Taking Hydrocodone For Depression (Page 8) (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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Shari,

That is merely your perception of reality since hydrocodone effects the part of the brain that reduces stress there by allowing one to feel less inhibited thereby given the user that sensation.Many times following opiate cessation they begin to see in reality they produced no increased focus.I wouldn't reccomend add/ adhd type meds but at least they clinically support increased focus and function but at least they have a medicinal indication for what some hydro users attribute to its use of repeated hydrocodone usage.
At the end of the day Vicodin can be a life enhancing med. for those where all other therapies have failed to address adequate pain control but certainly not for any use short of those situations or acute short term pain relief.

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I, too have found hydrocodone makes me feel NORMAL where as any other antidepressant does nothing to diminish my symptoms.
Has anyone found a way to mimic the effects of hydrocodone since doctors are stingy with their prescriptions?
Also, I am going to appeal to some pharmaceutical companies and ask if they will do research and come up with a depression- grade version so we can finally have relief and not feel like criminals in order to have LIFE again.

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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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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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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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I asked my psychiatrist, since we know that oxycodone as well as certain illicit drugs boosts dopamine. Why isn’t a dopamine enhancer prescribed instead of antidepressants? He said, “That’s a good question.” Duh...

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Yes it does help, but not as well as the Darvocet did me for years and years... when they pulled it off the mkt, my depression returned, depression isn't a good feeling... period... Hydocondrone does help but not near as much. one of the most important thing is the ability to get up and do my chores, and do things i enjoy... the pain of joints falling apart will glue you to the chair, the pain of just getting up is so bad, but with the pain meds.. that isn't as bad and life is easier.. 68 years old, pain meds isn't going to be the end of the world, just makes it easier to enjoy old age.. I never got addicted to Darvocet, i had bottles backed up but it was wonderful when you had mowing, hard cleaning, etc. to have the help of a pain med..

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Dear halfshellie,

I am in total agreement with you. I was diagnosed with PTSD, panic attacks and depression over 10 yrs ago. I take clonezapam, buspirone, venlafaxine. I started taking hydrocodone (10/325) a few yrs. ago for ankle/back pain (pins in ankle). I have noticed the changes of my mental state since then. My dosage of the other meds have even decreased. Went from taking 6 mg daily to 1 mg a day of my clonezapam.
A website would b great showing that there are other medications to help with depression/mental disorders. Instead of taking 4-5 different meds, I only need to take .05 clonezapm a day and reduced my other meds. I plan on talking to my therapist about this.

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@halfshellie,

Have u started the website and if so, what is the name? I also wanted to add that taking my antidepressants always make me tired and sleepy but when I take my hydrocodone it does not. I never take more than what I am prescribed and sometimes less. I understand when u say it helps u feel normal and not depressed. For me instead of feeling overwhelmed or anxious, I do feel like I can handle life. That is the best way for me to describe it.

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I found Hydrocodone extremely helpful in recovering from a severe depressive episode. For me, it is extremely constipating, so I'm not attracted to using it routinely. I happened to have some left over from when I had lower back pain. But it is used up now. I'm afraid to ask any doctor to let me have a small amount of hydrocodone for relief from severe depression.
I think it is wrong that someone like myself, with no history of substance abuse, cannot have this available as a tool to arrest severe downward spirals. But I wouldn't even have the temerity to ask a doctor to give me a prescription. I don't think that the doctor would be able to legally do this. I have heard of some depressives receiving opiates for depression relief in special studies. I wish I could be allowed that.

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I appreciate the posts explaining how hydrocodone is able to relieve depressive symptoms. I'm trying to get up the nerve to discuss this with a doctor. I'm having an awful time with depression. A friend offers me hydrocodone, but I don't want it, unless I can get my own prescription.

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I totally agree. I was prescribed a cough syrup with hydrocodone and my depression and anxiety completely went away when I would take it. I am going to talk to my Dr. about perhaps putting me on a program with hydrocodone. I doubt he will though as I heard it is addictive and a controlled substance. If I could take this every day, I could give up all the other meds they have me on.

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Hi Halfshellie, I've been reading up on your posts. While over the past few months, I have had 4 surgeries. I am seeing a pain management doctor and have been weened off of dilaudid thankfully. I am currently on hyrocodone 10/325 x 5 per day. I do have good days in regards to no or little pain. So I do not take the medication. However, I know that my depression that I have suffered with for the past 15 to 20 years comes back. I have tried probably 12 to 15 different depression medication. Nothing has ever worked. So, I tried taking a hydrocodone and it has helped with my depression. I am allowed to take up to 5 hydrocodones a day. If I do not need to take it in regards to having pain, such as on a good day, I will take two pills a day as my depression sinks in very quickly and very deeply. Even before I had my first hydrocodone nothing worked. I at first did experience a euphoria at first. However I do not anymore. However, while I am allowed 5 pills a day, if I don't need them I don't take them. However I will take 1 10/325 hydrocodone twice a day and that helps me out with my depression and lasts.
I work in the IT field. I noticed you stated in your post that you are having trouble with the web editor. I would love to help you with getting this site up as I have experience in this area. Please let me know if you want help.

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I first started taking hydrocodone for a spinal fusion as result of an accident. I only used it for the recovery period of the surgery. Now years later, I have such bad pain and arthritis in my back my Dr prescribes hydocodone again for me. I am prescribed a 5mg and i break that in half. I take 2.g mgs around 10:30 am and the other half at bedtime. I never want more it dulls the pain and as a bonus , I no longer have to deal with depression. Maybe I'm heading down the path but I feel safe with this plan.

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I started this discussion. i am the one who had the spinal fusion and have residual pain. I am still taking 2.5 mg of hydrocodone at 10:30 a. m. and another 2.5 at bedtime. I don't have much back pain, although some, as long as I take my meds. I also take one 10 mg celebrex at bedtime for arthritis, inflammation.

