Another reason to think twice before starting SSRI drugs

[Guest guest]

Some people may get more benefit than harm from SSRIs like

Prozac and its many cousins. But those drugs are like riding

a tiger: easier to get on than off.

 

A newsletter from Dr Nan Fuchs alerted me to another risk:

Increased risk of hip fracture.

Here is the article, subscription link below.

 

 

These drugs increase your risk of hip fracture

 

All medications have side effects. But there's an entire class of

drugs that have more side effects than we once thought. And they're

not just minor ones.

 

Called SSRI's (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), these drugs

are prescribed for depression. They include Prozac, Paxil, and

Zoloft. And we've known for years that they can trigger all sorts of

nasty side effects, such as weight gain, liver and kidney problems,

and even in some cases suicide. But now they've been linked to

osteoporosis.

 

A recent five-year study has unearthed two more reasons to be

cautious about taking SSRI's. It followed more than 5,000 adults over

the age of 50 who took these medications daily. Researchers found two

previously undetected side effects.

 

The first hidden side effect they found is that SSRIs increase your

chance of falling. This is a serious side effect, especially if

you're over 50. The more times you fall, the more opportunity you

have to break bones. Especially if they aren't particularly dense.

 

Unfortunately, they also found that SSRIs decrease bone density as

well.

 

This same study concluded that taking them daily caused a 4% decrease

in bone density at the hip and a 2.4% decrease in the spine. That's

too much to ignore.

 

Are antidepressants worth this risk?

 

I don't think they are. If you know someone who is taking SSRI,

encourage them to make an appointment today to talk with their doctor

about other medications that have fewer side effects. They shouldn't

stop taking SSRIs without a doctor's help. This can cause a rebound

effect and lead to side effects they're trying to avoid - like deep

depression.

 

They should also eat a healthy sugar-free, caffeine-free, alcohol-

free diet for the next few months. All of them contribute to

depression.

 

If they want to get off medications completely (which I recommend),

they should ask their doctor if they can try St John's wort (Hyperium

perforatum). Numerous studies have found it reduces depression in

people with mild or moderate depression.

 

 

Your voice of reason in women's health,

Dr. Nan

 

Arch Intern Med, 2007;167:188-194.

 

Werbach, MR, MD, and Murray, MT, ND, Botanical Influences on Illness,

Third Line Press, 1994.

 

 

*****************************************************

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Health Letter written by Nan Kathryn Fuchs, PhD.

 

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Ien in the Kootenays

http://freegreenliving.com

[Guest guest]

Unbelievable, isn't it?

 

When a woman goes to her doctor complaining of premenopausal symptoms -

anything from being tired, to irregular heavy periods - the doctors first

answer is to pat her on the head and put her on an anti-depressant. Just

like when OUR mothers were changing, except then it was Valium.

Years down the road, the doctor adds in Fosamax or some other bone-killing

" osteoporosis " drug.

 

It sure pays to research everything doctors recommend to us!!

 

 

Shana Clagg

Discover A Healthier You!

http://health.A_Healthier_You

The " Safest Products in the World " : http://www.ineways.com/shana

 

On 2/10/07, Ieneke <ienvan wrote:

>

> Some people may get more benefit than harm from SSRIs like

> Prozac and its many cousins. But those drugs are like riding

> a tiger: easier to get on than off.

>

> A newsletter from Dr Nan Fuchs alerted me to another risk:

> Increased risk of hip fracture.

> Here is the article, subscription link below.

>

> These drugs increase your risk of hip fracture

>

> .

>

>

>