Is Former Opiate Use Responsible For Everything?

[ginsa]

I came from an appointment with a Gastrointerologist today. I was refered there by my Gyn because of contraction from my esophagus to my rectum that reminded me of contractions in childbirth that DON'T come and go...they come and STAY for HOURS.

In talking about my history with the GI I told him that my symptoms started to become apparent after I quit using opiates for chronic pain but that I had not  had this particular degree of discomfort before the past 2 months. He strongly felt that it was withdrawl. Am I alone in thinking this is NUTS!? I am thinking it's possible this problem was being masked by the opiates and only became apparent after they were cleared from my system.

It's been almost 9 months since I quit opiates. The only medical professional who hasn't blamed all my complaints on opiates is the NP I see. I'm so frustrated. From anxiety and depression to feeling like I'm carrying a bowling ball in my bowels....all about the opiates. How is this possible? I'm not asking for drugs either, not even hinting that I want any.

The only relief I've gotten from this misery has been from an antidepressant I had to order online to get. Tianeptine. I had no clue it would help ease the pressure, and at first when it had amazing results, I thought that maybe all my symptoms really WERE from anxiety. But now I'm not so sure.  Tianeptine  is a SSRE ( enhances uptake of serotonin). Serotonin is found in abundance in the digestive tract ( 80-95% of all our serotonin is there ), and since tianeptine enhances uptake of it, it calms the contractions.

This is NOT in my head! The tianeptine has to be taken 2-3 times a day because it is quickly eliminated. As it wears off, the contractions come back, then abate as the next dose takes effect.

Does anyone know how withdrawl can effect serotonin secretion in the gut? Or even chronic opiate use?  I'm beginning to wonder if being transparent about my medical history is a BIG mistake. I sense that there's something else responsible for my problem and that the Drs. are fixating on withdrawl, no matter how much of a stretch.

Gins

[avisg]

its probably blamed for global warming to  (dont mind me I am having a Sh!tty day)

[GA Guy]

Unfortunately, you're running into the opiate addict wall and I call it. Many physicians use our old opiate use as a cop out when it comes to diagnosing real problems. I've found this more true in the GI field because opiate can and do cause havoc with the intestinal tract. I do know that even to this day I have GI problems, and I suppose some of it could be caused  by my long term opiate use. For years opiates slowed my whole GI tract to the point where constipation was always an issue. Now, with the opiates gone, I feel as though everything is on a "fast track". The only advice I can give is to seek a competent addictionologst. Mine is sharp as a tack, and always takes my medical problem at face value and doesn't try and blame eveything on my past transgressions.