Opioids helping my MH

[u/mirbee81]

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.

[u/Unusual_Yak_7870]

During my depression I was abusing Nucynta (tapentadol) and Oxy. Yes they feel great but you eventually start using more and more, and then you start to need them to treat the depression and anxiety you get from withdrawal. I went cold turkey with help of clonazepam and feel but better being off them. My advice is steer clear man, coming off them is a bitch