antidepressants? - Pain Management Message Board

mshatch · 05-22-2007, 10:44 AM

Hi Everyone
I wanted to ask the people here who also take antidepressants if they affect you in a positive or negative way. The reason I am asking is because my md put me on lexapro and when I take it with my other meds I think it has a bad affect. I could be wrong though thats why I am asking you all. I currently take Norco 10, Soma, Ativan, Trazadone, and lexapro. I have been on antidepressants almost my whole life and I never had one put me into a drowsy state like this one. Maybe its a different type of drug than the other types. I started taking it with my morning meds and it made me real loopy. I decided to start taking it mid day to see if there would be a difference and there was a big difference. I guess im just trying to understand this med and if it interacts with other meds. Any help with this or if you could tell me about your experiences with antidepressants would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
mshatch

RetiredDirector · 05-22-2007, 12:01 PM

Hi mshatch....I have been on Lexapro for several years, which seems to be the norm for CP people. Their doctors add the antidepressant with the pain meds as part of the total package. I guess they must feel if you're have CP you'll get depressed too.

I started on 10 mg and now take the 20 mg dose the past two years or so. I take it in the morning first thing with the rest of my meds. I haven't noticed any adverse effects from it, that I can think of right now. My wife still works, so after she leaves for work, I eat breakfast and then feel sleepy, so I most days will take a short nap. I'm not sure if this is from the medication or not. I can't say I feel "loopy" in the mornings, like you describe.

Maybe the best thing for you to do is to take it mid-mornings like you did or wait and see if it gets better after you have taken it for a couple weeks, assuming you just started it.

mshatch · 05-23-2007, 10:58 AM

hi director
Thanks for the advice and also for letting me know how lexapro works for you. I love getting the scoop from people who have been there. I was really kinda scared about the lexapro but I now take it mid morning and at night. I was rxed 10mg 2x's a day. I really appreciate your input. Thanks bunches.

mshatch

johnny4 · 05-31-2007, 12:29 PM

Hi mshatch,

I also take lexapro with my pain meds (MS contin) and have the same problem - loopy and sedated. I tried cutting the 10 mg lexapro in half and then cutting it out altogether to see what happens. I feel more alert without it, but I feel like the depression or mood swings get worse if I am off the lexapro. If I may ask, do you work? The reason I ask is that I had a breakdown and had to leave my job of 20 years. I am trying to find a job now, but sometimes I feel so sedated that I don't know if I can function well enough to do a normal job. For the first half of the day I feel like I have to will myself along in order to do anything.

Hope you are doing better.

Johnny4

were2alike · 06-02-2007, 11:39 PM

Hello an yes I take antideprresant but not for depression I take it for pain and its called nortriptyline 75mg daily and if I miss a dose I sure will feel awful. I also take motrin 800 and gabapatin its a generic for neurontin. but I still have pain but with out the medication I wont be able to work or do my house chores.