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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by amy_oz on October 9, 2002, at 18:11:22
Hi,
I have just started paroxetine (Paxil) after suffering a severe depressive + anxiety episode. After a few months its definitely helping (I also take fish oil and SAM-e). I know I am very lucky to have responded so well but the doctors have warned me that I may be on AD's for the rest of my life cause of my family history of mental illness.I don't really want this cause of the long term effects of AD's (esp SSRI's) aren't so well known. The side effects aren't too crash hot either (Sexual dysfunction + apathy). So what to do?? Just put up with the fact that its part of my genes? Is there anyone out there with this kind of family and has managed to moved beyond their depression?
I noticed Mr Sad Puppy Dogs link about familial depression and the disturbed sleeping patterns, but how do you fix something like that?
BTW for those who are interested.
Immediate family
Sister with severe depression, ADD and OCDMum's side
Severe depression- aunt, 3 cousins, grandmother,1 great grandfatheranxiety- mum, other greatgrandfather
severe ADD- another cousin
Dad's side
Depression-grandmother, great grandmother, uncle, 2 cousinsSchizophrenia- another cousin
severe ADD- yet another cousin
There's possibly more but I haven' asked everyone. I guess the strike rate in my family is a little more than the national average of 20%.
Posted by BrittPark on October 9, 2002, at 19:14:09
In reply to familial depression- there must be some other way, posted by amy_oz on October 9, 2002, at 18:11:22
I'm glad you're responding so well to the Paxil. Keep taking it. From your family history it certainly seems like you're a candidate for lifetime medication. You'll have to weigh the cost/benefit of continuing medication. One thing you can try is to find another AD that has a side-effect profile you find more tolerable. There is a risk to doing that in that what you change to might not work, and worse, if you decide to go back to Paxil, it may not work again. Another thing you can try that is less risky is adding something like Wellbutrin to your medication and see if it helps with the sexual side-effects.
Whatever you decide to do give the Paxil at least 12 months before discontinuing. By then you'll have a much better idea of what the steady state side-effects are like.
Don't forget, also, that progress is being made in the treatment of depression. Someday there will be an actual cure for depression. Unfortunately there isn't one now.
I've been taking imipramine for 20 years now with a few breaks and have very few side-effects the worst being dry mouth which causes problems with one's teeth. My dentist bills over the last 20 years have been very high ;).
There is now about 14 years of accumulated data about taking SSRIs and I haven't heard of any bad long term effects. There's also lots of data about TCA lifers (like me) and again very little evidence of any bad long term effects (except the teeth), and TCAs are considerably harsher than SSRIs.
Keep well,
Britt
Posted by waterlily on October 10, 2002, at 19:08:48
In reply to familial depression- there must be some other way, posted by amy_oz on October 9, 2002, at 18:11:22
My family history of mental illness isn't nearly as impressive as yours (paternal grandfather - institutionalized, probably for major depression; father - major depression, alcoholism, successful suicide; me - major depression, panic/anxiety; my oldest daughter - depression, ADD, OCD; my sister - after having given birth a few weeks ago is now experiencing panic disorder/depression) but I have been told that I will likely be on medication for the rest of my life. I don't regard that as something bad, just something that is a bit of an inconvenience. I'm just happy that my depression and anxiety responds to medication. I take Wellbutrin SR 150 mg twice a day for depression and Serzone 300 mg once a day for anxiety. This combination keeps me feeling normal. I don't have the apathy that I had while I was on Zoloft and I don't have the anxiety that I had while on Wellbutrin alone.
If one medication has unacceptable side effects, try something else. Sooner or later you'll probably find a medication or combination of medications that work well for you. Hang in there!
Posted by Gracie2 on October 10, 2002, at 21:30:32
In reply to Re: familial depression- there must be some other way, posted by waterlily on October 10, 2002, at 19:08:48
I know that it's shocking to realize that you might need to rely on daily medication for the rest of your life. However, if this medication extends and improves your quality of life, there isn't anything noble or wise about "roughing it" without medication - compare this to refusing a diptheria or polio vaccine.
Alcoholism and depression runs in my family to the extent that I and all four of my siblings have suffered fro
m both. On the hopeful side, my son's father was a happy, well-adjusted person, and so is my son. I attribute this to paternal genes and a careful upbringing. My father was not in the picture, and my mother constantly reminded me that I was fat, stupid, and that she and my brothers and sisters were expensive and useless...none of them had children (they have dogs.) I had only one child, and I've always made it a point to let him know that he's wanted, beautiful and loved. I like to believe I have broken the cycle.
-Gracie
Posted by Mystia on October 10, 2002, at 21:38:36
In reply to Re: familial depression- there must be some other way, posted by waterlily on October 10, 2002, at 19:08:48
WOW....I thought I was the only one with messed up family...
Immediate family: Mom takes Zoloft and Valium, Dad needs meds for depression (has social phobia and won't see doc), brother is bipolar and depressed
Mom's side: Grandmother has Alzheimers, Grandfather depression and anxiety, 2 uncles and 4 aunts (at least that many) are depressed and/or have anxiety disease, little cousin with severe ADD and depression (also a brain development problem)
Dad's side: grandmother has depression (in addition to other problems), grandfather has depression, all great aunts and great uncles have depression and some anxiety disorder (two of my great uncles killed their abusive dad at like ages 5 and 7 so everyone's messed up), my only aunt has bipolar, at least 4 cousins have some sort of disorder (ADD, depression, anxiety)All this IN ADDITION to all kinds of cancer, lupus, emphysema, diabetes, osetoporosis, GERD, heart diseas, etc.
I don't feel so bad now that I know my family's not the only one like that!
This is the end of the thread.
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