Re: anti-depressants for chronic pain???

October 25, 2002

My sister has chronic pain (the latest doctor has diagnosed fibro) and she takes

Zoloft. She has no support from her husband or kids so it helps her function.

Without it, she cries at the drop of a hat. It also seems to help with her

energy level. But sometimes when you feel good mentally, it affects you

physically. I wouldn't think twice about taking an antidepressant if it helped.

Take care,

October 25, 2002

Lynne, some physicians do prescribe antidepressants for chronic pain.

There are many ways to manage chronic pain. The strategy used for pain

management depends on, among other things, the nature of your pain and

the training, judgment, and experience of your doctor.

Before taking Effexor (venlafaxine), especially since you are hesitant,

you should read a lot about it so that you can make a more informed

decision. For starters:

Prescribing information on Effexor (venlafaxine) from RxList.com:

Effexor side-effects from About.com:

Have you taken Vicodin before? Is it effective for you? Why is your

physician opposed to your taking it?

" Treatment of Nonmalignant Chronic Pain " :

" Adjunctive Agents in the Treatment of Chronic Pain " :

" Using Opioid Analgesics to Manage Noncancer Pain in Primary Care " :

" Chronic Pain, Depression and Antidepressants: Issues and

Relationships " :

[ ] anti-depressants for chronic pain???

> Good morning, I was wondering if others of you have been put on

> Effexor (or other anti-depressant) for chronic pain? When the

> family dr. suggested I try it, I told him I wasn't depressed... he

> said it's also used for chronic pain. I'm not too keen on taking it,

> but he'd rather have me on that, he says, than Vicodin for the

> constant pain. Thanks! Trust you each have a good day :-)

> Lynne

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