Posted by Steffany on February 24, 2001, at 20:04:48
In reply to Feeling Really Alone re Meds, posted by ShelliR on February 21, 2001, at 17:24:47
i feel really sympathetic to your concerns about finding a psychiatrist whom you could be honest with about using codeine to supplement your other medications (they're maoi's, right?) while i've never tried taking vicodin on a regular basis for depression per se, i've always enjoyed it as a sedative/mild high/painkiller. i really wish more doctors took a more flexible approach to unorthodox uses of the "dread narcotics," but unfortunately, even when they're open to it, their hands are often tied by the DEA, which keeps track of these sorts of prescriptions and could possibly investigate a doctor who prescribed vicodin for a psychiatric condition.
i'm not sure how long you've been using the combination you described--has it been long enough that you're truly sure the benefits outweigh the risks? any long-term opiate use will result in some level of chronic constipation and eventually a tolerance buildup. from my own experience in using opiates as antidepressants (which was admittedly a lot less judicious than yours, since i used 'small amounts' of heroin) i found that within about three months i had a rebound depression more profound than before. withdrawal will also precipiate depression, so if/when you decide to stop the vicodin, even if you've been taking very small doses, taper off slowly. you may want to substitute tylenol-3's, which are easier to obtain from doctors b/c they contain plain codeine (hydrocodone is a stronger form). also, vicodin contains quite a large amount of acetaminophen, which long-term can cause a lot of kidney and liver damage.
but if you're really sure about this, i wish you good luck, and really hope you are able to find an open-minded psychiatrist who can give you honest advice.
poster:Steffany
thread:54608
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010221/msgs/54771.html