Anti depressants?

[RachyBoo]

Hi everyone

Really don't know whether I need them, should go on them but I get very upset about me all the time!

Don't know whether they would make me worse, make me speak strangely or make me feel down (weird I know!)

Any thoughts/help?

[Hidden]

Hi there

Only you can ultimately know what is best for you, but I would say that anti depressants can be very helpful but they can have side effects such as tiredness, weight gain, flat lining of emotion etc.

I don't think they would do you any actual harm, so maybe you could try them for a couple of months and if you feel the side effects outweigh the benefits, then following GPs advice on how to wean yourself off and stop them. If you stop them dead your BP drops into your boots and you get horrible withdrawal symptoms. Been there done that

Best wishes

[muzzyden]

Hi RachyBoo For months I kept saying I wasn't depressed , but in May this year I went to my Dr and I have never cried so much in my life , all my feelings and thoughts came pouring out . I've been on Anti-depressants since then , luckily I have not suffered any side effects and I started feeling better in less than a fortnight . I went back the other day with a view to start weaning off them , but I honestly think I'm going to wait a bit longer . Have a chat with your Dr and I hope you feel better really soon Julia x

[barny1]

If your injury was relatively recent it's good idea to take antidepressants because they aid neuroplaticity, helping your brain form new connections. If you're someone prone to feeling anxious or are under exceptional stress then they may help you cope better. There's no harm in trying one and seeing if it helps. They can take 4-6 weeks to take effect. I take them because they help my mood, cognition and sleep.

[Hidden in reply to barny1]

That's interesting Barney

I didn't know they helped neuroplaticity, helping your brain form new connections

Thanks

[barny1 in reply to Hidden]

Well, there's still a lot if uncertainty about how exactly these drugs work. But they do know that they keep neurons connected by maintaining neurotransmitters like serotonin at the synapse aiding communication which is disrupted after a brain injury because of scar tissue and inflammation. These neurotransmitters are essential for making newer and better connections without adequate amounts of these our brains can't function normally and learn new things. Depression is characterised by lower amounts of these neurotransmitters and even shrinkage in the hypocampus of the brain, which is where memories are formed by creating new neurons. That's why depressed people find school, work, etc such a struggle. So by treating depression, we're aiding neuroplaticity by virtue that we can recover our ability to form new memories and alternative ways of thinking, being, etc. I hope this explains it.

The doctor that prescribed me them said they helped executive functioning (frontal lobe functions). Also, since my frontal lobe was damaged, I have less serotonin according to my neuro. But besides all that hullabaloo, I just feel much better on them and know they work.

[Hidden in reply to barny1]

Where's the research on this please and if there is any is it good quality research and who funded it? I haven't seen any trials on people with brain injury and from what I read these drugs might well cause more and long-term harm. In other words, what are you basing your statements on? Where did doctor get info from? Just rumours/told that at pharma jolly ('conference')? Did your neuro measure serotonin in your brain? What about all the rest including other neurotransmitters?

[RachyBoo in reply to barny1]

Hi Barney

Is there anything else you know about neuroplasicity and what other things build new connections?

[Hidden in reply to RachyBoo]

New experiences,practice, being shown systems that help, easy tech, good diet,being loved and encouraged and rewarded, social acceptance and inclusion, being believed, ideas in books, reading, people, travel, sport, enough good sleep in quiet, no stress, being valued, a safe secure easy to manage home not too hot/cold, good lighting, a worthwhile occupation - paid is good... in other words (including all the things I've forgotten to put): things we all need to have a good and fulfilling life. Only it's harder for us coz modern life and all systems too complicated = mega stress/overload = depression, anxiety and meltdown, causes of which the drugs can't fix.

[B_S_A]

I had them, and they worked! Don't worry, every medicine on the planet has tonnes of possible side effects.

[Hidden in reply to B_S_A]

I chose not to have them,worked very hard at adapting and was proud of how well I did. With time we all improve, appropriate help (rehab) should help us improve faster and more but most of us don't get it: missed/wrong diagnosis and our quality of life (outcome) not given the financial value it should be - loss to society and so on, social security payments, all down the line.

