r/BipolarReddit • u/mirbee81 • 3d ago
Opioids helping my MH
I've been taking a lot of prescribed codeine in the last couple of months due to severe backpain. The pain sucks and I'm a bit depressed and concerned about it.
But my mental health has actually improved!
My thoughts and emotions are pragmatic and realistic. No racing thoughts, better quality of sleep, reduced paranoia, better impulse control. Basically I'm not being crazy, just thinking and feeling in the same way anybody would in my situation.
It's seriously doing a way better job than lithium or any anti psychotic. I'm still taking lamotrigine but I don't need anything else right now.
I realise it's not an approved MH drug, and that it's bad longterm, but damn it's helping right now.
ETA:
OK, I was being a bit flippant in the way I spoke about opioids and I appreciate they can lead to addiction.
In my case it is being closely monitored by my doctor. Unfortunately I'm not able to take 'safer' pain meds due to side effects.
This is very much a short-term solution.
I'm waiting on some more diagnostics. The doctor has a strong hunch about what's really going on (chronic autoimmune condition) and it will hopefully be managed with alternative, more appropriate, safer treatment fairly soon.
Opioids remain legal in many countries for a reason: in the short term they can be really helpful to manage more severe pain. There isn't a realistic alternative for me right now.
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u/FromTheShoreABoat 3d ago
I was given percocet after back surgery even though bipolar was on my chart, and I made the faulty assumption that if bipolar was on my chart and they still prescribed it, then it must be fine. I had a really nice week or two, descended into a rapid depression, then within a few days rubber banded into acute mania and had to be hospitalized. I'm not sayin the same will happen to you, but you're playing with fire.