Understanding anti-convulsants and SSRI's
 

So it appears that most of us are on some treatment based on anticonvulsants and/or SSRI's and i have never understood why exactly is it that they are the standard prescription for cases of TBI and PCS. How is it that they work? Do some work better than others? Are they just for managing the symptoms or do they have any value for treating the underlying condition?

Thanks for your help :)

All meds are just for treating symptoms. There are no meds that treat PCS.

Anti-convuslants treat tremors or mini-seizure activity or sometimes head aches. SSRI's treat anxiety and depression. SSRI's are actually counter to long term brain health. Anti-convulsants have a lesser negative effect on brain health. Low dose tri-cyclics reduce anxiety and help with sleep.

I have dealt with Anticonvulsants and SSRI for Chronic pain for many years myself. The anticonvulsants used like gabalin and pre-gabalin block the gaba receptors from getting new signals... what this does is slows down the reaction to a stimulus. Some SSRI's do the same as well.

The other key factor to these is the link between Anxiety, pain intensity , and inflammation. If you can calm down the anxiety you can calm how much something is bothering/upsetting/hurting you. This can also be done with other things like bio-feedback, swimming, exercise, yoga, tai-chi, meditation, etc..

These help in the healing in a sense that it allows the brain to re-wire to less sensitive reaction to what is ailing you long term.

I was prescribed a SNRI and it really helped reduce my PCS symptoms including pain. It has served its purpose, so I am now stopping it.