General Tianeptine For PTSD? Can This Reverse Physical Brain Alterations?

[helena]

From what I have read, the hippocamus of ptsd sufferers is found to significantly smaller/atrophy than those of non ptsd sufferers. The drug above has been reported as increasing the size of the hippocamus... My question is whether this drug is known to the ptsd community.

I know cbt and other therapies have an essential part to play for ptsd sufferers but as ptsd is a physical illness which changes the structure of the brain it seems to me that talking therapies etc etc cannot not be the only solution
to an organic, physical alteration to the size of the hippocamus.

A physical cure has to be found for a physical problem surely?

I would be very interested in your opinion. My SO is due to see a psychiatrist who is reportedly involved in the new research methods concerning the pharmacology treatment of ptsd and this drug has been cited as one which targets the actual physical cause of the condition.

 

[becvan]

The physical aspects of our condition is much more complex than that. Personally I'm leary of any quick fix pill and anything that will further alter my brain. I also wouldn't agree to be some guinea pig. This may help with one aspect, but does nothing for the rest such as our altered chemicals and the other parts of the brain that no longer function the same.

I wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole.

bec

 

[anthony]

Hmmmm... Propranolol was also found to be a magic cure for PTSD, to just block out the trauma and have no more effects... then they found it didn't work that way at all and trauma still prevailed.

As bec outlined... it is far beyond what you are mentioning in relation to the hippocampus. Changing this doesn't undo the chemical indifferences that occur... medication can do a pretty good job for some in balancing this, though it is still a radical trial and error scenario to date.

I would suggest doing some reading in the information PTSD forum, which explains the brains issues in more detail beyond just the hippocampus.

 

[helena]

I know - it scares me because so many 'wonder drugs' have failed in the past but I want to believe that science can find a cure for this horrendous condition rather than just provide meds which suppress symptoms.

My SO hates taking medication (his drug of choice is alcohol) so it is doubtful he will go on it but I would be surprised that it wasn't offered to him.

 

[NutritionNerd]

I'd like to bring this topic back to life a little. I did a lot of research especially hoping for a medication I could take that wouldn't kill what little life I have left. Tianeptine fit the bill and I have been taking it for 4 months now and it has made a significant difference in terms of relieving anxiety and reducing daily "activations". It has made it easier for me to do my CBT exercises as well.

I can understand not believing in magic bullets when you've got PTSD and someone comes up with something new every other day. However, Stablon (Tianeptine) really is a different drug. It is not a SSRE nor an SSRI - There is a LOT of misinformation about this drug even in the scientific papers. The latest papers state it has no affinity for any of the major 3 receptors. This little drug was key in causing scientists to question what they thought they knew about how anti-depressants work and as such helped open up some minds and new avenues for research.

The statement that it might be able to undo some of the damage done in the hippocampus is based on sound science and their best understanding of how this drug works - something which has taken them at least 10 years to figure out.

Occasionally science screws up and actually makes a drug that fixes something - this may be one of those cases. The working theory is that Tianeptine assists in modulating HPA axis overactivity by regulating Glutamate in certain regions. They further suggest that the lowered glutamate condition encourages neurogenesis. This is all science's latest and greatest, and until more tests and studies are done, they won't be able to confirm this. They are already claiming SSRI's also work by encouraging neurogenesis however in different parts of the brain.

I am not in any way selling this medication or suggesting it is a cure, however the stuff they are finding is truly fascinating and worth slogging through. The drug is not available in the US or many UK countries, I have to order my overseas. It is prescribed in countries like France and South America. It did not undergo FDA trials and is now out of patent so nobody's gonna get rich off it. I did hear they are doing FDA trials now for IBS for Stablon. It is remarkably safe with very few side effects. The only one I have is that I can't tell when I'm hungry so this drug would not be good for someone suffering from anorexia.