Posted by Racer on September 14, 2008, at 14:08:43
In reply to Re: SSRI's and Osteoporosis, posted by Karen's World on September 14, 2008, at 12:52:12
> I understand that it hasn't been "scientifically" proven yet. But, would it even be possible to have a control group of depressed people who didn't taken any meds and track them for a long period of time? Some of them probably wouldn't even be alive after awhile!
I'm a little dismayed to see you using quotation marks around the word scientifically. "Scientifically" means using the scientific method, and the scientific method is one of the most powerful intellectual tools we have. "Scientifically proven" means that something can be tested, can be reproduced, it's not just a coincidence! If Celexa has "changed your life," do you want to risk losing that because of something which might have been a very simple coincidence, rather than an effect of the drug?
Also, yes -- studies could have been designed to avoid some of the biases SeldomSeen is referring to. She's smart, and she's a professional, so I usually defer to her knowledge on these matters. If she's pointing out a problem, she knows whereof she speaks. And did I mention she's very smart?
>
> Since my bones are a stake here, I tend to take these findings pretty seriously. Also, my gynecologist was the one who warned me about this. I didn't just run across these articles on the internet first.I've heard some very misleading or factually incorrect information from medical professionals. They have their own biases, just as we do. I've had doctors tell me that the antidepressants are just a crutch, and I'm not really doing anything in therapy if I'm taking them! Doctors are human, after all, and the human condition includes personal biases.
What's more, some doctors are not terribly critical about certain sorts of information. Sometimes even very, very good doctors will accept studies outside their own specialty quite uncritically, especially if they include conclusions which fit their expectations or biases.
Again -- if the medication is working for you, it's worth looking at options for mitigating the bone loss, rather than dropping an effective treatment for a serious condition.
Lowering your dose might be helpful -- but only if the effects of SSRIs on bone density loss are dose related. They may not be. And, of course, the bone loss shown in those studies may be confounded by other factors.
Peace.
poster:Racer
thread:851833
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080903/msgs/851969.html