Posted by Bob on April 23, 2003, at 16:11:57
In reply to Re: New Antidepressants? » Bob, posted by Jack Smith on April 23, 2003, at 12:32:55
>
> > I feel your pain McPac. The SSRIs are way overhyped, and when the next thing comes along everybody will start admitting how awful the SSRIs were. The only thing I'd have to disagree with is with they're being here soon. Seems like the development of new and novel drugs has slowed to a standstill. I have lost faith that they will come out with anything truly novel and effective in a timely enough manner to salvage my life.
> >
> >
>
> I know you are frustrated but to say the ssri's are "awful" is ridiculous. An SSRI--celexa--saved my life a few years ago. It had hardly any side effects. While it eventually stopped working, I thank god that it was invented. Just because a particular class of meds did not work for you does not make them awful. Moreover, the SSRI's were great for the depressed population because drug companies, after the success of prozac, invested like 100 times more money in developing new AD's and they are continuing to do so.
>
Ok, ok. "Awful" was the wrong word. How about flawed? I admit that I harbor extreme frustration and anger over the fact that SSRIs, and other ADs as well, have not helped me much. However, there are inherent problems with the SSRIs that are currently not mentioned which will definitely make them a second line choice one day. They have eventual weight gain for most people, significant sexual side-effects, akathisia, somnolence, apathy, etc, etc. They also don't work long term for many people (apparently this was the case for you also). BTW, just because a SSRI saves your life doesn't mean it will give you extended long term quality of life. I've taken every SSRI out there, and indeed my life has been "saved" more than once. However, nothing has brought me close to what my quality of life was pre-illness. Again, this is just me, but I don't think I'm the only one. I realize that there are "super responders" out there who are miraculously cured with an SSRI with absolutely no side effects. I maintain though, that this is not the typical case. Again, I admit, I'm frustrated and saddened by my lack of response to meds.
poster:Bob
thread:221618
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030423/msgs/221811.html