With the right early help we won't get depressed. And if benefits paid enough to live on wouldn't get into mega-stress-debt nor lose our homes, friends, social and leisure, education = our whole lives (and others') affected = massive losses to all/world.

I believe antidepressants would have prevented my adaptation,learning and achievements. Perhaps outcomes should be looked at? Very hard I know coz our brain injuries so different and we were before = impossible? But I think drugs should be very last resort = after all help/support etc. has been provided but fails: unlikely I think. I know very well why I'm depressed now when wasn't at various times before, most people do IF ASKED properly.

[B_S_A in reply to Hidden]

I get your point, but it's all just chemistry. Once your Sodium and Potassium are into a normal rhythm it's just so much easier.

I'm happy that it's paid off for you!

[RachyBoo]

Thanks so much for your comments.

It was recent Barney in June this year. And I didn't know it helps neuroplasicity at all and I definitely need some new connections in my brain.

Regarding the side effects, I suppose I'll just have to see, could do with some weight gain as I don't have an interest in food and have lost a lot of weight and flatlining on emotion, apart from the crying I don't have a lot of emotion at all (hope that's not a long term thing)

I'll make an appointment

[fantastic6]

Hi RachyBoo

It's trial and error like with any medication. It took 3 differant antidepressants for my daughter until they found the right one for her. She is so much better on them.

[Kelly1123]

Head injuries and depression is quite common. I went through it myself, it doesn't helP if you try and fight it as that makes you worse

[Hidden]

I HAVE BEEN ON CIPRALEX (ESCITALOPRAM) FOR A FEW YEARS & THEY HAVE HELPED ENORMOUSLY WITH THE CHRONIC ANXIETY I HADFOR YEARS AFTER THE BI. I'VE HAD NO NOTICEABLE SIDE EFFECTS & THEY REALLY DO WORK. MY NEUROLOGIST PUT ME ON THEM & WE ADJUSTED THE DOSE UNTIL IT WORKED BEST. THE ONLY ISSUE I HAD WAS WHEN YOU REDUCE THE DOSE IF YOU DON'T DO IT REALLY GRADUALLY THERE ARE SOME WITHDRAWAL EFFECTS BUT THE GP WILL TELL YOU HOW YOU HOW MUCH TO REDUCE IT BY & HOW LONG YOU SHOULD TAKE TO WEAN YOURSELF OFF .DEFINITELY DON'T BE AFRAID TO DISCUSS IT WITH YOUR MEDICS TO SEE IF IT WILL HELP.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Some people say they cause long-term damage that can't ever be repaired, brain damage. I read that on doctors' side (these days would be better hidden) of drug company that made them's site. Think they might have been telling the truth, nowadays they warn far more carefully and hide unwanted effects more. Afraid of legal liability, especially in USA where (I think) it's easier than here and damages are enormous compared to europe and the UK. why is that?

[Tortie14]

When I had depression pre BI I took one AD felt weird so tried citalopram had no side effects and really helped (alongside counselling and complementary therapies) was down to 20mg was about to come off gradually when I had my accident so am staying put especially now I know it helps neurplasticity thanks Barney!

[Nutkin33]

Dr Burn put me on Mirtazapine, an anti depressant that also helped with my panic attacks. I have been on them now for one year. I am going to try and reduce from the 30mg to the 15mg in the early new year.

I would definitely recommend that you go on some form of anti depressant, as it is very common with brain injuries to feel rather down at times. Good luck!

[Hidden]

Some charities and 'support' websites are run/funded by drug companies and 'people' used as marketing tools, more subtle and effective than viral ads. Peer pressure and 'advice' and talking heads works wonders. Hmm, who's writing what and why??? We're very easy to manipulate us ABIers.

[Tortie14 in reply to Hidden]

I am not in the pay of drug companies just telling my experience with AD they help me. Used with talking and other therapies they help.

