First, can you tell us what is causing your pain? Why are you taking pain medications? And why on earth would you consider getting off them if you're in chronic pain?

The pain management clinics I've been to have include d psychologists. None of them have stated that opiates increase depression! In fact, I just looked up several of them online, and NONE of them listed depression as a side-effect. I take antidepressants because I'm clinically depressed and have been all my life, but I'm also a chronic painer and my pain meds do not increase my depression ~ and I've taken opiates for years!! I just don't understand this.

ut I do agree that pain and depression are related ~ pain CAUSES depression. But pain medications don't that I can see. It sounds to me like someone is handing you a line of bull, unless you PERSONALLY don't handle them well. But to ask you to get off your pain meds if you're in severe pain is asking quite alot in my book.

As I said, most pain clinics I've been in had both the pain clinic AND the psychologist who specialized in pain. So I really don't know what to tell you. I guess I assumed they were all that way. LOL. Silly me. I wish you the very best. I hope your pain is relieved. God bless. hugs, Lee