On January 16, 2001 Mary Wade (acbcsrt@kansas.net) wrote:
Antidepressants and chronic pelvic pain---I've learned that doctors will use antidepressants in these situations as pain control. I about ripped my doc apart when he suggested I needed antidepressants...(oh...maybe he was right :)) ..... until he yelled..."time out"...and went on to explain that they are used to treat chronic pain as well. I used Elavil...hated it...BUT had to have it to keep the edge off of the pain. Since my surgery with Drs. Reich and Redan in December, I no longer need pain control meds of any kind. I like THAT very much!
http://www.adhesions.org/forums/ADHESIONS.0101/0163.html
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On January 17, 2001 Kate Murphy (katemm@mindspring.com) wrote:
You are right. Antidepressants can help with pain. I take Celexa which helps quite a bit. It doesn't remove it, but it does lessen pain and also the feeling of hopelessness/helplessness that makes the pain so much worse to manage. I think we immediately think that we are being dismissed as hysterical or depressed when a doctor suggests a psychotropic drug, but this is anything but true.
I have a psychiatrist who specializes in patients with chronic illness. She is my champion, recognizing pain and insisting on finding ways to manage it. I see her a couple of times a year for a "pep talk" to stay focused on what I can do - not what I've had to leave behind.
http://www.adhesions.org/forums/ADHESIONS.0101/0173.html