[Hidden in reply to Tortie14]

But would the talking therapies alone have helped? And as time passes we adjust. Who can say how you'd have been without both, just passage of time. And maybe other things (uncountable) changed? Nothing stays the same, my situation getting worse, the longer I'm denied info, proper diagnosis and healthcare and safe secure home that fits me the lower I get.The extra injuries could have been prevented, now got those for life. How many more? Worse pain, right shoulder/arm now, can't lie comfy in bed either side now. Days and nights of hell. But people just say 'oh sorry you feel like that' and do nothing to actually help me - oh except push drugs. Rubbish - and they must know that but don't care. Makes me feel (know) that I'm totally expendable and unimportant. Feels like they hope I fall again, crack my head so hard I die because they've left me with same dangers, by choice.

[barny1]

Here's one such study, albeit in mice, that antidepressants induce neuroplasticity when exposed to stress.

scientificamerican.com/arti...

To summarise, persistent stress kills brain cells! If you've had brain injury, you're under persistent stress by implication. Antidepressants act as a buffer to stress, stopping and potentially reversing this destructive process.

In the study they gave mice Prozac aka Fluoxetine, a common antidepressant used to treat depression in humans.

"Prozac encourage new neural growth in the brain. Castrén's study suggests Prozac returns regions of the brain to an immature state in which neurons make or break more connections with one another than is typical of the adult brain. In other words, Prozac increases brain plasticity."

It also suggests that antidepressants alone aren't enough for neuroplasticity to take place but a combination of antidepressants and therapy e.g. CBT, meditation, physiotherapy, exercise, work, living, etc. are necessary for the brain to rewire itself. So if you've had a brain injury and are under constant stress (which happens to most) it doesn't help your brain to rewire (neuroplasticity) itself and may even cause further destruction.

Not everyone responds to antidepressants, nor does everyone need them, but they only help people who have true depression. You'll know if you have depression if you respond well to medication. I don't understand the stigma.

[Hidden in reply to barny1]

There's no stigma,who said there was? Just choices,like whether to drink alcohol or not (some people use it to help cope/block out bad stuff), only with alcohol it's us who choose, we're not pushed by doctors/psychs. And centuries of knowledge built up on how to it make well, taste good and to really know its effects. Same can't be said of these drugs. Are they safer than alcohol? Research on net, who knows if it's real, the truth? Do you? i don't.

[barny1 in reply to Hidden]

I see what you're saying, but nobody forced me to take them, it was my choice. I've even gone against my doctor's wishes and fallen short. I don't know if the research is true, it could all be just made up, but it doesn't matter to me because I go off results.

[Hidden in reply to barny1]

I'm glad for you, it must be a relief. I'm so desperate, in complete scramble today, crying, ranting, feel dizzy and sick. The thing is I know what I need, simple easy stuff, right help, home that fits, normal contact with people, not feeling useless failure all the time and NO paperwork. But can't seem to escape this nightmare and everyone blames ME, MY fault, Me not good enough and now got to the point really hate myself for not being strong enough, clever enough, not having enough energy to keep trying. Does that mean I should try drugs? Got to the point I don't know anything any more. Can't think: way too stressed and boggled, hurting too much. Terrified of getting onto drugs and being even further from who I was. Does it matter? Dunno, hate how I am but refuse to feel guilt: NOT MY FAULT but being 'punished' for it. Chaos in my head, body hurts, chaos at home. Took photos of home chaos, try and put up. People think I'm more clever than I am, they refuse to believe what I try to say = me not saying right or assuming I'm a liar, exaggerating? In bad bad place, worse since moved so often and lost my home. Downward spiral. Would drugs help? Dunno but terrified of trying. So much pressure to (since early 2006). Asked for them Jan. 06 coz went out to die. Pleaded for help with being suicidal = zilch, just silly awful letter. Pleading year after year and get absolute opposite. Begging for help and benefits, to be believed = zilch. Please somebody help me, why must I be drugged to behave as told must, be how I'm not? In complete meltdown. Yes and so easy to manipulate,no strength left to fight. Lost. Can't be clever or do as told, yes would love to be more clever, more fun etc. but out of resources, out of energy. Unsurprising, to be expected.