opium brings immediate relief

Wow! I didn't expect such strongly negative reactions to my report of using prescribed opium to bring relief from bloody diahrrea that went on for months. First of all Opium is not an illegal drug, It is a CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE. There is a difference. Secondly, the amount prescribed to control UC symptoms is very small. It is measured out in milliliters with an eye dropper. I did not get high. I could not feel any effect from the drug other than relief from diahrrea. I did not get at all addicted in the five months that I was on tincture of opium. When I finally went into remission ( not due to opium, but Asacol) I was happy to stop taking the opium drops. I didn't like taking it much as it is bitter - even after being diluted with about 1/4 cup of water.. It was just one more thing I could stop doing when I got better..

My story seemed to bring on a lot of hyper-concern with one member suggesting that this was not a fit topic to discuss. All I can say, is that it helped me a lot and I am grateful to my doctor for having the courage to prescribe it. Saralee

I think is is interesting the way people assumed opium was not legal, or confounded reports of its uses with street drugs or addiction to smoking opium. Apples and oranges.

Codeine, morphine, opium, heroin, and other opium alkaloids—the opioids—make up the class of drugs known as the narcotic analgesics. All from poppies ... a number of forms having clear medical use ... and now there are synthetic versions that never met a poppy.

When I was 1st flaring and cramping, my doctor prescribed Tylnol 3 with Codeine to take as needed - so he was prescribing an opium alkaloid, in a way. Years ago in the 1980's I got food poisoning and my doctor told me to go to the pharmacy and ask for Donnagel PE. In some states it was prescription and in others it was just behind the counter. When I looked at the ingredients I saw "4 grains of opium" - whatever a grain is. LOL.

I though the point that it might provide relief from diarrhea or anything associated with muscle spasms, but not treat colitis directly, was a good one. The caution that slowing the bowel had a risk of toxic mega colon was also a good point.

No problem.

FYI


The Narcotic Bowel Syndrome: Clinical Features, Pathophysiology and Management

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2074872/


Its not just that it can cause constipation, but it can actually lower pain thresholds in the gut nerves. So less pain can feel like more pain.

Hi, ( I sent this to Marathon Pharma, the US manufacturer of tincture of opium )

I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis at the age of seven and had my colon and rectum removed at the age of 16. I am now 32 and have been searching 16 years for an effective treatment for my 15 bowel-movements per day. A few years ago I developed anal fissure/cuts due to over-wiping, mal-nutrition, loss of sleep (inability to heal/repair), etc. - while trying to gain weight (I had not been able to gain any weight since the time of my surgery! My Dr. prescribed hydrocodone for pain which I took for 3 months until the fissure finally healed (it would reopen every time I pooped, owch!) I looked into why the hydrocodone was slowing my bowels, my gas/cramps/sounds were gone, and I gained weight! I learned about the mu opioid receptors in the intestines and how opiates slow peristalsis, reduce secretions, etc. For the first time in 16 years I didn't have to manually squeeze my sphincter muscles closed to prevent accidents. I found this to be an utter God send in my life yet was dismayed that my Dr.s never informed me of this most effective solution. Anyhow, I've not had much luck in finding a Dr. who is keen on prescribing opiates (for reasons we are all aware of), yet I read forum posts with people saying tincture has changed their lives. I really am at a loss as to how I can find a Dr. who is experienced with prescribing tincture. I live in Orange County, Southern CA. with my wife and our two baby boys. We are well below the poverty line due to my disability from the previous fissures and resulting complications (abscesses and fistula). Now having taken other types of opiates for 4 years due to pain and for diarrhea, I know that I never would have gotten that initial fissure/cut if I had known of this tincture before, and thus would not be disabled :( I was a fitness trainer and very athletic at the time I became disabled. Please help me locate a Dr. in my area if you are able and please let me know if your assistance program is still available for low income patients. Thank you for being here, we depend on this medication to absorb nutrients from our very food! After 16 years of weighing 135 lbs, I am now 180 lbs. (5'9") and my general health and skin are so much better than before. So unfortunate that our lives are saved by a proctocolectomy (after years of bleeding) only to be ignored by the Dr.'s when we complain of sever diarrhea. The American Gastroenterological Assocation indicates codeine and Tincture for severe, chronic diarrhea! So it seems that Dr.'s put their own safety (even though they are justified in prescribing it per the AGA's position statement) above the health and well being of their patients (which is against the Hippocratic oath)Sincerely, I removed your name and email for security purposes

Post Edited By Moderator (Red_34) : 3/18/2012 6:33:37 AM (GMT-6)

It is legit, my dad prescribed it for my mom, 40 years ago when she had colitis, after her dad died, she never had symptoms again, at least to that extent.

To clarify, do not know what she actually had.