Depressed ever since I can remember...Opiates for depression...PLEASE help!

[MDD310]

Hi everyone. This is my first post on this forum, so I don't know what to expect. If you're reading this, I thank you for taking some time out of your life, and I'd be extremely grateful for any help or guidance anyone can hopefully provide me.

I have suffered from Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), severe Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Body Dismorphic Disorder (BDD), and Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) ever since I was 15 years old. I am now 35, and I have tried, literally,...EVERYTHING!

I've been diagnosed with the above depressive disorders by MULTIPLE psychiatrists on both coasts, as well as internationally for TWO DECADES!

I've gone through the usual suspects, such as all (I mean ALL of them when I say all) of the SSRI's (Paxil, Zoloft, Luvox, Prozac, Celexa, Lexapro, Effexor) for my depression. I've also been prescribed, mostly in vein also, Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, and Oxazepam for my anxiety.

NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nothing. :( Little to No benefit. Just plenty of side effects!

Psychotherapy (3 times a WEEK for YEARS, and THOUSANDS of dollars worth) helped to a small degree. However, nowhere near to an extent that one could consider successful.

Three years ago, I came across a German newspaper article, which outlined that there are physicians who deal with patients who are abnormally severely depressed, such as myself, and treat them with opiates.

I actually found a doctor in Germany  who has been prescribing opiates for me, and it has been a LIFESAVER!!! At LONG last, I was free, and I was able to enjoy my life. I was very closely monitored to see if I got addicted to the point where I would need more and more every day, but luckily, I never needed a dosage adjustment after an appropriate dose was found. I take them at the SAME TIME each day, never more, never less. I don't get the euphoric feeling that I've been reading about a lot either.

I can just BE OK...for the first time in my life, which has been miserable throughout my teenage years, and early adulthood.

I'm sure a lot of doctors look at this as preposterous, but if you had to live my life, you would look for what I realize is a somewhat unorthodox type of therapy, but it WORKS! It...just...WORKS!

Have any of you experienced similar situations?? Have you been able to find a doctor who is willing to prescribe opiates for your depression?

PHYSICIANS: If you're reading this, can you please either contact me by way of Private Message, or in the forum here and let me know if you would be so kind as to see me in person, and make your own assessment.

I am willing to fly to ANY of the 50 states, if that's what it takes. I DESPERATELY want to live my life, and although I can continue to travel to Europe to get my prescription (usually 4 months' worth at a time), and come back to L.A., which is what I've been doing, I would really like to find a doctor who is willing to help me here in the United States.

A couple of additional brief facts about me: I do not drink. I do not smoke. I do not do any illicit drugs. Hell, I don't even drink coffee. And I'm tired of hearing how it's so "silly of me to be depressed at all" because I have so many things going for me in the way of looks, success in what I do for a living, etc.

I honestly honestly just want to LIVE without having to board a transcontinental, and transatlantic flight to Europe where I've found that one doctor who has been amazing to me.

I would love to get in touch with a doctor here in the U.S., even if it's only for a consultation/assessment. Again, I'm located in the Los Angeles area, but I'm willing to fly to ANY state.

Thank you so much for listening!

[Hensley258]

Wow! Finnaly someone who understands the benifits of Opiates for severe refractory depression!

This effect that your getting is not uncommon at all. In fact in just the last few months (some but very few) Psychiatrist here in the States are just starting to understand that Opiates can be effectivly utilized for the most severe resistant depression and anxiety.

It is not yet fully understood why Opiates have such a profound effect on us few people that have very severe cronic Refractory depression that is completly non-situational, but no question that they can be 100% more effective than even the most powerful traditional combinations of therapy.

This treatment is not for everyone. For example: people that have ANY past addiction issues with drugs or alcohol absolutly can not effectivly utilize this form of treatment.

Only people that have their braking system fully intact can be helped by Opiates like this. Thus far many doctors and neurologist are taking a hard look at the drug Tramadol for this very purpose. While Tramadol does bind to the Opiate receptors in the brain, it does so in a much less addicting way than other Opiates such as Vicotin or Codine.

Tramadol is a synthtic form of opiate based drug that also has VERY effective Serotonin and Norephinepherine Reuptake inhibition action. This fact also makes it a perfect Opiate for severe depression.

Treatment with Tramadol is ONLY advised for the 5 percent of severly depressed people that simply do not ever respond to traditional form of antidepressant medication.

PROBLEM: Here in the states it is almost impossible to find a Psychiatrist that is willing to treat us with Tramadol. Most of them are scared to death that if their patient gets addicted that they will suffer liability in the form of legal action against them.

I find this a shame. Most Psychiatrist are not even aware of the powerful antidepressant effects of Tramadol. They view Tramadol treatment as always ending in addiction, which is NOT what the scientific data supports.

Did you know that only 5% of people treated with Tramadol actually become addicted? It's true.

My condition is much like yours. Very medication resistant. I have heard story after story about responsible people (NOT DRUG ADDICTS) that are utilizing Tramadol with wonderful results. These people are not stoned or high because they know how to regulate their intake to work for them and not as a crutch. These people are living their life again for the first time in years and no longer have one foot in a coffin.

But, the FDA and DEA say that we will just be addicts. Therfore doctors are thretened by the medical establishment not to treat us with such drugs.

