methadone and celexa

by jule1, Sep 15, 2001 12:00AM

To: Everyone, Frshman � KATIE

Freshman I am so sorry I do not have any answers I am sure others here will be able to help you. I am sorry to cut in on your thread but I am really worried about Katie.

KATIE - I was just hoping you come on today and let us all know you are ok. PLEASE do not beat yourself up over this. Addiction is the hardest thing I have ever tried to overcome. This week after all this terror in my town (I live within sight of the smoke of the WTC), I was so tempted to call my Dr. for a big bottle of Vicoprofen I know he would have done it and I am still not so sure I can resist. It has been a long time since I have wanted to do that usually it is the Ultram but I really wanted that warm cozy feeling you get when you first take Vico's. So I guess the craving never really never goes away. I know it does get weaker though. I am sure about all on this forum that are clean now have had relapses but just remember "the one day at a time" saying I truly get that now. You can really do this I know how you feel about not imagining a life with out the hydro it seems like nothing will ever be fun or you will never have the energy to do anything. I know I have been there. I could never really understand those feelings because we should be happy to just be normal again. I was for a long time and then got on these damn Ultram. oh well I am going on and on I just wanted you to know how much I have been thinking about you and that you are not alone. Please e-mail me if I can help ***@**** I hope we all hear from you soon. Jules

by Thomas, Sep 15, 2001 12:00AM

To: freshman

welcome, freshman, to the forum. If you're a drug addict, you've come to the right place. Lots of good people here to befreind and inform you.

All I can tell you about Celexa is that it's an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) like Prozac, Zoloft, etc. I imagine that anyone with experience taking methadone and another SSRI would have some good input for you. I'm sure someone on the forum will respond.

From what I understand, SSRIs enable the serotonin you naturally produce to persist longer, and by implication remain active, in the brain longer than it would without the SSRI. SSRIs do not stimulate the brain to produce more serotonin.

An alternative I'm exploring right now is over the counter 5 HTP. L-Tryptophan is metabolized into 5 HTP, which is metabolized into serotonin. In theory, taking 5 HTP will boost the actual amount of serotonin in your system and hopefully in your brain. It's a natural substance as apposed to a drug like SSRIs. It's much cheaper, and, so far, I've found it very effective in raising my spirits, giving me a feeling of peace, and helping me sleep at night. The data I've read indicates that 5 HTP is as effective as SSRIs for relieving depression. So far, I have not experienced any side effects from 5 HTP. I have heard that SSRIs often cause side effects that sometimes result in the patient discontinuing the drug. I have some limited experience with Prozac a few years ago. I hated the stuff. It didn't relieve my depression so much as it "flattened me out" emotionally, meaning I went from depressive emotions to no emotions. I also lost any desire for sex while I was taking Prozac. I couldn't get off of the stuff fast enough.

5 HTP, on the other hand, has not flattened me out emotionally at all. In fact, I've had, if anything, more emotional responses to things and people, most of which have been welcome emotions. I much prefer that to being "flat" emotionally. So, for what it's worth, 5 HTP presents an over the counter alternative to SSRIs plus it will help you relax and sleep without causing a hangover.

Food for thought, anyway. Good luck to you.

Thomas

by niccee, Sep 15, 2001 12:00AM

To: freshaman

I take methadone and zoloft. My doctor says it is okay. Depression is something alot of addicts have to deal with. Zoloft has helped me alot. I am not sure what kind of info you want. I know several people at the methadone clinic take some sort of anti depressant.

by to doc dan from joe, Sep 15, 2001 12:00AM

To: Has anyone tried the Duragesic patch for pain?

