Posted by Cindylou on February 1, 2002, at 12:21:15
In reply to Re: Caffeine or Insulin Effect?, posted by tomatosoup on January 31, 2002, at 0:48:18
Hi tomatosoup ...
I posted above that I have heard SSRIs can cause hypoglycemia. I did a horrible job trying to explain it, because I can't remember exactly how the doctor put it ... it has something to do with seratonin being affected, which then affects adrenal glands which then affect the pancreas which then affects insulin...Anyway, I'm not sure if TCA's affect seratonin or not ... but perhaps they have the same or a similar effect on adrenal glands.
Also, my depression usually gets MUCH WORSE when beginning a med, but after 3-4 weeks I start feeling better. I don't know why this is so, but I have heard others mention that meds can make them worse before they get better. Maybe this is what is happening to you, and you'll feel better in another week or so. I feel for you -- I know how terrible and unbearable that increased med-induced depression can be.
I have noticed that if I start out at an unheard-of low dose of the med (like 1/4 or less of what the doc recommends) and then GRADUALLY increase, I don't have such a horrible depression in the beginning.
Hang in there. And keep us posted on how you are feeling!
cindy
> I am ADD. Was great on Adderall for 2 years, except it made me smoke and have a red nose. Tried Ritalin. Still smoked, not much effect. Stopped everything and then got depressed...or maybe just frustrated. It was a hard time...moved across the country, lost my job, stopped working, back injury and such.
>
> Wellbutrin made me manic, effexor spaced me out.
> Went to see this new doctor...he says that adderall depletes the brain of transmitters or something and so he would rather I try a TCA. Started at a VERY low dose of desipramine 10mg. 2 weeks ago, went to 30 today.
>
> I have been crying every day. The doc says that the med could not be causing it. I figured it out today at 30mg. what I have been feeling. Total hypoglycemia. My blood sugar is dropping way down. I am craving sugar(which I usually don't eat because of hypoglycemia) but my response to even a little is awful. shaky, tearful, sweaty, then I crash. Again the doc said that it couldn't be the desipramine and I should watch what I eat. Has anyone heard of hypoglycemia from TCA's???
>
> I am getting no positive effects except a bit more energy....why am I on this med when I feel like crap, have gained weight, my mouth tastes like a sewer....etc..?
>
> But it is interesting to think about it as a metabolic issue...
poster:Cindylou
thread:91769
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020131/msgs/92511.html