Could taking SSRI have contributed to my relapse?

[blueberry]

I've just had something of a "eureka moment" (maybe). I relapsed just over a year ago after 12 years remission. Triggers at the time were a series of flu-type viruses and work stress. However, I had started taking sertraline, an SSRI, for winter blues just 3 months before the relapse. I'd been experiencing seasonal depression for several years, since a major bereavement that happened in November 2006. After 10 years of this I asked to try some anti-depressants.

I've stayed on them ever since, thinking they probably help me cope with the frustration and worry of being ill again. I'm stuck in bed with stupid PEM caused by a week of out of the ordinary occurrences that demanded more of me than I had. As usual when I'm this sick, I start racking my brain (and this site!) for any further clues/ideas. Has anyone got any experience of SSRIs making things worse, or maybe knows of some research? I'm just wondering if the drug has messed with my neuro-transmitters in unexpected ways. Probably clutching at straws, but here's hoping, anyway!

 

[caledonia]

Hi blueberry,

Sorry to hear about your relapse.

I take sertraline and have been on it long term.

In my experience, it actually helps energy because it helps with sleep. Besides acting on serotonin (which should help with melatonin production), my practitioner says there is new research showing it also acts on GABA which is a calming neurotransmitter.

Based on reports of people on here, viruses and stress would be enough to trigger a relapse.

 

[JES]

SSRI's do many other things besides just blocking serotonin, in the process they modulate the immune system in multiple ways (google SSRI immune system). My experience with SSRI's is that they stimulated my immune system to work better against whatever is the cause of my problem, which meant that when I quit taking them due to other side effects, I usually started to feel worse in the next couple of months. I'm also a little bit concerned that they may trigger some sort of autoimmunity, due to reasons above.

 

[Wayne]

Has anyone got any experience of SSRIs making things worse, or maybe knows of some research? I'm just wondering if the drug has messed with my neuro-transmitters in unexpected ways.

Hi @blueberry,

Sorry to hear about your relapse, and I hope you can find some answers for yourself. A recent new member mentioned her own experience from withdrawing from an SSRI, and there appears to be some similarities to your situation. Here's a LINK.

All the Best, Wayne​

 

[blueberry]

SSRI's do many other things besides just blocking serotonin, in the process they modulate the immune system in multiple ways (google SSRI immune system). My experience with SSRI's is that they stimulated my immune system to work better against whatever is the cause of my problem, which meant that when I quit taking them due to other side effects, I usually started to feel worse in the next couple of months. I'm also a little bit concerned that they may trigger some sort of autoimmunity, due to reasons above.

That's really helpful, thanks. I'm in quiet desperation mode, was thinking of coming off them in case they were making things worse but from what you've said that may not be the best idea. Wish at times like these that I could ask my doctor! But they know nothing about ME so........ ho hum!

 

[blueberry]

Thanks @Wayne, I've posted on that thread, looks like stopping might not be helpful. I've recommended a brand of CoQ10 on the other thread, too.

 

[Mary]

@blueberry - People's experiences with SSRIs are all over the map. I don't tolerate them at all - amitriptyline made me suicidal after 2 days and I haven't touched an SSRI since. Many people with ME/CFS have bad reactions to them, though of course some don't. So you can't really go by someone else's experience.

But I think most agree that getting off of them can be difficult and has to be done quite slowly.

I don't know if the SSRI contributed to your relapse - it may have, although the series of viruses and stress you had are very common triggers.

I've found that 5-htp is great for helping with sleep (and I think it helps my mood) without the side effects of SSRIs. And niacin and l-theanine at night stimulate GABA production. They help a lot. I also recently learned through a hair analysis that my calcium/magnesium ratio was very badly skewed in favor of calcium, and since stopping my calcium supplement plus taking my magnesium at night before bed and in the middle of the night, my sleep has improved a lot.

For your SAD, did you ever try a light therapy box? I've read very good things about them.

The fact that you had 12 years of remission is amazing to me. I haven't had any periods of remission. So it may be possible for it to happen again for you - and the most important thing I think (which I hate to do the most!) is rest, rest and rest some more, and don't push when at all possible beyond your known limits.

I hope you find some answers!

 

[drob31]

I don't know but I have read about a connection between high serotonin levels and CFS.

