Posted by SLS on March 22, 2023, at 20:18:52
In reply to Re: Doxycycline » SLS, posted by undopaminergic on March 22, 2023, at 13:09:19
Hi, UD.
> > > Hi all,
> > >
> > > this is just to alert you that if you scroll to the beginning of the topic list page, someone has replied to an old thread about doxycycline. Interestingly, he/she says it worked great for depression.
> > >
> > > -undopaminergic
> > >
> >
> > The very first thing my current doctor did with me is start me on doxycycline. I remained on it for three months. He first wanted to rule-out Lyme Disease. On the other hand, monocycline helped quit a bit to improve depression. I was forced to discontinue it because, after a delay of about a year, I developed black and blue hyperpigmentation of the feet, ankles, and shins. It took over a year after discontinuing monocycline for the dark discolorations to disappear.
> >
> > Last time I looked into it, monocycline was deemed a much more potent anti-inflammatory for the brain than doxycycline. I think it reduces the secretion of inflammatory cytokines by microglial brain cells. Brain inflammation is seen commonly in depression. Chicken or Egg?
> >
> >
> > - Scott
>
> It's minocycline, not mono-. I remember that because I associate it with the minotaur of Greek mythology!Yup. Thanks.
> Both of them are part of a class of antibiotics called tetracyclines (tetracycline itself is actually semi-synthetic). I have tried tetracycline (itself) for acne, but as I recall it, I did not use it for long due to gastrointestinal side effects.
>
> I did not know these drugs were anti-inflammatories. I was thinking that, as they are antibiotics, they worked by affecting the body's microbiome. I seem to be seeing an increasing number of new research studies suggesting that microbes can affect depression (and the lack thereof) in major ways, and the manipulation thereof (eg. by probiotic supplements and fecal transplants) holds promise for treating some mental disorders.I read something about that earlier today. I'll introduce your information to my doctor. He's big on brain inflammation.
> However, I'm aware that depression has been associated with inflammation. In fact, it seems to be the main successor of the old monoamine hypothesis. Therefore, more specifically (than (tetra-)cyclines) anti-inflammatory drugs may be of interest.
An increasing number of researchers are investigating brain inflammation and depression - more than I thought. There are quite a few investigators who are studying celecoxib (Celebrex) in the treatment of depression.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=celecoxib+depression
> As far as I'm aware, there are two major classes of them: corticosteriods and NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs). Corticosteroids can induce a condition called steroid-euphoria, and the cortisol (the endogenous corticosteroid) curve is disturbed in some types of depression (notably burnout syndrome). However, corticosteroids can be detrimental for some mental faculties (not to mention other bodily functions), such as memory.
My 99 year old grandmother, who hadn't suffered a single episode of mental illness in her life, hallucinated right in front of me while she was in the hospital and taking prednisolone.
> From "Google research" for the purposes of composing this message, I found this interesting, although a bit dated, review on the effects of corticosteroids on the psyche:
>
> https://pmj.bmj.com/content/postgradmedj/60/705/467.full.pdf
>
>
> To me, it suggests that the wide variety of mental changes from steroid administration is most likely due to the upsetting or correcting of the individual balance of corticosteroid-receptor agonism. In other words, these drugs may either *cause* or *treat* certain mental conditions.That's a great appraisal. I never considered any of that. I'll pay more attention to this. The number of dissimilar psychiatric side effects produced by prednisolone are many.
A few weeks ago, I had to take a course of prednisolone treatment for an abrupt onset of spinal stenosis. The pain was incredible. Over the first few days of treatment, I experienced bouts of intense crying about my physical deterioration and being haunted by my tortured past. I would say that my crying was too easily-triggered and exaggerated in intensity. The thing is, I couldn't see the difference. It all felt justified at the time.
- ScottSome see things as they are and ask why.
I dream of things that never were and ask why not.The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.
poster:SLS
thread:1121937
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20230117/msgs/1121941.html