The Anti Deppressant Thread, again!

[epiphiny]

The above thread seems to have been deleted yet again, which hardly surprises me as it was becoming rather repetitive and I think that all that needed to be said had indeed been said.  Unfortunately it means that some of the excellent info, both for and against the use of AD's during tx, has gone with it.

I have a copy of the discussion if anyone wishes to read it, just let me know.

Epi :)

[Deb_c430]

I will say I have tried it both ways, the second time I got half through and lost it, cried, cried, was angry.

This time I said sign me up before I start, I have moody sad days, I cry sometimes, but on the whole emotionally, I am much happier.  

I had never needed them before or wanted them,   tx is a horse of a different color.  There is no weakness nor shame in them.

I try and only take tylenol on neupogen nights,     I do not always sleep well though.   try it and see if you can get away with it! On pyg I rarely took them!

[meakea]

You brought up an excellent point about the Tylenol that I am going to adopt from you.  I take my shots at 6 p.m. on Fridays and I usually feel it starting to make my head woozy by 9 p.m. so I take a Tylenol and go to bed.  Since I'm sleeping during the next 8 hrs, I might not really need the Tylenol.  I'm going to go without it this next time and see.  

I have never been one to take a pill unless it was really, really, really necessary so why am I popping a Tylenol so easily (b/c my NP said to).  This will be an interesting experiment and, if it turns out the way I hope it might, I can check another automatic pill off my list.  :)

[portann]

Hi Meakea,

I just took shot 23 last night and I assure you that there are many of us who do not need or benefit from AD's while on treatment. Our cases are simply different, not better or worse. It is hard to voice our experience when there are many vocal, adamant and - very infrequently -  even intolerant people who tend to hold sway in this discussion. In all respect to them,  they do likely represent the majority.  I usually avoid threads like this because of the pitfalls of citing studies based on, among other shortcomings, self-reporting of depression. It's a complex topic and simplistic studies can be self-serving to those with an agenda.

A very intelligent forum member suggested it may be UNETHICAL  for hepatologists to not pre-dose ALL patients with anti-depressants. My hepatologist does not share this totalitarian view, as do many other doctors who are well-regarded in the hepatitis community and have devoted their lives to making treatment decisions for their patients.

I'd like to share a tidbit with you. The debate has benefited me tremendously in an ironic and funny way. I had, until last night, religiously taken Tylenol once a week on injection night (Monday). It was meant as a 'preventive' measure, originally suggested by my nurse. I decided to forgo it last night for the first time, as a result of this thread and my own view of prophylactics. I want you to know that I felt exactly the same as I always do after my injections (except the first one), so now I won't be pre-dosing Tylenol either.

And I haven't had a prophylactic double mastectomy but I'm sure there's a raging debate about this over on Medhelp's cancer forum.

[meakea]

I started TX 8 shots ago without ADs.  At week 4 a sadness overcame me and I found myself crying on my drive to work.  I was able to stifle it during work but then I'd cry again on my drive home from work.  I was also able to stifle the cry while around my family.  I talked to my NP about it and she started me on Celexa.

Celexa was HORRIBLE for me.  It immediately gave me a sandpaper dry mouth, severe nausea, water diarrhea and anxiety.  I started the Celexa on the same night as my shot that particular week so, at first, I thought it was very, very, very bad reaction to the shot.  By Monday, my symptoms were no better and were, in fact, worse so I began to wonder if it was the Celexa.  

I stopped the Celexa that night and within 2 days the symptoms were gone, thank GOD!  I was so thankful that it was the Celexa causing those symptoms and not my TX otherwise I knew I would NEVER have made it through 48 weeks of that.  My NP offered me a different AD but, after the awful experience I had with Celexa, I was afraid to put any more meds into my system and I declined them.

My sadness lifted on it's own (using my own methods of getting some light exercise and sticking around positive people, etc.) and I have been doing okay without ADs.  I still get the sadness feeling from time to time but since I know what it is I just try to get some exercise and watch a funny movie to lighten the atmosphere a bit.  I actually also get a panic feeling from time to time as if I am feeling like I am being held captive against my will but I am able to realize that it's the meds and I ride the wave til it passes.

My hope is to continue without ADs.  I am NOT against ADs but, for me...I am going to avoid as long as I can.

[Trinity4]

Thank you Portann.  I spent a lot of time purtting that together and it was very informative and well written.  I wasn't rude or offensive, didn't even direct it to any particular person.  Apparantly I have been reported but for what ?   I wasn't trying to start a war or antagonize anyone.  I am very angry about that and I do believe some us are being singled out unfairly.  There was nothing wrong with that post MH.  I would like you to return it.
Trinity

[Trinity4]

I replied after MB -  nothing offensive, actually some info from hepcadvoce.org and they zapped me.  I don't get it.