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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by suzi2u2 on November 29, 2002, at 22:53:47
I am a chronic pain patient and am currently on opioid therapy for pain control. I also take prozac for depression. I recently heard that taking opiates will cause the serotonin to be depleted in the brain and that the low serotonin levels related to opiate therapy is what causes depression in people with chronic pain. Does anyone have any info about this? I know that for me, I have been on more than 1 type of med for pain and even when I try to discontinue the prozac, that " dark cloud" always seems to come over me. I had been told by my doctor that chronic pain and depression often go hand in hand , but this is the first I had heard about the serotonin being depleted as such. I'm just looking for some info so I can research this. I do intend to ask my doc, but am not due to see him for another month.
Posted by linkadge on November 30, 2002, at 7:17:30
In reply to Opiates for pain and their effect on serotonin, posted by suzi2u2 on November 29, 2002, at 22:53:47
I don't know if Opiates depleat serotonin but I do know that opiates are fast acting antidepressants. They are however adictive and can perhaps perpetuate depression upon withdrawl. The only direct effect opiates have is on endorphin receptors, but they do have an indirect effect on so many other chemical systems. Perhaps someone else would know this relationship.
Posted by suzi2u2 on November 30, 2002, at 22:56:32
In reply to Re: Opiates for pain and their effect on serotonin, posted by linkadge on November 30, 2002, at 7:17:30
This is the end of the thread.
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