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severe depresssion as a result of opiate abuse..now in recovery....using CYMBALTA...opinions??

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Posted 4/12/2009 12:53 AM (GMT 0)

new to this site....recently began using cymbalta after seeing med doctor..explaining my addiction to loritab,oxycotin, and percoset......have not used in 21 days.....currently taking 60 mg. cymbalta...150 trazadone for sleep....does anyone out there have any info. on this or any similiar experiences????........

Posted 4/12/2009 1:18 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Mallen,

I don't have the same problem as you. But I do understand what you are going through. I hope that the cymbalta helps you. Getting over an addictions to opiates is not an easy task. I want to congratulate you for getting this far. Take it one day at a time. One minute if you have to.

Keep posting here as we are here to support you. Again, contratulations on getting off of the narcotics. Keep up the good work.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 4/12/2009 3:03 AM (GMT 0)
Mallen,
First off, welcome to HW. Secondly, I wanted to suggest that you talk to your doctor about getting a referral to an addictions specialist, if you haven't already done so. Addiction has many components & only a trained specialist could say what part of the depression is related to physical addiction (which maybe could be helped by meds), which part is mental/emotional addiction (which might be helped by a psychologist) and which part may be separate from the addiction entirely (sometimes opioids can cover up an underlying depressive disorder so you might have had the depression for quite some time, but just couldn't feel it b/c of the drugs). An addiction specialist could help you sort out those factors, or any other factors that might be contributing, and come up with a comprehensive treatment plan.

Like Karen, I want to congratulate you on making it this far. That is really quite an accomplishment! It does take a long time to get used to not having the opioids in your system -- some research suggests up to 2 years -- so keep being patient & stay strong in your determination to stay clean. You also might check with your doc about natural help for your symptoms -- exercise, staying hydrated, eating healthy foods, etc. Let us know if there is anything else we can do to support you.

peace,
frances
Posted 4/12/2009 4:14 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Mallen,

Welcome to HealingWell.  I was using Vicodin for pain several years ago and wanted to get off of the pain med as I felt I was becoming to dependent on the medication and did a very slow wean under the supervision of my physician. 

My Pdoc, started me on the very same meds that you are on, the Cymbalta and the Trazodone.  I really like the Trazodone for sleep.................

I did not feel I had a severe opiate addiction but I could see that I could easily have become addicted to the Vicodin and I did not like the feeling of being addicted.  It was very hard to come off the med and emotionally hard to give up the pain med for a NSAID but I did it.

I do agree a specialist may be your best choice. Your meds however appear wise.

Keep talking to us.  We are a great support system.

Kitt

Posted 4/12/2009 9:41 AM (GMT 0)
hi mallen, jamie here, firstly would like to say that you are doing well. the recovery wheel is hard one, so keep posting and let us help if we can. we all suffer with addictions, me as well, the recovery wheel starts with us, because it is us that the addiction is with. keep up with doctor and utulise as much support as you can get. all the best to you jamie.

Posted 4/12/2009 3:56 PM (GMT 0)

thanks so very much everyone that replied to my message regarding my recovery from hydrocodone..oxycotin....my "happy pill"or so i believed.....i have tried several times to stop and at one time was in recovery for approx 5 years before i even knew what hydrocodone was(havent had a drink in over 8 years...alcoholic).....i broke my toe and was given loritab for pain and that was the beginning of my new "addiction".....at one time i was taking anywhere from 40 -120 mg daily just to feel what i thought was happy....i was only fooling myself......each time i tried to quit i was so tired..so depressed...felt as if i was just going thru the motions of life..i am not and have never been suicidal.....i just want to enjoy life as i had always prior to the pain pills.....so i talked to my dr. and was extremely honest...talked about my feelings...how miserable i was....he recommended that i switch from welbutrin and trazadone to 30mg cymbalta..then 60mg after the first week...has anyone used both trazadone and cymbalta and had any side effects that were unreasonable???.....

Posted 4/13/2009 1:28 PM (GMT 0)
I am on Suboxone for my dependance to opioids. Lortab, percocet Etc.

I was sober many years in a twelve step program and still got hooked because of severe pain.
The suboxone helps my pain and in a year I have not increased my dose. I actually reduced it two times.
I want to get to the lowest dose that still covers my pain. I suffer depression as well and am treated with nefazadone.

Sadly depression is under a lot of medication misuse issues ie "self medicating"

I wish you all the best in recovery. Maybe NA or pills anonymous can help

Glen
Posted 4/13/2009 9:32 PM (GMT 0)

glen tks for the reply.....i never in my life after my previous recovery and period of sobriety would have imagined that pain from a simple broken toe would lead to several years of opiate abuse..and certainly never imagined the consequences of such an extended period of abuse....each time i quit i would be so sad,depressed,unmotivated...basically just "worthless" to anybody...and each time these feelings(or lack of) would lead me right back to using...i learned many years ago from an excellent counselor that there is only one reason that people use...that is to change the way we feel.....and i know that to be so very true.....i havent used in 23 days and i chose not to try methadone....or any other kind of drugs specifically designed to use in opiate recovery.....i had tried welbutrin as well as trazadone..now i am using cymbalta and hope to get out of this depressive state....i have a wonderful family, support group(as i always have) but continually relapsed.....i am beginning to actually feel a little better each day and NEVER want go back to the pills(hydrocodone) again...i am taking it one day at a time and i wish you as well as anyone recovering from opiate abuse(as well any other substance) the very best!!!!!!

Posted 4/14/2009 10:25 AM (GMT 0)
good on ya mallen!! keep up the excellent recovery work!! your intuitive insight and determination, and will -will be the catalyst to a full recovery. you are inspiring, made my night!!!!!!! keep fightin' i'm with ya!!! jamie. scool scool yeah yeah yeah
Posted 4/14/2009 3:54 PM (GMT 0)
tks so much jamie....i wish you the absolute best as well..hope you had a wonderful easter!....cant wait to see my dr. for my folow up in two weeks and share the good news with as well....i believed if i could beat alcohol i could do anything..but this has by far been a very difficult addiction to deal with....the depression after the initial withdrawal is unbelievable.....i had been contemplating seeing my dr. and switching meds for a while//but for some reason i put it off(out of shame i imagine).....finally making the appt. and talking to my dr. was one of my best decisions in recent times....i believe that the cymbalta is really working for me now...i have even been sleeping better...which is great!!....each day is a blessing and am looking forward to the next!!!! anyone struggling with depression(regardless of the circumstances) should seek help and never allow shame to stop you.....later jamie!!!
Posted 4/15/2009 12:00 AM (GMT 0)
yes absolutely. looking forward to next post! your self actualisation is coming thru, i am so happy for ya, later too! jamie scool scool scool
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