Posted by LucidDreamer on December 18, 2012, at 22:01:12
In reply to Re: Worried about Seroquel. PLEASE HELP, posted by Meatwood_Flack on December 18, 2012, at 20:34:44
> > Ever since finding this out I have going mad trying to reassure myself that all the years I've been on Seroquel hasn't caused abnormal growth in me.
>
> Nocebo effect occurs when someone expects negative side effects that occur with a certain medication. It sounds like your only concern with abnormal growth was triggered by the article, not noticing anything in the mirror, comments from others, etc. That, to me, is a good clue.
>
> >I know there is a disease where you have too much growth hormone called Acromegaly , and they develop certain symptoms such as a protruding jaw, really thick eyebrows, wide nose, thick lips, and thick bones to name few. Now I don't really have any of these symptoms, except my lower lip is a little thick-not ABNORMALLY thick but compared to my upper lip it's on the thicker side.
>
> A slightly thicker lower lip is common. Second clue to me, you say you don't have any other symptoms. Since lower lips are often a little thicker than upper lips, that doesn't meet the standard of a symptom.
>
> >I keep thinking what if Seroquel increased my growth hormone to the point where it affected my actual growth-not significantly but in a benign way, where it made my nose a little wider than it was supposed to be(although I have an average nose not too wide), my lower lip a little thicker, and my cheekbones bigger(I have big/high cheekbones, not abnormally big, but on the bigger side)?
>
> Slightly larger cheekbones are actually considered more aesthetically pleasing and attractive, so you lucked out there, regardless of the source.
>
> <So at that point if I wasn't on Seroquel it would probably be lower. I would like to point out that my growth hormone has always probably been on the higher side (not out of range though, caused I had it checked 4 more times after 2009 and they all came back well within range), because I am tall, 6'2-so not too tall.
>
> Unless your growth hormone was above range while on Seroquel, I don't think the medication is a worry. Six feet two is above average, which would likely equate to higher growth hormone. Unless both your parents are short, your height isn't out of the ordinary. Also, keep in mind, that you're either at the tail end of puberty or just came out of it. This when changes such as growth spurts and increased hormones occur, so a higher level of growth hormone would not be unusual.
>
> >Does anyone here think that the increase in my growth hormone caused by Seroquel could have affected my growth in any way?
>
> From everything else you've written, I would say it's unlikely.
>
> >I do have Body Dysmorphic disorder, and I tend to obsess about my looks-too much.
>
> You probably just answered your own question.
>
> >I just want to hear what someone thinks about this from the other side. If let's say all my growth has been normal and due to my genes, I'll be relieved.
>
> Be relieved, anyway. It sounds like your features are normal. It's unlikely the Seroquel caused abnormal growth. Plus, for me, personally, if I had taken Seroquel at your age and it caused me to shoot up to six feet two, I would have been elated, being only five feet nine...
>
> >And no matter how much I tell myself this, there is always a shred of about, either rational or irrational. There really is not any evidence that I have or had Acromegaly, besides my big cheekbones which could just be genetics.
>
> I think, in this case, your biggest worry is worry, itself.
>
>First off I'd like to thank you for taking the time to address my concerns in my thread. I really appreciate it. You made some very good points such as the fact that I suspected abnormal growth after I read those articles. All your other points were equally good too. It's just so hard and deceiving to have body dysmorphic type thinking about your appearance. When it gets severe enough, it's kind of like losing tiny touch with reality, cause your perception is so screwed up. Well anyways thanks.
poster:LucidDreamer
thread:1033218
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20121217/msgs/1033302.html