Depression is the pits!!!

[kell737]

I've been clean from percocet and Vicodin for 30 days now.  The worst part of all the withdrawls for me has been depression.  Does anyone know what you can do for that, OTHER than Anti-depressent drugs.  I don't want to switch one drug for another  but I was wondering if there is anything else someone has done to help with this.  Thank in advance for any responses.

~Kell

[anotherfinemess]

but you CAN type!  Are you going thru w/d ?

[redly414]

How does one calla  suicide hotline when you're so depressed you can barely talk

I hate this

[kell737]

Thank you so much!  My screen name is ***@**** would to talk to you directly

~Kell

[AlexisInTx]

Hi kell - I can totally empathize with you about the depression aspect of all of this.  I really hadn't suffered with depression before taking Norco, although I had some problems with postpartum depression after my 2nd child was born.  The real problems started after I stopped taking the Norco's, it seemed as if I could cry at just about anything.  When I was watching a funny commercial, I would cry.  I also started getting into a total nostalgia mode where all I could think about was when I was growing up and how I wished I could get back there, totally reminiscing about the 'old days'.  I know that for some, there is actual clinical depression involved and I'm wondering how to treat this without the anti-deps?  Have you tried the L-Tyrosine regimen (Thomas recipe)?  It seems to have really helped me a lot these last couple of weeks.  

Exercise has really been a lifesaver for me too.  It took me a relatively long time to get back to the point where I even felt motivated to do anything, but this really gets the endorphins flowing again.  I have to say that I hated the first couple of times I worked out, but it really does work wonders - I have some exercise tapes and I just pop one in and in addition to getting those endorphins flowing, you can just zone out and focus on something else for awhile which helps.  I also have two girls that are pretty much the center of my world, and like both of y'all, they help me to keep focused.  

Take care & let us know how you're doing - :)

[GOD]

Ya know...

It is a good thing I never went to Europe. I'm sure I would be sitting in a coffee house with a joint in one hand, a needle in my arm, and a pocketful of pills....

Oh well. Sobriety in the USA is o.k. for now!

Jess

[onestep]

Sometimes when you are so depressed...bad thoughts creep into or are constantly on your mind....that's where I've been for a few months....this forum has helped me in wonderful ways but I finally made a move towards professional help....I called a shrink's office I got the name for....he's no longer taking new patients....called another I saw a few years ago....that ******* made his millions and now resides in Mexico.....then for grins i called the suicide hotline and got a voice message.." press 1 if it's an emergency "....Jesus....it's the first time I've laughed in weeks...:-)At least I know there are you folks out there who have or are experiencing the same ****.....it's not worth taking one's life I know that.....I'm getting help...one way or the other.

[kell737]

First things first,  Onestep..... GOOD FOR YOU!!  I'm glad to hear your getting help.  And sis,  Thank you so much for responding.  Yes, I believe in God and he as for sure been my savior to this point.  I keep a journal as well (funny huh?)  and it does seem to help.  I look back now at the first few weeks of my detox and wonder how I made it through and now I know God is the answer.  Good luck to you and Thanks again.

~Kell

[PING]

THIS DEPRESSION IS SOMETHING, I HAVE BEEN ON ONE KIND NOW FOR 6 YRS , WAS TOLD BY THE DR THEY WERE NOT ADDICTIVE, I TAKE 2 EVERY NITE FOR SLEEP, I BELEIVE THE BRAND NAME IS LIMITROL,IF I DON'T TAKE THEM, NO SLEEP. I AM ON OXCONTIN NOW, 2 IN AM, AND 1 IN PM, I AM WANTING TO GET OFF BOTH, BUT CAN'T NOW, BECAUSE OF PAIN.
THANKS TO ALL.
                             LEE.

[peaz]

Hey--I didn't know Ultram was considered an anti-depressant, too.  I know it will adversely react w/ MAO antidepressants (Nardil or Parnate), and taking it w/ other opiates intensifies its effect.  (our main objective, right??!!)  Anyway, how do people taking it as an antidepressant not get massively addicted?  I don't think many MD's really know about all the dangers of this drug, unfortunately.  Peaz

[OxyDout]

you know what really depresses me? not having money, I'm sorry but having money does make me happy, and there are fewer arguments between loved ones.........

[onestep]

How long does it take for hydro / norco to leave your body ? I do drink about a gallon of water daily and know it helps to flush your system....but

[GOD]

It would be a major problem if they DID prescrie Ultram as an anti-depressant, but although it is an SSRI, the dose required to get the anti-depressant effect is way too high to justify its use for that purpose. I beleive that when the drug companies were developing it, it was intended for anti-depression, but the "Side effect" of good narcotic-like pain relief was soo good, that they introduced it as a non-narcotic pain relief alternative to codeine/morphine. People just didn't realize how damned addictive it was..... However, I think the manufacturer knew very well how addictive it was... The sales of Tramadol Hcl (Ultram) surpassed 1.8 billion $$ worldwide in fiscal yr 2001!!!

By the way, in Europe, Tramadol is sold Over the counter.... Along with Codeine.

Laterz,
Jess

[peaz]

All aboard for EUROPE!!!!!

[Sis1]

Kel,
You'll be alright. After abusing pills as strong as opiates, I doubt you'll find anti-depressants addictive. But if you don't want to take them that's OK too! I'm a very sad person, but there's a couple things that help me feel a little better. I write in a Journal everyday, it helps me and I hope to someday be able to look back on it and be thankful that I don't feel like that anymore.
I don't know if you believe in God? But I for one have given up waiting for the people in my life to help me. A quote - "There was never a person who did anything worth doing for someone else that he did not recieve more then he gave" - Henry Ward Beecher.
Try praying to God when you feel completely alone. If you believe in God then you know you're not (alone).
I don't know anything that will 'cure' your depression, because like I said i'm pretty sad myself. But just some suggestions, the journal thing is actually a pretty good one! Good Luck! -Sis

[GOD]

Well?!
GWH
You never answered me... What's wrong. Cat got your tongue?
Are you feeling the crawlies, or are you doing O.K. for now..

