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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by RetiredYoung on July 14, 2004, at 15:28:42
I've had dysthymia for 15 years (I'm a 37 year old male), along with chronic daily tension headaches and some lower back pain. I take Lexapro 25mg/day, Adderal 40mg/day, and trimipramine (TCA-brand name Surmontil) 25mg/day. I also take abortive pain medications for the headaches as needed. Not sure at all if I'm in a rebound headache situation from all this or not.
Here's what I've come to: I notice that after taking one of my stronger pain medicines (such as Ultracet, Fioricet w/codiene, or a triptan), I usually feel WONDERFUL for a few hours, both physically *and* emotionally.
So, does any one have any information on daily usage of pain medications like codeine, oxycontin, narcotics, etc. as an effective treatment for depression (in addition to body type pain)?
My last neurologist finally told me that after trying all the standard preventative medications to lessen my headaches, he'd consider talking to my psychiatrist about daily pain meds for me. Initially, the idea scared me because of "addiction" or "tolerance" issues - now I'm reconsidering it, given how well I feel after their use. That and the fact that I'm already "addicted" to ADs since I've taken varieties of them for 15 years and would probably need to continue for life.
I've come to see physical pain and emotional pain as two sides of the *exact* *same* coin - thus the logic behind the theory of daily pain meds (under close doctor(s) supervision) as a way to live better.
Please share your thoughts with me on all of this. Thank you in advance!
Posted by Sad Panda on July 15, 2004, at 20:07:08
In reply to Pain Killers as ADs?, posted by RetiredYoung on July 14, 2004, at 15:28:42
> I've had dysthymia for 15 years (I'm a 37 year old male), along with chronic daily tension headaches and some lower back pain. I take Lexapro 25mg/day, Adderal 40mg/day, and trimipramine (TCA-brand name Surmontil) 25mg/day. I also take abortive pain medications for the headaches as needed. Not sure at all if I'm in a rebound headache situation from all this or not.
>
> Here's what I've come to: I notice that after taking one of my stronger pain medicines (such as Ultracet, Fioricet w/codiene, or a triptan), I usually feel WONDERFUL for a few hours, both physically *and* emotionally.
>
> So, does any one have any information on daily usage of pain medications like codeine, oxycontin, narcotics, etc. as an effective treatment for depression (in addition to body type pain)?
>
> My last neurologist finally told me that after trying all the standard preventative medications to lessen my headaches, he'd consider talking to my psychiatrist about daily pain meds for me. Initially, the idea scared me because of "addiction" or "tolerance" issues - now I'm reconsidering it, given how well I feel after their use. That and the fact that I'm already "addicted" to ADs since I've taken varieties of them for 15 years and would probably need to continue for life.
>
> I've come to see physical pain and emotional pain as two sides of the *exact* *same* coin - thus the logic behind the theory of daily pain meds (under close doctor(s) supervision) as a way to live better.
>
> Please share your thoughts with me on all of this. Thank you in advance!
>
>Ultracet, Fioricet w/codiene, and triptan a three completely different drugs. Which triptan are you taking & which one of these three makes you happiest? Ultracet is closely related to Effexor, it may be worth a trial.
Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by RetiredYoung on July 15, 2004, at 20:14:44
In reply to Re: Pain Killers as ADs? » RetiredYoung, posted by Sad Panda on July 15, 2004, at 20:07:08
The triptan is Relpax. Yes, I realize they work via very different mechanisms; their commonality is, of course, they relieve "pain".
I'd have to say that 2 Fioricet w/codiene (30mg of codeine per pill for a total of 60mg) makes me the "happiest". They all have a positive effect on my mood in general though.
Posted by Sad Panda on July 16, 2004, at 1:12:43
In reply to Re: Pain Killers as ADs? » Sad Panda, posted by RetiredYoung on July 15, 2004, at 20:14:44
> The triptan is Relpax. Yes, I realize they work via very different mechanisms; their commonality is, of course, they relieve "pain".
>
> I'd have to say that 2 Fioricet w/codiene (30mg of codeine per pill for a total of 60mg) makes me the "happiest". They all have a positive effect on my mood in general though.
>
>60mg of Codiene splashed with a barbiturate would make me pretty happy too, unfortunately, the happiness that opium brings doesn't last very long & you rapidly build tolerance to it. Tramadol is mostly a SNRI with some weak opiod ability, & the triptans are specialized serotonin agonists, which is roughly what SSRI's do, so I would try another SSRI if Lexapro isn't doing it for you or maybe the SNRI Effexor. :)
Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by RetiredYoung on July 16, 2004, at 6:22:14
In reply to Re: Pain Killers as ADs? » RetiredYoung, posted by Sad Panda on July 16, 2004, at 1:12:43
Thanks Panda. I appreciate your comments!
This is the end of the thread.
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