Accepted Answer

Hello again: WOW, you have really been through a lot, and you are still on some heavy duty medications. I will take a stab at this for you, but if you are not satisfied with my answer, there is no need to pay.

Morphine works in the brain by blocking pain receptors. It is very effective at doing this, but the down side is that it is quite addictive, because the pain receptors become accustomed to the morphine and soon require more and more of it to be able to work normally. I notice that you are taking naltrexone, which is an opiate antagonist, meaning it blocks the pain receptors so that the morphine cannot have access. That will allow your brain to heal from the effects of the morphine.   Naltrexone is often used to help overcome opiate addiction.

The xanax is helping with the anxiety you are feeling due to the withdrawal from the opiates. Roserem and Trazadone are used to help you sleep. Effexor is for anxiety and depression. Geodon is a mood stabilizer and will help with the psychotic symptoms.

My best guess is that since you were taking morphine for 7 years, that altered your brain chemistry so significantly that it might well take 3 more years for your brain to return to normal. The good news is that your brain will heal, and the medications you are taking will help you to be more comfortable during the healing process. I can't tell you exactly how this happens, but I wish you well and hope this has been at least a little bit helpful.

Expert:	Carol Kryder LMFT
Pos. Feedback:	97.5 %
Accepts:	298
Answered:	12/22/2008

Mental Health Professi&onal

18 years of licensed experience with individuals, families, couples, and children