Re: Antidepressant Medication

[Guest guest]

Hi Group..

I also think it is important to keep in mind the various types of

antidepressant medications….there are some that induce the effectiveness

of sleep in people with fibromyalgia…etc and so forth..just to mention

one…but also the efficacy with other drugs you may be taking…

Types of antidepressants

Tricyclics

Tricyclics act by blocking the re-uptake of the neurotransmitters

serotonin and noradrenaline, thereby increasing levels at their

receptors.

Selective serotonin re-uptake Inhibitors (SSRI’s)

SSRI’s act by blocking the re-uptake of only one neurotransmitter,

serotonin.

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI’s)

MAOI’s act by blocking the breakdown of excitatory neurotransmitters,

mainly serotonin and noradrenaline.

And more

Anyhow just trying to add a bit of information here as making a

determination about anti depressants is a major step and one should be

knowledgeable…at least that is my opinion

Sincerely

[ ] Antidepressant Medication

Antidepressant Medication

When I suggest to a new patient that they consider antidepressant

medication, I get a picture of all the misconceptions people have about

what

these medications do. First of all, they are not happy pills; they don't

artificially induce a feeling of bliss or unrealistic well-being. No

medication can do that, except for alcohol and some illegal drugs, and

their

effects don't last. Nor do antidepressants insulate you from life, make

you

not care about important things, or insensitive to pain or loss.

Tranquilizers can do that, for a while, but antidepressants can't. Also,

antidepressants aren't addictive, nor does their effect diminish so that

you

will have to increase your dosage later on. What antidepressants do is

somehow prevent us from sliding down the chute into the blackest depths

of

depression when something bad happens. We still can feel hurt, pain,

worry,

but we feel these like normal people do, without depression.

These medications also can help us sleep better, give us more energy,

and

greater ability to concentrate. They seem to help us change our

perspective

or sense of proportion, so that we can appreciate better the good side

of

life and not be overwhelmed by the negative.

The way antidepressants work is interesting. There are two chemicals

that

have to do with the transmission of impulses between nerve cells in the

brain and seem to be associated with depression. It seems as if

depressed

people burn up these chemicals more quickly than other people.

Antidepressants help to maintain these chemicals at more stable levels

in

the brain.

Antidepressant medication is an important aid that should be considered

by

anyone who feels they are suffering from depression. But because their

use

requires close observation and more training than most physicians have,

I

don't recommend you ask your general practitioner to give you a trial

run.

Instead, see a psychiatrist who is experienced in the administration of

these potent and helpful medicines.

If you, or someone you love, might be suffering from depression, get

help

right away. Treatment is effective and affordable. Talk to your health

care

provider or call your local mental health clinic before a bad situation

becomes worse.

http://www.undoingdepression.com/lwrt4.html

[Guest guest]

I fully support anyone who takes antidepressant medication. I

take it myself and had and continue to have great relief from

chronic severe depression. However, the article below contains

one incorrect statement.

Some anti-depressant medications are truly physically addictive.

Ask someone who has attempted to stop Paxil cold-turkey for

example. Withdrawing from these medications require patience

and a slow, steady withdrawal.

The non-addictive nature of SSRIs was touted as a real selling

point when they came on the scene years ago. Unfortunately, it's

not the case.

Nonetheless, as I said, they have great benefit for those with

chronic depression or chronic pain. I don't intend to argue their

benefit, just the belief that they're non-addictive.

> Antidepressant Medication

>

> When I suggest to a new patient that they consider

antidepressant

> medication, I get a picture of all the misconceptions people

have about what

> these medications do. First of all, they are not happy pills; they

don't

> artificially induce a feeling of bliss or unrealistic well-being. No

> medication can do that, except for alcohol and some illegal

drugs, and their

> effects don't last. Nor do antidepressants insulate you from life,

make you

> not care about important things, or insensitive to pain or loss.

> Tranquilizers can do that, for a while, but antidepressants can't.

Also,

> antidepressants aren't addictive, nor does their effect diminish

so that you

> will have to increase your dosage later on. What

antidepressants do is

> somehow prevent us from sliding down the chute into the

blackest depths of

> depression when something bad happens. We still can feel

hurt, pain, worry,

> but we feel these like normal people do, without depression.

> These medications also can help us sleep better, give us

more energy, and

> greater ability to concentrate. They seem to help us change our

perspective

> or sense of proportion, so that we can appreciate better the

good side of

> life and not be overwhelmed by the negative.

> The way antidepressants work is interesting. There are two

chemicals that

> have to do with the transmission of impulses between nerve

cells in the

> brain and seem to be associated with depression. It seems as

if depressed

> people burn up these chemicals more quickly than other

people.

> Antidepressants help to maintain these chemicals at more

stable levels in

> the brain.

> Antidepressant medication is an important aid that should be

considered by

> anyone who feels they are suffering from depression. But

because their use

> requires close observation and more training than most

physicians have, I

> don't recommend you ask your general practitioner to give you

a trial run.

> Instead, see a psychiatrist who is experienced in the

administration of

> these potent and helpful medicines.

> If you, or someone you love, might be suffering from

depression, get help

> right away. Treatment is effective and affordable. Talk to your

health care

> provider or call your local mental health clinic before a bad

situation

> becomes worse.

>

> http://www.undoingdepression.com/lwrt4.html

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/12/02 2:49:47 PM Central Daylight Time,

juner24@... writes:

> I would never have said this 2 years ago since I was one of the people that

> associated antidepressants with a weakness in the person,but I am now a

> firm believer. My rheumatologist suggested I take Prozac because of my

> never ending chronic pain. At first I was angry,then I agreed and it turned

> my life around. It was only after a few months I realized I was not so

> angry,impatient and at times down right nasty. I don't know why r how it

> works,I am just thankful my rheumy realized I needed it.

>

> Hugs

> June

>

>

June, My husband is sometimes impatient with my not being able to do the

things I used to - but he REMINDS me when it's time to get the Trazadone and

other meds filled. He tells everybody how much easier it is to live with me

when I am taking my pills. A lot of times, I don't realize just how nasty I

can get when I am not taking my meds. Once I settle down - then I am easier

going and make my life and my family's a lot more bearable. Alice in Texas

[Guest guest]

I would never have said this 2 years ago since I was one of the people that

associated antidepressants with a weakness in the person,but I am now a firm

believer. My rheumatologist suggested I take Prozac because of my never ending

chronic pain. At first I was angry,then I agreed and it turned my life around.

It was only after a few months I realized I was not so angry,impatient and at

times down right nasty. I don't know why r how it works,I am just thankful my

rheumy realized I needed it.

Hugs

June