Posted by MB on August 13, 2003, at 22:29:41
In reply to Re: SSRIs increase cortisol? (was: Sledgehammer ....) » MB, posted by Larry Hoover on August 12, 2003, at 8:51:24
> > Is this true about SSRIs increasing cortisol levels? This is scary. I listened to the audio clip recommended by Larry Hoover:
> >
> > http://www.3sistersapothecary.com/ram/anti-1.ram
> > and
> > http://www.3sistersapothecary.com/ram/anti-2.ram
>
> Just to clarify, I didn't recommend them. I haven't had the time to listen to them, yet. My ancient computer couldn't even *do* media files. I just got it to work today. I'll let you know what I think.
Clarification noted...I do appreciate the link though. I like to hear other opinions (even when biased...I guess all opinions are biased to a degree...)
> One opinion seldom counts for much, in my opinion. <irony intended>
Yeah, this is very true. Also, this woman makes many leaps to causation based solely on correlattions (a disease rate goes up in a town where a doctor is prescribing a lot of Prozac, so she leaps to blaming the Prozac...just not scientific). But if cortisol levels really *are* doubled by SSRIs (as she claims) that is pretty knarly...however, some people take Prozac for years without developing the Cushing's-like symptoms that too much cortisol (I think) would produce. Anyway, even if it's not enough to cause Cushing's, I think too much cortisol can't be a good thing.
> Given the conditions you've stated, the drugs are worth the risk. That's when I use drugs.
Yeah, I think it's worth the risk. I would like to get my cortisol levels tested, though. My doctor would probably think I was crazy for asking...
>
> > The medication doesn't work that well anyway.
>
> If it gets you away from the suicidal ideation.....
That's the big thing, I guess, isn't it? Also, my OCD symptoms are better on the Lexapro. I was killing myself with a pathologically perfectionist outlook on life (it made school horrible) and the Lex has helped with that.> If you think that nicotine is the "deciding factor", you don't need to smoke to get nicotine. Consider trying one of the nicotine replacement products used by people trying to quit.
>
> LarI've been chewing the nicotin gum trying to quit smoking (and I figured if it helped the depression, I would just keep chewing it). The funny thing is that the nicotin itself doesn't seem to help. When I smoke, I get an opiate-like feeling and some stimulation. With the nicotin gum, I just get the stimulation. I'm wondering if there's something else in the *smoke* itself besides the nicotin that helps the depression. Anyway, the answer to that question may never be found. I'm a recovering opiate addict, so some of the depression might be endorphin related. It's probably high time I started exercising again!!
MB
poster:MB
thread:241945
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030812/msgs/250666.html