We want to know NOW!

Hey Skip, are you still working yer ass off? We need an update on the Eye situation. how did that all work out?

Peace@#!!

Jess

[kell737]

LMAO!!!   You have no idea how true that is!    Ya know, in Japan, they sale Codiene and hydro products over the counter, YET vicks vapor rub and Vicks products are illegel.  GO FIGURE!    What a world!

~Kell

[skipper]

jess:
hey i'm still working, but i think i'm gonna get laid off on
monday. i don't know for sure, i just have a real bad feeling in
my gut. i don't know what to say..,.18 years here and then just put out the door! **** it...

gwh: will try to e-mail pictures this weekend. moving all my
pictures off work computer to home today. sorry

hey did you guys check out poem i left in thread below?

keep an angel on your shoulder
kip

[Wardman]

Well to add some hope for people here with teh depression thing.  After i am NOT using for about 2 weeks  my mental status gets gradually better.  Everytime I quit, i feel soo much better after a month or so.
   I just want people to know that there is hope for depression.  I am getting ready to quit again soon and I cant wait  to not wake up in the morning with utter and sheer panic that the hydro has made me.   I have become a recluse at 33  cause of these drugs.  I forgo and social obligations cause I ratehr stay home and take the hydro because weh I leave i get panic.  Whenever I wake up in the morning, I usually throw up.  I travel extebnsively for my job, so you can imagine how I feel when I have to leave my aprtment.
   Anyway,  at least for me,  it DOES get better over time and i relish that day again when I dont take the hydro.

[elyse]

I feel fortunate to have found this site. I have been clean 2 weeks now. Depression is just a part of cleaning up for most of us. Some of us are clinically depressed ( me ,for instance) I've been depresed all my life that's why I would always use. Not to feel. I do take paxil and it works wonders for me,that is if I don't eat xanax like M&M's.I've cried most of past  the 10 years of my life .And it's worst when I quit using , that is until I get some clean time under my belt .That's when the fog clears. Be patient and Thanks for letting me share.

[lostlady]

Depression sucks!  I know you said you didn't want to switch to another drug, but I am taking something called Trazadone.  It's a very mild antidepressant that has an additional benefit of making you drowsy so I can sleep at night.  I don't wake up feeling groggy or hungover and it does seem to help w/ the feeling of being down. It is not addictive (per my doctor, pharmacist and several other members of this forum.)

Another thing that I decided to try for myself was keeping a journal.  Each night before bed, I write down a brief synopsis of my day and try to analyze how I am feeling and why.  Some times seeing it in writing helps me get perspective and see the progress I am making.   I also write in my journal 3 things that make me happy at the end of each day's entry.  My son is usually in this list every day - he is the joy of my life.  Just writing these things down often calms me and makes me feel peaceful.  thought I would share this suggestion with you.  Hang in there - will be thinking of you!

[kell737]

Thank you so much!  I appreciate your response.  Please keep in touch.  I need people like you right now, I know that sounds strange but I'm at the worst stage of depression right now, not suicide but just feeling really down on myself.  My 2 beautiful kids keep me going, along with this forum.  Thanks from the bottom of my heart.  
~Kell

[lostlady]

I am here for you!  I am so glad you posted back.  Was worried about you after reading your post.  You and I have a lot in common, i think - same things going on in our lives.  I am a mom too - have a wonderful little boy - two years old.  He is absolutely the joy of my life.  I know everyone says you need to get sober for yourself first and foremost, but he is definitely my inspiration.  

Kell- please email me directly if you just want to talk.  My email address is ***@****  That is also my MSN instant messenger address.  I would love to exchange "stories" with you. I know we can help each other through this.  

Hang in there - I am here for you!  The best thing I've found about this board is how many great people there are in the world. I am so glad I've met other women like you and Alexandra and SmokethisVette.  KoalaBear is the best - she gives the best "mom" advice I've ever heard.  She set me straight one night when I was gunning to take an extra pill.  I took the pill - then admitted the next day.  She responded back to me w/ compassion and understanding, but at the same time reinforced that I have to stop doing this.  It's not easy, but having people here to be accountable to really makes the difference for me.  I've not posted back and forth with too many people, but anyone I've ever talked to is always so understanding.

We are getting ready to head out for a late dinner but I will check back on the board tonight and my email.


Hope to talk to you soon!
LostLady

[kell737]

First of all, Thank you all for responding.  Jessica I have been clean for 30 days TODAY,  the depression for me started about 5-6 days after stopping the drugs I was on.  It varies from person to person. Some people get depressed  the same day they stop, maybe knowing the drugs are going away , then some people get depressed a few weeks later.  I'm glad you decided to get clean,  It's the best choice!!    I wish you the best of luck and keep in touch.

~Kell

[Jessica5683]

6 day's clean now and honestly, One of my biggest fears is the depression coming back! before I started using my life was one big depression day after day. I hated life before I used, didn't care about like while I was using, hardly ever felt sucidal while using and now I'm still going through withdraws but NOT anywhere as bad as the first few days.... So my question would be when does the depression usually come back? Right now I'm also fighting a huge head cold that is leading down to my lungs and I think I feel more crapy from the cold then W/Ds but I can't tell. Take care everyone and like Kip always say's which I love keep an angel on your shoulder I love that saying thanks Kip Love Jessica