Taking Hydrocodone For Depression (Page 14) (Top voted first)

I am wondering if anybody else out there has taken Hydrocodone and noticed that symptoms of depression are alleviated? I find that many of today's anti-anxiety and antidepressant drugs come with unpleasant side effects, whereas while taking Hydrocodone they aren't there. The caveat to all of this is that yes, I know that Hydrocodone and opiates in general can be addictive. So long term use would result in withdrawal symptoms. I'm just wondering who else might agree with me on this?

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More interesting information has come to light. As an infant my mother had no tolerance out patience to deal with me, so she procured prescriptions for laudanum to get me to sleep at night. Research shows that infants and toddlers given laudanum for any length of time predisposed the infant to bounce back anxiety, excitability, all sorts of behavior issues that lead to...you guessed it, a predisposition to become dependant on opiates later in life. Basically, mom turned me into an addict as an infant and the opiates make me feel normal.this new info from my father prompted research and what I found blew my mind. Btw, New formulations of hydrocodone are coming out that are shredded release, one pill a day. Id rather take that than an anti depressant that doesn't work. If the dopamine shortage in my brain is what is causing the depression, than I'm all for it being treated with what works as opposed to bring cycles on and off of crap that doesn't work and turns me into a zombie.

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Hello Dunn With Opiates,

You are right! While Opiates produce an immediate sense of relief and satisfaction, in the long run they cause more grief. As you mentioned, the more of a tolerance you build up to Opiates, the more you need. And, the more you need, the more dependent you become on them. The more dependent you become on them, the more you set yourself up for the inevitable dreaded withdrawals. It is the notorious withdrawals that cause acute depression and even suicidal tendencies. In short, the more Opiates you take, the more intense the withdrawals become. There is no way of avoiding the withdrawals unless you keep increasing your dose which will eventually lead to overdose or unless you can stay in complete control of Opiate intake and space out the doses, so you don't build up a tolerance (something I just cannot do!!).

With that said, for those of you who take Opiates because you are resistant to anti-depressants, I am not saying that you will become more depressed. I know you find the ultimate relief in Opiates! I feel the same way:) I am just saying that if you choose to use Opiates for your depression, be very careful about the nature of Opiates and how easy it is to get caught up in the vicious cycle of building up a tolerance, needing more, and then experiencing withdrawals. The withdrawals will cause more intense depression than ever before. If you can stay in control of the entire scenario, more power to you! I know I can't stay in control.

That is why I am tapering off Hydrocodone very slowly. While Hydrocodone provides me with instant relief, it has also caused depression at a new level whenever I have "run out" of it and experienced withdrawals. I no longer want to live in fear of the constant threat of the notorious dreaded withdrawals.

Sincerely,

Jasmine

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Jasmine, shredded was my not smart phone changing words. I meant extended release. I've been on the opiates roller coaster ride for two years now due to back injury. My goal was to keep working, but the pain was intense and around the clock, so my specialist rxd 2 meds, fentanyl patches for 24 hour pain control plus vicodin for break through pain. My job, being a very physical one led me to sweat off the patches... and he was strict. Try telling a dr or phsrmacist that your patch feel off, and they'll laugh at you. So im well used to withdrawl. Finally we found a combo that worked, exalgo (extended release hydromorphone) which saved me i swear. One pill a day, no side effects, no plethora of pills to tempt me to take more. When I lost insurance, I had to come off of everything. Yes I had depression but for other reasons, my mom died, I was out of work and the pain prevented me from functioning. I'll tell you something which helps with the anxiety of opiate withdrawal...I used it to help taper and report the side effect s, especially the anxiety.its otc anti diarrheal, forget the brand name but look up loperamide. Its a cousin to opiates which works in the GI tract. If you Google it you can find more info. Some pple have come up with ways to get it to cross the blood brain barrier and feel high, but it does help on its own with withdrawal. I saw a surgeon yesterday, and after we do new imaging I may, May not be a goidv candidate for surgery. If not, I'm looking at a lifetime of opiate pain management. Add you said, you build tolerance, but I've heard of cases where people are cycled on and off different formulations when that happens. Yes, finding out about the laudanum given to me as an infant and toddler is valuable info that can hopefully he'll my doctors isolate a good combo of meds that will help. I wish you luck, support you fully in your journey to kick the hydrocodone. Try the loperamide, it helps. But you have to take higher dosages than on label so please, scrub the net for as much info as you can get. And no, constipation isn't a concern, lol <3

