Hi Teresa: I have worked with chronic pain patients for many years and two things come to mind immediately. The first thing is that pain causes both a physiological and psychological depression and antidepressants can not only help with the depression, but can reduce the pain.  Second, pain medications cause depression as well, since they are depressing the pain response.   I hope you are in psychotherapy with a pain management professional. If not, then you should really find one who can help you sort these things out.  You can locate one at Psychology Today.  You should also speak with your psychiatrist about finding a better medication to help you with this. Not all antidepressants cause horrible side effects unless you are on too high a dose.   Best of luck, Dr. Diana Walcutt   *Dr. Walcutt is a Psychologist who has taught classes on psychopharmacology at the doctoral level. Her answers are not intended to diagnose or treat any medical or mental disorder. Any information given in a post about medication is for educational purposes only, and primarily to aid you in having an informed discussion with your own Psychiatrist/Physician.