11 Things Only Someone On Antidepressants Understands
There's a spin class I like here in New York City, and the instructor happens to have diabetes. Periodically in the middle of class—sometimes barely even slowing her pedaling feet—she'll check her blood sugar with a quick prick of her fingertip. Occasionally she'll explain herself before or after class. Other times, no explanation necessary. I'm sure others like me who have worked out with her more than a few times hardly notice anymore. Therapists and doctors and writers like to draw an analogy between the constant vigilance required of people with diabetes and that of people with depression. A person might need to be on insulin for the rest of her life, and there's no shame in that. Depression, too, the thinking goes, can require lifelong treatment—why should our perception of that medication be any different? Still, I can't imagine this spin instructor popping off the cap of a bottle of Zoloft in front of 30 sweaty strangers. It's not a perfect analogy: We now know that depression is perhaps infinitely more complicated than the comparatively well understood fix for type 1 diabetes of replacing missing insulin. But it still makes the point so clear it nearly punches you in the stomach: We wouldn't judge someone for treating a physical illness with medication, so why do we judge someone for doing the same for a mental illness? Diagnosing depression can be just as challenging as treating it. (Do you experience any of these nine surprising depression symptoms?) I'm confident we're (slowly) moving away from this stigma, but we're not quite there yet. Whether it's because a person on antidepressants doesn't necessarily "look" sick or because we simply don't understand the benefits antidepressants have to offer, it's obvious we need more honest discussion of these med Continue reading >>
Antidepressant Discontinuation: The Why & How Of Tapering
Note: The author acknowledges, with great compassion, that this is a challenging topic for the many individuals who make the difficult decision to begin treatment with psychiatric medication. All patients must be given the most complete and accurate information about these medications, including: side effects (risk for dependence, violence, impulsivity, etc), the importance of properly tapering off medication, the institutional incentives for medical doctors, educators, and others to advocate for their use, and the availability of effective non-pharmaceutical avenues of treatment that can address root causes of mental illness and behavioral problems. What follows herein is a discussion of steps that the author believes should be taken in anticipation of any medication taper; the subsequent taper should be handled by an experienced professional. Despite these considerations, some patients may be unable to taper which, in the author’s opinion, speaks to the importance of true informed consent prior to medication initiation. This blog is not medical advice and does not replace consultation with a qualified medical professional of your choosing. If you squeeze a spring and you hold it there steadily, for a couple of hours, and then you suddenly let go, what happens? It bursts into expansion, maybe double its natural size and reverberates for a while until it comes to a resting place. This is the example that I use when I describe the effects that antidepressants have on brain chemistry over time – they squeeze the spring and if you let it go too quickly, it’s mayhem. Despite being taught in my training that antidepressants were to the depressed (and to the anxious, OCD, IBS, PTSD, bulemic, anorexic, etc.) what glasses are to the near-sighted, I don’t buy this thinki Continue reading >>
Berberine Works But May Very Well Be Harmful
I have been getting a lot of email of late about the supplement Berberine, which appears to be the latest miracle cure being sold to those people with diabetes who believe that completely unregulated herbs imported from countries with long histories of food and drug adulteration are somehow safer and "more natural" than the tightly regulated pharamceuticals. Berberine does appear to work to lower blood sugar. The problem is that we really know very little about how it does it or what its long term effects are on the body. I see many mentions on sites promoting berberine supplements of the fact that berberine has a long history of use in Chinese medicine. However, quite a few of the traditional Chinese herbs have turned out to be highly toxic, and it's worth noting that the incidence of kidney and other urinary tract cancer among Chinese herbalists is far greater than that of the population at large. (Details HERE) You can lower blood sugar by damaging your liver as happens with severe alcoholism. You can lower blood sugar with drugs that raise the likelihood of heart attack, as is the case with most sulfonylurea drugs. (Details HERE) You can lower blood sugar with drugs that over time damage the pancreas as is the case with the incretin drugs.(Details HERE) And you can lower blood sugar by taking drugs that turn bone precursor cells into fat cell, as happens with Avandia and Actos, which, over a decade of use of these drugs can lead to your developing bones so brittle that they are prone to breaking. (Details HERE) Many of these severe, life-ruining side effects did not show up until people had taken these drugs for five to ten years. So the fact that a drug lowers blood sugar for three months in a small population without major harm tells you nothing about its actual s Continue reading >>
