Is taking an antidepressant for fibromyalgia just an easy way out?
Question:
Hi,
I'm going to have some tests for fibromyalgia, etc., due to body pains. My doctor wants to put me on antidepressants for when I have flare-ups and for stress. I don't want to use medicine as a crutch, and I have asked God for his help on this. I try to tough it out when I have episodes and try to be a naturalist without medication. Are antidepressants just an easy way out? It seems like doctors only want to prescribe antidepressants for almost everything nowadays.
Thank you for your advice.
Answer:
A recent discovery showed that one class of antidepressants, amitriptyline, when given in low doses, improves the pain, fatigue, and sleeplessness that comes with fibromyalgia. Only 30% of those with fibromyalgia see this improvement. ["Antidepressants Help Treat Fibromyalgia", WebMD]. Why it works is unknown, but then the cause of fibromyalgia is unknown.
While it is understandable that you don't want to be dependent on drugs, if there is something that allows you to be more functional and clear-minded, then there isn't anything particularly wrong with taking medication. For more on this, see: Should a Christian use medicinal drugs that may affect the mind?
