[DannyT]

Is there any reason to avoid taking an SSRI to help with mood while recovering from a mTBI? Would it discourage healing at all? My doctor wants to put me on Prozac to help with the OCD and crippling depression.

[Mark in Idaho]

There are newer SSRI's with less side-effects. Prozac is the oldest SSRI. The side-effects from SSRI's can be miserable. Plus, it can take months to withdraw from SSRI's.

Are you on the vitamin regimen ?

[Lara]

Originally Posted by DannyT

My doctor wants to put me on Prozac to help with the OCD and crippling depression.

I'm sorry your depression hasn't lifted. If you do decide to take Prozac or another medication just make sure it doesn't interact with anything else you may be taking including vitamins.

http://www.drugs.com/drug-interactio...ne,prozac.html
That's a drug interaction checker.

[QWERTY02]

Originally Posted by Mark in Idaho

There are newer SSRI's with less side-effects. Prozac is the oldest SSRI. The side-effects from SSRI's can be miserable. Plus, it can take months to withdraw from SSRI's.

This is why I've been avoiding SSRIs. I hear so many people complain about them but not many who laud them. I really would like to try one but much fear has built up inside me over the years.

[DannyT]

I have started Prozac and am taking the vitamin regimen. Any concerns? I always make sure to check for interactions before taking a substance.

[Lara]

Haven't had time to run a good check, but make sure you do.

I wouldn't take Tryptophan or 5-HTP with an SSRI

edit. Oh, no St John's Wort either

[DannyT]

Don't worry. I got that covered. I seem to be feeling much better overall but there are some not so fun side effects to deal with. At this point, my objective was to reach a state where I can actually calm myself and let my brain heal. It seems to be working. Also, OCD symptoms are considerably less.

[DudeWhoHitHisHead]

Hello!

I'm going to take the other side of the argument here.

I've now been taking Sertraline (Zoloft) 50mg for 5 weeks and I feel fantastic. It's done more then improve my mood - also lifting my cognitive abilities. Overall I just feel loads better.

I didn't realise just how anxious and depressed I had become dealing with the PCS and the insane sensitivity I had developed with my head - similar to a few others who have posted on here (even walking hurt my head).

The Sertraline just made everything better, I actually get moments now where I smile and think "I'm happy". Where as before I would go to bed and wish I would never wake up. I have also started combining coffee with the Sertraline and it seems to provide more of a boost then normal. I'm guessing this is because Sertraline has a mild dopamine reuptake inhibiting effect, though it's SSRI effect is much much stronger. Given this I'm tempted to go ask my Dr for some Adderall though I think I'll give my recovery some more time first.

Everyone says that anxiety and depression slow recovery from concussion, and at the very least you don't want to feel like crap so I'd highly recommend this drug - not sure about other anti-depressants.

Of course everyone reacts differently, and the big thing to watch out for is persisting gastro problems as SSRIs can damage your digestive system. I'm getting no side effects at the moment which is fantastic.

From a sexual perspective, some people taking SSRIs will have problems with getting aroused and maintaining it. Forgive me if this is a bit too personal but for me this is not true. It reduces sensitivity a bit and means things last longer which would make your lady happy

Not that I ever had this problem, but during my SSRI research I came across this SSRI which is actually used for premature ejaculation due to it's short half life:
**

[Mark in Idaho]

My doctor read me the riot act for combining caffeine with Paxil, another SSRI.

[DudeWhoHitHisHead]

The SSRI I mentioned at the end of my post is Dapoxetine:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dapoxetine