Medication Warnings
Certain veterinary medications for other conditions may seriously affect diabetic patients. Always check with your nurse before taking. This list is provided because some of these medications don't mention their side effects on diabetics in their literature. Many drugs used in veterinary medicine are also used in human medicine under a differently-trademarked name. Learning the human pharma name (if applicable) or generic name of the drug (same in veterinary & human medicine) can often give you additional information regarding possible side effects and how the drug may affect patients with diabetes. Human pharma drugs provide this information--for some reason, veterinary drugs don't always. If you are considering alternative or herbal medicine for your diabetic pet, see also Alternative medication warnings. Xylitol, a common artificial sweetener, lowers blood sugar dangerously in dogs and sometimes humans, possibly also cats. Some prescription and over-the counter medications, including vitamins and supplements which are made for human use contain Xylitol. Reading labels thoroughly and asking your vet can prevent needless tragedies. Heartworm [8][9] is a global problem, with areas on all continents except Antarctica affected and is a disease that is far easier to prevent than to cure. It can affect both cats and dogs[10][11][12][13]. Should your pet be affected by this, a talk with your vet is in order. Increasing insulin doses to counter this temporary situation may cause hypoglycemia once the systemic medication level has lowered. The phenomenon also does not mean your pet has ceased to respond to the insulin you currently use. Since there are no formal label warnings, he/she needs to be aware that there are temporary side effects for these drugs which apply to some d Continue reading >>
Drugs That Harm Vision
Acne Alzheimer's Antibiotics Antidiuretics Antihistamines Anxiety Arthritis Asthma Birth control Blood pressure Blood thinners Cancer Depression Diabetes Dilated pupils Erectile dysfunction Glaucoma Heart medications High cholesterol High blood pressure Hormone replacement Inflammation Insomnia Malaria Muscle spasms Pain relief Parkinson's Psychiatric meds Recreational drugs Sea sickness Steroids Thyroid Tuberculosis Ulcers Vitamins Weight loss Antibiotics Whenever taking antibiotics make sure you take probiotics such acidophilus or bifidus and vitamin C to help ward off some of the other side effects that affect the rest of the body. Oral antibiotics have been tied to retinal detachment. Fluoroquinolones, such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro, Zoxan, Proquin) and levofloxacine (Levaquin, Cravit), ("Oral Fluoroquinolones and the Risk of Retinal Detachment", which was published in the April 4, 2012 edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). Zoxan, Proquin Topical application of prescribed antibiotics may result in allergic conjunctivitis (red eye). Oral and intravenous antibiotics for fight bacterial infections may cause some visual symptoms. Synthetic penicillins (amoxicillin and ampicillin) can cause some mild redness of the eyes, itching, and dry eyes. In rare cases they have been shown to cause hemorrhages of the blood vessels in the conjunctiva and in the retina. They can contribute to allergic conjunctivitis. Some antibiotics can increase light sensitivity, contribute to dry eye syndrome and risk of glaucoma. Amphotericin B can lead to hemorrhage of the blood vessels in the eyes Fluroquinone, terbinafine, mefloquine type antibiotics are photosensitizing drugs that can increase your risk of macular degeneration and cataracts Tetracycline has similar s Continue reading >>
Other Dangerous Drugs For People With Diabetes
A major problem with all drugs is that busy doctors often ignore potentially damaging drug side effects. Often they aren't even aware that these side effects are listed in the drug's official FDA-required label (called the "Prescribing Information" online.). That is because most doctors get their information about drugs from reps sent out by pharmaceutical companies or doctors who are well-compensated by these companies to promote the latest, most expensive drugs to their peers. Unfortunately, all the major drug companies have a long record of suppressing information about damaging side effects of all their drugs. Periodically, one of these drugs will kill or injure enough people that it comes to the attention of the FDA and the media. Even then, the FDA will usually only post an "alert" and will allow the drug to continue to be sold. Busy doctors apparently don't read these alerts, as they continue to prescribe drugs that have generated serious alerts in quantities that result in billions of dollars of drug company revenue each year. Proof that doctors are woefully ignorant of the side effects of even the most heavily prescribed drugs was provided by this study: Physician Response to Patient Reports of Adverse Drug Effects: Implications For Patient-Targeted Adverse Effect Surveillance.Golomb, Beatrice A, et al. Drug Safety. 30(8):669-675, 2007. TIt was a study of a group of patients prescribed a statin drug that verified that doctors ignore patients' reports of even the most significant side effects. As reported, it found that Eighty-seven percent of patients reportedly spoke to their physician about the possible connection between statin use and their symptom....Physicians were reportedly more likely to deny than affirm the possibility of a connection. Rejection of a Continue reading >>
