SSRI's - The Evidence For And Against

[Cowgirl]

Another thought about SSRIs ... I'm in perimenopause and I can't help but wonder what strangeness might occur after being on Paxil for 11.5 years.:eek: If anyone has insight into this, please share and thanks...

All I know of Paxil is from a friend who was on it. She said it was very difficult to wean herself off of it as compared to the other SSRIs she had been on. From what she told me about the experience, you should probably be closely monitored during the time you are weaning away from it. She thought it was the worst transition she's ever been through, and she actually used the words "addiction" and "withdrawal" to describe the process.

I know that is hearsay, so take it for what it is worth.

Hugs,

Cowgirl

 

[Cecilia]

Roo:

I am surprised a doctor kept you on the same medication for so long! I have been on Zoloft, Paxil and Effexor. I was on Paxil for 2 years. It was a great help for anxiety. Then my doctor took me off. Coming off of it was hell. It made me very sick. The first few weeks were really bad; I could not drive to work without getting sick at least twice on the way then I was sick the rest of the day; I had really bad shakes, sweat poured off me and I couldn't keep anything down.

Hopefully, you will not have the same reaction.

 

[upstream]

Upstream...funny you should mention this, 'cause I've been starting to read about brain plasticity recently (if that's what you are referring to here).

Yes...

http://harvardbusinessonline.hbsp.harvard.edu/b02/en/common/item_detail.jhtml;jsessionid=3BYN2VU0QG1NCAKRGWCB5VQBKE0YOISW?referral=7855&id=R0711B&_requestid=75855

Recent neuroscientific research shows that the health of your brain isn't, as experts once thought, just the product of childhood experiences and genetics; it reflects your adult choices and experiences as well. Professors Gilkey and Kilts of Emory University's medical and business schools explain how you can strengthen your brain's anatomy, neural networks, and cognitive abilities, and prevent functions such as memory from deteriorating as you age.
...
In other words, you can alter the physical makeup of your brain by learning new skills. The more cognitively fit you are, the better equipped you are to make decisions, solve problems, and deal with stress and change.

Also this one is good:
http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2007/10/30/cognitive-fitness-10-debunked-myths/

 

[2quilt]

The words of doctors

What physicians tell you is not necessarily true. Just because a doctor has a degree, does that make them right? No.

Somebody had to graduate at the bottom of the class. That doctor still holds a degree in medicine, but I sure would not want that person for my doctor.

 

[upstream]

I knew some brilliant and dedicated classmates in Engineering who struggled to get into med school... I imagine even the people at the bottom of those classes are smart and dedicated.

I think we're being too hard on the doctors... Gwen Olsen has a video where she talks about how she was trained to manipulate doctors into prescribing more drugs...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOW8LNU2hFE

This included tactics like minimizing harmful side effects to doctors, presenting statistics in a slanted way, accusing anyone that speaks out against psychiatric drugs as being a Scientologist, psychological profiling of doctors to best know how to convince them to prescribe your drugs, etc.

Scary stuff...

 

[anthony]

Absolutely upstream... there are many facets to this issue.... many problems that exist. Some are doctors stepping outside there professional bounds of knowledge and attempting to know everything so they don't look silly to their patient, instead of just saying, "I don't know but will get back to you." Some is pharmacology releasing false and misleading facts about a medication. Some is the makers hiding aspects that they are aware and just not releasing those facts period. There are many attributes, and by far when I say that all doctors are not created equal.... I mean that, though it I never intend for it to be taken exclusively.... though with commonsense applied.

Physicians work typically on their limited experience scope. I say limited because genetics are at play here. Like anyone, a doctor is human, and they find something they like and that is all they prescribe as a first line of defence. Many issues, many factors.... many valid points and commonsense must be applied.

 

[Auburngirl]

Doctors can absolutely be wrong, but I've found my bad experiences with doctors have been absolutely overwhelmed by my positive ones. And at this point I've dealt with medical systems in four countries. I only encountered the prescription and being rushed out the door scenario in the UK.

There are bad eggs, and it is worth the time to find one you feel comfortable with, who listens to you and isn't threatened by being asked questions. I found that was critical for me, I have a lot of questions, it's my body and I want to know what is going on.

When I called the clinic to start dealing with PTSD (again) the receptionist booked a longer appointment, the doctor was really considerate and gave me a lot of options - including seeing a male or female psychiatrist, estimated wait times, resources in the meantime (including herself). She actually did say she could just prescribe me drugs but didn't think that would get at the root of things, and that I was welcome to come back and receive counsellign from her - but she thought it would be best to see an expert. And when I came back for something else she checked up on how I was doing.

At a time when I was really a wreck, and embarassed and really confused about what was happening to me, she was a godsent. In the past decade there has been a (much needed) shift towards emphasising people skills in medical school and, in my experience, it is paying off. Interestingly here there is a growing preference for female doctors and, as a result, it is harder to get a female doctor.

 

[Roo]

Wow Roo.... that is a long time to be on a medication. Unless a medication specialist exists here, I would maybe seek one out in your community and see what they have to say. You can always find an expert in every area of medicine and mental health, you just have to look a little usually. I think someone who specialises in medication could give you a pretty good scope and idea of your question though. Would love to hear your feedback though if you do seek such specialist out about your specific request.

Thanks, Anthony, for your thought...lately I seem to be coming across a lot of information regarding long-term use and effiacy of SSRIs. I will look more into this and discuss with my MD...it's been on my mind for a while. :think:

 

[lolabrigitta]

My husband , in the Canadian Military has severe reactions to the meds he was given. He was lied too when told he couldn't get better without drugs. All they wanted to do is add more meds on top of the ones giving him bad side effects. I had to go off base to find him help. Soldier on eh! Veteran Affairs advises that cognative Therapy is more effective.