Posted by saint james on January 18, 2000, at 23:59:26
In reply to long term effects of SSRI's, posted by milena esherick on January 18, 2000, at 22:02:45
> I am interested in learning more about the long term (5+ years) effects of SSRI use
James here....
Although it is convenite to lump SSRI's together
they are not chemically related (unlike the TCA's)
so in looking at long term effects you will have to treat them seperatly. Anytime you take a med that controls mood there is almost always problems with flat affect (apathy) in some people. My experience with TCA's (8 yrs) and SSRIs and mostly Remeron and Effexor (7 yrs) is that 1) TCA's flatten the affect the most 2) sedating AD's tend to do this 3) Sedating TCA's are the worst in this reguard ! 4) as a broad statement SSRI's and other new AD's (Effexor and post Effexor) tend to have the least effect on this or none. I have a normal affect on Effexor. I used to Augment Effexor w/ TCA's and I stopped taking TCA's because of flat affect and lack of intrest in sex.Long term effects..... Prozac would probably be the oldest SSRI then Zoloft and Paxil (as memory serves) The flating of affect effect is dose related and totally reversible. Just watch for it....there are times that I have enjoyed being comfortably numb, times that this was the desired effect, but in general I want to be "present" as much as possible. If you find apathy is setting in let your doctor know.
The most documented long term effect from AD's (~70% ) amoung depressives in not being depressed.
james
poster:saint james
thread:19174
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000112/msgs/19182.html