Intro/others with Chronic Pain & Depression?

Hi-I'm new to medhelp and came to this general group of forums whilst researching chronic pain and methadone opiate treatment.  I am a chronic pain patient, and due to overwhelming life circumstances 3 years ago, went on antidepressants to help me function daily.  
After 7 trials with different formulas, I was put on Effexor and it is effective for me.
I seem to have seasonal affective disorder now also, as I need to up the Effexor in winter and can lower it in summer, however my minimum dose for effectivity is 150 mg a day.
I'm really interested if finding others who are working with the co-topics of chronic pain and depression and would greatly welcome posts from anyone else by way of support.
Depression is a terrible way to live.  Last fall I spent 3 months in bed because I was too depressed to function, did not go to any family activities (said I was sick) or do anything.  I never want to be that low again.
I found a depression group led by a nationally known author on depression recovery and am fortunate enough to be able to participate in that group when I need support.
Now that fall is here, I have become afraid of going back into the cycle of miserableness I was in last year-what can I do to stay out of it?
Suggestions appreciated
january43

[Jikan]

Namaste,

You said yourself that you need to increase you dose of Effexor in the winter becausse of seasonal affective disorder. Why can't you do that this year?

And, if you suffer from chronic pain and it is not under control that will only exacerbate your depression, so you have to get that under control first then you can more easily address the depression with medication or adjuct therapy.

Also, you should never suffer as you did last fall. You need to establish a support system now to make sure you take care of yourself in the event you fail to take action yourself.

Michael

[january43]

Namaste to you Michael and Buddha bless.
Thank you for being so blunt.  Of course what I need to do is obvious to everyone but me.
I know I am welcome back at my depression group, and that they will be happy for me that I've had a depression free spring and summer...I guess I am just afraid of winter this year as never before...but again, I have never been alone before.  
As for the chronic pain...I am attempting to titrate down and hopefully eventually go off methadone as it is causing serious health issues for me-issues that I wasn't warned about when I first started this therapy.
I have no actual idea what my level of pain is now, having been on opiate therapy for over 8 years.  I could be almost pain free or have just a bit of pain that can be controlled with non opiate drugs--and the only way to find out is to go thru the he11 of withdrawing from the drug.  Which I am in the process of doing.
I will keep a close mental watch on myself and tell my daughter about my fears of depression again so she can get me help if I need it.  
Last year, when I was DX with depression, I was so ashamed, like I had done this to get attention on something-and I was already on an antidepressant..apparently not enough of it as uping the dose made a big change in me.
Depression ***** (they will edit that word out I am sure)
january43 aka elle