Buprenorphine For Treatment Resistant Depression (Page 2) (Top voted first)

Has anyone any experience taking this medication and has it helped for your Depression? I realize this is not yet considered to be an approved drug for Depression, though there have been studies that prove it to be helpful. (and there are current studies ongoing as we speak) I've tried everything else from A-Z. Everything short of ECT. I'm just not willing to try that yet, and I'd probably die from it due to my heart condition anyways. I'm desperate, & feel it's my last chance at any hope for getting my life back together.

REPLY

REPORT

Yes, there were studies done for treatment resistant depression with OxyContin and there were significant results after every other treatment failed . The few in the study did not have to go higher on the dose.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I have been on subutex since 2008 I went to a treatment facility in Florida where they damn near killed me.I w,as also on 2 mgs of xanax 4 x a day. So I was ok for about a week.They immediately dropped my dosage and gave me a low dose of clonopin. LOL I did not eat for 2 weeks and did not sleep .I started to hallucinate ,I have come off methadone successfully 2 times.But this drug subutex.subuxone should be taken off the market. I was so bad my roommate had to go for help one night I was walking around the room hallucinating my ass off.I had to threaten them to get me some relief. Bad drug if you are on long term.All of the Docs in Allentown Pa charge 100 per visit unless you have medicaid and then it is free, So I am going to try to get back on methadone at least they can take me down gradually to 1 mg and then with a sleep aid I will be ok. if you take it do it for a short time and then run like hell cause the devil is chasing you.Does anyone know a Doc in the Lehigh Valley of Pa. Please help I am begging you a Naabt is no help unless you can afford$100 per visit.NAABT website is out dated I called every Doc in my Area referred by them and they all were not accepting new patients. The guy I am going to now is closing up due to so much hassle from the DEA. So I am screwed

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

YES Suboxin helps me GREATLY FOR DEPRESSION,you will have to tell the DR.that you have a problem with pain pills and only sertain Doctors perscribe it.Study up on it(google) and go get on it BUT REMEMBER YOU WILL HAVE TO TELL THE DR.THAT YOU HAVE A PAIN PILL PROBLEM

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I spoke to my pain doctor at his office this past week. I mentioned Buprenophine and Treatment Resistant Depression. He told me that he would be willing to talk to my psychiatrist, and they agreed to try it. My pain doctor said that the way I have reacted to these drugs in the past, I'd probably sleep a lot, which when I wake up makes me depressed. Also, he said Buprenophine is weaker in strength than the 30 mgs. of Oxycodone 3 x a day that I am taking. I am going to think it over and make a decision by my next appointment in January.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Just 2 put in my 2 cents, Buprenorphone exacerbates my depression. I'd love to get off it, have tried to taper down myself, but ultimately end up paying over $500.00 monthy, for the OV and Rx. I'm on it for chronic pain.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I relate so strongly to your story that I feel a strong connection w/ u. I understand depression to the core. If I don't have suboxone subutex or opiates I'm so low I want to die. I just got an 8mg subutex and I feel fabulous. 2mg isn't enough honey.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Hello,
In my experience, a pain doctor prescribes Buprenorphine. The "on label" use of Buprenorphine is treating addictions. The "off label" use that I know of is pain management. I don't know for sure, but you might have to undergo detox to be completely 'drained' before your doc will let you start it. It has been effective managing chronic pain, but is does not give you the "high" associated w/other opiates.
Best of luck

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I have major depression problems that with the help of lexapro, trazadone ( sleep as well) and mostly my faith in God I am doing 95% better. I actually get up in the morning , and most days get out of the house. My grown children have seen me go through this for years and have noticed a major difference in me. Although I'm sure the meds do help, it was turning to God that has been my life saver, try it, you'll be amazed at how much better you feel.. There are no" magic pills" out there but you can do this!!!!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

In reference to Buprenorphine for depression, I've been on Buprenorphine, formally Subutex, for approx. 6 years for chronic pain. I have a heart condition and depression as well. Your physician will start you on a VERY low dosage, at first. I imagine when prescribed for depression, the dosage would remain quite low. The only issue you may want to consider is it's extremely difficult to discontinue. The larger the dosage and the Legnth of time determines the severity. You can not abruptly stop no matter how low the dosage or you will suffer severe withdrawl symtoms. Of course your doctor will taper you off, safely and comfortably. Some people have great difficulty discontinuing it, that they must go inpatient. Depending on your insurance, this could be in a regular hospital setting or the psych dept. of a hospital. (I don't know your situation, however psych dept's are normal 50% patient's withdrawing from substance or substance abuse; whether Rx drugs, street drugs,or alcohol) Another thing to consider is the price. Medicaid will not pay for it and there are a lot of private insurance groups that refuse to cover it; however they cover OxyContin and Fentynal which are far more addictive, dangerous, and expensive. (Ive been baffled by that for YEARS as a former pt prescribed such narcotics) I use discount cards to pay for Bup. You can save up to 75%. (Even w/ the discount, it cost me $200.-240. each month!) Research the medication as much as possible, read message boards online, ask your doctor for literature, and ask him/her questions. Anything is better than depression. We only go around once and a poor quality of life due to suffering from any illness is not worth it.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

how many ect did you have? Do you try suboxone?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Dear Daniel, can you tell me please how your buprenorphine worked out?
I realize it is some years ago but i am facing the same question.

