Taking Hydrocodone For Depression (Page 3)
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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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Re: Broken again (# 467)

Sorry for your pain! The opioid epidemic has been around a lot longer than Trump and doctors/patients have been struggling the past 5 years....

With that said, sure you feel great for now but as science has proven it does not last. You will need bigger & bigger doses to get the same feeling and when you don't you will be sick. Then the really bad depression kicks in...then you start looking to the streets so you can "feel normal", etc...

This is how the story goes...you will NEVER get opiates to treat depression. Try medicinal cannabis as it helped me tremendously! Good luck bro!!

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I have had major depression and anxiety problems when a series of events happened all at once. My hero and best friend (my father) lost his battle to Cancer, our son was born with Cerebral Palsy a debilitating condition that has effectively made our son a quadriplegic & I lost all three of my businesses. They have given me every anti-depressant/anxiety med known to man with little, to no, effectiveness for either. It got so bad I literally stayed in my room for 5 months with little interactions with any of my 3 children or my wife. I eventually went 5150 with an attempt on my life as I saw no hope for my situation.

I was an ex-professional football player so I have serious back, shoulder (I just had total shoulder replacement surgery) and knee problems. I received a script for Norco for my various pain issues and let me tell you, A SWITCH went off in my brain and for the first time in a very long time, there was HOPE! Within a week I was working again and very motivated promoting very quickly at my job, I was spending a lot of time with my children and wife & felt normal again. I don’t know why or how this works for me but it absolutely does and has worked for the last 5 years. No depression or anxiety whatsoever and the overall quality of life was fantastic!

Fast forward now to Donald Trump's “Opioid Epidemic” my doctors completely cut off my meds and am circling the drain again. My life is completely unmanageable! Hope lost again, family life nonexistent, lost my job & to be honest just feel like tapping out again.

They say an addiction is any substance that negatively affects your life in all facets; but is it an addiction if when consumed it absolutely positively increases the quality of your life in all facets? Family life is great, work is amazing, but most importantly I have the ability to love myself again.

Thoughts?

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Re: Chiara (# 465)

Oh I do agree with everything you have said! I've tried many meds and took Vicodin for neck pain. I realized that I had a positive thinking pattern instead of negative thinking. I'm productive.

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I am taking them and OMG my life has changed drastically! I can cope, I am happy and don't sit and stare at the TV! I am trying to find a Dr that will prescribe them to me! No one will convince me Not to take them. I would rather live a shorter life happy, than having to live longer Miserable! Amen

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Re: Redd9966 (# 462)


They are phasing opioids out for pain, they most certainly will not look into prescribing them for depression....sorry.

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Re: Redd9966 (# 462)

I use it when I can, save extra leftovers from the dentist/doctor for low points and use it to keep a dip from turning into a RUT. I wonder what the cash cost difference is between hydrocodone vs. xanax or klonopin & prozac, wellbutrin, or lexapro... since you almost always need both to fend off what hydrocodone does. Hey, I think I just came up with a little project...

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I totally agree I suffer from crack lumbar and a cost on my spine and prescribe hydrocodone but before that I suffered from depression phyc meds only make you sleepy are suicidal to me but the hydro gives you feelings of being worthy a sense of happiness I wish dr would look into opiate more for depression

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Re: Nicole (# 457)

Wow!! What an EXCELLENT, well worded post!..I have tried Valarian for anxiety, but found that it didn't really help. It also made me very short tempered, "snappy".Etc. If you know of anything that may help, then please share! Lol....Have a great day and thank you for your most informative post, H....

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I've noticed the same thing; it's almost like a mood elevator and seems to give me more energy; is that possible.....I think too, their should be further studies on this drug as far as the "good" side effects.......

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Yes, I do agree and xanax and all the anti-depressants out there are also very addictive. I was recently given the Fentanyl patch and had bad side affects but they told me that was normal for a new drug because my body was not used to it. I had taken it for almost 2 months and was not happy and then all of a sudden I started to feel so so good!! Not having any side affects now and it makes me happy.

