ITP and Antidepressants

Hi, My son who is 22 years old was diagnosed with ITP two years ago and has been receiving the Nplate shot each week. He is extremely depressed and when we have tried to put him on antidepressants , they all say that the medicine can cause a significant drop in platelets. Does anyone know of any anti-depressants that does not have this side effect. He really needs to be on an antidepressant medication as the mental part of this is as bad as the disease.

Sierra:

Many people with ITP have used antidepressants successfully without a platelet drop. All drugs carry the risk of a potential drop though, so there is no one magic script that will work for everyone. We're all different.

Depression can be an initial part of ITP, but usually in time, most people adjust and it fades away. ITP is not necessarily a cause of depression, but having to manage an on-going health disorder can be. I took an antidepressant due to steroid-induced depression and did not find it to be a good, long-term solution. I got off of them as soon as I could because they made me feel emotionless and that wasn't good either. The depression was lessened, but so was my ability to feel happiness and sadness. I felt empty and did not like that. The other side effects can also be scary (such as suicide), not only the fact that platelets can drop.

There are other ways to deal with depression such as therapy, which can help the patient get to the root cause of the depression. Would your son be willing to try that?

I am VERY interested in this topic as I am on two meds that affect serotonin, an SSRI and trazodone. I also recently found, which my hematologist had no clue about, that platelets carry a large amount of serotonin (Dialogues of Clinical Neuroscience March 2007). It is well known that SSRIs inhibit platelet aggregation by up to 50% depending on the SSRI-mine is one of the ones with a stronger effect-I can find the citation again if needed. My doc did not know what to make of this but I have felt strongly since that I need to wean of my SSRI. The hematologist seemed to agree with this.

Has anyone had improvement in platelets going off their SSRI? Was it sustained?

I've seen research showing antidepressants inhibit platelet aggregation (less stickiness), but no research on an effect on platelet counts.

If one wants to look up specific drugs and their effects on platelet counts, here is a good link:
www.ouhsc.edu/platelets/ditp.html
You will need the generic name of the drug.

Are you sure it is not the Nplate causing his depression in the first place.

I was on it for two and a half years and it certainly changed my mood for the worse.

medicines.org.uk does mention depression as an uncommon side effect of N plate ..I have to say whilst taking it I felt ok but after stopping it realise I feel better than when I was on it
Anne

What are you taking now for the ITP?

Thanks Sandi, yes we are looking at other alternatives

sierra1129 wrote: What are you taking now for the ITP?

Sorry, whom was that question directed to?