newbie. Depression medication and back pain

[Paulspoison]

Hello all, my name is paul,52yrsold, I have been dealing with depression most of my adult life. Different ad over the years, I deal with chronic back pain, spinal surgery, numerous spinal epidurals. Doing a job that makes my pain worse. Trying to last 8 years so I can retire at 60. But constant back pain .im losing site of my vision to retire. Heart problems I ended up with a pacemaker. I was doing weightlifting for 20 years, now I pay the price. People don’t realise how mentally draining constant back pain is. Been to a psychologist and psychiatrist who charge crazy fee. Been on different pain meds from palexia, which made depression worse. Pain medication for 15 years. And many different anti depressants. I have just started back on two medications for nerve pain. Was on one of them 2 years ago. Decided try other antidepressants. But this one seemed to be more responsive. Married . No friends just work colleagues. I could go on but that better do for now.

[PamelaR]

Hello Paul, welcome to the Beyond Blue forums.

Life sounds very difficult for you. Chronic pain of any sort is the pits. Trying to find a way to manage the pain can be hard. My hubby has lived with chronic back pain for 40 or more years. He had a program of palettes, yoga and strengthening exercises that he'd go through every morning when he was working. Now that he's retired he stopped and is finding it difficult. It was amazing how all that work before leaving the house every morning helped him to manage his back and his pain. He keeps saying he'll have to start it again...

What happened to your back? Was it injured in a fall or car accident? Chronic pain can exacerbate depression. And finding the right AD is always difficult.

What sort of other treatments have you tried, other than medication? For example, physiotherapy, cognitive behaviour therapy and other pain management programs?

Kind regards

PamelaR

[Vero]

Hi Paul’s poison,

warm welcome to the forum.

sorry to hear about your ordeal. I had a taste of back pain and it was one of the most debilitating experiences. It was hard to do anything else bc all energy and attention went into copying with pain.

It looks like you have been proactive in seeking medical help. I wonder if you have done pain management training, acupuncture, physiotherapy, massage, stem cells therapy, etc

Juicing parsley with a bit of apple helped me reduce nerve pain around my joints. Parsley would be high on vit K, apple would deliver pectins, still not sure why and how this worked but it did. Maybe it’s high pH de-acidified my body. Not a pleasant drink, used about a bunch of parsley per drink and the juice must the one that squeezes not centrifugal.

all the best. Let us know how you are feeling

[Paulspoison]

Hello again, well my back problem was caused doing weightlifting 20 plus years, till I stumbled doing squats with 150kg . On my back tried to regain balance but not a good outcome Yes I’m pro active, have had many spinal nerve blocks, laminectomy. Aka Back surgery And burning nerves in my back, aka Risotomy. I’m doing remedial massage at the moment, physiotherapist,seemed to flare up the pain so decided to pass. I no I need to change my job, but change is hard, at my age.

[Doolhof]

Hi Paul's poison,

Welcome to the community here! I understand your frustration and possible annoyance at not being able to find a solution to your pain and depression. I suffer from both and have had back surgery.

I've tried many things to help with the pain and the depression. Lately it has been suggested that I try meditation, visualisation, distraction methods and breathing through the pain. These things, like specific exercises do help to an extent, it is just a drag at times having to do them repeatedly.

Massage helps me. I tried various physios before I found one who seems to understand my back issues well.

Hydrotherapy has helped me and Pilates exercises. Heat bags are beneficial too, where as some people prefer ice packs.

Changing jobs is not easy I agree. Can you adapt the work place in any way to help alleviate some of your pain and discomfort? Even some gentle stretches every hour might help.

Hope you find some solutions.

Cheers from Dools

[Vero]

Wow 150kg! That must have been demanding training, focus and self discipline. I have a laugh at myself now: just stared gym and worked with children dumbbells - felt like a workout!

Work is not just a job; there are people, relationships; participation, money, satisfaction, routine, fulfilment and perhaps passion. It is great you can do it, pity about the pain. Doolhof shared some extensive experiences on managing it. I read an article recently about people juicing hemp. Not sure if it was Au or USA and how exactly this may work. I am not even share if it is available here or prohibited. I recall set of fascinating TED talks on pain management presented by a pain researcher who got onto this subject through his own traumatic health ordeals. He had to “learn” to deal with it. Perhaps you are familiar with the presenter. Take care

[Doolhof]

Hi Paul, Vero and All,

Recently I attended some appointments with a basic pain clinic set up. I am seeing a pain specialist Dr next week so I will be interested in what he has to say.

A lot of the pain clinic was about the pain being in the mind. I still find this concept hard to comprehend when the pain is definitely in the body as well!

Living with consistent chronic pain can certainly be frustrating! Hope you all find some ways to deal with it!

Cheers from Dools

[Paulspoison]

Hi all merry Christmas, well you no when you find something that really helps, depression. Which was my medication. My god I felt really good, not high normal. But then something strange happened.i was getting no pain relief from my painkillers.which hit me like a car. Struggling to do normal things much pain. I came of medication and pain meds worked for my pain. So over the last 12mths 3 times I have reintroduced medication, after 2 weeks I’m getting no pain relief at all. So stopped the one antidepressant that worked for me. Now I have tried many antidepressant over 15 years but this one is suited to me. Anyway I’m one of very few people who can’t take both because of a enzyme that can only break down one drug only. So I’m feeling angry sad. I really need painkillers for my pain, which I have been in for 15 years, and depression rakes my brain. So it’s like take the antidepressant feel mentally good, when back pain bites no relief. Take pain killers reduce pain, then become depressed cranky, wish I didn’t have to take painkillers. But I have no choice. My back is ruined. Had spinal epidural s Burt nerves, lamenectomy aka back op. Acupuncture, phsyio. Some days your pain is high and you get depression omg.