Category Archives: Depression

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) – More Complex in Chronic Pain

POT’s is a syndrome where one is unable to maintain blood pressure standing and so often faint –  and is often associated with attacks of tachycardia. Finding this situation in a chronic pain patient, greatly complicates the situation, and makes … Continue reading

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DHEA – for Depression in Elderly – Seemed Like a Good Idea..

Antidepressants are poorly tolerated in elderly and DHEA, found to be low in elderly, has been found to help with depression. I suspect part of its effect is through androgen stimulation as some is converted to such.  I have patients … Continue reading

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Using the Pain System to Treat Depression – Buprenorphine

I have published on the use of ketamine to treat pain/depression/suicidality. Now a weak painkiller / partial painkiller blocker has been shown to help depression, not with one study, but with findings from twelve studies.

Posted in Depression, Drugs, pain mechanisms | 1 Comment

Depression in Chronic Back Pain? – Twin Study Suggests More Familial Than Related to Pain

Spine J. 2017 Jul;17(7):905-912. doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2017.02.009. Chronic low back pain and the risk of depression or anxiety symptoms: insights from a longitudinal twin study. Fernandez M https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28267634 “The relationship between chronic LBP and the future development of depression or anxiety … Continue reading

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Resistant Depression – Does Folic acid Prevent Lamotrigine From Working?

Recent study added lamotrigine to depressed subjects already under treatment. Folic acid supplementation appeared to prevent any improvement versus those not on supplementation.

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Metformin is Mitochondrial Enhancer and Helps Bipolar Depression

A 25 yr old bipolar patient of mine was put on metformin and a weight loss program prior to hip surgery. Her mood was more stable and she noticed particularly fewer manic episodes. There is evidence in literature for metformin helping bipolar … Continue reading

Posted in Depression, Drugs | 2 Comments

Fibromyalgia (FM) – Mitochondrial Dysfunction Helped by Metformin and Weight Loss

Adenosine Monophosphate activated Protein Kinase (AMPK) regulates cell metabolism  i.e “AMPK has a central regulatory role in cell metabolism, mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative stress response”. Recent study of FM fibroblasts found AMPK downregulated.”AMPK down-regulation [is] at least in part responsible … Continue reading

Posted in Depression, Drugs, Fibromyalgia | 1 Comment

Pain and Depression – Consider Brain Inflammation With Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) – and What About Brain Aging

  Prior, I published a belief that depression in some cases was a manifestation of chronic pain for which ketamine could temporarily block. In this 21 page article they make clear connections between brain cytokine inflammation especially TNF (Tumor Necrosis … Continue reading

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Hypnomanic Checklist

Once had a psychiatrist phone me very irritated because I had diagnosed a teeanger as potentially bipolar. Fortunately, I had seen her hypomanic, and run a hypomanic questionnaire at time – adequate documentation despite his hostility (guy needed a holiday). … Continue reading

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B12 Levels Might Be Important in Ketamine Response to Depression

Recent study demonstrated more favorable response to ketamine for depression if B12 levels are higher. I have been giving 1000 mcg/week IM and perhaps that is wise..

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14 Days Ketamine Induced Persistent Depression Relief in Adolescent Rats – and Maybe Relief in Resistant Depression

Depression was induced in rats by Forced swim procedure followed by “chronic unpredictable stress”.  Control group did not recover. Rats subjected to 15 days of ketamine – were still good 2 months later, suggesting lasting results could be obtained but how … Continue reading

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Back Pain – Is Duloxetine (Cymbalta) Really a Contender?-And What About Knee?

In a Quebec analysis (if one looks is actually the drug company’s), it has been suggested that Duloxetine might be more cost effective for patients over 65 where the heart disease and stomach bleed risks of NSAID arthrtis pill might … Continue reading

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Cheapest SAD Light Ever

My bipolar patients are coming in droves now that it is fall. Found a way to make a cheap Seasonal Affective Disorder light – have made a couple for my wife to use as plant lights as well…

Posted in Depression | 2 Comments

Ketamine For Depression Confirmed

Press release by A. Shah from Baylor College confirms that ketamine works well for depression. Press release makes a statling comment: “Prozac and other treatments each improve conditions for only about 30 to 40 percent of the patient population, barely outperforming … Continue reading

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No Need to Fear Suicidality – Rapid Relief of Suicide Intent With Ketamine

A “single i.v. bolus of ketamine (0.2 mg/kg) over 1–2 min will rapidly dissolve suicidal ideation” and its effect will last aat least 10 days. I find this an exciting innovation that could prevent a big unnecessary killer. This is just … Continue reading

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Depression is a Form of Pain and Ketamine May be a Cure if One Can Make It Last

Recent studies has demonstrated short infusions of ketamine can quickly and perhaps completely remove depression for up to 1 week (who says there is no happy pill?). Infusions for neuropathic pain can give significant improvements for time periods as well. … Continue reading

Posted in complex regional pain, Depression, Drugs, neuropathic | 3 Comments

Would Magnesium Help Depression ?

Recent article suggests Magnesium might help depression but has more theoretical than actual data to prove it

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What Is the Fibromyalgia (FM) & Depression Connection?

Most Fibromyaglia Victims are Not Depressed, yet study after study has shown it to be higher than in comparable populations. Why is that? I suggest it is: the uncertainly that goes with the diagnosis (do I have something more serious?) … Continue reading

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Chronic Pain, Depressed, and Desperate? Consider Medical Supervised Fasting

Article in press summaries findings that medically supervised modified fasting (200–500 kcal nutritional intake/day) with periods from 7 to 20 days “is associated with mood enhancement and substantial pain relief.”

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Checklist of Simple Treatments For Depression – including in Pregnancy

I have compiled a simple list of measure known to help depression that can be given to patients. It was initially compiled with pregnancy in mind but concerning herbals, there  are Pregnancy issues. However here are suggestions from a recent … Continue reading

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