[Albion]

After years of having symptoms under control with opium tincture, I have now been switched by a new M.D. in San Diego (I Live in San Diego, but my M.D. are in L.A. and Santa Barabra)to Lomotil, Bentyl, Questran, and Tylenol #3 when needed. Where DTO worked perfectly, in tiny doses, I now have to take 4 separate meds. I'm so fed up. I tried their way for three days this week. For the first time in 4 years, I was RUNNING back to my car, fearing I would "loose it" right at the pharmacy counter. I hadn't been that close to loosing it in 7 years. I have a high stress job where I'm susposed to be "on" all the time. I can't take an unexected break from a meeting I'm leading to sit for 30 mins on the toilet. Also, I can't get my work done when I worry that the toilet on our level has been taken and I won't have time to make it downstairs.Everything was going so well for a while. For over 3 year I didn't date anyone; finally, I've dated 4 beautiful people, and I think I getting very serious with one, but he deosn't know about all of this.... My new GI doctor says he doesn't believe in triplicate prescriptions, and says I need to get back to more conventional medicine (which I've tried, to no avail). I will pay out-of-pocket to see my regular G.I., the sympatethic guy who is willing to prescribe DTO to those very few patients when it's warranted. I don't want to live the alternative.I can't go back to the way my life used to be. It's not worth it to me. I still have the 960ccs of Opium Tincture my other doctor prescribed. 1/2 of that would be about 480cc, or 4,800 mg of morphine or a pleasant good night's sleep from whence one would not awake. Wash it down with some Seconal, Xambien and Vodka and await eternal bliss.....

 

[21857]

hey Albion!Hope you are doing ok... not good to hear that you are having all those problems, I know nothing I say can really make you feel better, but just wanted to say that if you ever need someone to talk to there are lots of people here including me that are more than willing to listen!I kow how bloody depressing and hopeless things can be sometimes, but things always get better... well at least I like to hope so, haha.Hope you are ok.. please let me know how your goingZoe

 

[14737]

I'm so sorry. I have a parallel experience with a different disorder. I've finally resorted to buying drugs on-line.Have you tried Donnatal? I don't respond to any of the other IBS-D med. The sympathetic guy sounds like a real find; hope you can keep seeing him. I hate insurance companies!

 

[14712]

I live in San Diego also and happen to work at a large hospital here. I could give you some recommendations for physicians if you'd like.

 

[21437]

Have you thought of getting a less stress job. High stress is bad for IBS sufferers. You've got to realize that you're not alone. You may be tired but you're not alone. People live tough lives everyday but through faith they get through it. You've got to learn to lean on God and not so much yourself. You're just one person and this is a big world. I pray to God almost everyday to take this away from me. Especially on bad days. I know this is something I must deal with and I knwo that even though God may never take this away He will never leave me alone. He won't leave you alone either. When you feel you have nothing left just lean on Him. Sometimes that's all you can do. Just don't keep thinking of suicide. That is not an option.

 

[13777]

quotepium tincture

what is that>? does it work? if it works so well, why dont the doctors prx it to you? could it work for me? I need to know!

 

[Twocups424]

Good luck trying to get something like that. You almost have to do it illegally to get it.

 

[Albion]

Thank you everyone for your support, and sorry for not getting back to everyone sooner. I ended up having a series of tests (upper GI, lower GI, colonoscopy) again recently. My D had turned for the worse for the first time in 4 years, and I stopped dating and going out for fear of having an accident. I missed work for several days, and when I did go to work, I was talking 12 Imodium before work in the hopes that Imodium would clog up the pipes; sometimes it did, sometimes it didn't.Although I'm still in San Diego, I drive up to L.A. and Santa Barbara since these specialists have known me for 10 years.My GI doctor wrote a prescription for Tincture of Opium, and after a few weeks, I'm 99% back to normal. No urgency, no cramping, and almost no D. I'm able to function at work without inventing new excuses to go to the bathroom for 20 minutes at a time. Also, I've started to date again, and have been able to make it through dinner and a movie and a little romance without trouble.It's astounding how quickly things can deteriorate -- when you've taken something that works (e.g., Tincture of Opium), and suddenly you can't take it any more, the D can leave you homebound and depressed. Thanks everyone on this board for always listening.I realize some on this Board disapprove of using Tincture of Opium and other opioids due to their potential for abuse, but I think in most cases the small chance of addiction is heavily overweighed by my having a normal life. I took opium from 2002-2006 without any trouble. Why not leave well enough alone? Some doctors, though, will not prescribe strong medications even when you've tried everything else. I took it for granted that given my case history and safe use of opium tincture that a new GI would be willing to continue my therapy. Also, here in California, a doctor can order a print-out from the Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement that lists all the Schedule II and III drugs you've been prescribed, so they can tell if you're "doctor-shopping."I guess my bottom line (no pun intended) is that doctors should prescribe what works, even if it's a controlled substance. If the patient abuses the drug, or increases the amount taken without consulting with the doctor, the person should not be allowed to take the med. However, if the patient sticks to a regimen, opium tincture is a life-saver-- it certainly was for me. I had serious thoughts of depression when I couldn't take it -- my career would probably be ruined, as was my social life. Everything I did became focused around IBS and making it from one place to another without worrying about having an accident.Since my insurance doesn't cover my sympathetic doctors, I have to pay $265 per visit, not to mention the drive from S.D. to L.A. and back. Also, my insurance won't cover the drug, so each 4-ounce bottle of tincture is around $75. However, I'd much rather pay slightly over $1000 a year to get the medical attention I need.Good luck to all.

 

[Twocups424]

quote:I guess my bottom line (no pun intended) is that doctors should prescribe what works, even if it's a controlled substance. If the patient abuses the drug, or increases the amount taken without consulting with the doctor, the person should not be allowed to take the med. However, if the patient sticks to a regimen, opium tincture is a life-saver-- it certainly was for me. I had serious thoughts of depression when I couldn't take it -- my career would probably be ruined, as was my social life. Everything I did became focused around IBS and making it from one place to another without worrying about having an accident.

You are so right!!!! that is my arguement also. If we stick to the regimen what's the problem????????????????????????????????????D---Drs. and insurance companies anyway....... think of how many people in our situation could actually be a living a life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I think I"ll resort to over the internet also.

 

[Twocups424]

plus its not like opiates haven't been used through the centuries to treat, Cough, pain, Diarrhea, FOR CENTURIES.

 

[16885]

i thought opium is what heroin is made from. isnt that illegal?

 

[Twocups424]

not when its used in codeine, morphine, pain meds etc. Paragotic was used for ages for diarrhea. Now its not OTC anymore and it has a slight amount of opiates in it to use for D.

 

[Kathleen M.]

Most of the opiates are legal if prescribed. They are usually fairly tightly controlled by the DEA when prescribed but they are not illegal.Many of the heavy duty pain relief medications are derived from opium. Heroin is not the only thing made from it. Just one that is highly addictive.Heck, Imodium is a derivative of opium, it just doesn't get to the Central Nervous system so is pretty useless for getting high.K.