3 weeks ago my pain doc took me off my oxycontin/roxicodone regiment (55mg/daily) due to all the negative press about oxycontin and put me on a duragesic (fentanyl) patch (25 micograms/hr)with 3, 5 mg roxicodone for breakthrough pain. I ended up calling her twice within the first 10 days because the patch wasn't giving me any relief. Her reply was to tell me to wait longer and prescibe celebrex twice a day. Unfortunatley I am still in constant pain, and the 3 roxicodone are not enough for the whole day(I need at least 2 to get may be 3 hrs of some relief)and the celebrex is worthless for my pain. I'm actually afraid to call her again, she said the patch should be "more than enough" for my pain and "probabally wouldn't need the roxicodone at all", I don't want her to think I am just "milking her" for more pain meds. Has anyone used the Duragesic patch? Does anyone know what the conversion from oxycondone to the Duragesic patch is, Its obviously not strong enough but would the 50 micogram/hr (next size up in strength) be too much for someone who used 55 mg of oxycodone daily?

by susanlea, Sep 16, 2001 12:00AM

To: joec

I have been on the duragesic patch since Feb. I also take the 25mg. It took a good 2 weeks before I was having any real pain relief. I did notice a difference after about the 5th day. Now of course I would be in horrible pain if I didn't remember to put a new one on. I do have to replace it every 2 days. If I wait the 72 hours it's like starting all over again. The key for me was not to let the medicine wear out. I don't know what kind of pain you have or from what? I have degenerative joint and disk disease, arthritis in my spine and joints, and 2 compressed disks. The patch has given me more life. I was on pain meds for years. My exboyfriend who became an addict would steal most of my meds so I was in constant pain. I was on oxycontin for 2 years. I never abused them, and usually didn't have many because of my ex's addiction. I do get 150 vicoprohens a month for break through pain. Rarely have I needed to take more than 10 a week. I don't like the high off of pills, so maybe I look at my relief from the patch that way. I would keep tryingt he patch, up it if needed. Take care, and God Bless.....Susan

by to doc dan from joe, Sep 16, 2001 12:00AM

To: Susan

Tanks for your responce. My pain was due to a car accident that caused myofacial pain (thats what the doc calls it)in the muscle near my shoulder, my muscle is in constant spasm, like a charlie horse that doesn't go away. I was also on oxycontin and like you, never abused it. I will be going to the doc again in 2 weeks for an epidural (MRI should 2 slight disk herinations and the doc thinks that might be the root cause of my pain). I plan to take this up with him, however since they are doing a proceedure they may just tell me to see if the epidural helps and not change anything, if so it may be another month of constant pain. Unfortunatley, I cant use a new one every 2 days since they gave me enought for 1 month @1 every 3 days.

by quirkygirl, Oct 09, 2007 06:41PM

To: everyone with CHRONIC PAIN

for 5 1/2 years i've been on everything from the Duragesics, Actiq Lollipops, oxycontin, mscontin, methocarbanol, topamax, tegratol, and too many more to remember. i have now been on Methadone since March of this year. the Methadone is the only thing that has worked for my spinal nerve damage. i am on 50mg/day of Methadone now. before i was on 75MG of the duragesics (3 patches at a time, and then rotate) 6 (800Mcg) Actiq lollipops a day, and oxycontin, morphine sulfate for breakthrough pain. unfortuneately after five years of the duragesics and Actiqs, my body assimilated to them and they stop working - thus, going on the Methadone. since taking the Methadone i do have a life without as much pain, although i am not pain free. the Methadone works with the brain to stop the brain from recognizing the pain being emitted from the spinal nerve damage. however, i still have joint pain, vertabrae pain from spine degeneration, muscle pain (alot), headaches, etc. so, the Methadone only stops certain types of nerve pain. but, overall it IS a MIRACLE DRUG for chronic pain of some varieties. the main side effect that i hate about the Methadone is the fact that i have no emotions. no highs, no lows. i feel like "spock" from star trek. the Methadone has blocked my pleasure receptors as well - and that is the biggest side effect. i miss laughing, and crying. i feel as if i just exist. but, that is me. maybe for one of you guys it may work differently and take away your pain, and not your emotions. it is worth a try. i've had four spinal surgeries and it is the ONLY medication that has taken the majority of the nerve pain away. so, good luck - i'm right in there with you guys and i hate that so many people are suffering.

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