Has anyone ever heard of pain meds being prescribed as an antidepressant?

Yes. But not alone. I have tried many anti-depressants over the years, always under the care of a psychiatrist. Sometimes a combination of drugs gets prescribed that would not normally, standing alone, be used specifically for depression. A pain med can be part of the equation. For a time, I was taking vicoprofen in conjunction with two other meds.

No I haven't. I know if you're taking opiate pain medications it probably would help as an antidepressant.. But with opiates you develop a tolerance fast and have to increase dosage frequently. If they prescribed loritabs for depression most patients would eventually have liver problems due to too much acetaminophen. And if the doctor was prescribing pure opiate painkillers, they should probably have their license revoked.

Never heard of off label prescription like it before but I can understand it.pain meds like Percadan (sp?) and Oxycontin have a euphoric effect. They dont really kill the pain they just sort of make you not care about it.Both are addictive however, oxy highly so I understand.

yeah, stuff like amitriptyline which is an anti depressant is sometimes used as a painkiller, as it gabapentin, and anti epiletic drug. all sorts of different drugs have a second use nowadays.

No, in fact it sounds quite idiotic. A pain pill normally will cause intense pleasure for a short period, afterwords you will probably have a "crash" even when used correctly.

This doesn't sound very helpful to someone who's depressed.

I am on the flip side of your question. I am on an anti-depressant that works like a pain medicine.

No I haven't. And unless your depression is causing you physical pain, which it can, such shouldn't be resorted to period.

I haven't heard of this either; generally, this would worsen the problem. I think I would seek a second opinion if you have been given such a prescription for depression.

no, i dont think that sounds like a good idea either. Pain medication is addicting and someone who is depressed will do anything to take the Emotion Pain away and becoming "loopy" on pain meds is not a good idea...i dont think any doctor would do that.

I've never heard of that but I'm guessing they would work.