Posted by jerrympls on September 13, 2003, at 21:34:52
In reply to Re: Opioids and Depression, posted by craig allen on September 13, 2003, at 17:30:35
Hydrocodone (is in Vicodin) has ALWAYS been the best antidepressant for me - increases my mood to "normal," brings back my motivation, longing to live, reduces fatigue, helpe me sleep better - everything the SSRI's are SUPPOSED to do but never do for many of us. I've never gained any tolerance to opiates - when I've been on them for extended periods of time after a surgery, dental work, etc.
I get so frustrated because doctors throw SSRI's at us saying, "Oh, we'll increase it by 5mg and then you should be fine" or whatever - and I just want to say "Vicodin will save my life not an SSRI!!" How many years of my life do I have to waste being on ineffective meds before a doc tries something "unconventional" like an opiate???? I know that docs do that too because I brought it up to my reseach psych doc once and he said "Yes, there are conditions in which opiates are used for depression."
WELL!?!???!!?!? I'm 31 - have been battleing depression since age 20. Antidepressants, ECT, VNS and therapy have only made me plain, more depressed with side effects. Do I need to beg? Plead my case with research? Cry? attempt suicide? I have a list of all the meds that I've been on over the years and I've been on EVERYTHING - and EVERY combination - then the doctos say - "Well, let's try Prozac again..." for the 4th time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
UGH!!!!! Sorry I'm just so frustrated that depression is/has ruined a GREAT portion of my life, pushed away family and friends....something that could help me sooo much is right there - but doctors would rather prescribe months worth of amphetamines and not something like Vicodin - because "Vicodin is addictive." And amphetamine is not??
I jsut don't get it.....thanks for letting me vent.
Jerry
poster:jerrympls
thread:120871
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030912/msgs/259786.html