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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by tarheelex on April 8, 2008, at 11:18:32
As a frequent reader of this forum I want to thank everyone in advance for their intelligent responses to my question:
Has anyone currently or having taken SSRIs experienced a problem with herpes?
I took Zoloft for 7 years for mild OCD until about 2 years ago when I decided to taper off. It was difficult but I ultimately succeeded only to wind up with a severe gastrointestinal infection that progressed to a now long-standing IBS-D. Docs think that the combined effect of the Zoloft withdrawal or 7 years of serotonergic action in the small intestine (where 90% of your serotonin receptors are) once removed + the infection led to the now chronic IBS-D. Anyway, early on in the gastro-infection I somehow contracted herpes - condoms do not protect 100% of the time people!
The chronic diarhhea from the IBS-D ultimately led to major depression for which I was treated with low dose tricyclics (mainly doxepin) moderately successfully. The diarrhea improved but the depression did not at the low doses and high doses made me fat and ornery.
I decided to go back to the SSRIs as my IBS-D continues to improve every week and while they work for depression each one I have tried (Celexa, Cymbalta, Paxil) to this point immediately leads to a re-activation of the herpes virus symptoms.
My questions are:
1. Anyone have any idea why this might be so with the SSRIs?
2. Anyone have any experience with this and if I wait it out a month or two perhaps the body will re-adjust? Thus far when I see an outbreak I freak and stop the offending SSRI.
I am absolutely 100% sure though about the causul link, when I stop the offending SSRI, the herpes dissapears within days. Sorry for the semi-graphic description. I am tired of hiding from this issue and would appreciate some support from anyone who may have dealt with this. Depression is a serious illness, herpes is not. But, the latter does not help the former.
Posted by Phillipa on April 8, 2008, at 12:12:53
In reply to SSRIs and Herpes, posted by tarheelex on April 8, 2008, at 11:18:32
I'd like to follow you thread if I might as this is the first ever heard of this. You have a right to be concerned. Phillipa
Posted by tarheelex on April 8, 2008, at 12:27:51
In reply to SSRIs and Herpes, posted by tarheelex on April 8, 2008, at 11:18:32
Sure, I have a feeling I am not alone on this issue. Next step will be to figure out why the removal of the SSRI + plus the serious gastro infection led to chronic IBS-D.
These meds are great but the warnings are not comprehensive, particularly given long-term complications.
Posted by Jay_Bravest_Face on April 8, 2008, at 21:14:09
In reply to Re: SSRIs and Herpes, posted by tarheelex on April 8, 2008, at 12:27:51
I am not very certain of this, but have heard of connections of high doses of the amino acid l-lysine keeping herpes at bay. Have a look at PubMed or around the web. Wish I could be of more help.
Best wishes,
Jay
Posted by Sigismund on April 9, 2008, at 3:49:43
In reply to SSRIs and Herpes, posted by tarheelex on April 8, 2008, at 11:18:32
For long term prevention of herpes simplex in the vulnerable, the dose of lysine might be 1g per day or even less.
To treat an actual attack I would need at least 6g for a day or two until the heat goes out of it, and then reducing toward the maintenance dose.
Posted by tarheelex on April 9, 2008, at 9:00:02
In reply to Re: SSRIs and Herpes » tarheelex, posted by Jay_Bravest_Face on April 8, 2008, at 21:14:09
Thanks guys, yeah I am familiar with L-Lysine. Selenium helps too. The problem is when I add a SSRI even Acyclovir (prescribed drug that inhibts the virus) doesn't seem to work as well. It truly is incredible. I'm currently experimenting with micro-dose Cymbalta to see if I can find a happy medium and teach the body to deal with the SSRI addition. If not, I plan to try a secondary tricyclic like Pamelor.
Posted by SupportMe on April 21, 2008, at 7:03:07
In reply to SSRIs and Herpes, posted by tarheelex on April 8, 2008, at 11:18:32
I usually have oral herpes outbreaks about every 1-3 months.
Now I have been taking SSRI (Zoloft/sertraline) for a month and a half, and have had three outbreaks since I started. Obviously I suspect a connection.
I had a period of very frequent (every other week) outbreaks a couple of years ago - although I had had herpes for many years already then. When thinking about it, I wonder if it could have been at the time that I was taking SSRIs (Cipramil/citalopram) the last time...I'll talk to my doctor about this next time.
Any more info here would be great.
Posted by julee on April 22, 2008, at 22:06:54
In reply to SSRIs and Herpes, posted by tarheelex on April 8, 2008, at 11:18:32
I had the same problem, after being on Zoloft for a few months, started having issues with herpes and as soon as I weened myself off of the zoloft - the herpes symptoms went away.
This is the end of the thread.
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