When Good Drugs Do Bad
Your head is throbbing, so you keep popping pain relievers to try to feel better. So why in the world is your headache suddenly worse? Surprisingly, some medications you might take to relieve common health complaints can cause the same problems they're designed to treat. That doesn't mean you shouldn't take those drugs; it's just good to be aware of that potential side effect. Here's a rundown of 10 common types of medications that sometimes backfire and what you can do to try to prevent that from happening, or cope if it does. 1. Migraine medications Examples: drugs that end in "triptan," such as rizatriptan (Maxalt) and sumatriptan (Imitrex and generic) How they can backfire. Using migraine pain relievers too often might lead to a condition known as medication-overuse headache, which affects up to two-thirds of patients who seek help at headache treatment centers in the U.S. It can also happen with nonprescription pain relievers. What to try instead. Some types of migraines should not be treated with triptans, so your first step is to get a diagnosis from your doctor. You need to figure out what's triggering your migraines—if you do, you might be able to avoid them. Common triggers are chocolate, shellfish, and wine. Others include beer, cheese, hunger, strong odors, bright lights, the sun, glare from a TV or computer screen, insomnia, and stress. Instead of jumping to migraine meds, talk to your doctor about alternative therapies shown to reduce the frequency or intensity of migraines or to prevent them. Examples: hepatotoxic PA-free herb butterbur (75 milligrams twice daily); coenzyme Q10 (100 milligrams three times a day); and the B vitamin riboflavin (400 milligrams a day). Note that the Co-Q10 might take up to three months to be effective, and it's fairly expen Continue reading >>
Plasma Insulin Levels Are Increased By Sertraline In Rats Under Oral Glucose Overload
R. Gomez1, J. Huber1, F. Lhullier2 and H.M.T. Barros1 1Divisão de Farmacologia, Fundação Faculdade Federal de Ciências Médicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil 2Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil Recognition and control of depression symptoms are important to increase patient compliance with treatment and to improve the quality of life of diabetic patients. Clinical studies indicate that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) are better antidepressants for diabetic patients than other drugs. However, preclinical trials have demonstrated that not all SSRI reduce plasma glucose levels. In fact, fluoxetine increases and sertraline decreases glycemia in diabetic and non-diabetic rats. In the present study we evaluated plasma insulin levels during fasting and after glucose overload after treatment with sertraline. Adult male Wistar rats were fasted and treated with saline or 30 mg/kg sertraline and submitted or not to glucose overload (N = 10). Blood was collected and plasma insulin was measured. The mean insulin levels were: fasting group: 25.9 ± 3.86, sertraline + fasting group: 31.10 ± 2.48, overload group: 34.1 ± 3.40, and overload + sertraline group: 43.73 ± 5.14 µU/ml. Insulinemia was significantly increased in the overload + sertraline group. There were no differences between the other groups. No difference in glucose/insulin ratios could be detected between groups. The overload + sertraline group was the only one in which a significant number of individuals exceeded the upper confidence limit of insulin levels. This study demonstrates that sertraline increases glucose-stimulated insulin secretion without any change in peripheral insulin sensitivity. Key words: depression, antidepressants, diabetes, insulinemia D Continue reading >>
Going Off Antidepressants
If not handled carefully, coming off your antidepressant medication can cause disturbing side effects and set you up for a relapse of depression. About 10% of women ages 18 and over take antidepressants. As many of us know, these medications can be a godsend when depression has robbed life of its joy and made it hard to muster the energy and concentration to complete everyday tasks. But as you begin to feel better and want to move on, how long should you keep taking the pills? If you're doing well on antidepressants and not complaining of too many side effects, many physicians will renew the prescription indefinitely — figuring that it offers a hedge against a relapse of depression. But side effects that you may have been willing to put up with initially — sexual side effects (decreased desire and difficulty having an orgasm), headache, insomnia, drowsiness, vivid dreaming, or just not feeling like yourself — can become less acceptable over time, especially if you think you no longer need the pills. The decision to go off antidepressants should be considered thoughtfully and made with the support of your physician or therapist to make sure you're not stopping prematurely, risking a recurrence of depression. Once you decide to quit, you and your physician should take steps to minimize or avoid the discontinuation symptoms that can occur if such medications are withdrawn too quickly. Why discontinuation symptoms? Antidepressants work by altering the levels of neurotransmitters — chemical messengers that attach to receptors on neurons (nerve cells) throughout the body and influence their activity. Neurons eventually adapt to the current level of neurotransmitters, and symptoms that range from mild to distressing may arise if the level changes too much too fast — Continue reading >>
