Posted by jay on June 18, 2003, at 7:04:07
In reply to Alcohol, Valium, and Codeine -- Long, posted by Simcha on June 18, 2003, at 0:37:06
> Hello all,
>
> Here is my current med mix for MDD:
>
> AM Dose:
> 40mg Celexa
> 200mg WellbutrinSR
>
> PM Dose:
> 600mg Neurontin
>
> Recently, actually last November, I was diagnosed with Asthma. Currently my condition has been down-graded to Moderate Persistant Asthma. I take Azmacort (3puffs in the am) and Albuterol ihaler as needed to control tha Asthma. I use medications daily to control allergies that might trigger the Asthma: Allegra (120mg/day "60mg X 2") and Flonase (2 sprays in each nostril). Both Azmacort and Flonase are corticosteroids.
>
> Anyway, when I had Bronchitis in February, my Doctor prescribed Promethazine with Codeine syrup to control the cough. I took it mainly at night because it made me feel drowsy. Also it made me feel really good, I mean REALLY good.
>
> With all the darn medicine I'm taking I feel like a druggie anyway.
>
> Well, recently I've taken to having marguerita occasionally in the evening. It relaxes me and I enjoy the flavor.
>
> I've been off of Klonopin for five months now but I kind of miss the stuff. It really helped calm me in ways that the Neurontin is not. I've been considering Valium at night to calm myself occasionally when I have a hard time sleeping. My perception is that Valium is shorter acting and occasionally taken, it is not a bad thing?
>
> Also, I'm wondering why the Codeine cough syrup made me feel so good when I took it at night. I kind of miss it. I'm not sure I'm really addicted. (I don't have anymore so I haven't had it since I had Bronchitis in February.) It's just that the stuff made me feel so good and calm while I was going to sleep. It felt like I was melting into a nice sweet dreamy sleep.
>
> Am I a druggie here because I enjoy the effects of an occasional benzo, the occasional drink, or an opioid drug? Could this be that there is some anxiety I have that is unresolved?
>
> Also, I get concerned as it is with all the medication I take. It seems like it's a lot for my liver and kidneys to handle. Yet, I want to be a normal 33 year old man and I enjoy the occasional inebriation.
>
> Well, any comments or concerns would be welcome. I'd like a reality check.
>
> Thanks,
> SimchaHi Simcha..no you are not a 'druggie' anymore than anybody who uses caffiene, aspirin or tylenol on a regular basis.
My concern, from experience, is the alcohol/benzo combo. I am wondering if you find your combo of Wellbutrin and Celexa with Neurontin working well? If it's any relief to you, I take both an opioid and and benzo on a somewhat regular basis with my Prozac and Zyprexa. (Yes that is my new combo for anyone else reading..and Prozac seems to be like a wonderdrug compared to my 5 years on Effexor. :-)
I've taken the same dose of a benzo, many brands, over 10 or so years, with no need to increase dose. But, I find afterawhile I only need to use the benzos occassionaly. It's not *on purpose*, just the help of other good drugs seems to do the trick.
I find out of all the SRI's, Prozac and Zoloft to be the ones that both helped with anxiety and depression. Maybe my 5 years of Effexor taking, which felt like being on a rollercoaster and speed, my body easily accepts Prozac, because at first I couldn't handle it. I don't know if I can handle large doses (greater than 25mg's of Zoloft), but I guess everyone is individual.
If you can get and take codiene on and off, epsecially in smaller doses, I don't see much problem with it, as I said I take it often (with my docs knowledge) for chronic pain associated with horrific sinus infections, which lead to throat infections, etc. (And yes we've tested for all other problems...it just happens to be the way my sinus cavities where built..and even surgery would do little if anything but be very risky.)
Oh..and also...please, the *occassional* drink sure as heck is no problem! According to some latest research, it may even be good for you. Just keep an eye on it...
My question for you is, do you feel any benefit, or *good* benefit, from your current meds? It's amazing at how many of us will stick to a particular med for years, even if it isn't helping. "Treatment Resistance" is often not just to do with the patient, but with a doctor who may prescribe from a very conservative viewpoint. I think that is *dangerous*.
Anyhow..please let me know what you think. I know this doesn't sound true right now, but a good pdoc on the internet once told me to "hang in and keep trying...because it seems it can take up to a decade sometimes for treatment resistent depression to break away atleast a bit in a person." We are talking about so much complexity, and we still know so little. I also find that as the years go on, when I change meds and such, it's like my body has to go through a complete transformation.
Let me know what you think...and btw..what other meds have you tried, and your reactions?
Best....
Jay
poster:jay
thread:234709
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030614/msgs/234734.html