SSRI and Nerve Damage
SSRI’s are sometimes used to treat nerve damage. However, it is important to know what SSRI’s are and how they work, and it’s equally important to define nerve damage. Can SSRI help with nerve damage? Can they contribute to nerve damage? These are important questions to consider if you suffer from nerve damage or are currently taking an SSRI.
What is an SSRI?
An SSRI (Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) is basically an antidepressant drug, but it may be prescribed for several different reasons. SSRIs work by producing more serotonin; it is said that a shortage of serotonin may be a cause of depression.
Nerve Damage
Nerve damage, also called neuropathy, is a serious ailment and can be very painful. Your symptoms may depend on the type of nerve(s) affected (e.g., motor, sensory, autonomic) and where the nerve is located in your body. More than one types of nerve may be damaged.
If the autonomic nerves are damaged, involuntary functions may be affected. If these types of nerves are damage, you may have abnormal blood pressure and heart rate, reduced ability to perspire, constipation, bladder dysfunction, and/or sexual dysfunction.
Some neuropathies develop suddenly. Others can progress slowly, even over a number of years. The pain intensity may vary among individuals throughout the day. Symptoms can be more severe at night. Diabetics of both types 1 and 2 are especially prone to neuropathy.
Untreated peripheral neuropathy may result in permanent loss of nerve function, tissue damage, and muscle degeneration. It is important to receive proper treatment and management of this condition to reduce the risk of permanent, irreversible damage and other serious complications.
Chronic pain can cause sleeplessness and a decline in quality of life. Pain sufferers often experience a disruption in their ability to perform daily tasks and may suffer from depression.
Symptoms of depression include:
• apathy
• feelings of isolation and frustration
• memory loss
Can SSRI Help With Nerve Damage?
Your doctor may prescribe a tricylic antidepressant, an SSRI or an SNRI. Usually, drugs such as phenytoin (Dilantin) and carbamazepine (Tegretol) are first prescribed to treat the pain associated with nerve damage.
Antidepressants can actually help relieve nerve pain, whether you’re clinically depressed or not. Since depression is a common side effect of chronic nerve pain, an antidepressant might help you by relieving both depression and pain. Your doctor may prescribe an SSRI, an SNRI, or a tricyclic antidepressant.
SSRI’s (selective serotonin reuptate inhibitors), such as Paxil or Prozac, may work by increasing the level of a “feel-good” neurotransmitter called serotonin. SSRIs are more effective for depression than for pain. However, they may be a good choice if you’re sufferring from both depression and nerve pain.
SNRI’s (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptate inhibitors), such as Cymbalta or Effexor, work by changing the levels of two neurotransmitters: serotonin and norepinephrine. These neurotransmitters are involved in the stress response and release of glucose from energy stores in the body. These drugs are generally more effective than SSRIs for peripheral neuropathy.
Tricyclic antidepressants, such as Elavil or Imipramine, don’t deal with nerve pain directly. However, they can make you drowsy, so you can sleep better and your pain level may be more tolerable. Most doctors stay clear of tricyclics because of their unpleasant side effects, including dry mouth, constipation, and fast heart rate.
Some of these drugs can take a few weeks to have any effect, and they can have unpleasant side effects. These include dry mouth, drowsiness, and difficulty urinating. Always make sure you inform your doctor of all medications you’re taking.
Do SSRI’s Contribute To Nerve Damage?
Never go “cold turkey” off SSRI’s. Instead, you should talk to your doctor about slowly decreasing your dosage. Although not recognized as addictive, some SSRI users who have discontinued the medication report withdrawal-like symptoms and even nerve damage when the drug is removed too suddenly.
