Depression after quitting Percs.

[LittleRock79]

Hi everyone.  I just found this site... was looking out of desperation for some answers to what I was experiencing and here I hope to find some...  I have had sever ulcers for about two years, which means I can't take NSAI's, so when I get migraines, or when the ulcer pain gets really bad, or when I have dental work done (root canals, extractions, etc) I have been given Percs by my Dr to deal with the pain.  Well about a month and a half ago my ulcers were acting up really bad, and I was taking about a half a five mg tablet once a day... sometimes every other day... and then my stomach started to feel better due to a med change taking effect so I started going to every three days with the Percs.  I thought I was going crazy... but at the end of day two, beginning of day three I felt HORRIBLE.  Like suicidal.  Which is SO unlike me ... very unusual.  Once I noticed it was correlating to end of day two after not taking a Perc I thought "hmmm... now isn't that interesting."  I felt like ****, but decided the quicker I got off the better.  Wouldn't you know it, seven days out I got a severe migraine (I get one for two days *every month* if you know what I mean) and I had homework to do (full time college student) and had to take care of my girl (I'm a single mom), so I took a half tablet day one of migraine, and a half the next day.  Then I was ok the next day... and BAM, end of day two, there I was again, crying uncontrollably, and feeling, literally, like killing myself.  Today's Friday, and I haven't taken one since last Saturday, and I kinda thought the depression would have passed by now but I am still on this roller coaster thing where I am just fine one minute and sobbing wanting to die or something the next.  I don't have TIME for this nonsense and want it to pass NOW!  Nothing in me says "ah, take another pill, you can withdraw later"... I've never purchased pain killers (they've all been prescription for here and there issues like dental work, etc)  and I've never doctor hopped for prescriptions... and I feel no urge to do this... I have no urge to do anything, actually.  I just want to not be here anymore :(  How long do you suppose the depression will last?  Maybe you all will think I couldn't possibly be addicted on such a low dose for such a short period of time, or that I'm being a baby or something... but my body gets hooked on anything real quick... even notice a slight mood shift when I run out of antihistamines before I get my refills!! lol.  Sounds stupid, maybe, but there you go.  This is my story ...
Reply

[LittleRock79]

Some of the natural remedies have true benefit, for sure... thank you for your input!  

[hollytabor]

The more I research how to regain my health w/o prescriptions & surgery, the more I've turned to natural remedies.  In the past, I thought it was quack science ... but in my quest for more information, I've discovered things that make me change my mind.  I asked about blood type because I've become a huge advocate of Dr. Peter D'adamo & the thought that blood type plays a factor in your heath & how you should eat.  (His website is his last name without the hyphen.)  I wish you much success!

[LittleRock79]

Oh and the "best answer" thing... I just move my mouse over anyone's comment and somehow it clicks best answer! Oops!  They are all good answers... sorry :)

[LittleRock79]

I know going to a regular doc would be good... just took having this issue to light a fire under my butt to get me to find one!  My blood type is A+?  My body chemistry seems to be in delicate balance so if there are weird mood side effects with any drug I tend to get them.  When I take St. John's Wort I feel sooo weird.  I tend to get extremely anxious and can't sleep at all!  Also have tried that St. John's Wort with Kava and had the same issues.  I will have to look into the things you all have recommended for stomach ulcers.  As I am studying to be a PA I tend to be skeptical about treating physical medical issues with herbal medicines, for a number of reasons, but I figure if the remedy is cheap and doesn't interfere with my allergy meds it could be worth a shot.  

[hollytabor]

Can I ask what your blood type is?

And I have two natual recommendations for you - the first,to deal with your stomach issues:  DGL, which is De-Glycyrrhizinated Licorice.  

And second, St. John's Wort for both depression & your migraines.  I began taking it after I went cold turkey, and while it does take a while to kick in (as do most anti-depressants) a very beneficial side effect (for me) has been the cessation of migraines.  

[littlebit667]

Finding a doctor that will look at ALL of your medical history and help you figure out what is what would be awesome.  I have a doctor that does that and it makes life so much easier.  Keep posting, it really helps.  

[LittleRock79]

By the way, thank you both for responding.  It feels like it helps just to have someone listen and give me feedback.  I still can't rest but ... have a bit more peace...

[LittleRock79]

Yep.  The H. Pylori Virus.  I'm a science major and that was the first thing they tested me for after doing the endoscopy and finding ulcers.  It was negative for the virus... the doctors feel mine were actually CAUSED by too many courses of antibiotics mixed with too many courses of prednisone over too short a period of time for a prolonged illness I had about two years ago.

[gnarly_1]

THEY have linked many ulcers to a bacteria that grows in the stomach find a doctor that treats for this they usually will give you a strong corce of antibiotics for like a month and your ulcer will heal google it........Gnarly

[gnarly_1]

THEY have linked many ulcers to a bacteria that grows in the stomach find a doctor that treats for this they usually will give you a strong corce of antibiotics for like a month and your ulcer will heal google it........Gnarly

[LittleRock79]

I do have a few calls in... trying to find a regular doc.  Have my gastrointerologist, and my asthma and allergy guy, and we have my daughters doc, but I haven't needed a regular physician for years.  Anyway, I did put some calls in this past week to find a regular doc... was kinda thinking the same thing: Maybe a low level of antidepressant would help with the depression (and, if I'm lucky, it may even help with the stress that irritates my ulcers every time a semester starts!!)

[LittleRock79]

I take Dexilant and Levsin for the ulcers, Allergy meds, and nasal steroid inhaler.  I smoke about a half pack a day.  I knew I was hyper sensitive to things as, if I, say, open a bottle of wine for myself, and have a half glass to a glass for four nights in a row or so, on night five, about an hour before I had had the drink the four nights before I get so angry, anxious and can't concentrate.  I am in my early 30's... but about four years ago I made this discovery about me and alcohol! lol.  I can drink a glass occasionally, but NEVER regularly.  Shoulda known this would apply to pain pills too, but just thought such a low dose so infrequently wouldn't cause the issue :-/  Other than this I CAN say I am under extreme stress right now so maybe that is a part of it.  Taking a heavy load of school work, work part time, and a single mom... so borderline depression prior to the ulcers acting up doesn't sound far fetched... though, honestly, I am a pretty chipper person.  Obviously type A and prone to stress (hello, ulcers) but really over the past eleven years ... I sleep well, have pretty good friends, stay busy, pretty happy and positive.  At ages 16-19 I did have a pretty major bout of depression but haven't really had any problem with it since then... till now! yuk.

[gnarly_1]

HI welcome to the forum sounds to me like you are hyper sensitive to the percs.....they do mess with your brain chemistry but usually only after longer periods of time you have to understand how the drug works it floods your brain with endorphin or happy hormone take that away and you might go into a depression if your sensitive to the med you could also be borderline depresses and need to be on an antidepressant it may even this out for you there are other drugs that are non narcotic for migrains you may want to try one of those let us know how this works out I would talk to your doctor abot it also good luck and God bless......Gnarly  

[littlebit667]

Wow, you apparently do get hooked easily.  I just wanted to let you know that your post has been read.  I am just not sure I am the right person to respond with the right stuff to help.  I promise that you will get help as some point.  Be patient and help will be on the way.  Everyone is different in how they respond to any med..including painkillers.  One question...are you taking anything else on a daily basis other than the antihistamines.  Even that might have an effect on how the painkillers are effecting you.  I am sure someone with more knowledge will show up to help.  Keep the faith til then.