You see here in the States Opiates are demonized as the the work of Satan. This is mostly out of ignorance about the therapiutic properties of Opiates for depression. This Ignorance was started back in the early 1900's when the right wing purists banded together to make them illigal.

I have been searching for several months now for a Psychiatrist that understands how Opiates can be properly managed to treat Severe Depression that is not responsive to traditional therapies.

Sad to say that my search had turned up no doctor that is willing to "think outside the box." This is because ALL doctors are told in medical school that Opiates are always addictive and can not be regulated to treat depression.

I have news for these doctors. In many cases Opiates are saving the lives of many people with massive depression that would have otherwise commited suicide.

How this is a bad thing....I have no clue about that kind of blind logic.

Obviously this is not a treatment that is a viable or wise option for 95% of people with depression, but they forget about the 5% of us that simply do not respond to even the most powerful MAOI treatment. This is nothing but the doctors self preservation at work, not about our health and ability to live again.

The whole topic makes me sick because there are proven drugs out there that can save our life, yet they are not allowed in standard Psychpharmacology.

This is where Europe is way ahead of us in terms of treatment and viable options.

There have been scientific studies done that prove for a fact that particular Opiate based drugs can be VERY effective for the few of us that Psychiatry has given up on.

It makes me sick to know that the tool is there, but doctors here in the states are too worried about Lawers to provide what they know is a wise and effective treatment option for a select few patients.

Anyway, no I don't think your an addict looking for a high. Damn it, we just want to feel normal and if it takes an Opiate based drug to do this than I see it as a better option than death. I will risk potential addiction to get my life back from the beast that is my refractory depression.

And for anyone that says; "oh you just need therapy and you need to face your problems." They can kiss my rear end because they don't know what it like to have to walk around with what feels like 10 sand bags hanging from their head as your body trembles with fear and constant doom.

I have news for the skeptics: There there are forms of Severe non-situational Depression that are nurologically based. It is a real disease caused by parts of the brain that are not functioning normally. I'm not saying that this is the norm because many types of depression can be caused by life trama.

What I am saying is that there are 100's of scientific studies that prove without a doubt that some forms of refractory depression are a direct cause of biological and neurological defects in how the brain processes chemicals that regulate mood and anxiety. This is not scince fiction, but very real.

Traditional antidepressants can in some cases help alot, but they do not address all of the complex factors in the brain that cause this kind of depression.

We can only hope that the Psychiatric establishment here in the States will open their eyes to the potential benifits of Opiates to treat a very select few patients that meet the criteria for this treatment.

As for right now, it's almost impossible to find a doctor that will understand this fact. If you ask them and even provide them with the scientific data that supports your case, they will still think your just looking to get high.

With any luck the next generation of doctors will take off their blinders and start thinking more creativly.

When it comes to depression in it's very worst manifestation, I say WHATEVER WORKS MUST BE DONE.

[Curtis1960]

Hello, MDD and Hensley!

I've suffered from severe depression since I was 14 years old and have gone through the usualy bag of anti-depressants.  At one time I was even thinking about shock treatment.  Then, a very funny thing happened.  I herniated a disk in my neck that caused severe pain.  After my surgery to fuse the disk, my MD tried everything for the pain.  Finally he relented and put me on weak opiods.  there was an awesome side effect to the opiods - within a few days, I felt human again.  I wasn't high, just normal and could function.  The various doctors through the years kept me on opiods for the pain and I didn't have a bout of depression.  I was happy, productive and involved with my family and friends.  

The problem was, I needed more oxycontin for the pain as the years passed.  Needless to say, I became addicted because of the pain and not the depression.  I went through rehab in January. And now no doctor will prescribe me anything with opiods for the pain and I've been depressed and fatigued ever since.  My doc has tried multiple meds with no luck.  

I recently learned I have three more herniated disk and three foramin that have pinched the nerves due to arthritis build-up. I've made multiple trips to the ER for the pain.  They contacted my MD and know I am an addict and won't give me anything strong in pill form. They will give me a shot of dilauded and send me home.  

Needless to say, I mis the opiods for both reasons - pain and depression.  MDD, you're absolutely correct.  Opioids will give you your life back.

Thanks for sharing your stories and opinions.  Take care and have a very Happy Thanksgiving.

Peace,

Curt

[creston1966]

It is understandable how pain killers (opiates) could have this effect.  I had similar situation with back pain and each time I was prescribed pain killers (usually relatively mild ones at that), my depression seemed to be more manageable.   Maybe some of the same signals which are blocked to relieve pain are those which cause some depression.   Many physical ailments can have physiological symptoms.  And many mental or emotional problems can present as physical ailments.  

I've never entertained staying on pain killers though.  Not that others cant, if it works for them.  Dr's will not, generally speaking, presribe pain killers for long term use unless they have to.   I also have concern, which is very valid, of being dependent and addicted.  This is a real issue for many.  I found myself checking my motives.  I find it easy to self medicate.  Been very aware of what could be drug seeking (only legal and prescribed!!) behavior.  It is hard, as some opiates my hold an answer for some people's depression.  I would be concerned over the long term cost.  I come from family of addicts.  I've seen it first hand.....not pretty.


Creston