WannaBnormal - Addiction & Recovery Message Board

Oldtimer · 09-07-2003, 11:01 AM

If you don't mind answering, what antidepressant are you now taking?? My Dr. (the one who gave me the subutex) started me on Lexapro and It had too many side effects for me. Now he wants me on Tofranil. This whole antidepressant thing is not sitting very well with me since the subutex is working well for everything, including the depression. Thank you........Linda

WannaBnormal · 09-07-2003, 11:19 AM

Howdy Linda ~

I'm on Effexor and I gotta say its done wonders for me. I've heard some scary and disturbing things about getting off of it

But for right now I am just thrilled and thankful to be free of the constant cycle of getting and using hydro that I will be more than happy to deal with w/d from Effexor in the future.

See, I always had this feeling (during my roller coaster of getting on and off hydro over and over again) that if my depression would be treated PROPERLY and CORRECTLY with the right medication I would have a real fighting chance of getting off and more importantly STAYING off. And I was right! So you keep plugging away ~ there has got to be a med out there for you that wont make you miserable with side effects.

I think I'm fairly lucky because I've been on several antidepressants over the years (I'm 37 and I've had Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, to name a few) and have never had severe side effects or really any problems when stopping them. Ok, not fairly lucky ~ VERY lucky in that respect.

I think I started down the narcotic/opiate road because I was severely and seriously depressed and had been for years. When I injured my back and was supplied with lots of hydro it was as if my depression was cured. As long as I could keep myself stocked to keep up with my ever growing tolerance, that is

I was self-medicating my depression. I think it starts that way for MANY addicts.

If this doc cant do it for you, switch. You wouldnt continue to use a plumber who never fixed your sink properly, would you? Same thing with this I think. Just because someone has MD behind their name doesnt mean they really know what they are doing. Think of it this way ~ someone is always the top of the class in med school, and someone is always at the bottom, ya know? Docs are human and perfectly capable of not knowing their head from a hole in the ground

Trust me on this ~ I worked for tons of doctors over the years and there are some stupid ones out there!

I can tell you are frustrated, but keep plugging away and searching. This is your LIFE after all!

LA

WannaBnormal · 09-07-2003, 11:25 AM

Ok, I replied too quickly

If you think the S/B is all you need ~ get on with yourself, sister! Tell the doc you wanna try not using an A/D for now since you have the S/B.

It is your choice, after all, right?

But keep open-minded about when it comes time (unless you will be a S/B life-timer) to get off S/B, ok? I can tell you that the only thing keeping me from hitting the nearest "weekend/after-hours" clinic for some hydro right now (since I used up a months supply of S/B trying to get high) is the changes the Effexor has made for me

Peace!
LA

Oldtimer · 09-07-2003, 11:47 AM

WannaB,
Thank you sooo much for your prompt and long reply. I don't think Iv'e tried effexor but maybe I'll OK on on a tricyclic like tofranil. Ill give it a try. My Dr. said "I'll work with you if you'll work with me" and that is the reason he gave me the subutex but I must say it's working wonders on about 2.5 mg. per day. The addict in me, just like you, has compelled me to take a few vikes because I think "if this is good, maybe more would be better." Actually, I thought about replying to your other post because I identified so strongly with that type of thinking. I also identify with using the opiates for depression because that is exactly what I did for over 20 years on and off. Meanwhile, as of now, I have absolutely no withdrawal symptoms and that in itself is a miracle. It's so good to hear that you have finally found something that is working for you and you don't have to take those nasty hydro pills anymore. Please keep posting and let us know how it continues to work for you.
I wish you the best.......Linda

WannaBnormal · 09-07-2003, 12:12 PM

"...as of now, I have absolutely no withdrawal symptoms and that in itself is a miracle"

That is the truth my sista

I started feeling slight, vague w/d about 5 days after taking the last of my S/B, but so far its not so bad that I cant handle it. Its not FUN by any means, but I can deal with it, ya know?

And that was one of the biggest problems I had when trying to get off hydro: the fear of w/d

I lived in such fear of all the normal w/d symptoms and even more fear of the great depression that comes with it. I cant tell you how many times I said to myself "I'm so tired of it all ~ I dont want to do these damn drugs anymore but I cant bear the thought of going into w/d!"

Yeah, it was a long reply ~ sorry! I'm feeling pretty good this morning and I get long-winded and talkative when I feel good

LA