i think i would like to try and anti depressant. when i took them years ago (before sjogrens) they gave me dry mouth.do all of them do that? are there any that arent too drying?? esp the eyes-do they dry the eyes? thanks everyone!
I have been told that Effexor XR is one of the least drying.
Quote from: valene2009 on November 08, 2011, 07:10:44 PM
i think i would like to try and anti depressant. when i took them years ago (before sjogrens) they gave me dry mouth.do all of them do that? are there any that arent too drying?? esp the eyes-do they dry the eyes? thanks everyone!
There isn't really such a thing as "trying an anti depressant," because they are strong medicine. In general, it takes a while to feel the full effect, and it is a long weaning process to get off them. Don't let me discourage you from getting on an antidepressant if that's what you need, but please go to a psychiatrist for the medicine, or a psychologist or counseling/clinical psychologist for the talking cure Be aware that few antidepressants act immediately; a psychiatrist might prescribe a combination to start with, but it still takes a week or two to feel better.
If what you really want is to lift your mood, to make coping easier, to reduce the mental stress you are going through, let me suggest something I do. Spicy hot foods have antidepressant properties, without the drawbacks of pharmaceutical solutions, and without the strong impact on your mood.
For a reliable lift, try taking V-8 Juice Spicy Hot, or V-8 Juice Spicy Hot Low Sodium, between 5 and 6 ozs every morning. You can dilute it with regular V-8, or do as I do and mix it in a morning shake. (Mine uses Rice Bran Protein Powder in Vanilla Flavor -- not in Berry!)
If the hot spicy taste in your mouth is too strong or painful, try this: Get a hot sauce, like Red Devil ( or a more acceptable name) and a baster or some similar squirting mechanism, and squirt the hot sauce into the back of your throat, bypassing any mouth issues. BUT if you have erosive esophagitis due to GERD, don't try this, or try it very gently.
This is a remedy that I have suggested to students at the end of a semester when they are honestly overwhelmed and can't organize themselves to work. They admit they're depressed, but they have to perform before any usual therapy will work. The feedback has been very good; it works for them. It worked for me especially in my last flare.
Best,
Soycoffee
My new rheumatologist told me he often prescribes Effexor XR to patients to IMPROVE their dry eyes!
That's an eye-opener! :o
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) from David Burns book "Feeling Good" is non drying. Also a glass of Carrot Juice every day will help you produce endorphins that can help you feel better. I used tones to trigger endorphin release in people when I was at a psychic fair a couple of weeks ago. We had people leave that were giggling for no reason. Some were so giddy they were drunk on endorphins. Good luck in your search and treatment.
Depression is something that is deadly and needs professional treatment. Please find a psychologist or psychiatrist to help you. They can provide options to help you.
There are a number of antidepressants that do not have anticholinergic side effects. I'm currently on Zoloft and it's one of those that is listed as having no known anticholinergic effects. I tried Cymbalta but it caused severe dry mouth and it is listed as one of the common side effects (was prescribed by PCP before seeing a psychiatrist). This happened within a couple of days of starting the medication, so there were no issues with stopping it since I had been on it for less than a week when I quit taking it.
I would see a psychiatrist rather than a PCP to find the ideal medication for you - psychiatrists know these medications far better, and will be able to find a treatment plan that works well for you.
thanks everyone. i am seeing a Psychologist.. there aren't too many Psychiatrists in my town.. I really dont want to take anything but I am trying to find a new eye doc and am just overwhelmed lately. :( I had the best most understanding corneal specialist who helped me so much and he retired and his replacement is just awful. He doesnt understand sjogrens and thinks I could be working.. i can barely function most days.. anyway, i know all of you understand this. I dont feel he is helping me-so now i need to find a new doc.. and the bad thing about it is there is no one where i live that can help me due to the severity so i always have to have family take me every month about 2-3 hours away.. then there is the guilt that goes with that..
I am going to my GP tomorrow to see if he can continue my rx of Plaquenil and do all the bloodwork.. My rheumy is of no help either... she is the one who told me constipation isnt a side effect of sjogrens.. to me it is common sense if you are super dry inside you may become constipated.duh
thanks for letting me vent. and thanks so much for all the great suggestions... Interesting that the one Rheumy said Effexor can help dry eyes...hmmmm
I am sorry you are overwhelmed - I totally get it.
