8/19/2014, Studies promoting use of antidepressants for postoperative pain may be premature, review finds
A first-of-its-kind literature review published in the September issue of Anesthesiology, the official medical journal of the American Society of Anesthesiologists® (ASA®), suggests although a majority of studies report positive outcomes, there is currently insufficient evidence to support the clinical use of antidepressants for the treatment of postoperative pain.
“There is a need for improved treatment options in the management of postoperative pain, and antidepressants could potentially be a valuable addition,” said Ian Gilron, M.D., lead author, professor and director of clinical pain research at Queen’s University in Ontario, Canada. “Our review of the literature showed several positive trial results, but we also found important research limitations in the studies, indicating a need for higher quality, more definitive trials on antidepressant use for postsurgical pain.” …
Okay, if I ever need to have surgery again and a doctor wants to prescribe an antidepressant for pain, things could get ugly.
More than 40 million surgical procedures are performed in North America alone each year and the majority of these are associated with moderate to severe acute pain in the days to weeks immediately following surgery. Additionally, a substantial proportion of surgical patients experience chronic postoperative pain many months or even years after their original surgery.
Perhaps Americans need to cut back on surgical procedures.
All Things Chronic 
im with you….post op antidepressants are not gonna fly, just give me actual pain pills, thanks.
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