Posted by marushkah on August 2, 2002, at 8:10:48
In reply to Re: depression and antibiotics, posted by fairnymph on August 1, 2002, at 12:30:25
To katekite: I am not aware that any antibiotics failed to help, though some may have been more effective than others. Your suggestion is definitely worth following. Unfortunately (or fortunately, in terms of physical health), I am only sick enough for antibiotics about once a year! Doctors are somewhat loathe to prescribe them without physical symptoms (with good reason, usually). The ones I remember were usually prescribed for recurring throat infections (cephalexon leaps to mind), which is why hints of a strep/depression connection caught my eye. I can find no further information on that. However, I am currently taking macrobid (nitrofurantoin monohydrate - I never heard of this one before!) for a urinary tract infection, and it is working wonderfully on my depresson. The only other meds that have ever helped are serious pain killers (which would probably help anyone with anything) and benzodiazapines, which relieve enough anxiety to make thought clearer and life much more livable. Pain killes are certainly not a viable solution, and benzos are hard to get these days. Since antibiotics work - and point to a curable physical problem rather than a "manageable" brain disorder - I would definitely like to know if there really is a connection.
To fairnymph: I suspect that people who find depression relief from antibiotics are a small minority of depression sufferers. Since antidepressants do nothing for me (and I have tried many), there must be a completely different process at work. I certainly hope the welbutrin works for you. I know many people who have been greatly helped by it.
poster:marushkah
thread:114776
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020731/msgs/114911.html