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90 %, (or therabouts) are off label. FDA approval isn't the gold standard. Orange book empirical ball park estimates are not my thing Let ME DECIDE ! Its my body. What works for you/me is close enough. " ARE YOU QUALIFIED? " -My answer is: I'm literate, aware, competent, intelligent, well read, stay on the CE's and read Goodman and Gillmans, and buy a new PDR every yr. -can your foreign care giver pronounce, say trimethaprim /sulfameththoxazole

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Yes, I as well have major depression, and sadly the only medication that has helped me is hydrocodone- I have a B.A. in Social Work and Sociology, and have studied depression-but not until now do I fully understand what it means to suffer 'crippling depression' -I lost my business to a lightning strike and resulting fire, and am now losing my home, and many days have depression so great and completely beyond my grasp, so that I cannot get out of bed/have no desire in anything, and the only med that helps is vicodin-I wish studies were done to prescribe limited use for those suffering severe depression

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I'd like to ask if anyone has been successful at obtaining an Rx for hydrocodone as an adjunct therapy for treating depression. I have been on nearly every anti-depressant over the course of 25 years. I currently take Lexapro, clonadine and Xanax (the latter two for sleep BC of anxiety). I also exercise regularly, have friends, a fun hobby, etc... Take supplements and eat pretty balanced healthy meals and see a therapist twice a month (not my meds Dr.). Despite this,I still struggle with anxiety and depression at least two -three times a month sometimes for a week or more.
Earlier this year I had a minor surgery and was prescribed norco 10/325. I can only take half BC a full dose makes me nauseated, but I noticed the mood elevating and anti anxiety qualities of just the half dose. Since then I've been taking one half tablet 2-3 times a week if I feel that I'm slipping into depression or anxiety and I don't want to take a Xanax BC of the sedative properties. I realize the new legislation makes it harder to get-- I'm wondering how to talk to my meds Dr. Honeslty without looking like I'm drug seeking -- i do not experience withdrawals or anxiety about not taking it.... In fact I have no problem not taking it for weeks--it's just been so helpful to me in terms of managing my moods and feeling in control of my especially negative emotions that nothing else has been able to do so effectively. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you .

Also, I do have some "chronic pain" -- Arthritis in both knees (will need a replacement in two years, lower back disc degeneration...but I've never asked for pain meds for this as my orthopedic dr. Doesn't like to prescribe opiates for this type of pain situation -- plus again, I feel like then I'm just put there "drug seeking"

Thank you

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I take hydrocodone for my treatment resistant depression-- I have tried every drug combination over the past 25 years. Most success came from taking Adderall and Lexapro -- took some convincing of my dr, but it helped me tremendously for several years and then I noticed the effects started to taper...so I weaned myself off the Adderall (plus there are no long term studies about the effects of Adderall taken by adults long term). Long story short, I was prescribed norco 10/325 for a minor surgery and had a bunch left over, since I can only tolerate half a pill without getting nauseated. I took a half one evening when I was feeling particularly agitated and depressed as well as having a intense back ache not relieved by icing or prescription Motrin...I noticed the mood elevation and feeling of calm and that effect lasted well into the following day. Since then I take a half when I feel that depression and anxiety creeping up on me - as a rule only in the evening and only a half dose. I have been doing this for five months and have felt like even though I know my depression is there, it doesn't cripple me. I also don't feel "addicted" to the Norco- meaning I don't feel physical withdrawals if I decide to not take it. I read recently that opiates were a treatment for depression before the first antidepressants were created. I find them to be a miracle for me -- I am currently trying to figure out a way to speak with my meds Dr. about prescribing them for me under supervision -- I don't know if this will even be possible. The only other resort I would have I guess is to find them on the streets-- which is something I wouldn't even know how to begin to fathom. Good luck to you!!

