Why would my doctor give me an opiete blocker?

Question

He put me on Cymbalta which is a new anti-deppressant for me.

after previously taking zoloft and having good days and bad days seem to channel in a cycle.

He prescribed the new anti-deppressant and and opiete blocker to take with it.

I'm not taking an opiete.

So I'm curious.

I didn't ask him though i should have but it seems odd to me.

Should i take it?

What does it do?

Does it help the anti-deppresant work?

He did mention he wanted to give me something to sustain from cutting as a relief of tention.

Answer 1

Your doctor went to medical school and has experience treating depression.

You have no medical training.

Dont try to second guess him. Do what he says.

Answer 2

First off, you have the RIGHT as a patient, outlined in the Patients Bill of Rights, to refuse any medical treatment that you are either uncomfortable with or against.  If you are not comfortable taking an opiate blocker along with your anti-depressant then don't.  

Google your concerns, the results will give you a few things to work with.  If you doctor persists that you take the medication, inform him/her that you have the right to refuse any and all medical treatment, and that he/she MUST honor your requests.

Finally, be careful with Cymbalta.  The ratio of assistance gained with Cymbalta is about 2:5.  It does not help as well as most doctors and tv commercials claim.  The doctors who prescribe new drugs, receive a bonus from the pharmaceutical company that manufactures the drug, and that is why so many doctors push new medications over older and more trusted varieties.

Answer 3

Well it sounds like zoloft wasn't very effective for you so trying Cymbalta may be advantageous to you.  Try it and take note of any negative side effects and communicate this with your physician.  Everyone is a bit different and some people hate Cymbalta, for others it works quite well.  

Some studies have shown that when depressed individuals engage in cutting behavior they doing this to release internal made in the body opiates aka endorphines and this rush of endorphines is what relieves anxiety and tension.  

By blocking the effects of these endorphins with an opiate blocker, it is believed that it will stop the positive reinforcement and encourage you to stop from the cutting behavior.  

Don't be afraid to ask questions at any stage, if you forget to ask your doctor, ask your pharmacist as well.  If you don't understand, say so...the best patients are those that get engaged and understand their treatments.