 

[JES]

I don't know but I have read about a connection between high serotonin levels and CFS.

SSRI's work by preventing re-uptake of serotonin and by doing this they will in long term actually make the body produce less serotonin, as the body will attempt to compensate for the lack of uptake. So as a net effect you'll end up with lower levels of serotonin (at least in the brain) from taking SSRI's.

 

[drob31]

SSRI's work by preventing re-uptake of serotonin and by doing this they will in long term actually make the body produce less serotonin, as the body will attempt to compensate for the lack of uptake. So as a net effect you'll end up with lower levels of serotonin (at least in the brain) from taking SSRI's.

I mean, how serotonin can cause the blood to be sticky, and hence you get less oxygen delvered to peripherial tissues and the brain.

 

[blueberry]

Thanks all for replying. It's tricky to work out what's what with this illness, so I'll just keep things to the status quo for now. Really appreciate your input.

 

[blueberry]

Hi @Mary, yes I have a light box and it works to an extent. Definitely improves things and I would recommend it to anyone who gets SAD.

 

[andyguitar]

I suggest you put this into your search engine @blueberry - 'side effects of SSRIs' lots of info from a range of sources. You might also want to look into ' The effect of SSRIs on CoQ10'

 

[blueberry]

I suggest you put this into your search engine @blueberry - 'side effects of SSRIs' lots of info from a range of sources. You might also want to look into ' The effect of SSRIs on CoQ10'

Aha! CoQ10 can act as an antidepressant too! Excellent. Loving my CoQ10

 

[blueberry]

Well, I'm on a low dose SSRI, I've decided to try coming of it, after all. I'm taking supplements and trying to figure the ones that work for me and the ones that I'm taking just because other people have found them helpful. Need to target my limited funds on the ones that work for me. Want to clear the decks as much as possible, to get a clearer picture of what my body is doing. Halved my dose yesterday, felt a bit emotionally wobbly this morning, then remembered why! If I can get off the sertraline, that leaves just one medication I take daily, which is the progestogen only pill, which I have to take to reduce endometrioisis symptoms. That alone will be affecting my system, but I can't stop taking it. So, wish me luck!

 

[2manyhobbies]

In my experience tricyclics like Amitriptyline or Impramine are usually a little tougher to taper from. The SSRIs have quite a bit of flouride in them as an adjuvant which interferes with magnesium metabolism.

Which in turn could cause a relapse as it is key in ATP production. Trying to correct nutrient levels while taking medications is a very slippery slope.

Take it slowly on a taper--it's not a race and there will be highs and lows.

 

[blueberry]

@2manyhobbies , thank you for mentioning magnesium. I had stopped taking it as I ran out and was strapped for cash. I've just ordered some more. I've been worse since not taking it. I'm doing really well mentally, having a crash physically but that is also due to 2 weeks of unexpected events leading to over-exertion. I'm going to wallow in epsom salts and I've binned work off today. Go me and my self-care

 

[andyguitar]

Think you will find that grapefruit interacts with Setraline causing it to be absorbed more quickly. @2manyhobbies is right. You need to be cautious coming off SSRIs. Slow is better. I am a bit suprised that your GP and others who have been giving you treatment- herbalist ect- did not make a connection between your last 'Crash' and starting Setraline. Side effects of this type of drug are well documented.

 

[2manyhobbies]

The sad fact Andy is many members of this forum put it together far better than most Mds. They go by what drug reps tell them and leave it at that .

 

[blueberry]

Think you will find that grapefruit interacts with Setraline causing it to be absorbed more quickly. @2manyhobbies is right. You need to be cautious coming off SSRIs. Slow is better. I am a bit suprised that your GP and others who have been giving you treatment- herbalist ect- did not make a connection between your last 'Crash' and starting Setraline. Side effects of this type of drug are well documented.

I'm not surprised the GPs didn't make a connection........they just looked really uncomfortable, sent me for the "TATT" (tired all the time) blood tests and then did precisely nothing other than offer me counselling and very belatedly referred me to the "CFS clinic". I will take it up with herbal guy next week, though. I have had the worst physical crash ever since thursday afternoon, though. Scarily, time-off-work bad. Think I may have timed this rather badly!