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Re: Butter (# 439)

I am sure of it. Insurance companies are going to want to limit our access to all meds, and health care regardless of need due to cost. Especially when there isn't a watch dog standing on guard. Make America Great! *sarcasm*

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Re: Edison (# 454)

I am using a mix of useless Wellbutrin, sometimes effective garcinia combogia, exercise when I feel good enough to get it, vacations when I can afford, reasoning to get me through to the next stage, rotating melatonin/valerian root/tylenol pm for sleep, 5-HTP I'm hoping helps, but not confident it's doing much more than a placebo.. a well-balanced diet and stress eliminators (I refuse to allow negativity in, I limit news exposure and expose myself to only positive people as much as possible). I still have big, bad, ruts. I am far from an addict, I wean myself off any and all meds I am prescribed to take and take only the lowest amount I feel I need to be free from pain, etc. I've had many legitimate reasons (broken bones) for needing the meds and have been offered stronger meds, but again, prefer the "weaker" stuff over anything stronger. A little hydrocodone on an as needed basis has done much more for me and less side effects than xanax or klonopin, which my pcp is much more willing to prescribe!

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Re: ISE (# 455)

Of course, there is an addiction that comes along with hydrocodone, there also is an addiction with coffee, soda, alcohol, cigarettes, fats, sugars, salt ... almost anything ... and every single one of them are difficult to get off of. Being addicted to milder opioids (tramadol/hydrocodone) is not the tragedy many would have you believe. In the near 10 years I've taken them, there have been times when I've had to stop them temporarily. For me, that meant about 3 days withdrawal aches and pains, then it was over. I understand others may be different and it affect them more .... or possibly less that me, but, at least for me, the benefits far exceed the risks. Don't mistake me. I know there is a very real crisis with opioid deaths. But, making them hard to get for people that suffer complex issues is not the answer.

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Re: George (# 425)

Well, since this post started, Hydocodone went from a Schedule Class 3 to a Class 2 & 3 drug in 2014/2015, so I do NOT see it being changed to a more lenient easier drug to get. I think you need to look at different options.... the DEA & gov't is looking at our country as a whole and there has been an epidemic/increase of prescription-related deaths. Red flags are being set off which is why Drs do not want to prescribe opioids. There is ZERO scope for a Psychiatrist to give that in their field. Vicodin [brand]/Hydrocodone [generic] is the script most surgeons give their patients after surgery. So say you go for a surgery & the surgeon first tells you I am going to need you to stop it for 2 weeks before I do any surgery because the pain meds will not be effective -then what? I had to wean off 3 medications for foot surgery so my meds would work. However, listening to some of these posts it sounds like when each of you say, "you aren't an addict or addicted", it is the opposite. The moment you say you need it, you are! Whether you are on 5mg or 30+mg. The opioid is not refillable like it used to be which is why it can be "to soon to fill".

So besides CBD Oil [which doesn't make you high], there's a Medicinal Marijuana Card.

Just read that IF people want to try there are other options that may help with depression and pain and now with possible withdrawal.. the FDA & DEA were thinking of banning this, but as of now it is a solid alternative. I've seen it at WalMart & Whole Foods, etc.. It is called Kratom. It works like an opiate too - looks similar to marijuana - eat it, smoke, tea, etc...

Source: "Benefits of Kratom Are More Legitimate Than the Fears", nytimes.com. Web. October 19th, 2016.

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Re: Nicole (# 444)

I'm with you, Nicole. People with depression aren't automatically good candidates for addiction. We just need relief from a kind of pain no one should have to live with. Pain is pain. I just want something to lift the moment-by-moment management of the nausea and anxiety and sadness that takes over the best and healthiest parts of who I am,

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Re: Mitch (# 450)

Well, I was initially put on SSDI for depression / anxiety & I already had auto immune disease problems that include debilitating pain and was given opioids but not for depression both psychiatrist and other doctors when I mention this say absolutely NO WAY!! I was getting my meds from a Rheumatologist before my Pain Management Dr left my insurance network. Neither PCP NOR my Rheumatologist will fill opioid meds. Government is cracking that whip making it harder for people IN PAIN to get it. To many prescription deaths and abuse which is why they are. Legalizing CBD oil and making medicinal marijuana easier too get. CBD Oil & Depression is a great alternative and it doesn't make you high.