- Could going low-carb help you fight off diabetes? The usual advice for Type 2 is to eat plenty. But now a number of patients and doctors are leading a growing rebellion
- Antidepressants Increase Risk of Diabetes, Heart Attack, and Dementia
- Yet another risk for kids on antidepressants: Higher chance of developing type-2 diabetes, according to new study
Zoloft
How does this medication work? What will it do for me? Sertraline belongs to a class of medications known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It is used to treat depression, panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Sertraline works by affecting the balance of chemicals in the brain. Specifically, it increases the level of a neurotransmitter called serotonin in the brain. Increased serotonin levels can help improve mood, reduce panic attacks, and treat OCD. Although improvements may occur earlier, the full response to the medication may not appear until after 4 weeks of treatment or longer. This medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here. Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it. What form(s) does this medication come in? 25 mg Each yellow capsule contains sertraline HCl equivalent to 25 mg of sertraline. Nonmedicinal ingredients: cornstarch, lactose (anhydrous), magnesium stearate, and sodium lauryl sulfate; capsule shell: D&C Yellow No. 10, FD&C Yellow No. 6, gelatin, and titanium dioxide. This medication does not cont Continue reading >>
The Effects Of Sertraline On Blood Lipids, Glucose, Insulin And Hba1c Levels: A Prospective Clinical Trial On Depressive Patients
Go to: Abstract In this study, we aimed to investigate the possible effects of sertraline on blood glucose and lipid levels as risk factors for cardiovascular disease in depressive patients. METHODS: Eight male and twelve female depressive patients, diagnosed according to DSM-IV criteria, were included in this study. The subjects aged 19-50 years, did not smoke, and had normal body mass index (BMI), homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) values, blood pressure, blood glucose, insulin and lipid levels. Sertraline therapy (50 mg/day) was started. Patients with diabetes mellitus, heart disease, pregnancy, and those taking other drugs were excluded from the study. Blood glucose, insulin, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglyceride values were measured in patients before, and at the 4th, 8th and 12th weeks after treatment with sertraline. Moreover, HbA1C levels were measured at the beginning and at the end of the treatment (at 12th weeks). There were no significant differences in physical examination (blood pressure, BMI, body weight, height, waist circumference) and laboratory findings (glucose, HDL-C, LDL-C, HOMA-IR and HbA1C levels) at the 12th week after of treatment with sertraline compared to pretreatment values. However, insulin levels at the 4th, 8th and 12th weeks significantly increased compared with pretreatment values. Likewise, triglyceride levels at the 8th and 12th weeks significantly increased compared with pretreatment values. Sertraline-treated patients have to be followed up for blood insulin and triglyceride levels. In addition, their treatment plan needs to be adjusted as necessary to prevent possible metabolic changes. KEYWORDS: Sertraline, Insulin, Glucose, Lip Continue reading >>
Antidepressant Side Effects – The Downside Of Mood-boosting Medications
Antidepressant medications are often used in the treatment of major depression, anxiety disorders, and many other psychiatric conditions. They are most effective when used in combination with other treatments. By helping to alleviate troubling symptoms, they can help you live a more normal life. While taking a pill to help boost your mood or reduce anxiety sounds like an easy solution, there is a downside. Like all medications, antidepressants come with many potential side effects. That’s why it’s essential to consider carefully whether the benefits outweigh the risks. Following is a basic rundown of common antidepressant side effect of the four major groups of antidepressants. SSRIs The most frequently prescribed antidepressants on the market today belong to the category known as SSRIs – short for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Not only are they quite effective for many people, they also generally have the most tolerable side effects. Brand names include Celexa, Lexapro, Prozac, and Zoloft. SSRIs work by targeting serotonin – one of the primary neurotransmitters that helps regulate mood. When your serotonin levels get too low, SSRIs help bring it back into balance by blocking or “inhibiting” its reabsorption. This, in turn, helps lift the cloud of depression. Common side effects of SSRIs include: Drowsiness Diarrhea Dry mouth Headache Increased sweating Nervousness or restlessness Rashes Diminished sexual desire Weight gain While SSRIs are generally considered safe, they can interact with other drugs. For instance, the risk of bleeding increases if you take aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) with these antidepressants. SNRIs SNRI is short for serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. They work very similarly to SSRIs, Continue reading >>
