Posted by Racer on September 7, 2008, at 14:55:57
In reply to methylphenidate 5-ht2b, posted by linkadge on September 7, 2008, at 8:53:59
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> Does this concern anybody in the context of 5-ht2b receptor agonists potentially damaging cardiac valves?
Yes, it's a concern, although I would want to know more before it became a big concern for me.On the other hand, there are so many things in this world which can potentially damage us, things we can't necessarily escape exposure to. Sure, this is something we can avoid exposure to, but I think it's a balance between the potential risk of cardiac valve damage and the symptoms which the medication is prescribed for.
It's a cost-benefit analysis which each of us has to make for ourselves. Is the disorder being treated causing sufficient distress to outweigh the potential risk? Would the quality of life be worse with an untreated condition, or with the potential for this specific heart damage down the road? For me, with my family history of cardiac problems, and my personal history with its additional cardiac risks, my analysis would be pretty easy for me: I am almost certainly going to develop heart problems, probably when I hit menopause, and adding another potential risk factor is of less concern than the symptoms I was taking Ritalin for. That's personal to me, though.
What I think is important, though, is having the information to make the analysis, and having it presented in an understandable manner. I think a lot of doctors out there are not terribly good at explaining some of this stuff to patients. Still, that's really a different topic than this thread, so I'll stop now.
Thanks for posting this question, Linkadge.
poster:Racer
thread:850764
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080903/msgs/850807.html