Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 4242

Shown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

any women out there taking Antidep. and B.C pills

Posted by ann on March 31, 1999, at 21:52:32

hi just wanted to know if any of you take Birth Control pills and Antidepressents. I will be starting on sunday taking B.c. and want to know if it would have any effect on my antidepressents. I have read on some boards that B.C. pills can make depression worse. I will be on a low dose of B.C. Any suggestions or comments please reply or e-mail, Thanks Ann

 

Re: any women out there taking Antidep. and B.C pills

Posted by Daisy on April 1, 1999, at 22:44:04

In reply to any women out there taking Antidep. and B.C pills, posted by ann on March 31, 1999, at 21:52:32

Ann,

I was experiencing depression and it actually improved after going on the pill. Perhaps this is unusual, but it does point up the importance of trusting your instincts and your personal reaction to the drugs. (e.g. for me, Triphasic pills made me depressed, but Demulin helped.)
Good luck!

 

Re: any women out there taking Antidep. and B.C pills

Posted by Ann on April 2, 1999, at 9:37:04

In reply to Re: any women out there taking Antidep. and B.C pills, posted by Daisy on April 1, 1999, at 22:44:04

> Ann,
>
> I was experiencing depression and it actually improved after going on the pill. Perhaps this is unusual, but it does point up the importance of trusting your instincts and your personal reaction to the drugs. (e.g. for me, Triphasic pills made me depressed, but Demulin helped.)
> Good luck!

Thank you Daisy for your reply, I started having depression and anxiety attacks about six months ago, first time in my life. went to every doctor thinking there was domething wrong with me, well finally went to psy and therapist. Then I had my yearlys visit to my obgyn and told her what I had been going throught and she decided to chedk my hormorne level, well they were out of wack, and thought that maybe this whs what was causing all my symtoms. The Serzone and Xanax are helping. I just hope the hormornal imbalance was the main problem and that it can be corrected tso I can get off the Serzone and Xanax. Thanks again for your repl. Ann

 

Re: any women out there taking Antidep. and B.C pills

Posted by Victoria on April 2, 1999, at 15:33:17

In reply to Re: any women out there taking Antidep. and B.C pills, posted by Ann on April 2, 1999, at 9:37:04

Ann, Getting my hormone levels right has helped me with depression; I hope it works for you, too. If the birth control pills don't help (or make things worse), keep in mind that you can also take natural forms of estradiol and progesterone, which some people find cause less side effects than the kind used in b.c. pills. Progesterone in particular can have a depressing effect (although some people find it helpful, too). Good books to read if you want more info on hormone replacement: E. L. Vliet, MD, Screaming to be Heard (overblown title, but very informative contents) and Gillian Ford, Listening to Your Hormones. Good luck!

> > Ann,
> >
> > I was experiencing depression and it actually improved after going on the pill. Perhaps this is unusual, but it does point up the importance of trusting your instincts and your personal reaction to the drugs. (e.g. for me, Triphasic pills made me depressed, but Demulin helped.)
> > Good luck!
>
> Thank you Daisy for your reply, I started having depression and anxiety attacks about six months ago, first time in my life. went to every doctor thinking there was domething wrong with me, well finally went to psy and therapist. Then I had my yearlys visit to my obgyn and told her what I had been going throught and she decided to chedk my hormorne level, well they were out of wack, and thought that maybe this whs what was causing all my symtoms. The Serzone and Xanax are helping. I just hope the hormornal imbalance was the main problem and that it can be corrected tso I can get off the Serzone and Xanax. Thanks again for your repl. Ann

 

Re: any women out there taking Antidep. and B.C pills

Posted by Daisy on April 2, 1999, at 17:01:37

In reply to any women out there taking Antidep. and B.C pills, posted by ann on March 31, 1999, at 21:52:32

Ann-

as a quick follow-up, my hormone levels, too were just a little off, so perhaps this explains in part my positive reaction to the Pill. Note too that stress can influence your hormone levels.
Yoga is an excellent stress-release!
good luck.