I hit a point where I had to take doc's advice and start Zoloft for anxiety and depression related to the long term illness. I didn't want to do it, and I am on a very small dose, 50 mg/day.
I am VERY DRY and it does not make it worse like Lyrica did...
good luck!!
KellyG
Trazodone is not real bad about it.
hot spicy foods??? Anyone here able to eat spicy foods??? ???
I actually fear eating hot sauce or putting it in my throat would kill me... :-\
KellyG
Ditto, Kelly.
Quote from: jazzlover on November 09, 2011, 06:20:15 PM
. . .
hot spicy foods??? Anyone here able to eat spicy foods??? ???
I am. Works for me as an antidepressant, mixed in my morning shake, which cuts the hot/spicy. Or if using Spicy Hot V-8 juice, mix half and half with regular V-8 juice to cut the spicy hot taste. Or, use a turkey baster, that time of year, and squirt the Spidy Hot V-8 juice past your tongue and sides of your mouth, directly into your esophagus (as long as you don't have erosive esophagitis, the results of long term untreated GERD).
Now, I must admit that right at the beginning of my last flare, I bought some curry spice powder. Then I tried to eat it without really having any food or drink base, and that was bad. So approach this slowly and gently and sanely, and give it a chance to work.
I do, by the way, have a damaged tongue and mouth, though not a damaged esophagus, any more. I have no way of knowing whether my mouth is better or worse than yours. Just know that the solution works, and has worked for students at the end of term.
Soycoffee
PS As Joe mentioned, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) has been shown by compelling scientific research to be as fast and effective as Antidepressant drugs. For Valene, this might be an option. It is a particular technique of psychotherapy that is focused on thoughts and behaviors, rather than digging deep into the past, or unconscious mind.
i cant do anything hot or spicy..omg... i hated spicy before this happened to me..guess i always had a dry mouth!! thanks for all the suggestions..doc gave me samples of cymbalta..i will let everyone know if it helps if i try it..lol
also, yes i do need some good cognitive therapy..i plan on bringing that up at my next psychologist apt.:)
Quote from: jazzlover on November 09, 2011, 06:20:15 PM
Trazodone is not real bad about it.
hot spicy foods??? Anyone here able to eat spicy foods??? ???
Me me me!!! The hotter the better. Cambodian and Mexican are my comfort food go to's.
Wow.. I can't even LOOK at anything spicy without pain. I blame the Sjs for that. (?)
Thanks, Nara. I was feeling very alone on this recommendation. There are ways to manage hot and spicy foods -- for example, mango and peach salsa, medium, in a couple of different brands, has enough sweet foods mixed with spicy that it reduces the impact of the spicy, while still producing the mood enhancing effect of "hot and spicy."
Quote from: Narablueeyes on November 10, 2011, 04:19:16 PM
Quote from: jazzlover on November 09, 2011, 06:20:15 PM
Trazodone is not real bad about it.
hot spicy foods??? Anyone here able to eat spicy foods??? ???
Me me me!!! The hotter the better. Cambodian and Mexican are my comfort food go to's.
Hi Valene,
The only anti-depressant which IMPROVES saliva & dry eyes is Valdoxan (Agomelatine)... (as far as I'm aware off).... Past decade I've tried a boat load of different ones - most deteriorate drying out and/or give me horrendous anxiety (especially the SSRI's).
I'm in Europe where Valdoxan is already available.
I used to take Effexor XR but then I still had tingling in my arms and legs - - my dr changed me to Pristiq - - all of the tingling is gone, no noticeable weight gain and not any dryer than I had been -
Voiceteacher
I've been thinking about this thread, and the rapid, almost universal rejection of hot and spicy foods.
In thinking about the effect on my mouth of spicy food, compared to others who find it terrible, I realized that everything hurts my tongue/mouth. Biotene mouthwash hurts my mouth. Juices hurt my mouth. Bananas sometimes don't hurt. Therefore, hot and spicy stuff is just part of the mix.
A standard way to cut the spicy aftertaste that lingers forever, is to take something sweet, immediately after drinking or eating something spicy. That is also the thinking behind Mango-Peach Salsa, which I love.
Having the hot and spicy stuff on rice can help, if you are willing to experiment.
Yes, I can understand that the EW! factor is deeply entrenched.
Best,
Soycoffee