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Anti-depressants for pain with OA?

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Rheumatoid Arthritis
Do you take anti-depressants as a pain reliever?
Yes - as a pain reliever only - 0.0% - 0 votes
Yes - as a pain reliever and found it worked on my depression as well - 44.4% - 4 votes
No - it didn't work for me - 11.1% - 1 votes
No - never tried it - 44.4% - 4 votes
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Posted 2/21/2006 3:49 AM (GMT 0)

Hi, everyone! I'm in the "this hurts all the time, it will never get any better, my old life is over" part of my diagnosis (OA/spondylosis in the lumbar spine at age 44) and now realizing that either those thoughts or my pain or losing my mom last year has me pretty depressed - and I was wondering how many of you have anti-depressants on your list for pain relief. I haven't been too eager to add that to my daily alottment just for the depression part - I figure with time and understanding, that will pass. But then I read that the anti-depressants can depress the pain receptors and increase my pain relief - and THAT I'm willing to do because I'm becoming more stiff and less active every day.

So - here goes with the poll. And any advice is always welcome - as always!

Posted 2/21/2006 6:51 AM (GMT 0)
hi dont take AD anymore but take provigil which seems to act as a stimulate and THAT helps my pain more than AD's ever did
Posted 2/21/2006 1:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hey georgiesgirl - currently, I do not take any anti-depressants for pain or anything else for that matter, however, I think that I might be getting some soon.. Have you been prescribed some? If so, what did you get? I have heard that Zoloft is good for pain... best of luck to you - Duck
Posted 2/21/2006 6:38 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Georgiesgirl,

Yes, I have just what you listed, among numerous other problems. I have chronic pain and let me tell you it will cause depression. The fact that you lost your Mom is devasting enough, then add your physical problems to your plate and yes, you probably due fit the picture for depression. Get yourself to your dr and explain what going on and get on some meds. I am currently on Lexapro and its really helped me. Does it make my pain go away, no-but then it does what I call smooth out the rough edges. Anyone with chronic pain usually ends up on medication for the depression, studies has shown it helps in this are. Do not think you are weak by possibly needing some meds, in fact we are very strong people, otherwise we could not have handled some of the things we go through.

Plenty of hugs coming your way. Susie 

Posted 2/22/2006 12:17 AM (GMT 0)
Hello!  Yes, I have been put on Cymbalta (60mg)) by my Rheumo for the past three months.  I suffer from Fibromyalgia and awaiting test results, etc. to see if I have ankylosing spondilitis (AS).  I do have compression and spurring in my neck and the lumber region hurts almost as bad.  I also suffer from chronic depression/anxiety.  So far, Cymbalta has been the best for me, curbing the anxiety and taking the edge off the fibro and no real side effects, though I'm probably on of the few.  I have read that Cymbalta can be used as an AD or for pain relief, specifically for fibro.
Posted 2/22/2006 6:09 AM (GMT 0)
Hi there. I was on Paxil many years ago when my pain was so consuming I was laid up. I was in denial about the depression (my answer, "well, if my pain wasn't tourturing me so bad - I'd be happier!") and was given a (supposedly) low-dose for pain management. It worked wonders. I wouldn't go so far as to say I was happy - I think Erin in another post described the feeling best - I was more apathetic to everything. I couldn't cry any more, it was weird - however, the Paxil did enough for me that I instantly recognized the positives to it and was happy to have some relief.

I really can't tell you if it HELPED the pain or just made it SEEM like it helped because I could actually deal with it better....I think, honestly, it did both.  I had great success and should have been put on something again 2 years ago but liver problems have caused my PCP to hold off giving me anything that she feels isn't absolutely necessary (though, knowing how bad off I've been, I disagree on that decision.)

Most of these meds have an "adjustment" period for your body. When I started Paxil - I could not sleep a week for two weeks. Then I was fine. It energized me (it felt awesome after 18 months of excruciating fatigue caused by pain.) I was on Elavil prior that and it made my fatigue worse and I think possibly a little loopy. Every person reacts to them differently, it's a matter of finding out which one works best for you and there are various catagories of meds and how they treat you. But, I do believe in them and feel they can help quite a bit. You've been dealing with a lot - that takes a toll on you.

