depression - Pain Management Message Board

momofsix · 04-04-2004, 07:47 AM

I am suffering with chronic nerve pain and have been trying various anti-seizure meds to see if they can give me relief (ie Neurontin, tegretol, lamactil). I am also on oxycontin. So far, I have had no success, but the one thing I seem to have experienced with each anti-seizure med is extreme depression. I am now just at the starting dose of Lamactil (1 week now), and once again I have experienced a terrible slide into deep depression. I don't think it's the oxycontin, because in between trying the different anti-seizure meds I go for several weeks on oxycontin alone, and do not feel the same depression. Has anyone else experienced this with these meds? What do I do? Does this kind of thing straighten itself out with time as you become adjusted to the meds?

Kissa · 04-04-2004, 09:54 AM

It might be possible that it is related to your medications however, it is also entirely possible you are depressed to begin with and these types of medications exacurbate the problem and when on oxy alone you just don't notice it.
Depression with chronic pain is completetly normal and the hard part about it is the more you are depressed the more you hurt, and the more you hurt the more you become depressed, its a vicious cycle.
It may not hurt to be put on an anti-depressant to combat the side effects of the siezure medications and any depression you may have but really may not be aware of.

Ironically, Lamactil is now FDA approved to treat Manic Depression and seasonal depression. My husband takes if for the seasonal and it has actually made a huge difference in his life. Prior to being on it he would go through bouts of depression 3 or 4 times a year that would last about 6 weeks it was terrible, so in addition to the medication he takes already he also takes Lamictal.

I would certainly talk to your doctor about it as well as give it some time.