Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Pain and Depression

Hi..
I am 27 years old, living in Atlanta,GA.. I recently moved here from Arizona last month to be closer to my family. I have had severe jaw problems for many years.  I have had conservative treatment, followed by many surgeries to try and repair the damage to the joints.  Unfortunately, the surgeries did not help my pain.  It is at this point (2004) that I started seeing a pain specialist.
I am on Duragesic, Roxicodone, Neurontin, and Klonipin at night.  However, over the past few months I have felt increasingly more depressed.  It seems as though things are fine for a little while, and then I just LOSE it. When I do lose it, it's hard to see past the situation and realize that I *will* be okay.  I'm in a bad time now... my physical pain feels out of control and my emotional pain just seems to seriously outweigh my coping mechanisms.  Last night I finally opened up to my family about it.  They are supportive, but I'm not sure if they understand how extremely depressed I am.  I don't think I will hurt myself, but I also want my concerns to be taken seriously.

How do I get help?  This is a holiday weekend and the doctor probably won't be in his office until Tuesday.  Thinking about waiting that long is excruciating, I don't know if I can.

I'm scared of calling the doctor to tell him all of this because I'm afraid that any instability might threaten my pain management... I have never used his Emergency line before... but honestly I am not sure what he would actually be able to *do* if I called this weekend.  Would it be more helpful to visit the Emergency Room?

I really think there are two things at play here.  One is that my pain is out of control, and the other is the depression, obviously.

Do you have any advice?  What would you do?  Have you faced this situation before?
Thanks for your help.  I really need someone right now who understands.
Sincerely,
Marie
11 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
501792 tn?1261111106
Pain Management DR's are all well aware that depression and Chronic pain go hand and hand.  Realy,  I dont think there is any reason to argue about this.  
Depression does not automatically bode suicidal ideation.
Even if someone does not tell there PM DR, they may need medicaton and you will then need to tell thePM DR that you are taking psychotropics and/or your therapist will defenitly want your PM DR's number so that they could be in contact if need be.  It is just the way things work.  You cannot hide what you are doing from your PM doc, they need to know what meds you are taking and how you are feeling.  
I would say there is a 99% chance that anyone on a chronic pain regemine experiencing depression will need to be supported with a depressiom/anxiety psychotropic. This defenitly does not bode instability.
I never said you didnt say get help at all. But by the time someone has suicidal ideations and needs an ER, they may be too afraid to seek acute help or unsure and afraid that they will lose there Pain medication. When someone has suicidal feelings everything seems overwhelming and the person does not see a way out. Suicide being the only way out.
Anyone with depression and chronic pain, including myself, cannot afford to play around with it and hide it from those that are treating us.  Depression can be extreamly serious.
My advice was from experience in the field. I am not a DR but I do have a degree in both psychology and Substance Abuse and have worked in both fields for years.
My advice was soley for the best interest of Marie to make sure she gets the help she needs.  It was not to start some kind of argument.  But not everyone knows how serious depression can be and I feared she would not go for help because of a fear of losing pain medication. I can understand that fear as can you.  
But keeping it a secret from your PM will only lead to more problems with them.  What will you do when you are prescribed an ant-depressant or anti-anxiety and your PM DR needs to know.  You then  risk your DR blinding prescribing something that could ineract badly with it. And if you chose not to take it so that you dont have to tell your DR, you are playing russian rullete with your well being.

That is just my advice and I had to tell her not to listen when someone said to hide it or not get help until you have to go to the ER.
It was nothing against you only for another human beings best interest.  
Helpful - 0
356518 tn?1322263642
When one has a PM they have to be very careful as we all know what we tell him/her. Thats sad because we should be able to tell them everything so they can truly help but just as if ask too often to suit them for tolerance reviews or ask early refills we are labeled addicts. We have to be very careful when discussing things like depression because they can/will see your problems as a problem for them as in suits from yo or family members, say a pt ODs on their pain meds, you or the family could say the dr is responsible because they knew of your depression and continued to give you narcotics. We have all seen the news regarding cases like this and believe me so has the dr. so they have to try and cover their butts too.
It is a bad situation but it exist.
Helpful - 0
356518 tn?1322263642
I would advise against calling your PM because it will raise certain doubts and if you go to the ER they will get the visit and the reason why to him/her. I would recommend talking to a friend until you can get some counseling. My Dr offers a pain psychologist maybe you should look into that. When your next app comes up with you PM talk to him about your pain levels and get your meds adjusted and ask if he can recommend a good pain psychologist. They do work wonders I only went a few times because it was hard to etc babysitters etc, but it was so nice to talk to someone about the pain and what it does to my life.

If your feeling suicidal do not hesitate to seek help where ever that may be the ER or your PM.

Just know that the PM is going to take it as a doubt in being your PM. My PM has had his neck broken so he knows the ''joys'' of pain and the effect it has on ones life but most PM don't get it. I have called my PM on his cell several times for pain related break downs and he listens asks e what can he do. He tells me to talk to the pain psyc. because we in pain have feelings that need addressing, Find your self a good one and in the meantime we here at the forum are here for you.


