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#1 fishinghat

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Posted 09 May 2017 - 04:31 PM

Well, made a routine visit with my endocrinologist about my triglyceride levels. I have used this dr for 32 years do he knows me inside and out (literally0. At the end of the visit he made an interesting comment to me. He said that his endocrinology group that he is part of has noticed an rapidly increasing problem with ssri and snri antidepressants. Problems like liver damage, hypothyroidism, PSSD, and pituitary issues are becoming more and more common with AD users especially those who have been on them 7, 8 or more years. As you know most of these have been out around 20 years or less. So the number of long term users is rapidly growing. I just thought I would pass along his comments to you all,


#2 LS1978

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Posted 11 May 2017 - 10:42 AM

I guess I'm wondering what the other options would be for someone like me.  I've been on all of the SSRI's, and now 2 of the SNRI's.  I've been struggling with depression for over 30 years now.  Each time I tried to wean off of a medication and go without any, I would wind up in crisis.  No amount of talk therapy seems to change my problem.  I'm worried about these effects, but I don't know what else to do.  

 

What is someone like me supposed to do?


#3 fishinghat

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Posted 11 May 2017 - 12:31 PM

I could post a dozen medical articles trying to answer that same question but unluckily they provide no answers. There have been several companies that have started up in the last few years that offer genetic testing which can lead drs in the right direction for selecting an antidepressant. This is a fairly new approach and so far the results are fairly encouraging. I don't know how expensive it is but I am sure it would probably not be covered by insurance.


#4 gail

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    5 months on cymbalta, scary side effects, to get help and to return the favor if I can.

Posted 11 May 2017 - 02:19 PM

Hi,

L.s, we need to continue our search for the right med. I am on my seventh try in four years. There has to be something out there to help us.

And talk therapy, when our brain chemicals are like screwed up, it doesn't go far. But we can get somewhere when there is balance.

I know the frustration of trying and trying. How discouraging! Time after time. From hope to dispair.

Fishinghat has researched this way in, way back. Genetic testing sounds like the solution. How my doctor and I wish that it be available here. But, it's not here in Canada yet.

And yes, some people do need it, for sure! Sure, it may have some side effects, but talk about what depression and anxiety have as side effects!

Continue to fight for a certain quality of life, it may not be perfect, but OK will have to do for the moment. Our normal may not seem normal to others, but our brain is not quite as normal as many!

#5 LS1978

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Posted 11 May 2017 - 04:22 PM

I could post a dozen medical articles trying to answer that same question but unluckily they provide no answers. There have been several companies that have started up in the last few years that offer genetic testing which can lead drs in the right direction for selecting an antidepressant. This is a fairly new approach and so far the results are fairly encouraging. I don't know how expensive it is but I am sure it would probably not be covered by insurance.

 

Yeah, I have heard about GeneSight, but I figured since I've tried so many already, I'm not sure it would be worth it (with only 3 more to try).  Of course, those 3 do not include the tricyclics I haven't tried yet or the anti-psychotics used as add-ons.  I've been reluctant to try more tricyclics because of the horrible side effects I had from the couple I've tried, and the potential side effects of the anti-psychotics.  Not only that, but I reasoned that an add-on dose of an anti-psychotic was probably not going to be very useful when my base medication isn't working much at all.  I try to talk to my doctor about this stuff, and he says, "whatever you want.  It's your life."  WTF?  :huh:   So I kind of feel like I'm on my own making these decisions.

 

P.S.-- I tried to "like" your post, but I'm at my limit.  So weird that there's a limit for likes.


#6 fishinghat

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Posted 11 May 2017 - 04:25 PM

This is a copy of a post I made concerning the genetic testing about a month ago.

"Wow!! These genetic testing facilities are coming outof the woodwork!!

The fourth one down is from the Mayo clinic and I know many health professionals have been waiting for it to come out. If I was going to try one that would be the one.

https://genesight.co...CFdC3wAodswYJSw

https://genomind.com...idepressants-2/

https://www.psycholo...ssion-treatment

http://mayoresearch....ene-testing.asp

https://www.pathway....h-dna-insight/"


#7 Merete

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Posted 15 May 2017 - 09:06 AM

I would endorse the recommendation for Mayo. I went down there a few years ago (from Canada) because my docs here could not figure out why I couldn't breathe. Within 3 days they had me sorted and set on a way forward! Totally different issue but their team approach to problem solving where specialists actually talk to each other works.

#8 fishinghat

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Posted 15 May 2017 - 10:14 AM

Mayo uses a new technology called genetic profiling to determine your genetic profile and help develop the best approach for your specific condition. I have also heard that it is expensive. Can you comment on that Merete? Can you tell us a little about their approach? It would be appreciated so we can help people in the future. I have recommended this program to others on the site but have never tried it nor has anyone ever given me feed back, Any info would be appreciated.





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