Lesson 5: Treatments: Traditional Medicine
Treatment for Depression
Many fibro sufferers are depressed. This is usually more a result of the fibro and the necessity of living with chronic pain than it is a cause. Anti-depressants are given to those whose doctors determine that the depression is causing them to sleep too often, or to refuse to participate in activities beneficial to them because of the depression. This section will describe some of those most commonly prescribed. For further details about any one of them simply click on the highlighted name.
- Prozac (Fluoxetine) is one of the most controversial of the antidepressants although frequently prescribed for fibro patients. This appears to be because many people on Prozac subsequently committed suicide. What we need to remember is that suicide is a risk with any severely depressed person. Depression caused by fibro is rarely of the type that calls for such drastic measures.
Prozac works by blocking the re-absorption of serotonin, a neurotransmitter or chemical messenger in the brain. Because serotonin imbalance is characteristic of fibromyalgia the drug can have a beneficial and apparent effect.
Other drugs that are serotonin inhibitors include Zoloft (sertraline hydrochloride) and Paxil (paroxetine hydrochloride).
If you are uncertain about whether you want to take these drugs, read this from the Mayo Clinic before deciding. Mayo has found that these drugs are most effective for fibro sufferers when taken with amitriptyline (Elavil.)
- Amitriptyline (also knows as Amitril, Elavil, Emitrip, Endep, Enovil, Etrafon, Etrafon-A, Etrafon-Forte, PMS-Levazine, SK-Amitriptyline, Dohme, Sharpe, Apo-Amitriptyline, Elavil Plus [CD], Levate, and Triavil) is used to treat depression as well as agitation and is often used for those suffering from chronic pain. It also affects the re-uptake of serotinin. Apparently it acts quickly and effectively on pain. It is not addictive, but does have potential side effects. This document from MedLine should help you weigh the benefits against the risks.
Doxepin, trade name Adapin is related to this class of drugs but does not appear to have the same pain inhibiting effects.
