Posted by Linnie on August 23, 1999, at 7:03:13
In reply to what happens with long term antidepressant use?, posted by Iris on August 22, 1999, at 21:48:28
Dr Bob or someone else might be able to put people's mind to rest on this better than I, but I can relate my personal experience.e
From being on Elavil for 16 years ( I am now on Celexa for 8 months ) I developed an arythmia in my heart. It is not serious as I have been told it is an "acquired" condition from the medication and not one I inherited or developed from other things.
Basically the QT interval on my EKG is elongated, almost to the danger point. It was discovered by accident when I collapsed from anemia and they had to rule out the cause for it.
Even getting off the Elavil has not made it return to normal but my heart does not gallop after one of these "missed beats" so it seems a "not to worry" situation. My GP does watch it regularly though and I probably have more than the normally required EKGs but better safe than sorry.
I am past worry about it, in my case, as everything I have been told about it in my case has proven out.
poster:Linnie
thread:10523
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990814/msgs/10540.html