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phylisfeinerjohnson

Joined: 02/05/2010

My Story:

When I got epilepsy at the age of 14, my parents wouldn't even say the "e" word. (And my step-father was a surgeon!) I was told I would "never amount to anything" and treated like damaged goods.

Ha! I became a writer and had my own thriving freelance business for 28 years. Then after almost dying (cascading seizures, heart attack, coma, life support, the whole thing) I went into rehab where I had a lot of time to think.

I couldn't even find my keyboard for 3 months. And it took me 15 minutes to write a 2 line email. Pretty sad for a writer.

When I finally "recovered," I decided to ditch my "day job" and become a full time epilepsy advocate.

So, I'm still a writer...but one with a different focus.

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Pregnancy and Magnesium Sulfate

You probably already know that before you get pregnant, you should take...

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Newly Updated Comprehensive List of GOOD Neurologi...

Attached is a compilation by website forum members who have had positive...

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25 Best Epilepsy Books for People of All Ages...

When I decided to begin an epilepsy library for reference, I was absolutely...

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Depressing news about popular painkillers...

If you thought you were depressed before, wait till you finish this paragraph. ...

Posted by phylisfeinerjohnson

If you thought you were depressed before, wait till you finish this paragraph. Researchers say popular painkillers could block the effects of antidepressants like Celexa, Zoloft, Paxil, Prozac or Lexapro…

This means YOU or a loved one. Do you take Advil or Motrin or Aleve? Well, the researchers found that people taking these NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) were significantly less likely to get results from their SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) antidepressants.

The key word here is "significantly." It's not like Advil turned Prozac totally off. Plus, a lot more research is needed. But, if I get a pounding headache, I'm personally going to pop an NSAID, because Tylenol is a whole lot scarier.

However, if I had major arthritis plus depression, I'd take this research seriously…

According to a new report published April 25, in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the effectiveness of SSRI antidepressants is reduced by 15% when taken alongside anti-inflammatory drugs.

Since inflammation is thought to worsen or cause depression in some people, researchers were justifiably surprised. Because, logically, they expected that combining an anti-inflammatory with an antidepressant would improve, not reduce, depressive symptoms.
Makes sense, don't you think?

But, researcher and co-author of the study Dr. Jennifer Warner-Schmidt said: "It appears there's a very strong antagonistic relationship between NSAIDs and SSRIs. This may be one reason why the response rate (in patients of SSRIs) is so low."

What seems to be at work here, is a matter of imbalance. (You know, what works for some doesn't work for all.)

SSRI antidepressants work by increasing the amount of the neurotransmitter serotonin in our brains. And by balancing these natural chemicals, they affect our moods and emotions. But it appears that if this delicate balance is upset by a foreign agent — like an anti-inflammatory — all bets are off. Especially if someone is in chronic pain and uses an anti-inflammatory regularly for relief.

But the resolution remains in question. And more clinical trials will be needed to assess the strength and quality of the anti-inflammatory, together with the treatment and chemical imbalances being addressed by the antidepressant.

Meanwhile, Paul Greengard, the study's senior author and Vincent Astor Professor of the Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience at Rockefeller University, advises, "physicians should consider the advantages and disadvantages of giving an anti-inflammatory with the antidepressant depending on how severe the pain is and how depressed they are."

That isn't to say: "Throw away your pain killers!" But it might make you (and me) think twice before popping some more ibuprofen…

At least, it's certainly worth checking out with your doctor.

Phylis Feiner Johnson
www.epilepsytalk.comView Thread

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FREE Legal Resources

Epilepsy Foundation Attorney Resources — The Jeanne A. Carpenter...

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Epilepsy Foundation Attorney Resources — The Jeanne A. Carpenter Epilepsy Legal Defense Fund coordinates and supports a network of attorneys who have agreed to provide services, pro bono, for a set number of hours, and to consider, if appropriate, representing the individual on a pro bono, sliding scale or contingency fee basis. In addition, they access to a national database of legal and scientific articles about epilepsy and related legal issues. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/epilepsylegal/attyresources.cfm

American Bar Association (ABA) — Although the ABA cannot help you directly, there are many people out there who can. This site will guide you to a list of resources in your state. Most legal issues are regulated by the law in the state where you live, or where the problem occurred. Simply click on a state (or Canada) to find free legal help in that state. http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/findlegalhelp/home.cfm?gnav=global_publicresources_findlegalhelp And for an explanation of how finding free services works, go to: http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/findlegalhelp/faq_freehelp.cfm#probono

LawHelp — "is your gateway to America's nonprofit legal aid providers." They help low and moderate income people find free legal aid programs in their communities, and answers to questions about their legal rights. For free legal aid referrals and information, choose your state and click on it. http://www.lawhelp.org/

Legal Services Corporation (LSC) — is the single largest provider of civil legal aid for the poor in the nation. LSC distributes more than 95 percent of its total funding to 136 independent nonprofit legal aid programs with more than 900 offices that provide legal assistance to low-income individuals and families throughout the nation. http://www.lsc.gov/about/factsheet_whatislsc.php#backtotop For a map of where LSC services are available, click on http://www.lsc.gov/map/index.php

The National Center for Law and Economic Justice — recruits major law firms to act as pro bono co-counsel. They ask civil rights, civil liberties, women's rights, disability rights, and immigrants' rights organizations and other legal advocacy organizations, to co-counsel with them. http://www.nclej.org/about.php

Lawyers.com — provides inexpensive pro bono legal help with programs manned by local attorneys who've agreed to provide free legal representation to those who qualify, either because of income or circumstances. Programs are also available for people who earn too much to qualify for legal services or pro bono programs, but don't make enough to hire an attorney at traditional rates. http://research.lawyers.com/When-You-Cant-Afford-a-Lawyer.html

Phylis Feiner Johnson
www.epilepsytalk.comView Thread

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Medical Malpractice: State by State

If you're looking for a doctor of any kind, you might want to check out this...

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