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So helpful, thank you for sharing. I am also a high functioning productive woman going through menopause and found hydrocodone helps tremendously alleviate my treatment resistant depression which, despite good medications, exercise, eating right, seeing a therapist twice a month and having a healthy lifestyle, seems to creep up on me and suck the life out of me. I don't know how to approach my Dr. about a prescription -- any advice? My thought is to offer being closely monitored by him and my therapist to ensure they know I am not abusing.

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Being without hydrocodone for one month...exactly.....as of today, the depression is still bad. I'm trying ways to relieve it, such as exercise, staying busy and various herbs...however the darkness remains. I have tried an anti depressant that only made me sleep deprived and not wanting to eat anything.Ten days of pure hell until I stopped the med.Anti-depressants are evil as I have tried a few and none worked for me. My advise to anyone is...stay away from hydrocodone.I was useing for 3 yrs. and kept increasing the dosage as my body needed more to get the right feeling.After 3 years I decided that I could not continue and still remain the same person so I decided to give it up for a better life. The depression is unbearable and I honestly wish I would have never got into this horrible habbit.Now I am at the point of doing just about anything justifiable to help me from the depression...it is sooo bad.
I sincerely hope this story helps another in need.

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I definitely feel that hydrocodone is an excellent alleviator of symptoms of depression and anxiety for the appropriate individual. However, using it in this way means that you must be vigilant of the way your body/mind feel when the drug begins to clear your system. You may become a little "edgy", feel like you might "need more" and that's when you must not yield. The effects of opitates are indeed habit forming only if you let them without mindfulness, become that way. Your body will become physiologically addicted in a short period of time (just a few days).

I believe that you can manage treatment resistant depression and anxiety with a combination of things -- one in my rotation, is norco 5/325. I also use a beta-blocker, Clonidine .2mg one to three times daily…usually one time in the afternoon/evening is the best as that is when I notice I am still feeling anxiety rather than the drop in energy most people have when the sunlight begins to wane. Also, Clonidine, for me, really takes the edge off and actually helps more than Xanax -- this is all personal experience. I have been taking Xanax for about 20 years and just taking the Clonidine in the past year -- it's been much better at short-cutting "the loop" that happens in the brain with norepinepherine. I still take the Xanax for sleep, but haven't increased my dose in the time I've started taking Clonidine -- which is great. ALSO, Clonidine helps with the effects of the opiates leaving your system…there is a great article regarding therapeutic off label use of clonidine for withdrawal from many substances.

Back to the opiates: I do believe they have helped me tremendously in managing my debilitating depression, but I also am hyper vigilant in the way I take them. I also exercise regularly, use caffeine sparingly, eat pretty healthy and see a therapist regularly and take my lexapro as directed. What I'll share about my ten year relationship with Lexapro is that now I cannot get off of it without vertigo like symptoms -- even at a very, very tapered dose over a month. So, I think that of all the "addictive" drugs out there -- wow, never thought it would be the Lexapro! Anyway, not a rant..

Bottom line: I feel like at almost 50 with half my life in and out of treatment for major depression: I know myself, I know what works and I am in control of how I feel - and when I can't control it, meaning that dreaded heaviness creeps up on me, I can help myself. If I need something to help me, I can take that. If I don't need it, I don't take it (meaning the norco), but everything else I keep taking and doing (exercise, etc…) -- the norco is for when it's difficult. I would very much appreciate being able to be honest with a Dr. about what works for me without feeling like I'm drug seeking -- however, isn't it ironic you can get as much Lexapro as you'd like and over time, you may be addicted to that...

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I agree with you…in the way you take it for yourself.

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Absolutely correct. Pain medication gets rid of depression in an hour. Can't get it though.

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You are so right...stopping the drug as I did after 3 years, left me in such a bad depression and it has taken months to get normal again. I'm now on Zoloft to help me feel better. Fortunately it is working. I will never use hydrocodone again, as much as I liked it, I can honestly say it was pure hell getting off of it. I suffered kidney problems after the long use and also not sleeping at night. I would drink wine to help me get some sleep. I knew that something had to give. Now I've been free from it for 4 months and can say that I will not touch this drug again.