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Re: Mitch (# 450)

I find it interesting that anyone would disagree with my position. It only tells me that they do not suffer permanent pain. So, they can't relate and just think opioids are bad and it doesn't matter what you suffer, you need to get off opioids. It tells me that they would prefer you become a suicide risk rather than free yourself from pain, physical or mental, with opioids. Many years ago, I suffered depression and entertained the thought of suicide, but since I started taking hydrocodone, depression, as well as the thought of suicide, have become a distant memory.

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Re: ISE (# 446)

"Is it ok to have a few drinks and take hydrocodone 5/325? I drank, but my back is killing me and my neck is stiff as hell!!" ~Meesh

Are you asking a real serious question here?? Do me a favor, take out your prescription bottle for hydrocodone and read the warning label and/or directions written by your Doc.
My meds from pain management say in caps DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES WHILE TAKING THIS MEDICINE. As well as put in the directions.
Did you ask your Pharmacist when you picked up your medicine? They should've gone through all of that during pick up."

Ok, 2 votes down NOT 1 person voted that response UP. I would love to know why people think it is a good idea to drink and take opiates at the same time when the label on their prescription bottle says , ( in caps "DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES WHILE TAKING THIS MEDICINE ." " MAY CAUSE DROWSINESS ALCOHOL INTENSIFIES THIS EFFECT USE CAUTION. TAKING MORE THAN RECOMMENDED MAY CAUSE BREATHING PROBLEMS. DO NOT TAKE OR GIVE PRESCRIPTIONS THAT ARE NOT IN YOUR NAME. CONTAINS ACETAMINOPHEN WATCH OUT FOR TOXIC LEVELS IN OTHER OTC PRODUCTS CONTAINING ACETAMINOPHEN.
SCHEDULE CLASS 2 DRUG

There are complete identifying descriptions on labels now as well.

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Rather than making certain opioids harder to get on a long-term basis for people that suffer complex pain or depression issues, the government needs to start an education program about the risks of abuse. I don't think I've seen one advertisement talk about the risks of abuse, but they are all over the place about abuse of alcohol & cigarettes. Also, almost every medicine advertised today comes with a litany of deadly warnings about the risk of said medicine. Speaking for myself, I've tried at least 2 different anti-depressants, Paxil & Lexapro, and neither were anywhere near as effective as hydrocodone and to this point, my doctor has prescribed them for me. But now, he says that he is getting too much pressure from government regulators to cut down. The people that end up dying are the people that do dumb things ... like take too many at one time or mix them with other drugs. Those people that do that are the ones that are most at risk for abusing it, not people in real pain that have tried other treatments that didn't work. If you remove someone's medical treatment that absolutely works for their complex pain and/or depression issues, you are absolutely reducing their ability live a life free of pain and possibly, even their lifespan. If you agree, contact your Congressman now. We have to speak up or our hope of living the rest of our life pain-free will be taken away from us.

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Like many of you, I was first prescribed hydocodone for pain and found that it stopped a depression relapse dead in its tracks. I was blown away by this and stayed on it for a few days--until I was back to feeling normal. I've done this 3 or times since 2013, and each time, it has stopped a dip from turning into a dive.
When I told my internist about this, she said it made sense. She explained that for efficiency-sake, the brain evolved just one neural pathway to transmit all types of pain, mental or physical. So blocking the pain signals to treat physical pain will also block the pain signals for mental pain. Nothing stops depression before it snowballs like Vicodin. I just wish it were available for this use. I have no interest in abusing it, but I don't want to have another 2-yr episode of depression ever again. Let me know if you find a legal way to get it when you need it.

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