2001-03-12 19:41:54+00 by Dan Lyke 2 comments
Marylaine passed along some links for my request for antidepressant info. For tracking down information on specific drugs, she suggested RXList, CNN's health news, Reuters Health, and the National Library of Medicine Medline Plus.
[ related topics: Drugs Psychology, Psychiatry and Personality Health Marylaine Block Antidepressants ]
comments in ascending chronological order (reverse):
#Comment made: 2002-02-21 05:31:18+00 by: babar
I asked a friend about to start an MD/PhD program and got this response:
You might want to try www.health-center.com. One of their strengths is Lots of information about all the side effects of different medications, especially antidepressants. They also have bulletin boards, which are fairly active, so you can see, or ask about, other people's experiences.
To ensure that the health care professional isn't using the drug-of-the-month, spend some time with the National Institue of Health's Medline pages. Medline used to just be a compilation of medical journal abstracts for professionals, but they now have a general information site for non-professionals. It is at www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/
Good luck.
#Comment made: 2002-02-21 05:31:21+00 by: topspin
For the record, I use both Rxlist and Medline Plus, but I'm usually looking for something pretty specific.
As for your friend, Dan, I've gotta stick with my original feeling that short term management with Buspar and/or Xanax/Klonopin is probably the way to start treatment.
If Amen can identify a chemical imbalance or brain function abnormality, wonderful. A long-term problem requires a long-haul solution and meds are more like windshield wipers.... helping you see which way to steer.
Buspar is thought to decrease serotonin, unlike the more popular SSRI (Prozac, et.al.) drugs which increase serotonin. There's some "magic bullet" ideas/opinions about serotonin, IMO, but there's clearly some merit to therapy which alters serotonin levels. Using a benzodiazepine (Xanax) for "tough days" makes sense as a safety net for a responsible patient.
It's a rocky road and a very personal issue for some people. I don't know your friend, but I'd gladly answer email questions privately.