Did hydrocodone cause my anxiety and depression

[Nightfall79]

Ok so I was taking hydrocodone(only like 15 mgs)at least once a day from Jan.2008 to Sep. 2013.From 2011 on I was also drinking almost every day.Then in Sep. 2013 Bam!First the panic anxiety,then depression.So essentially I had both at the same time.Needless to say I weened myself off the codone after the anxiety hit so I didnt have to deal with withdrawals.By January 2014 I was much improved but still only 50%.I didnt take AD's but by the end of Feb I didnt even need xanax anymore.So in April I started trying low doses of hydrocodone again.After a few times I almost started feeling like myself again.So I kept taking it,upping the dose gradually as usual.But,I thought it several times,I guess I did too much too soon cause the anxiety came back in Aug.Then the depression.However,God willing,it doesnt seem as bad.It seems like my cycle of really bad times are going away sooner this time.So my question is can the hydrocodone both cause the illness,and then if done right,help it?Does my mental illness not seem as bad cause I'm more used to it or does this probably mean this is like a relapse from last year,cause I didnt do the codone near as long this time?Sort of a mini episode if you will?

[Nightfall79]

I will go over to the addiction forum per your reccomendation but I don't think I need to post anything.I was only doing the drug for 4 months this time.I feel so bad most of the time right now,I would'nt even think of doing any drug.My problem right now is the anxiety(heart pounding alot,lightheadedness without breathing heavy,uneasiness in my chest)and the depression that comes with it(not being able to do much,getting irritated with loved ones,too much dreaming,almost housebound).I want to know if for someone who is not usually depressed,it has happened they fell into a milder depression after almost healing from a major episode.

[nursegirl6572]

Taking opiates regularly for a while then coming off absolutely causes one heck of an emotional fall out for most people, anxiety and depression.  Add to that that you were taking them recreationally and in larger amounts than normally prescribed, of course it makes sense.

You are powerless over hydrocodone.  You have a problem.  Addicts don't just "learn their lesson" and are done.  If that was the case, so many wouldn't relapse again and again and again, even after losing everything.

I REALLY hope you post on the addiction forum....you need to hear what it takes to get clean and STAY clean (the harder part).  That needs addressed, and now.

Please keep in touch...let us know!

[Nightfall79]

I guess you could say addict.I told myself a few times over the last 4 months."Don't do anymore today.It's too soon."I told myself "start tapering off.quit.You don't want to go through that again."But I didnt listen.So now I dont know if I caused it again or if it was gonna happen anyway.And that quagmire bothers me along with the other million worries.Thanks.

[Nightfall79]

Well thanks for your response.I was clean for 5 months from opiates.I would take miniscule amounts of xanax til end of Feb when needed for my anxiety.So clean from all substances for at least a month.Then out of stupidity and boredom I started the opiates.But as I said,because I have a deep relationship with the hydrocodone,it got me to the next level.I started feeling closer and closer to myself.So therefore doing more and more.I am not advocating drug use(I've learned my lesson)but is it possible to slip into a milder depression 6 months after a gut wrenching one?Due to the fact that I was doing too much drugs(not much for most people)too soon.        BTW the only other episode I had of depression was like 9 years ago.It lasted about 4 months.Otherwise I am never depressed.

[Paxiled]

You don't say why you're taking the drug -- is it prescribed for pain, or are you an addict?

[nursegirl6572]

I think it's definitely a factor.

Impossible to say for sure.  Along with the physical detox from opiates comes a pretty intense mental one.  It's not at all abnormal for an addict to experience quite a long period of time where their emotions are all over the place.

Hopefully you've realized after this relapse that one is too many, and a thousand is never enough.

Have you sought any kind of professional help for your addiction, and if so, have you stuck with it?  That needs to be priority ONE for you...with the anxiety and depression a close second.  You cannot really FAIRLY assess your emotional state though without having some significant clean time under your belt (clean from any/all substances), to give your brain some time to readjust to life without the artificial high from the opiates.  Alcohol is the very worst thing for anxiety AND depression too.

We have a super addiction forum here...I encourage you to post over there as well:

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/show/77?camp=msc

Good luck to you!  Let us know how you're doing!