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 :)

[eureka254]

"AD classifications of meds...the only thing more depressing than needing them, is the thought that someone cannot come in here with an opposite opinion without the thought police deleting it.
There is a case to be made in either direction on many medical issues, and the weaker case is nevertheless one that should be heard and debated or disproved, not deleted simply because the moderator disagrees." MB
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I wholeheartedly agree with MB on that note.
I , too, am concerned that a number of posts have indeed been deleted -- posts that were neither rancourous nor offensive.  I certainly respect MH's right to discretion, but I now wonder what guidelines direct their discretionary measures.  Removal of rudeness, ridicule, vulgarity or profanity is understandable (we all get ******'d enough when we're not even cursing!), but in the absence of malice, such deletions bring into question MH's motives.  My hope is that I'm not seeing these deletions as the beginning of increasing partiality and censorship on MH's part.

[comeagain]

I`m a former illegal drug user self medicationer so to speak never trusted the legal stuff.

First time I was visiting in a funnyfarm Ived just seen one flew over the coco net
and the people I saw there looked just as strange as the  strangest in that film.
Let me tell you when i walked in them culverts in that hospital I was alert on guard all the time, it was a horror movie coming alive nothing happened though.

Later on when a friend of mine got commited in a mental hospital and been on them medication he also looked like a total freak then I realized that it was the meds who had made those people in the culverts looking totally insane, ever since then I´ve been scared of legal stuff.

Ok I`m talking haldol trillafon grapestamper medications here.
Seems like nobody ever get well who starts to take them.

Also have bad experince with potential girlfriends who has been on ADs and potential is all they ever been because even if I at first was charmed of their positiv outlook soon enough noticed that i coulden communicate on a deeper level with them and thats scary enough in my opinion.

Just some thoughts why some people can hesitate and rather not take ADs

ca

PS never trust a schrink except Luke Rhinehart .

[Trinity4]

Trinity4:
What about the 59% that did not develop any depression?
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Statistically, for Geno 1s, over half will NOT become SVR... but I'm sure you wouldn't say 'not to treat' regardless of liver status...  
My thinking is everyone wants to give it the best shot... we just each take aim at this virus differently and with varying types of ammo...

I've never said not to treat.  My position is if you feel comfortable with treating and your medical team agrees than it is the best thing for you, by all means treat.  Stage 3 and above should treat sooner than later.

What I am saying is most people can tolerate the side effects from current HCV medications.  There is a common myth that prevents people from seeking treatment because they have heard horror stories of worst case scenarios experienced by some people taking HCV medications.  The truth is therapy can be difficult, but most people can complete the treatment regimen if they receive appropriate support from medical providers, family, friends and others.  The key to successfully managing side effects is a team approach that treats physical and psychological side effects as soon as they surface and well before they become unmanageable.  Unfortunately, some people to do not have access to the supportive care that is such an important part of the treatment process.  Of course, there are people who cannot tolerate HCV therapy for a variety of reasons but they are the exception rather than the rule.  
The above approach has worked very well for me.  I am glad I was not advised to pre-dose with an anti-depressant because I haven't needed it so far.  I am not opposed to treating with an AD, I feel like it should up to the individual and the medical team.

[merryBe]

I think antidepressants are a godsend while on tx, and have kept many from stopping tx and cutting their life shorter as a result. My mother was bi-polar, I am not. However, I finally understood what a panic attack was after being placed on this tx.
Even knowing that AD's have liver issues did not stop me from requesting them, it became that nessessary. That is not to say one should not seek the safest meds that do the least to further elevate liver enzymes. Each patient needs to take time to make sure their doctor monitors and selects the safest combo for them and regular monitoring is very important with the AD classifications of meds.

that said:

the only thing more depressing than needing them, is the thought that someone cannot come in here with an opposite opinion without the thought police deleting it.
There is a case to be made in either direction on many medical issues, and the weaker case is nevertheless one that should be heard and debated or disproved, not deleted simply because the moderator disagrees.

I did not see what was written, so don't know whether it was deleted due to rancorous  content, but if not, I see no cause why reasonable people cannot disagree or discuss such issues, and am alarmed by the apparent attempt to remove freedom of speech from this forum.

mb

[Trish77]

Thank you very much for the enlightening posts.  I was missing the understanding I couldn't possibly have of that side of things and so I asked that question.  It gives me, and I'm sure many others, new insights.   I would still make the same decision for me...it was the right decision for me....however, I also understand better why some would choose otherwise to go with a prophylactic AD.  Was never against it but there were aspects of it I didn't understand.  Thanks for putting that out there.

Trish

[eureka254]

Trish77:
Although I have no 20/20 hindsight to offer as yet, my husband did decide to use an AD (Lexapro) as a 'preventative'; as to whether or not it's the 'right' medication... MAYBE time will tell.  I suppose if he completes the 48 weeks, we'll feel it was the right decision, but so much of treatment and its rescue drugs feels like russian roulette.  
The decision to pre-dose was influenced by many factors, but most pressing was the high drop-out rate due to depression -- as a stage 4, my husband may not have another opportunity to treat, and he's viewing the AD as tx 'continuation' insurance -- increase the odds as much as possible that he'll get to the finish line.  The fact that he is a little nervous about the treatment itself AND how it may affect his other medical conditions -- that coupled with ever-present concern about HCC recurrence -- led him to decide he could benefit from an AD.  (Perhaps his NP recommended it pretty strongly because when she was describing Riba-rage to him: "Lots of anger, irritability, unexplained rage, overwhelming impatience..." his response was, "Well, that's the way I am all the time,  I've been that way since I've been home [from the war]!" lol)

Trinity4:
What about the 59% that did not develop any depression?
---------------------------------------------
Statistically, for Geno 1s, over half will NOT become SVR... but I'm sure you wouldn't say 'not to treat' regardless of liver status...  
My thinking is everyone wants to give it the best shot... we just each take aim at this virus differently and with varying types of ammo...

Respectfully,
~eureka