Good luck. **

Posted 2/22/2006 2:46 PM (GMT 0)
Wow - thank you all! I was amazed that I called my rheumy yesterday saying I wanted to just discuss an anti-depressant for the pain and he immediately called in a prescription for Lexipro that I started last night. Not sure if that's why I was awake at 4am this morning - I hope not! But I really feel better just hearing that this might help and knowing I can do SOMETHING about this chronic pain and crushing depression. I also have a daughter in a psych hospital that is needing medication as well, so better to be a good example, too, I guess! :)

Here's to hoping! - Hugs to all - Laura
Posted 2/23/2006 9:13 PM (GMT 0)
dear Laura,

 

applause to you girl!  my hats off to ya.  i truly, truly wish you well with your treatment, may it help you with pain.

 

with anti-depressants comes some annoying side effects.  many of which WILL GO AWAY within a few weeks.

constipation is a big complaint from patients.  walking, extra water, high fiber, salad, stool softeners can help with this.  sleep disturbances may happen, like insomnia or TOO SLEEPY! so if you're feeling MORE FATIGUED, you know what the culprit might be.   the sleepiness will ease in time as your body adjusts to it.  dry mouth and eyes can occur....so sugar free lozengers are handy to have around.

 

and also, the medicine may take 2 to 5 weeks to take effect.

 

i'm very happy for you.

 

i do believe that antidepressants help immenseley with chronic pain sufferers.

 

the very best to you!

when do you see your doc next?

has he scheduled bloodwork for you while on the Lexapro?

 

write back soon! :-) erin

Posted 2/23/2006 9:27 PM (GMT 0)
I've really enjoyed reading the posts on AD's.  My rheumy strongly advised me to never take myself off them.  He was going to prescribe them but I was already on them from my GP.  They help me immensely!  I'd be wringing everybody's neck without them.  They really help with the Fibro.  Don't what role they are playing with RA but I sure don't want to find out how I would be without them.  Boo

Posted 2/24/2006 2:45 AM (GMT 0)

Thanks, everyone! And that you, Erin, for the heads-up on all the symptoms. I'm already starting to feel them. I'm tossing half the night and sleepy half the day. Dry eyes and headaches...fun stuff! Hope it helps in the long run. Glad to hear good stories from so many...thanks again!

Hugs - Laura

Posted 2/25/2006 11:32 PM (GMT 0)
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Post Edited By Moderator (Ducky) : 2/25/2006 5:26:44 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 3/1/2006 7:59 AM (GMT 0)
Laura, so glad you got a hold of the dr and he scripted Lexipro. I was changed to it and its really helping me w/depression and pain. Think about it, if we are all tensed up it just sets up muscle spasms and pain from hell. The Lexipro has really put me on an even keel. I take mine the first thing in the am and have no problems. Give it time and be sure to take it in the early am. Hugs, Susie
Posted 3/3/2006 4:34 AM (GMT 0)
Good luck Laura! Your body should level out in time and get over those side effects.
Posted 3/6/2006 11:51 PM (GMT 0)
I have been on lexapro for a year it has done great for me my mind isn't racing all the time i also take elavil from my pain dr it helps me sleep it took me a month or so before the side effects eased DEB
Posted 3/8/2006 2:56 PM (GMT 0)
Well, two weeks into the Lexapro and I am a new woman! Although I said that after I started the Plaquenil for my auto-immune disease and felt terrific, then God decided to give me osteoarthritis 4 months later so I had a new chronic pain! :) But as of right now, with the Plaquenil taking care of the joint pain in my hands perfectly and the Lexapro working on 90% of my back pain, I feel terrific. It took over a week for the nausea and tiredness side effects to get to an acceptable level, but now I feel terrific. Did great on a romantic weekend in the Poconos with DH this past weekend and had a completely normal Friday night and Saturday - then collapsed on Sunday. But it was worth it! And resting all day on Sunday and Monday morning took care of the worst of the fatigue. So - I'm pretty happy about all the "better living through chemistry" I'm experiencing and hope you all have the same luck. Hugs to all of you achy sisters - Laura
Posted 3/8/2006 4:17 PM (GMT 0)
YEAH FOR YOU! So happy you have found some relief! Great news!
Posted 3/8/2006 6:42 PM (GMT 0)
Dear Laura,

This is  great, fantastic & inspiring breakthroughs.  I feel so happy for you!  Take the good and take the bad and somehwhere there's a happy medium.  I'm glad you stuck with the treatment!

I pray you continue to have success.

Keep posting on how this all goes!  It's really nice to hear.

 

The best to you,

Erin

Posted 3/13/2006 5:52 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Laura,

Awesome news from you, its always great to see something help someone feel better.

For the Cymbalta, I am on 60mg for PN in my hands and it works great for that too.

Susie
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