I have been wondering about asking my pain doctor to prescribe an anti-depressant to help with pain?

3 Mar 2011

Years ago, my significant other went on Lorazepam for anxiety and depression. One of its' side effects is effective pain relief, or so he's discovered. (He has an injured disc in his lower back.) Another one is it makes a great sleeping pill. (He used to toss and turn from anxiety and stress, reliving the day, or his 'to-do' list.)

Lorazepam is highly addictive and strictly controlled, so you might have a difficult time getting it, but if all else fails, it might be worth pursuing. I have been on antidepressants my entire life. As an antidepressant, some work for me, and others don't. It depends on individual chemistry. As a pain killer, I have yet to find an antidepressant that will do double-duty for me. =(

I've never tried Lorazepam myself, and my doctor won't give it to me. If you choose to try it, I wish you much success, but always use as little as possible. My s/o breaks his tabs in half, and they still do the trick. Good luck!

3 Mar 2011

if you take those meds how can you think the anti depressant is a pain killer... i would recommend talking to your family (practisioner/ pain clinic) they may suggest marijawana because from what i know of weed it kills the pain and while im high i dont care if other things are around me so it covers both issues you were talking about... and with the green card it is leagal but i would ask them alot of question before getting the card... (may cause issues from the public) just cuz its leagal dont mean it still has no repurcusions from out siders.

example:
freind of court if you have kids might like to know that (repercusion possable).

3 Mar 2011

Hey DzooBaby,

The first ones that come to my mind are the ones you already tried like Cymbalta, Lyrica and gabapentin. The others that come to mind are old style antidepressants called tricyclics such as amitriptyline or nortriptyline. Another one that may be of use is Savella, it is used for fibromyalgia patients.

Plug these three suggestions into the drug finder or google them and see what you think.

Hope this helps,

Laurie

3 Mar 2011

Hi I know people it has helped but if it was me I would just try to deal with it . I am weening off Effexor right now and it is not fun. If your doctor feels that some drug would help and you can't deal with the pain than I guess you would have to go on something. All I can say is ask questions remember it is your body these medications are going into. If I had known how bad it would be to ween myself off of effexor I would of not taken it.

3 Mar 2011

Vincent 905 I totally agree with you, these drugs are ok when you go on them but trying to come of some of them can be horrible. Not long ago I came of some strong meds and so glad I did, although I do have more pain but it outways how clear I am thinking now and much stronger being able to say no to things I don't want to be on.
So Dzoobaby good luck with finding pain relief, one thing I am trying is accupuncture which I haven't tried before. I was trying it for my Migraines, I have only had 3 sessions but have been told if after 6 I have no change it probably wont work. But it should help with my chronic pain down the road, Just a thought!!!

4 Mar 2011

4 Mar 2011

Not really, I as you know am on celexa/klonopin, I have felt many a relief in so many areas since being on these meds but as for pain it is a trial and error thing, and as the medical association, fda, and pharmacists alike crack down on the prescrib of many medications for fear of overdose or addiction it is a small war within itself... chronic back pain sufferer, neck pain and now left arm for the past 3 days... alot of stiffness... use alot of heat compresses, baths, and low, low, impact excercise for the meantime... I have not been on any pain med's now for almost 2 years now but don't know how long I can endure... speak with your med professional and see what they say... but as for this psych med being good for pain I can't say I see much diff in that area other than less headaches... blaze22

4 Mar 2011

I have been prescribed fluoxetine and bupropion which are both anti depressants, for my migraines. I finally have the dosing right for me and it is helping me substantially!

22 Sep 2011

I had a terrible time on and then getting off-codeine and the tramadol and then was on a low dose of amiltriptilyne (yes,I did get that spelling wrong ) for over a year and have just started Lyrica whilst still on the amiltriptilyne. The amiltriptilyne works for me better then any of the other medications and I would like to get back to just that.

22 Sep 2011

@Brendafain, i would not suggest anyone that is faint of heart to get on fentanyl patches unless u plan on being on it for the rest of ur life. I was on it for 2 years and was sick (throwing up constantly) for 3 months straight and lost 30lbs. I was taken off it 4 months ago, it was one of the most nightmarish experience ever!!! Leg cramps, chills non stop, could not be touched, felt roots of every piece of my hair, extremely sensitive to light, sound, touch, feel, etc... be very careful if u choose this path bc any adjustment in dosage will affect u greatly.

23 Sep 2011

DzooBaby

ive been on these types of meds for years, trying one after another for help with pain. the only type of pain one of my meds has helped with is migraines and i still take it.

24 Sep 2011

Cymbalta and its side effects it had upon my wife was disastrous. There was a rapid down ward spiral into a hallucinogenic world. I had a hard time controlling her actions and finally got her to stop taking it. She ended up in the hospital for lots of reactions that were not real. Cat scans, blood tests
psychological testing, lasted for three days until she returned to her self skinnier, beaten down, wore out. She replaced Cymbalta with Lyrica, which seems to be working for her. I personally have just used Lyrica with very little effect either way. I use morphine sulfate, 30 mg; 4 times per day.
And while it does provide some unwanted side effects, it tends to take away most pain for me.

10 Nov 2011

Yes, I think any untried path is worth a try when dealing with pain--in my case extreme migraines 24/7 after a major stroke. An anti-depressant helped me. There are many other treatments as well, e.g. nerve block injections and Botox injections which have helped me a lot. The first dose of the Botox didn't help me at all. But the second time when the doctor increased the dose to 200 units did help me. Also an herbal medicine called Petadolex which is butterburr root has helped me. And also a transdermal gel stops most of my headaches from becoming worse which saves me from the heavy pain killers.

Good luck with it all.

12 Nov 2011

30 Dec 2011

I have the hand edema, and now wonder from you question if that might be a contributing factor. They hurt! I tried Tramadol for pain, but he prescribed such a lose dose. The neurolgoist that is. Even my primary doctor said it was like a drop in the ocean. He used more colorful words, but same effect. Anyway, the Tramadol around 150mg helps. I also have Ativan for anxiety. They all contribute. Cymbalta didn't touch my pain and discomfort. Not sure what I'd suggest. I've tried the Gabapentin/Neurontin routine, with vague results. Good luck. I'd like to know if/when you find help. Guess I'm not the one to do that, but perhaps we can both benefit. :) ~MJ~