Are broken bones the price paid for a better attitude? Some researchers may think so. In a rather large study (124,655 fracture cases and 373,962 age and gender matched controls), relationships between fractures were seen with the following psychiatric medications:
Amitriptyline (Elavil), clomipramine (Anafranil), citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac), and sertraline (Zoloft) were all associated with an increased risk of fractures. Imipramine (Tofranil) and nortriptyline (Pamelor) did not demonstrate this association. Paroxetine (Paxil) showed a slight relationship but statistically it was insignificant.
No medication is perfect, ever. However, antidepressants are used for a wide variety of medical problems, and as you know if you read my blog, many of these uses are off-label. For anyone with a family history of osteoporosis, or in a demographic group at risk for osteoporosis, it is important to (1) weight the risks vs. benefits of your prescribed medication before taking it, and(2) consider consulting with a dietitian to enhance your diet and lifestyle choices to minimize the risk of bone-debilitating side effects.
Many of the lifestyle choices you are likely to be advised to adopt to prevent osteoporosis (more exercise, less soda, wider variety of foods) also enhance brain health. And what do you know--that may reduce your depressive symptoms as well.
(If you're getting tired of hearing that exercise, healthy food, adequate sleep, and less stress might be your answer...maybe that means you should try them...tee hee!!)
Vestergaard P, Rejnmark L, Mosekilde L. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors and Other Antidepressants and Risk of Fracture. Calcif Tissue Int. 2008 Jan 25 [Epub ahead of print]
The New ETLNTA
8 years ago
2 comments:
All of us have different DNA and different metabolisms. Some herbs and vitamins work better than others. The first thing that is needed is proper nutrition and a good physical exam. As the director of Novus Medical Detox, I often see patients who are on alcohol or opioids, central nervous system depressants, also taking antidepressants. When they detox they find they don't need the antidepressants.
This is good news because a Swedish study showed that 52% of the 2006 suicides by women on antidepressants. Since antidepressants work no better than placebos and are less effective than exercise in dealing with depression.
There is a prescription drug epidemic and these are leaders in the list of terrible abuses.
Steve Hayes
http://novusdetox.com
Hi Steve!
First of all, thank you so much for stopping by! All comments are welcome, and the fact that you take the time to make them is much appreciated.
I've been reading a lot recently about how different genetic patterns respond to different medications. That's more your specialty than mine, so any information you have to offer to help other blog visitors is needed and wanted.
I'm more proficient in the area of nutrition and mental health. And I do know that how you eat definitely affects how you feel, which in turn affects what you tell your doctor, which affects whether or not you're prescribed a med. Always best to get back into balance and see if you still feel bad before piling more chemicals into the system!
Hope to see you back here soon,
Monika
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