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I agree with you regarding finding out why you're in pain to begin with. I take 1/4 of a 10/325 1x day AFTER all NSAID's have failed. It relieves the pain and the depression that comes along with it...I don't find myself "craving" it or needing to increase from the 1/4 tablet. I've been treating myself this way for about a year...no increase in using the norco in terms of quantity.
Recently though I visited my orthopedic Dr. and he prescribed a Medrol 4mg pack to reduce inflammation as I was experiencing radiopathy down my right arm. This was a big break through for me in terms of the opiate use. Steroids do make you feel pretty good, but with significant side effects after a few days.
After 6hrs my nerve pain and body aches were gone - and after 24 hours I didn't need to take anything for discomfort and found myself not even wanting to take my normal 1/4 norco and when I did, it didn't have the same effect - I actually felt a little sick. After tapering off the steroids, my pain returned in about 2 weeks.
It was interesting to feel a pain free body and to feel free even for one week of NSAID's and opiates. I didn't realize how much inflammation I had and how much the discomfort really affected my day to day mood --even when I thought I was in a good mood, I was still feeling a bit crummy and had just gotten used to it over time. But steroids do give you a bit of a false sense of feeling good early on, so it's hard to tell there were a lot of things in the mix. Opiates, too can give you a false sense of well being -- but I truly believe that you can "know that" and still experience the benefits of them and not increase your dose - just using your awareness is sometimes enough. I find that I do feel much, much better like an old version of me 20 years ago and that's what I enjoy -- the me I've always wanted to be and can be -- discomfort and depression are robbers of life --

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Hi I take Hydrocodone for pain relief. I have arthritis, lowerback pain, mingraines daily, I will never be pain free but when my pain is relieved I feel emotionally better. I Can cope with my job better and I can get through my day. I do not abuse the drug, I am very aware of what helps me and when. There are times I just use Ibrubrofen. Sometimes nothing will help and I just dont take any more of anything. I know my body and I do not want to become addicted on pain relievers. I sometimes force myself to get up and just do something to move. I think you have to do multiple things to relieve depression. Find out what makes you happy and get moving, If you have an addictive personality you may not be able to control how much you take. It is very important to be true to yourself. You want to live a long happy life and have a good one. Some people will never have that because of drugs so be careful of what you take and always talk truthfully to your doctor. Good Luck

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I also feel great when I take a pain pill. I also take antidepressants, just to let you know, I suffer with clinical depression. My psychiatrist told me that people are born with opiates in their brains. Some of us are born with less than other people which defines the way we feel. If you take hydrocodone, it is an opiate, and makes up for your lack of opiates in your brain therefore alleviating your depression and making you feel good. Only problem is the addiction and the fact that you have to continue to up the dosage.

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I take Wellbutrin for depression supplemented by L-Methylfolate, which is actually a special kind of folic acid that helps the Wellbutrin work more effectively, according to my doctor.

I was taking HYDROCODONE for pain after having an operation and found that it absolutely can be helpful. For depression I take one tablet and it works like a charm. I only take it, however, when I am REALLY feeling bad.

I would say that anyone with an addictive personality (alcohol, gambling, etc.) should exercise extreme caution in deciding whether to ask a doctor for a prescription for this medication. I think that there is more danger of becoming habituated to it than physically addicted

Many doctors here in NY are leery of
writing an Rx for Vicodin because last year a few unscrupulous doctors were busted for writing a lot of prescriptions (for cash) for opiate drugs and the state government has been scrutinizing doctors who write prescriptions for these meds.

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Just a quick Yes to your question! ! I have chronic issues that cause discomfort.. the hydro definitely help , however I think its only because they are bringing pain level to a managable spot..

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Have severe anxiety take slprazolam .5
It calms me. Hours
Hydrocodone relieves pain from spinal stenosis
And makes me feel happy
Been suffering from gad for 15 years
It's horrible panic attacks
Anyway hydrocodone wirks well but also afraid of addiction
I'm just careful

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I am not a doctor so this is not medical advice only free information: centuries ago opiates were considered Hul Gil -God's Gift to Man. They were also the first all natural antidepressant. Opiates were deemed dangerous because fair skinned, blue eyed, flaxen haired women took up with negroes and chinamen. You can come to your own conclusion but IMHO opiates should be otc at Walmart. Also some of us who are considered 'treatment resistant' to antidepressants are actually endogenous deficient and should be able to take them as any other nutrient or vitamin.

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