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would a doctor prescribe an opiate for depression???

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Posted 3/13/2012 5:36 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, I am now on Lamictal for 13 days. I do not respond to any SSRI medications anymore. The Lamictal has slightly eased my depression and anxiety. I am on 50mg and scheduled to go up to 75mg in a few days. Several months ago I was perscibed hydrocodone for back pain. I no longer take this medication but did notice while on it my depression was completely allrviated. Is there any possible, legal and non addictive way for a doctor to prescribe an opiate for depression? I assume this would need to be closely monitored but I desperately want to feel joy again and nothing else seems to work. I do not self medicate but need to know if such a remedy exists.

Thank you

Post Edited By Moderator (getting by) : 3/13/2012 6:09:40 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 3/13/2012 10:32 AM (GMT 0)
Hello, Sam, and welcome.

In my view, it would never be appropriate to administer a narcotic to relieve depression. For one thing, it would only mask the problem and never get to the real basis for the depression which needs to come out so that you may heal.

It is true that depression can cause physical pain, but even then the best method of correction is medication for depression, not the use of narcotics. Narcotics destroy brain cells, just as surely as alcoholism does. I don't know how you feel about it, but I need every one I've got.

Take care and please continue the appropriate treatment for depression: psychotherapy, medication, diet corrections., and exercise.

It's Genetic
Posted 3/13/2012 12:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Sam,

In my pdoc's opinion, opiates add to depression. Especiallly when they wear off. So I don't think anyone would prescribe them for depression. You may have felt a little energy on them. Talk about trying adderall if that was the case. It gives you energy.

Hugs, Karen

PS I am giving your thread a title so it will be noticed more.
Posted 3/14/2012 5:31 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, thanks all for the advice about opiates and the dangers. I had a very bad evening depression wise. I feel like I am at a loss. I just want to feel better (normal) and joyful about life. I exercised ( rode my bike) and the immediate result was amazing. I felt clear and excited about life again. Unfortunately the effect lasted about two hours and the depression started to creep in again. I also want and need to go back to work but have trouble concentrating. I see that Adderal was mentioned to fight depression. Please let me know your thoughts about this. I absolutely do not want to go on the older antidepressants (the MAOI type) too many side effects. I see my doc on the 15th. I am on my second week of Lamictal 50mg. I am scheduled to go up to 75 mg tomorrow. Please let me know your thoughts. I no longer respond to SSRI meds.

Thank you for you help.
Posted 3/14/2012 5:45 AM (GMT 0)
give the lamictal some time to work. with many healings, jamie
Posted 3/14/2012 12:00 PM (GMT 0)
Have you ever tried wellbutrin? I think it is an ssni. It gives you energy and helps you think sharply. I couldn't tolerate a high dose. But a low dose helped some.

I take the adderall for my fibromyalgia. I have extreme fatigue. I had gotten scared because I heard that there was a shortage of it and went on vyvanse. But the vyvanse didn't help as much so I am going on adderall xr.

If you are having extreme fatigue, I would talk to the doc about it. They might start you on something else such as ritalin. Then work your way up to adderall.

I wish you the best.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 3/14/2012 3:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hi again and thank you so much for your quick replies. I did try Wellbutrin years ago and had a bad reactin; racing heart etc. new question: my feeling is my doctor is going to ask me to try older types of antidepressants (maoi's) I believe. Do all Maoi meds cause weight gain? I need not to gain weight for I feel this will only contribute to my depression and anxiety.
Posted 3/14/2012 6:13 PM (GMT 0)
What is the reason you think that the doctor will want to try the maoi's instead of something newer. I take pristiq, it is like effexor. Have you ever tried effexor? It does cause some weight gain in people at a high dose. I was taking 375mg a day. I switched to pristiq, it works well for me. The doc added abilify and I feel great for the most part. I do take adderall though and that helps keep the weight down. Also a blood pressure pill I take is also a diretic. Which helps. But I walk daily and I cut out soda. Drink water now. That helped a lot. If you count your calorie intake and try to walk, it helps fight the side effects of weight gain.

One thing about the narcotic pain medication is that it slows your body down. So you do tend to gain weight on them. Also cause constipation which causes you to weigh more. I would ask about adderall before I would ask about a narcotic. Maybe your doc will try you on a low dose, as it can cause anxiety like the wellbutrin did for you.

I hope that you find what works for you.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 3/16/2012 3:50 AM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,

I very rarely post over here (chronic pain is my home) but I have had issues with generalized long lasting depression and chronic pain caused by sciatica via a crushed disc. The depression is very much secondary to the chronic pain but still, it can rear its ugly head for weeks at a time.

I would have to say (IMHO) only in cases in which a person has a persistent painful condition which affects the qaulity of life (ultimately leading to more depression) would an opiate seem to be a good treatment. In those cases (again just my opinion) it seem best to treat both conditions, not just one.

Either placing a person on an opioid and an anti depressant at the same time......or by having a dual mechanism opioid like tramadol, bupe, or tapentadol prescribed. For example, tramadol has SNRI and opioid properies so it would be considerable for pain (caused by a medication condition) with depression.

One thing to keep in mind, opioids can actually cause depression and are a depressant. For example, I cannot be put on oxycodone long term because it will make me depressed. However, the tapentadol im currently prescribed works well without causing additive depression (likely because of its NRI properties NOT the opioid properties).

Thanks for listening. :)
Posted 3/16/2012 3:57 AM (GMT 0)
I'm 60 and addicted to two opiates, one for more than ten years. I suspect I've almost always suffered from varying degrees of depression. This year has started out as the worse than ever for my depression, with black thoughts taking over almost daily some weeks. It's getting old, and scary.

I have to say opiates would almost cause deep depression. Opiate addiction makes it impossible to enjoy anything but sleep. Getting up is the hardest thing I do.
Posted 3/16/2012 11:51 AM (GMT 0)
MrFishy

Are you on any anti depressants? Or just the opiates? If not, I would talk to the doctor aobut it. You could combat the depression that way or with counseling.

I want to say welcome to the depression forum. I should of said that first.

I hope you are feeling well, keep posting.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 3/17/2012 12:14 AM (GMT 0)
Karen

Thanks for the welcome.

No, I'm not on any depression medicine. I'm one of those folks who never go to the doctor . . . haven't been since 85'? Do you really think a doctor could work with my depression while I'm addicted to these da*n opiates (and xanax). Due to circumstances here, I believe I need in-patient detox from the narcotics. As a lifetime working musician, I've never had any personal insurance. I've got a little money, but nowhere near enough for in-patient anything. I tried to quit cold turkey two years ago. Actually got clean for a several weeks, but the depression was overwhelming and I slipped back down into my hell. Something's gotta give before I lose it.

Thanks for asking.
Fishy
Posted 3/17/2012 2:06 AM (GMT 0)
If you aren't going to a doctor, how are you getting the opiates and xanax? Do you have chronic pain? I have chronic pain but need medications for it. Though I am also on antidepressants and anti anxiety medication. They kind of balance eachother out.

If you want to get off of the opiates, you may need to try suboxen (sp) or methadone. A doctor could help you with that.

I hope that you get the help that you need.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 8/8/2012 12:16 AM (GMT 0)
I'm not sure there is a non addictive way but I also view the word 'addiction' as a poor label. Is a diabetic addicted to insulin???

There is a doctor that has a book out called The Opiate Cure (www.theopiatecure.com) that you may find interesting. He includes many cased studies of patients he has helped via opiates.

Best of luck to you!
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