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Will the depression get better?

I have been on an off pain medication for the past several years due to chronic back pain and Degenerative Disc Disease. I recently found out I need a spinal fusion but am only 27 and really want to avoid it if possible. I take between 4-6 Norco 7.5's a day now and it controls my pain fairly well most days. I recently decided to try to come off and am on day 5 coming off cold turkey. I have been incredibly blessed with having very few withdrawal symptoms. I suffer from depression as it is and am on Prozac for it. Being off the Norco (Lortab) I have noticed a pretty big jump in my depression. I am wondering if this is something that will go away. Will I feel this depressed forever? I know that sounds like a dumb question but I want to know if I will ever go back to feeling normal and being able to feel happy again. I have a 2 year old son and my husband and I would really like to be able to have another one soon which is why I am choosing to come off of the pain medication. Any answers would be greatly appreciated. :) Thank you!
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6442564 tn?1383229443
Hey!  I totally know what you are experiencing.  I am day 8 into my most recent detox and have had about three (including this one) experiences with detox in the past.  Depression and energy were/are always the hardest thing for me to get through.  I searched a lot about this and a lot of people recommended an amino acid called L-tyrosine.  Some swear by it and some say it does nothing.  I have tried it and I will say my energy and depression are markedly improved from my prior experiences.  It's not anywhere where I will feel once I get through all of this but it has certainly helped.  They sell it a GNC, vitamin shops, etc... Couldn't find it at Walgreens or CVS.  B6 and plenty of rest helping too.  Also I found that setting my expectations and being realistic with my outcomes helped.  For example taking a walk around the block would be a goal as opposed to walking a mile which I would have done on opiates.  Exercise... even a little of it will help.  You can and will get through this.  Stay positive.
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4113881 tn?1415850276
You are only on day five....feeling depressed with anxiety is very normal right now. Give it some time....it does get better. I promise!
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5347058 tn?1381188426
Hi there! The depression is one of the symptoms of detox that tends to linger for a while. How long varies depending on amount and length of use, age, # of detoxes, and general health. Basically your brain stops producing all of the happy and feel good chemicals while we are on opiates because the pills mimic them and attach to the receptors. When we quit, our bodies must re-learn to produce them again. Just know that the depression is your body healing. You are getting better. Exercise and a healthy diet can help this process along and kind of jumpstart the process. Hang in there. It does get better and is so worth it. Take care and keep your head up.
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