Ulcers from ssri's: There is a growing... - Mental Health Sup...

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Ulcers from ssri's

stellarosecarlotta profile image

There is a growing body of evidence that all ssri's can trigger peptic ulcers.

everydayhealth.com/digestiv...

the above is one of several links discussing it...I am in the same boat...extremely sensitive to every one I have tried...six of them ...Any suggestions my depression is ruining my life

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stellarosecarlotta profile image
stellarosecarlotta
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7 Replies
Singer1234 profile image
Singer1234

Try and find out what is making you depressed and the only way of doing that is either writing it down and looking at your present state and how you want your life today and in the future.

If people allowed us to think logically we wd all be pretty stable in our life's you don't need support on making decisions. In your life think about doing nice things and loving and caring for yourselve.

Xxxxx

stellarosecarlotta profile image
stellarosecarlotta in reply to Singer1234

yeah it's a lot deeper than that...knowing causes of depression does not always fix it

stellarosecarlotta profile image
stellarosecarlotta in reply to Singer1234

btw who prevents us from "thinking logically"?

blackcat64013 profile image
blackcat64013

This is a tricky question without knowing you medical background.

I once read an article that there are now about 30 different mental health prescription drugs available to doctors.

I would think the best person to consult about this would be a psychiatrist who is a mental health specialist. My family doctor referred me when he couldn't work out best meds for me. The two doctors now share my health plan.

Over the counter medication such as St Johns Wort has some benefit but should not be taken with prescription meds.

stellarosecarlotta profile image
stellarosecarlotta in reply to blackcat64013

SAMe is better than St John's! Thanks! I tried Wellbutrin and it has helped a lot...not the stomach issues like all the others!!!

Gambit62 profile image
Gambit62

the article doesn't actually say that taking SSRIs causes peptic ulcers - it says that there is a high correlation between taking taking SSRIs and developing peptic ulcers. Although it suggests a possible causal mechanism the fact that it doesn't state that this is the causal mechanism implies that this is being investigated but the causal mechanism hasn't really been established.

To try to explain the difference between a causal mechanism and a correlation:

There is a high correlation between speaking fluent French and living in France but that doesn't mean that moving to France will mean that you will speak fluent French. The causal factor is much more complex - growing up in France and having French as a mother tongue being just one causal factor.

Have you had your B12 and folate levels checked. Both B12 and folate deficiency will lead to depression and SSRIs can adversely affect folate levels for some people - but its a long way from affecting everyone.

This is a link to the symptoms of B12 deficiency

pernicious-anaemia-society....

overlaps with symptoms of folate deficiency because the two work together ... and overlap with a number of other conditions - thyroid and diabetes to name but too.

If, after looking at the symptoms of B12 deficiency you think it is a possibility then would suggest that you join the PAS forum on HU as getting a proper diagnosis can be very difficult as the standard test for B12 deficiency isn't a gold standard test and needs interpretation in context - not something that the majority of GPs are aware of

healthunlocked.com/pasoc

stellarosecarlotta profile image
stellarosecarlotta in reply to Gambit62

My folate and B12 are okay...have the mther gene mutation so am very up on talking folate vs folic acid...my comment re ssri's was based on more than one article and I appreciate the intent but you do not need to explain causality to me. So it is not settled science yet--enough adverse events have been reported to cause the correlation to be explored. I personally have gotten acute gastritis, duodenal bleeding and erosive ulcers--as confirmed by endoscopy/biopsy from several ssri's, as well as tramadol, and NSAIDs. Ny gastroenterologists have no doubt/nor do I. If the pain and trouble starts when you begin taking a drug and stops when you stop taking that drug...Think that is pretty reliable information....but this excerpt from health.harvard.edu/newslett... says:

"SSRI antidepressant side effects

Some patients taking SSRIs develop insomnia, skin rashes, headaches, joint and muscle pain, stomach upset, nausea, or diarrhea. These problems are usually temporary or mild or both. A more serious potential problem is reduced blood clotting capacity because of a decreased concentration of the neurotransmitter serotonin in platelets. Patients are at slightly increased risk for internal bleeding, especially if they are also taking aspirin or another NSAID, such as ibuprofen or naproxen.."

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