I was sent to a rehab clinic because of my opium addiction. First I had to wean off opium. I felt sick for a couple of days.
Then I started suboxone (a synthetic opioid) but I couldn’t handle the side effects,
The doctor suggested a low dose of methadone instead, and I said yes, but that meant that I had to wean off first suboxone and next my MAO-i antidepressant because of lethal interactions.
What a pain! Weaning off a strong antidepressant is far worse than weaning off opioids. I felt like XXXX for three weeks.
When my MAO-i was out of my body, I started on a low dose of methadone. It stopped my craving for opium immediately and works far better for my depression compared to all the AD’s i have tried in the past.
Now I just hope the effect lasts. I feel so much at home in myself (if that makes sense?) that i’m planning a trip to sunny La Gomera (a little island close to Tenerife)
In all the years i been on here, most Sz 's sadly get some form of opiod addiction, whether prescribed or otherwise. Instead of learning their own coping skills, they end up taking valiums and all the derivatives.
I hope you sort it out. The drugs aint gonna help you in the long term mate.
Thanks @Jimbob and @everhopeful - i know it wont work forever, but every good day im having is celebrated like if it was the last
Hi @Naarai - im 53 years old. I wouldnt go on methadone if i was 40 years old.
The meds i was on (ap and ad) didnt work at all. According to my medical record i suffered from chronic suicidal ideation and treatment resistant depression despite i was medicated.
My antidepressant drugs made me asexual, close to impotent, and i accepted that my sex life was gone.
Lithium gave me hypothyroidism and made me emotionally numb. ECT gave me temporarily memory loss and didnt help my depression.
I have tried close to all every goddamn AP, AD, mood stabilizers etc. and either they made my condition worse or they worked only temporarily.
A low dose of methadone made it possible to skip my antidepressant, and when i i stopped my AD, all of a sudden i got my sexuality back after 10 years living like an eunuch. In fact im quite confused now because i all of a sudden i got opportunities.
I don’t accept the strong division between psychopharmacological drugs, recreative and illicit drugs. Sometimes the first can be worse than the second.
When you are 53 years old, suffering from a MI, i think all options to get an acceptable life are valid.
Sounds like you’re on the mend. At a more modest level I’m hopeful that cbd will have a similarly positive effect for the long term management of my symptoms.
I really hope so too. CBD should have close to none side effects, and i have heard others who had good results taking CBD.
Before my methadone i tried Kanna, got an instant spark, but the effect is very short, so i guess its not worth it. I also considered L-Dopa, Mucuna Pruriens, before the methadone kicked in. I know that @Aziz tried it for his negative symptoms, but as i recall he gave up on it?
It worked for me but worsened my positive symptoms. It does the opposite of meds, it boosts dopamine while APs block dopamine. I still take Ldopa but only when I feel desperate.
I’m on cbd. Made a huge difference with my joint pain. I’m sorry you are having a rough time. I know a little of what it’s like battling opioid addiction. You are doing the right thing and working with your health team. I hope things get better for you. Stay strong!
@Aziz thanks, Aziz, i think its very interesting you still take L-Dopa occasionally. There are a lot of supplements out there that doesn’t work at all, but i guess Mucuna Pruriens does since you occasionally take it.
Yes, its been a rough trip, but right now im in a good place.
@anon55031185 yes, im really working on my health, when i dropped my AD i dropped my snus (tobacco pouches/dipping tobacco). When i stopped my AD, my nicotine craving was gone. Next step is going to the gym, now i have the energy.
I’m so proud of you! Be proud of yourself, too! That’s amazing you can get to the gym. All the positive changes you are making will improve your life for sure.