Serotonin as a therapeutic method for PV associated pruritis

[Mpncoda]

Hi All,

I came across this article and found it quite fascinating-perhaps some of us may benefit from SSRIs and/or Serotonin.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are effective in the treatment of polycythemia vera–associated pruritus

ashpublications.org/blood/a...

Having symptoms of low Serotonin -I feel it’s worth further investigation-so thought I’d share.

Take care!

[Mazcd Partner MPNVoice]

Hi Mpncoda, I have edited your post to make it clearer that this article is referring to treatment for PV associated pruritis, rather than a treatment for PV. Maz

[john0084]

Thanks for the post, I can share my experience with paroxetine which your link refers to. I have been taking paroxetine for the last 2 years , I've now tapered of and stopped taking since June. Unfortunately it helped a bit but not a lot. Incedently when I stopped taking the anti depressent I itched a lot more for a week afterwards then settled down to just itching after showing so I guess it works to some extent. It might be worth mentioning these drugs do have side effects, like a loss of libido. I would like thank everyone who posts on here ,it's difficult to share sometimes the problems associated with mpns

[Inca in reply to john0084]

Hi John,

I take 1/2 a tablet of Paroxetine,I think it helps,also with stress....I do come off it slowly from time to time,then back on when I need it.Drs advice of course always,think I've taken it on & off for 6 yrs.I am P V nearly 12 yrs take Ruxolitnib now.Best to you.

[Mpncoda in reply to Inca]

Helpful info Inca-thanks and all best!

[Manouche]

« Another novel observation from this study was the association between pruritus and superior survival. This might simply reflect a lead-time bias stemming from symptom-driven earlier diagnosis. However, it is also possible that pruritus in PV is a marker of an underlying favorable biology, as suggested by its previously reported association with a lower incidence of arterial thrombosis.34 Regardless, considering the negative effect on quality of life,35 the particular observation is consoling for patients with pruritus. « nature.com/articles/leu2013163

[Mpncoda]

Thanks John! That’s what this wonderful community is all about-sharing info and experiences so we can be as educated as possible. Take good care 🌺

[Bluetop]

Thanks for sharing. I wonder if there is any update on this.

[hunter5582]

Interesting article. Perhaps it could be useful for folks who experience pruritis. SSRIs have helped many with depression and anxiety as well. Something relevant for people with MPNs to consider is that SSRIs can interfere with platelet aggregation. The reuptake of seratonin in the platelet cell walls is involved in platelets sticking together. SSRIs do come with a drug interaction caution if you take aspirin or any other blood thinner - potentiation of the blood thinning potential.

Thanks for posting this. It would be great for people dealing with the dreaded itch to have another option to find relief.

[samiris]

Anti-depressant (AD) drugs are highly risky substances with many known and unknown side/reverse effects, particularly in long term. It's very hard to conduct an accurate risks/benefits analysis for AD, especially tapering them, so might be better to avoid them. Maybe better to find solutions for problems through improving lifestyle (diet, exercise, less stress/trauma, etc.) than high-risky medications. I mean, while an AD might give better feeling in short term, but creating long-term serious problems, like dependencies/additions and other potential health problems. In brief, we must be so careful of safety when dealing with ADs.

[Mpncoda]

Agreed. I am very natural based when it comes to protocols hence my idea around this is to look for ways to boost our biological serotonin. There are supplements that do so and Tryptophan is an effective precursor as well. Best to take as little of any substance as possible even if it is herbal and homeopathy.