Hydrocodone for Depression - An Alternative way ? How dangerous a path ?

[frommoon]

I began taking hydros for back pain.  I have several degenerative issues at various levels in my lower back.  I used the hydros very responsibly only breaking them out under the conditions of severe pain or having to push my way through an important task.  All the while (and for many years) I suffered through anxiety attacks and ever worsening depression.  I had taken Lamactil for bipolar and depression several years back, but not much luck with it.  After taking the Hydros for pain, it did not take me long to realize that this medicine was really doing a job on my depression.  Even with some of my worst anxiety attacks it would fix me right up.  I could actually get a ton of work done and be productive.  I was amazed, I had no idea that a painkiller would do that.  Then I read about how opiates were used for treating depression at one time or another.  Now they have become a depression med for me.  I am still trying to take them only when needed.  I have an appointment with a psychiatrist in a couple weeks cuz I know I should try fighting this anxiety/depression with something else.  OR SHOULD I ?  Will I just have to become dependant on another drug that will only half work?  At times I stand here and the only thing that keeps me from being super productive is about 15mg of Hydrocodone.  For now the alternative is that I can just freeze up with my stupid anxiety and get nothing done.  What a conundrum, any input is welcome.  Thanks.

[Teddy86]

Frommoon...I have had chronic depression my whole life.It runs in my family.I've tried every treatment and anti depressant out there and none of them worked and in fact made me worse.
I take hydrocodone for my depression and have for been for 10 years now.
It is the only drug that has ever worked for ME. I have no issues with it and my life these last 10 years have been great. I'm living again. Where as before I lived in misery. It is very effective for treating depression and physical pain for some people but for many it is not. If your the type of person that has self control and take your meds as prescribed then hydrocodone may work for you too. If you don't have self control and abuse drugs regularly then I would advise you not to try it. I take mine as prescribed NO exceptions. I never take more then 1 or 2 in a day and NOT everyday, I just wanted to share my story and let you know that it is very effective for pain and depression as long as you take as directed by your doctor. Good luck!

[krsfromprp]

I'm the same way as frommoon.  I wouldn't say I get high on hydrocodone, but I feel alive, again.  Thanks for your discussion.

[gipsee]

Me too.... I hit my 24 hour mark @3pm....It ain't pretty.   I really was considering calling the hosp at one point I was shaking and yawning so bad.    I took a .50 of Xanax seemed to settle me down somehwat.   Iit's like I have the worse stomach flu....   Thankfully I have a bathroom cple feet from the bed...it got bad.

Pains in my hips, hands and legs are over the top... but I expected this...just didn't expect it this bad.   I was down for the count @ 5pm... it was awful.

Not to discouage anyone...I hope I'm not doing that.   I'm just a mess at the moment.

Gip

[frommoon]

thank for explaining how you began to do "less with more".  That is the exact productivity dropoff I have seen in the past few weeks.  Like you, I knew this was the beginning of the end.
My "superman pills" were starting to fail me.  Now they just get me back to some normal state.
Today is my first day off of them - I am using another post to keep you all up to date and to get that much needed feedback.  You will find the post - just check for my nickname in the threads if you wish.

[gipsee]

Eventually the Hydros won't have the same affect ... they won't take the depression away... and you'll need more... you'll be able to do less ON MORE... and it's a very rapid decline when you hit that point.

My personal opinion is that they add to anxiety and depression, especially after longer term use.   I'm not a DR....
I don't use these to "have a good time"... but not to feel the pain I feel... my doses went from two a day ... now I'm at 8 - 10 7.5's a day... This roller coaster is no longer OK w/me...and I'm sure there are some out here who would call me a light weight.   Doesn't matter 5 - 10 - 20 a day won't be enough if I continue I know that from the very depths of my soul.   I'm numb...I can't even cry anymore...

In the beginning they make you "smart"....feels as though you can get so much more done... but it does eventually take more to produce that feeling... they are horrible.   I want out...I'm scared, I'm tired, I'm tired of not feeling me...I want to feel something.   These are worse than Cocaine just as bad as any other drug ... in my humble opinion...my progession was slow... but it ain't slow no mo.... it's debilitating.

I wish you well....

[frommoon]

Thank you all.  I am going to stop, and I can right now. Also, I am seeing a psychiatrist first week of Jan.  Still afraid of antidepressants and anxiety meds.  The methadone suggestion was well taken and maybe should be explored.  One last question:  If my daily hydro intake is about 30 - 40 mg, (which I know is not a ton compared to what might be used in later stages) should I just go cold turkey or taper first.  Thanks.