Antidepressants May Lower Blood Sugar
In a new twist on the expression: the best of both worlds, it turns out that treating depression can help diabetics get their blood sugar levels under control. Researchers made this surprising discovery during a study of diabetic minorities living under the poverty line who have trouble keeping their sugar levels within normal range. High Risk It seems that diabetics have a much higher risk for depression than that of the general population. The rates go up even higher when the diabetics are minorities. This group has the most trouble controlling their blood sugar levels. They also tend to have more complications from diabetes and severer depression, say the researchers. Be that as it may, there have been few studies with an aim toward discovering the effects of depression treatment in minorities with out-of-control diabetes. In an effort to rectify this dearth of information, Dr. Mayer B. Davidson along with his colleagues at Los Angeles' Charles Drew University evaluated low-income diabetes patients for depression at a diabetes clinic. 89 patients with both diabetes and depression were chosen as participants in the trial. 45 of these patients were chosen at random to receive Zoloft (sertraline), an antidepressant medication, while 44 participants were given a placebo. All of the study participants attended an educational program for diabetics. Meetings for the education group were held once a month. There were 39 Hispanic patients in each of the two groups; five participants were African American; while one of the participants in the Zoloft group was listed as "other." Significant Drop The investigators found that after 6 months, those in the Zoloft group had experienced a significant drop in their blood sugar levels. Hemoglobin A1C levels, which is a standard measure Continue reading >>
Alcohol And Zoloft – A Dangerous Combination?
Do alcohol and Zoloft go together? Let’s try to answer this question. In a day when anti-depressants are the norm, it is only natural that we should be concerned about the possible effect of combining alcohol with Zoloft. Zoloft is a trade name for Sertraline hydrochloride, it is classified as an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) antidepressant used to treat depression, and in some cases anxiety. The manufacturers of Zoloft do not recommend drinking alcohol while on the medication. Some possible side effects of the medication are: constipation dry mouth dizziness insomnia lack of libido and in some cases weight gain. The purpose of Zoloft is to inhibit your brain’s ability to reabsorb serotonin. This is what sends nerve impulses and influences your mood. However, alcohol also affects your serotonin levels. Zoloft can also lower your heart rate and blood pressure. Some patients report that taking Zoloft can actually cause them to crave more alcohol. This could be extremely dangerous when you combine the effects of both of these substances. Consuming alcohol and Zoloft can be risky combo. Studies show that taking Zoloft can increase the risk of suicide, especially in adolescents. And as with all antidepressants, there are strong withdrawal symptoms involved. You should always be in regular consultation with a licensed psychiatrist when taking this medication. It’s always important to find out how you are going to react to a certain medication before adding anything else to the mix. Some individuals react negatively to Zoloft almost immediately, while with others it may take several weeks. If you are consuming alcohol and the medication, should a violent episode occur, it may be difficult to determine whether it is the alcohol or the medicine to which you Continue reading >>
Does Zoloft Affect My Sugar Level
Question Originally asked by Community Member mannycd Does Zoloft Affect My Sugar Level Answer mannycd, Thanks for your question. Zoloft does not directly affect the level of blood sugar. Some people who are treated with antidepressants and have a good result, tend to gain weight. This is probably because they are feeling better and not directly related to the medication. Gaining weight in some individuals can lead to elevation in their blood sugar levels and the diagnosis of type II diabetes. Most of these people improve with weight loss. I hope this has been helpful. Martin Cane, M.D. You should know Answers to your question are meant to provide general health information but should not replace medical advice you receive from a doctor. No answers should be viewed as a diagnosis or recommended treatment for a condition. Answered By: Martin Cane, M.D. Continue reading >>