My mood is elevated somewhat when I take the hydrocodone and I feel like participating in life. I've always struggled with sadness and lack of enthusiasm, in varying degrees. I'm a better Mom, wife and friend when I feel a little joy.

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To Donna and Tony--

Simply not true. I have severe lower back pain, have taken hydrocodone (and previously oxycodone) for eight years now, no more than 3/day with several off-days between 3-day periods. It's not an artificial high, folks, it's the "What was that all about?" feeling when depression lifts. Almost all the reviews on this page suggest that we haven't yet done the relevant research on the potential of medications not originally designed as antidepressants. So no preaching, please. Depressives aren't just people who should do more yoga, and a positive response to an off-label medication isn't necessarily a "high."

I'm officially a treatment-resistant depressive: my diagnosis after 28 years with an excellent psychiatrist who has tried a huge number of antidepressants and bipolar medications, singly and in combination. No matter what I was taking, the depression would come up like a shark to chew at me for weeks at a time, and I was never wholly free or secure. With my intermittent doses of hydrocodone I'm generally balanced, able to ward off the worst attacks of a chemically weird psyche. (Depression runs through the four generations of my family that I know about.) And by the way, the pain is manageable too.

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This is an update:

This drug as much as it helped my depression had one fall back. Suicidal processes take control this is a dangerous drug to have around. I would recommend having this drug under a friends control or locked up. I attempted suicide using this drug and was very lucky to be here writing this. Losing a child and finding him dead is a NASTY combination. PTSD ownes my life and I am not curable of it. This is after many professionals have looked at me and ALL have said this.

Hydro did great for lifting the fog and density of depression. Just be careful.

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Hello Rita,

You are definitely not alone!

I recently told my primary care physician that I was taking more of the Hydrocodone that was prescribed for me. I told him that I felt like I was losing control with the Hydrocodone (which I was). Because I know that I have become addicted to it, I had to tell him the truth.

Going back to the beginning: My primary care physician prescribed Hydrocodone for chronic pain. I have been to 30 different specialists for every type of MRI, CAT Scan, bone, scan, blood test, etc. I have tried every type of medication you can imagine. Hydrocodone worked/works the best for pain. However, I had no clue I could become so easily addicted to it. It seems to obliterate any depression or anxiety, as well. With that said . . .

When I told my primary care physician my problem with Hydrocodone, his response was so unbelievably supportive! He told me that studies show that if a random group of people were given an opiate drug, 1/4 of them would become addicted to it!!! He said some people are simply born with certain brain chemistry that is prone to opiate addiction or alcohol addiction, etc. For example, some individuals have brain chemistry that lacks certain levels of serotonin or dopamine or too much or too little P Source. So, when the brain is fed an opiate, for instance, it produces an elevated mood. This is why you feel "normal" when you take your Loritab. This is why I feel normal when I take my Hydrocodone.

Further, my doctor continued to explain to me that he has several patients who have told him that opiate based drugs make them feel "normal." My doctor said that addiction stems from biology, not character. While addiction is not something we are all proud of, we shouldn't feel ashamed of it either.

Anyway, my doctor is helping me taper off my Hydrocodone. He has prescribed Buspar (an anti-anxiety) that helps with generalized anxiety and helps with opioid withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Many people claim that Buspar is too weak and does nothing for them. However, I beg to differ. It does help a little, so far. With that said, there are other medications that can help with opiate withdrawal symptoms or help alleviate cravings for opiate based medications. Wellbutrin is one of them.

My point is this: You should be able to tell your doctor like it is. He or she can help you get in control of the Loritab or help you quit all together. Or, he or she can recommend you to a psychiatrist who specializes in addiction, mood disorders, etc. Hence, a psychiatrist can help you by prescribing the appropriate medication that will help aid your desire to decrease or quit Loritab and find the right anti-anxiety medication or anti-depressants.

Remember, you are not alone:)

Feel free to ask any questions. I am sure many of us can help you gain a better understanding of all of this.

Good luck!

Sincerely,

Jasmine

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Hi Cat,

Thanks for providing me with tips for opiate withdrawals. I will research Loperamide!

If you do go the route of opiate pain management, hopefully you can get back on Exalgo. It does sound ideal.

I understand that being depressed over you mother's demise is much harder than dealing with opiate withdrawal (I am sorry to hear that), however in general, how do you deal with opiate withdrawal? Does it make you feel depressed or hopeless?

I just started counseling today so I could get help while tapering slowly off Hydrocodone. My counselor told me the best way to get in control of any type of addiction is to do it slowly, so the brain can "learn" to live without it again. It is not like I am on a high dose of Hydrocodone, but I can't seem to live without it now!

With all that said, it seems that my biggest concern is addiction while your biggest concern is the pain you are suffering from. Or, perhaps, I am wrong.

I do know that if I ever experience chronic pain again the way I have in the past, I wouldn't hesitate to start over again with opiate pain management. It was and is the only "break through" medication that works for pain, period! Thank God for Cymbalta, though!!! If it weren't for Cymbalta, I would be on more opiate based medications.

Thank you for your advice!!

Sincerely,

Jasmine

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I've been on Vicodin 2x- each time my severe depression was alleviated along with severe anxiety. Some people are more susceptible to addiction than others. Of course with many of the newer anti-depressants, you have to be weaned off the medication so you don't have "bad side effects." I would like to see a study of the efficacy of Vicodin as an antidepressant but I doubt our society would be willing. It's already difficult to get a Rx for Vicodin for pain.......I doubt there would be funding for the study of Vicodin as an anti depressant. It has made a BIG difference in my depression/anxiety the 2 times I've been on it for pain.

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