[SWJavelina]

Amen to NOT using hydrocodone to ease depression.  I felt great on Norco, but I also knew I was in a serious trap.  I've had depression and anxiety all my life, and Norco made me feel "happy," but the price is way too high.  Aside from the narcotic effect, painkillers will damage your liver and kidneys (from what I hear).  

Celebrating week 2 of being hydrocodone free!

SWJ

[i hate lortabs]

Get off of the Hydrocodone while you still can, PLEASE! My situation was so much like yours and I thought so much like you that it's almost scary... I have also had issued with severe depression and anxiety all my life and when I started taking hydrocodone, all my depression and worries magically disappeared. I became so addicted so fast that I never realised it until it was too late. Hydrocodone addiction is hell, I promise you. And they are extremely easy to get addicted to. I strongly suggest Methadone instead. Talk to your doctor about it or find a clinic or something. Here's a website that may help you find a place. Please check it out and keep me posted...


http://www.usnodrugs.com/rehabs.php/US/


-riki

[borden]

ive been taking antidepressants for 8 yrs, paxil, zoloft and nothing helps... i take percs and oxycontin recreationally.  they make me productive too.  i can take a pill and get allmy chores done, study for school, be social...things i cannot do on my own...i hated being addicted to paxil, and i hate being addicted to pain meds..but at least they make me feel good...

[WolfKwe]

Yep, it must feel like being between a rock and a hard place.  Talk to your doctors and see what they think.  I guess we are not experts and I know nothing about medications for depression and anxiety.  Maybe you would get medications for both??  If you need your pain medications, then you need them.  Like I said my use was for pleasure mostly.  I can't imagine needing them for chronic pain and stuff, if I did - I would take them, but take them as precribed until something different may come along.  Progress I mean in chronic pain, maybe some other magic cure will happen.  Until then, take what helps you and do some research.  We have so much at our fingertips these days.  It is nice, because people like us don't like to let everybody know everything right..Good luck my friend and I hope you and your doctors come up with a good solution that works for you all around.

[mram]

frommoon,

I know of a guy who flies every month from St Louis to Chicago to get a prescription of methadone from a doctor. He is not a heroin addict, not a pain pill addict, he suffers from depression. The methadone is what keeps him from killing himself.
I take it for addiction, and I have suffered many years from depression as well. I have so many suicide attempts under my belt that I have lost count, but since getting on methadone and getting my dose stable, I have noticed my depression is something I can easily deal with. In fact my wife of 22 years left me last summer. At first I just knew I would die. I was sure that I would do myself in any minute, but thanks to methadone i was able to pull through it.
I still live alone and still think of her always, but I can deal with it. Yes, I miss her and even cry from time to time, butit's nothing I can't deal with.

Talk to your doctor about it. It might be an answer and methadone is very long acting so you wouldn't have to take it every few hours like pain pills.

Just something to think about.

mram

[frommoon]

Thank you for your input on this thread I started.  And yes for me as well, I consider the Hydrocodones "Superman Pills".  You see, I guess my main question or concern is this:  I have read so much about how it is also hard to get off anxiety/depression meds once you are on them for a while.  And I know for a fact that I am going to be a person that will need long term treatment.  So I ask the community here.  What the heck is worse?  If the hydros are working then why not use them ?  I should be able to continue to get them legally because of my back issues and I have noticed no 'come down' issues when the pills wear off.  I do worry that they will not help me reach my goal of becoming anxiety/depression free (and actually may hinder that).  But I need to live right now in the present.  And finally my last worry is that I will just be addicted eventually to the meds that the psychitrist prescribes.  Dam I wish I did not have these physical and mental issues so I would not have to worry about addiction.  This sucks and I feel like I am going to wind up at a dead end no matter what.

[WolfKwe]

Hi.  I understand where your coming from because I thought my vicodin's were a cure all!  Felt good, gave me more energy than I could ever believe, if I had sinus issues - they fixed those too.  The wonder drug I thought.  I'm on day 32 off of them.  It is still so hard and I still dream about them.  My physical with drawls I assume are done, but at times I feel sad and think about a vicodin.  I have refrained and even passed on them from someone trying to sell me more.  It was so hard!  But I did it.  I would just ask your doctor or whomever you are going to see.  One thing I do know, is they might make you feel good at first - but when your script runs short and you need more you will feel like ****, no production getting done then and all you will do is think about how to get more.  I was spending a lot of money and realized each one of those were a felony should I be caught.  I feel better today without the lies and fears that go with that "good" feeling I used to have.  Good luck my friend and talk with someone regarding this.