » merry_dove, posted by crazy teresa on October 12, 2005, at 18:05:32
> Vicodin is a narcotic. That is why you've built up a tolerance to it and it is not as effective as it once was. I would guess that you are already addicted to it.
>
> crazy tBuilding a tolerance to a mediation does NOT mean that one is also addicted to the medication.
Posted by Declan on October 13, 2005, at 6:12:15
In reply to What exactly does Vicodin effect in brain?, posted by merry_dove on October 12, 2005, at 17:38:21
The only thing that would bother me about Vicodin is the paracetamol in it. (Assuming it has it.) Much more of a problem than the hydrocodone.
The only reason hydrocodone has slipped through the regulatory cracks is the similarity of the name to codeine.
There aren't any nonopiate substitutes for opiates, I'm afraid.
Declan
Posted by jerrympls on October 13, 2005, at 6:49:06
In reply to Re: What exactly does Vicodin effect in brain? » merry_dove, posted by Declan on October 13, 2005, at 6:12:15
> The only thing that would bother me about Vicodin is the paracetamol in it. (Assuming it has it.) Much more of a problem than the hydrocodone.
>
> The only reason hydrocodone has slipped through the regulatory cracks is the similarity of the name to codeine.
>
> There aren't any nonopiate substitutes for opiates, I'm afraid.
>
> DeclanHi Declan-
A couple things - it is possible to find a preparation of hydrocodone without the acetaminophen (paracetamol). In the US one can get HYCODAN which is 5mg tablets of hydrocodone.
I'm not sure how the regulatory system works there, but I sincerely doubt that hydrocodone slipped though any cracks because it's chemical name is somewhat like codeine. One could say the same for oxycodone, methadone, etc.
Jerry
Posted by Declan on October 13, 2005, at 22:48:00
In reply to Re: What exactly does Vicodin effect in brain? » Declan, posted by jerrympls on October 13, 2005, at 6:49:06
Yah, but you can get it, can't you. It's not out of the question entirely. (Not over the counter of course.)
Declan
Posted by jerrympls on October 14, 2005, at 21:59:15
In reply to Re: What exactly does Vicodin effect in brain? » jerrympls, posted by Declan on October 13, 2005, at 22:48:00
> Yah, but you can get it, can't you. It's not out of the question entirely. (Not over the counter of course.)
> DeclanHi Declan-
Can get what? I'm confused - in reference to? (sorry)
Posted by Declan on October 14, 2005, at 23:34:55
In reply to Re: What exactly does Vicodin effect in brain? » Declan, posted by jerrympls on October 14, 2005, at 21:59:15
Hi Jerry
I have no computer skills. I can't do that thing that you did with the arrows. So I just follow the conversation along. So I was talking about the relative availability of hydrocodone/Vicodin over(say) Dilaudid or morphine.
Declan
Posted by jerrympls on October 15, 2005, at 1:35:16
In reply to Re: What exactly does Vicodin effect in brain? » jerrympls, posted by Declan on October 14, 2005, at 23:34:55
> Hi Jerry
> I have no computer skills. I can't do that thing that you did with the arrows. So I just follow the conversation along. So I was talking about the relative availability of hydrocodone/Vicodin over(say) Dilaudid or morphine.
> DeclanDoctors freely prescribe pain meds like Vicodin, Davocet and Percocet (oxycodone). But as far as the more "heavy duty" opiates like morephine, diluaded, demerol, etc. they are reserved for surgeries, broken arms, etc. - meaning you'd have to be in the hospital to have them prescribed.
Posted by spriggy on October 16, 2005, at 0:54:47
In reply to Re: What exactly does Vicodin effect in brain? » Declan, posted by jerrympls on October 15, 2005, at 1:35:16
I have hydrocodone to take as needed for my pain and fevers.
I do notice that the first hour, I feel so worry free- it's like a miracle. It doesn't last long and then I just feel tired (which I don't enjoy).
I cut 5/500 in half so I'm not on much. Too bad I can't feel that way all the time.
This is the end of the thread.
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