Posted by SLS on August 24, 2004, at 6:00:46
In reply to Re: To Scott, posted by Denise1904 on August 23, 2004, at 12:08:04
Hi Denise.
> I've heard of RU-486, but didn't realise you take it for a week, then feel better, then stop taking it, and stay feeling better, that sounds too good to be true, has it been clinically proven yet and do you know of anyone else who's tried it?
There are a couple of research groups reporting success with it, but it is far from proven.
Yes, mifepristone (RU-486) is the French "abortion" drug, but it has other uses. Besides blocking progesterone receptors, it potently blocks cortisol receptors as well. Because of this, it is being used to treat Cushing's Disease, a condition in which the adrenal glands become overactive and secrete too much cortisol. Because there are theories suggesting that the adrenals, controlled by the hypothalamus and pituitary glands, secrete too much cortisol in depression, mifepristone was chosen to try treating refractory cases. Supposedly, a 7 day course of treatment yielded long-lasting results. Since I have only read the abstract and a few reviews, I don't know the details.
I'm sorry the rTMS proved inadequate. Have you ever tried imipramine or any other tricyclics? (I apologize if you have answered this question already).
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:378449
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040821/msgs/381623.html