LymeNet Flash: SSRIs killing spiroceates

This is topic SSRIs killing spiroceates in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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https://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php/topic/1/107684

Posted by ranger (Member # 12163) on :

Hey someone in my Lyme support group told me someone posted research about how SSRIs actually kill or help the body to kill off spiroceates.
Does anyone know of research on this?
My wife has been ill and got worse off of ssris and then got better on them.

Posted by mojo (Member # 9309) on :

I've read that they "think" SSRIs affect the immune system but they didn't know how. In other words if it helped or hurt the immune system. I thought the article was helpful! LOL

Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :

hmmmm. interesting i CANNOT take them. maybe it is a herx they give me

Posted by James1979 (Member # 31926) on :

The only thing I read is that borrelia tend to lower the serotonin levels, so that's why it's good to increase the serotonin with meds or supplements.

But 5-HTP is a good natural way to raise the serotonin levels, without any side effects, and it's much more effective than any SSRIs.

Either way, if the serotonin is low you won't feel good, and if you don't feel good your body will have a more difficult time to defeat Lyme.

Posted by WhitneyS (Member # 25666) on :

my opinion is no. There havent been longterm studies on how SSRIs effect the immune system.

When I had my first flare up-- before I knew I had Lyme, my Dr put me on SSRIs....naturally, cause they thought I was making everything up, and I am still a very sick Lymie today.

Scientfically, it might help you feel "good" but, I cannot see the logic in it being a killing protocol

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

Sounds like something Big Pharma would conspire.

Posted by cleo (Member # 6646) on :

I think it is only some of them. Here is an article about lithium.

http://inewp.com/?tag=antidepressants-for-genital-herpes

Posted by map1131 (Member # 2022) on :

Oh tutu no way would pharma do such a thing. Really do you have to come off with such horrible
accusations against these dopers?

[kiss]

Pam

Posted by LSG Scott (Member # 21624) on :

i don't know about spirochetes, but SSRIs do kill children

watch and learn
http://youtu.be/Z5ey-PyzrY0

Posted by the3030club (Member # 21898) on :

I started taking an SSRI after 1 year of (largely unsuccessful ) lyme treatment.

They've done nothing but help.

As a type a who never had a drop of depression in 27 years of life .. a year of sickness really changed things.

I don't feel any less sick, but i'm able to deal with things much more easily.

Posted by AlanaSuzanne (Member # 25882) on :

Ranger, I am sorry to hear that your wife is ill. Is she seeing a LLMD? Please post in "seeking" if you need a doc for her.

FWIW, IMO SSRIs can help some people. As to their effect on the immune system, I haven't any idea.

PS--Hey Scott, you say "i don't know about spirochetes, but SSRIs do kill children"

Well FYI spirochetes can kill children too!! FYI again, here's my reply to your thread:

http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php/topic/1/107765

Posted by sickmate (Member # 31502) on :

This is no study, just observation from a scientist:

"Antidepressants may also benefit the immune system in CFS. Dr. Nancy Klimas at the University of Miami has studied the effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) on the immune system. She has reported that CFS patients given Prozac for three months showed moderate to marked improvement in the number of natural killer cells present."

Source: Information presented by Nancy Klimas at The CFIDS Association of America's 1990 research conference in Charlotte, NC.

Posted by paulieinct (Member # 17514) on :

From PubMed, showing SSRI's increase natural killer cells in depressed patients with low levels of natural killer cells:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9892855