Thank you very much

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Can you please tell on what dose you are?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Hi Daniel , I know how you feel . It's been the same for me , I've had enough , I'm at the end and feel like this is my last hope , if I can convince my doc to prescribe it for me .

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Most doctors will only prescribe suboxone which is similar to subutex. Like any other med, it can be different from 1 person to the next. I take suboxone for opiate addiction and still have bouts of severe depression. it does help many people with depression but if you try it , do so on a short term basis. The higher the dose you take and the longer you take it, the harder it is to taper off from w/o serious long term problems. TRUST ME ! Many people claim long term use depletes your calcium and ruins your teeth (have to get dentures). I dont know if suboxone is responsible but I now need dentures. The biggest problem with long term use is being able to taper off from it w/o it being a nightmare when you STOP completely. If you do have problems they are long term . it HAS saved many lives and many have found relief from depression. I sincerely hope it helps if nothing else does but do your research from people who take it , NOT just from suboxone/subutex websites and try it as short term as possible like 4-6 weeks at the very longest. If it doesnt help your depression by then, it wont help it. its main purpose is relief from withdrawals from opiates.For Short Term USE . it is about as controversial as methadone now for long term use but its big $$$$ and many doctors WILL prescribe it long term and assure you that you have nothing to worry about. THEY don't have anything to worry about. They dont have to suffer, you do. The doctors who prescribe it are well compensated for the scrips they write.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Find a Ketamine clinic. This works wonders in treatment-resistant depression and chronic pain.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I have chronic pain also ,I would like to know if Medicaid well pay for buprenorphine I'm also depressed please some one help

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Yes medicaid will pay for this, I just got mines today.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I have, for as far back as I can remember, held the firm belief that "big pharma" have been barking up the wrong tree, so to speak, in their consistent and seemingly unwavering pursuit that depression is a lack of serotonin, norepinephrine, and/or dopamine. If you look at the past 25 +yrs, all pharmaceuticals, with the exception of only a couple, work on one of the aforementioned pathways in the brain. It is my belief, not just with my own experience with depression and anxiety, but from what I have heard from my fellow sufferers, that our endogenous opioid systems play a hugely significant role in the mood regulatory areas of our brains. And I'm not alone. I have done a lot of reading and research in this arena just for my own education, and although, I'm sure there are many physicians out there who would agree with me, unfortunately, we here in the United States are in one of the worst periods for anyone, doctor or patient, to use any "scheduled", aka, "controlled substance", off-label for such things as depression and anxiety, even when the powers at be are well aware of the fact that these drugs work better than any first line of use "antidepressant" by a long shot!!! Our wonderful government wants us to believe that all opioids are by their very nature, bad or harmful, when, if used properly have the ability to alleviate great suffering, both physically and psychologically. The bottom line, in my opinion, it's a travesty of justice, and at the very least, an absolute crying shame that those of us who deal with crippling anxiety and depression, are prohibited from living meaningful, productive lives, all because some bureaucratic pinheads in an office somewhere are paid with our tax dollars to decide what is best for the rest of us! My experience with buprenorphine as an antidepressant has really been no different from the day I took my first Vicodin when I had my wisdom teeth removed...almost instantaneous relief! Why these medications aren't being used more for off-label uses is unbelievable to me, but I guess that's just the world we live in today? Good luck!!!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: 2sad2long (# 40)

Definitely helps my husband and I with depression and gives energy that I assume a normal person would have without depression. We are on suboxone for opioid addiction and have been sober with suboxone for 9 years. We always felt like it was great with depression. We don’t get high, just feel normal. I have tried so many antidepressants and they have so many side effects. I don’t know if we will ever get off of suboxone. Our life has flourished since taking suboxone. It also diminishes any alcohol cravings. That’s just the honest truth about what suboxone has done for us. We would probably be dead if not for suboxone and of course the desire to quit other drugs.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

It's not a depressant they way you are intimating.
It is a central nervous system depressant.
It acts on the Central nervous system in similarities to alcohol affects.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Nuvigil (armodafinil) saved my life. I've had treatment resistant major depression for over 20 years. Tried so many ...

31 REPLIES

For 40+ years I have battled bipolar illness.. been through all meds, many ect, rTMS. and clearly dealing with trd... Ho...

4 REPLIES

March 15 looking for a center greater Los Angeles area or throughout the country that is not acute facility but similar ...

1 REPLY

If someone is being treated with fluvoxamine and are then diagnosed with graves disease could the fluvoxamine also be tr...

2 REPLIES

Clinical trials were looking at the use of opiod agonists as off label anti-depressants. Since they block the release of...

1 REPLY

looking for a center in Southern California that takes Medicare for treatment of bipolar and depression ## Hello, John! ...

2 REPLIES

I had depression n anxiety 10yrs ago. Was given Seroxat n had very good results. Been off meds since then. Now depressio...

3 REPLIES

I developed a severe fungal infection internally in my neck and vagina after taking natural wild organic mushroom capsul...

teva says they are shipping product as of 12-02-2013 but can not find them any where. ## Hello, Vez! I'm sorry, I th...

2 REPLIES

I have been on percocet (10mg) 5xday, Oxycontin (80mg x2 & 40mgx1 a day), Motrin 800mg 4x a day, Soma 350mg 4x a day...

22 REPLIES