While I'll never state there's no need for antidepressants I'm a walking example of just how gorram wrong the pill solutions can be stupid and go wrong.
I feel for ya bud! I am very resistant to pain meds, always have been. After being on them so long, it's worse now. If I'm in REAL pain, it takes 10 to 15mg of Hydrocodone (Vicodin) to put any kind of a dent in it, that's why I very rarely use it and why I do my best not to get where I need it. That means I LIVE in my recliner. I Eat, Sleep, and STAY in it, otherwise there is more pain. I get up to make food, feed the cats, bathe and use the bathroom. If I/we go out, it's limited to 2 to 3 hours max before I HAVE to get in a recliner somewhere.
Side effects:
Depression - thank God Prozac and I get along! Without it I am a blubbering wreck with hair trigger anger/rage that lasts once set off. Funny thing is, it's 99% self directed frustration. I have no desire to hurt anyone. Even if if did, it would be to punch them, not shoot, that has never even entered my mind. Not a suicidal person either. On Prozac, I'm fine. I still can get ticked but I get over it real quick and go on about my life. (S.O.B! Oh well... Doot Dee doo!)
Other stuff I take: I take a metric butt-ton of stuff for blood pressure, diabetes, nerve pain, kidney stone/urinary issues, migraines, G.E.R.D. and Hypertensive peristalsis (Nutcracker esophagus) that ALL have WONDERFUL side effects that have left me with a bad case of "limp noodle" and my heart takes "little blue pills" right out of the picture so, yeah. BTDTGTS...
PS: Notice, my meds and care is all VA based these days as well...