Toomanyadvil. If you will reread my post you will see I did in fact tell her to seek HELP if feeling suicidal!!!
I would never steer anyone into that direction just to keep their PM!
If you think DRS care your severely mistaken! Although there ARE Some who truly do care they are just like anyone else who has a job. I will say that most would see her situ and think there may be potential liability there if she did take to many pills or something of that nature and try and head it off at the path! You know this as well as I do they are in it for the money and if something threatens that they will simply get rid of the problem ( a pt that has suicidal thoughts). It is really sad but that is the facts! I have seen drs who drop pts because they see a potential problem with either their practice their money o freedom, they are workers trying to make it like we are and will not stake their rep and business and family on a pt. Please dont get me wrong there are drs who do care and try their best for their pts but we have all been through enough drs to know their true cause and that is money.
Depression is right in there with pain and as I said my doc sends you at first as a requirement then leaves it up to you, there are some pts he requires to keep seeing him though.
I was trying to help her without her losing her PM because we all know how hard it is to find one and if she got a """MARK"""" on her record she would be OUT OF LUCK.
She has chosen what is right for her so this is really not a problem I just wanted to make it clear I DID NOT TELL HER NOT TO GET HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
friend i have the same problem..when ur stopped in ur tracks from pain,,that causes major mental issues..the klonopin should help you with any anxiety's you have..my problem was i loved to work and worked very well now I'm pretty bad..that alone will cause depression..if you go to the E.R. they wont treat you if you see a pain m docter..or they will have to  call them and then you could just make ur own apt...ITS ALWAYS GOOD TO LET THE KIN KNOW WHATS GOING ON WITH YOU..DONT DEPEND ON KNOW ONE BUT A SHRINK OR A SUPPORT GROUP..I SAY THIS CUZ ALL PEOPLE HAVE SOMEKIND OF PROBLEMS..SO GO GET PRO HELP  WERE THEY KNOW WHAT UR GOING THREW......FRIEND IM LOOKING INTO IT MYSELF..A NURSE CALLED  ME THE OTHER DAY SAID THERE DOCKY WOULDNT TAKE ME CUZ I WAS ON METHADONE  I SAID I HAVE A PAIN DOCKY..SHE SAID IM VERY SORRY..I SAID THATS NOT GOOD..THEN I DONT WANT HIM OR HER TO SEE  ME ANYWAYS IF THERE  LIKE THAT ON ( PRESCRIBED  METHADONE!!  MAIL NME ANYTIME ON HERE   JIMGREG      ( GOOD LUCK  MY FRIEND  THERES A RAINBOW I PROMISS).......................JAMES
Helpful - 0
501792 tn?1261111106
Sorry skipped over most of the replies because I was afraid you would not go to someone for help. I'm glad you did!!

You wil be fine, I promise.  Just be honest with your DR's.  No harm in human emotions:)
Helpful - 0
501792 tn?1261111106
Marie I'm so sorry your feeling so bad,

You need to tell your PM doc. They anticipate that chronic pain will bring about depression and anxiety. Many insist that there patients see a therapist or psychiatrist to help cope with the emotional effects of chronic pain.

Please, you will be doing yourself a huge injustice by not being open and honest about your depression with your DR. Just because you are depressed does not mean you are abusing your medication or that you are unstable.  Depression especially accompaning chronic pain can become extreamly over whelming to deal with, even with the support of your family.  Imagine how your DR will take it if he finds out you are feeling this way and said nothing. I think that could pose a bigger problem.


Your DR cares about you and wants you to be functuning and happy ifthey didnt they wouldnt be prescribing you pain meds. Anti-depressants are often used along with a pain med regimine to help with pain and depression from pain. DR's never think us unstable for being deprssed. It's expected. Chronic pain is debelitating in so many ways.

Talking to friends is great, but talking to someone that can teach you coping mechanisms in dealing with the depression and pain is even better.  

Please dont short change yourself. Talking to your DR is the right thing to do. Depression can get dangerous.

But if you do feel that it all become to overwhelming and you think you may want to hurt youself, go the the ER.  Pretending everything is fine with yourDR isnt worth your safety and well being. Your DR wouldnt want you to feel this way and  would want you to be open and honest with him.

I tuely mean no offense when I say this sandee, but Marie, if someone tells you not to get help for depression or feeling so badly, dont listen to it.
You deserve to get all the help you need to overcome your chronic pain and everything that goes along with it. Your DR knows that this can and probably will happen.  Medication is only a bandaid. It cant make everything better.  Trust me,I've been there.  

I hope you tell someone who can help and you start to feel better.
But again, dont risk your well being because your afraid your DR will think you unstable. It's completely normal.

Much Luck
  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you for your caring comments, I really appreciate it.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
He wasn't very much help, he just told me to wait until my next appointment with my pain doctor.  However, I also found a psychiatrist and I will see him today at 2:45.  I am hoping he can help somehow.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I ended up calling my primary care doctor.  He was away from his computer, so he is going to call me back.  Will keep you updated.
Helpful - 0
356518 tn?1322263642
My email is ***@**** feel free to email me if you need a friend.
Helpful - 0
356518 tn?1322263642
I would advise against calling your PM because it will raise certain doubts and if you go to the ER they will get the visit and the reason why to him/her. I would recommend talking to a freind until you can ge some counseling. My Dr offers a pain psychologist maybe you should look into that. When your next app comes up with you PM talk to him about your pain levels and get your meds adjusted and ask if he can recommend a good pain psychologist. They do work wonders I only went a few times because it was hard to et babysitters etc, but it was so nice to talk to someone about the pain and what it does to my life. If your feeling suicidal do not hesitate to seek help where ever that may be the ER or your PM. Just know that the PM is going to take it as a doubt in being your PM. My PM has had his neck broken so he knows the ''joys'' of pain and the effect it has on ones life but most PM dont get it. I have called my PM on his cell several times for pain related break downs and he listens asks e what can he do. He tells me to talk to the pain phyc. because we in pain have feelings that need adressing, Find your self a good one and in the meantime we here at the forum are here for you.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Pain Management Community

Top Pain Answerers
Avatar universal
st. louis, MO
317787 tn?1473358451
DC
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
Could it be something you ate? Lack of sleep? Here are 11 migraine triggers to look out for.
Find out if PRP therapy right for you.
Tips for preventing one of the most common types of knee injury.
Here are 10 ways to stop headaches before they start.
Tips and moves to ease backaches