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pain medication and depression medication

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Chronic Pain
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Posted 9/15/2015 7:08 PM (GMT 0)
I'm currently on two medications for my post partum depression. Lexapro and Risperdall. My doctor refuses to put me on a narcotic pain medication even though I spend every day in varying degrees of pain, often extreme to the point of having difficultly caring for my children. Does any one have experience mixing depression medications and pain medications? I want to know if he's just being weird about it or if it's actually founded. My physchiatrist says it's not a big deal if I'm not over using pain medication but my primary doctor still won't give me much of anything. When he does it's a very low medication that does almost nothing for my low pain days and nothing at all for my extreme pain. And it's always very few pills, so they don't last.
Posted 9/15/2015 7:48 PM (GMT 0)
I've been on pain meds & anti-depressants for 20 years. Your psychiatrist is right, its no big deal. Find a Dr, that specializes in pain management (PM). The trick is getting the combos & doses right, working with a PM is invaluable, move on from your primary.
Posted 9/16/2015 12:57 AM (GMT 0)
We are whole people. If my 'self' needs meds for depression, I get meds for depression. If my injured body parts need meds for pain, I get meds for pain. One problem does not cancel out the other.

I've always been honest and up front with my doctors. All of my doctors. Even the dentist if I must be seen there as well. In this way, they all know what is going on with me and what is going into me. I use only one pharmacy. Much less chance of any drug interactions that way. If I should have to use the 24 hr pharmacy for an emergency, I tell them what else I am taking so they can make sure too.

My pain management doc works hand in hand with my primary care doctor, who has given me Wellbutrin without hesitation.

Find a team that will treat the whole you!
Posted 9/16/2015 2:11 AM (GMT 0)
Lol and not laughing at you but the excuses drs use. Most of us are currently or have been on some type of antidepressants since being in chronic pain is pretty darn depressing in and of itself. There are of course some that get along better with the anti-d's then others but a Dr experienced in PM knows what is going to work with what meds your currently on. Some specific meds even are chemically designed to target pain such as neuropathy and depression together for instance cymbalta so his theory just blew out the window.

However I will go out on a limb for him or her and say that the circumstances of the depression and the history of the patient needs to be thoroughly and adequately evaluated due to the fact depression can lead to addiction issues as well as the safety issues with extreme depression with suicidal ideation and readily accessible medications with lethal abilities. That however is something your P doc can evaluate and relay to your prescribing Dr should there be any kind of concerns,another reason you need drs willing to work as a team.
Posted 9/16/2015 4:28 PM (GMT 0)
I will add, that now a days primary care physicians usually will not treat chronic pain patients long term, meaning giving pain medication. Treatment of chronic pain has changed a great deal over the years. The DEA is now involved & the drs are monitored & the DEA knows who is rxing pain meds & how much.

There are guidelines in place now thanks to the DEA & even though there is no set rules in place, drs are very weary of the DEA. They do not want someone breathing down their necks & the last thing any drs wants is the DEA showing up to do an audit. Drs are afraid of losing their license.

If you need pain medication on a regular basis, then look into being referred to a PM dr. Good luck.
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