As always, sensible words from Hurdity. Her science background gives well informed advice - I have learned so much from her posts.
If only we were all given good lessons on not just puberty but also the menopause, as part of our biology lessons, this time in our lives would not be such a mine field. Boys need to know all this as well!!!???
Of course there is a place for ADs/SSRIs but I , like many others, am extremely worried that GPs rush to prescribe these as a first line treatment, without fully informing the patient of the side effects or fully assessing whether this is the right route to take. It's the old fashioned approach of ‘let's cosh them, to keep them quiet'.
As a short term trial to help someone get over a difficult time with a true depression, crippling anxiety or for pain management, then fine, but how many people are sent away with a prescription for an AD having been given the full implications explained to them? Initial side effects can be severe, withdrawal symptoms take many weeks or months and I am particularly worried about the long term effects for those that find they become dependent on these drugs?
I know that the right SSRI can be very helpful for those poor women who can't take HRT for health reasons but it is about time they did some research to find some other alternatives.
I was prescribed Prozac in my mid 30s (going through very difficult time with my son being diagnosed with developmental problems) but my local pharmacist was very responsible and, knowing I had small children, told me he thought it unwise for me to take them due to the side effects - I was doing busy school runs carrying both my children and friends children to and from various schools and he said I might not be fit to drive. I opted not to take the Prozac and stuck with the counselling - I will be eternally grateful to that pharmacist.
I was then advised, last year, to use Amitriptyline (just the lowest dose of 10mg) to ease pain in my lower back, hips and sciatica. It did reduce the nerve pain but, by week three, I was a hyper wreck, with a horrid dry mouth and awful headaches - it took 3-4 weeks for these side effects to wear off when I stopped them. I dread to think what is would be like to come off a higher dose!!!!!
In the end I paid to see a rheumatologist privately, I had scan and X Ray and the problem was identified - he gave me a steroid injection in my spine which has worked wonders (injection took 10 mins). It will never be perfect as I have deterioration of L3-L4 vertebrae but the GP should have referred me, not dished out drugs that were just to keep me quiet. I now know what the problem is and I can manage it better - if it gets worse again I know I can have another injection that will relieve the pain for quite some time and won't give me side effects. Why did I have to pay for the appropriate treatment???
I know ADS/SSRIs are trial and error, before you find something that works well for you, and for many people they are a life line, BUT - the GPs really must explain why they prescribe them and what effects they may have both short and long term.
RANT OVER. DG x