 

Re: any women out there taking Antidep. and B.C pills

Posted by Terry on April 2, 1999, at 21:13:14

In reply to any women out there taking Antidep. and B.C pills, posted by ann on March 31, 1999, at 21:52:32

Dear Ann: I take low-dose Serzone, an AD (along with other psychotropic meds) and a low-dose BC pill called Mircette. I was having some cognitive problems (name recalling, losing things, etc.) and my psychiatrist recommended BC pills (I'm 44 and not menopausal yet, so BC pills are indicated for me instead of estrogen replacement therapy). There is evidence that estrogen helps with memory, etc. (Most BC pills have two hormones, estrogen and progesterone.) It does seem to be helping. Also, I don't know of any interactions between today's low-dose BC pills and SSRI ADs such as Prozac. I don't know about older ADs. You can read the labeling that comes with your BC pills and it will tell you if there are any drug interactions or contraindications for specific drugs. Good luck, and don't be afraid of hormones! For the most part, they're good for you! Some people have side effects (headache, nausea), but you can try different formulations to see if side effects go away or diminish. Terry

> hi just wanted to know if any of you take Birth
Control pills and Antidepressents. I will be starting on sunday taking B.c. and want to know if it would have any effect on my antidepressents. I have read on some boards that B.C. pills can make depression worse. I will be on a low dose of B.C. Any suggestions or comments please reply or e-mail, Thanks Ann

 

Re: any women out there taking Antidep. and B.C pills

Posted by ann on April 2, 1999, at 21:48:06

In reply to Re: any women out there taking Antidep. and B.C pills, posted by Terry on April 2, 1999, at 21:13:14

> Dear Ann: I take low-dose Serzone, an AD (along with other psychotropic meds) and a low-dose BC pill called Mircette. I was having some cognitive problems (name recalling, losing things, etc.) and my psychiatrist recommended BC pills (I'm 44 and not menopausal yet, so BC pills are indicated for me instead of estrogen replacement therapy). There is evidence that estrogen helps with memory, etc. (Most BC pills have two hormones, estrogen and progesterone.) It does seem to be helping. Also, I don't know of any interactions between today's low-dose BC pills and SSRI ADs such as Prozac. I don't know about older ADs. You can read the labeling that comes with your BC pills and it will tell you if there are any drug interactions or contraindications for specific drugs. Good luck, and don't be afraid of hormones! For the most part, they're good for you! Some people have side effects (headache, nausea), but you can try different formulations to see if side effects go away or diminish. Terry
>
> > hi just wanted to know if any of you take Birth
> Control pills and Antidepressents. I will be starting on sunday taking B.c. and want to know if it would have any effect on my antidepressents. I have read on some boards that B.C. pills can make depression worse. I will be on a low dose of B.C. Any suggestions or comments please reply or e-mail, Thanks Ann

Thanks Terry for your reply, I am also on Serzone 200mg,I did not know estrogen helped with all that, that's great to know I am starting to take B.C Loestrin. Once again thanks for your information!!

 

Re: any women out there taking Antidep. and B.C pills

Posted by Jan on April 4, 1999, at 11:46:21

In reply to any women out there taking Antidep. and B.C pills, posted by ann on March 31, 1999, at 21:52:32

> hi just wanted to know if any of you take Birth Control pills and Antidepressents. I will be starting on sunday taking B.c. and want to know if it would have any effect on my antidepressents. I have read on some boards that B.C. pills can make depression worse. I will be on a low dose of B.C. Any suggestions or comments please reply or e-mail, Thanks Ann

I just started taking B.C. pills on March 3rd after several failed anti-dep meds. How long did it take for the hormones to make you feel better? I really thought the B.C. pill was the answer to my depression. I know it's only been 1 month. I'm scared and running out of options.

 

Re: any women out there taking Antidep. and B.C pills

Posted by Ann on April 4, 1999, at 12:10:47

In reply to Re: any women out there taking Antidep. and B.C pills, posted by Jan on April 4, 1999, at 11:46:21

> > hi just wanted to know if any of you take Birth Control pills and Antidepressents. I will be starting on sunday taking B.c. and want to know if it would have any effect on my antidepressents. I have read on some boards that B.C. pills can make depression worse. I will be on a low dose of B.C. Any suggestions or comments please reply or e-mail, Thanks Ann
>
> I just started taking B.C. pills on March 3rd after several failed anti-dep meds. How long did it take for the hormones to make you feel better? I really thought the B.C. pill was the answer to my depression. I know it's only been 1 month. I'm scared and running out of options.

Jan, long story, I will not start taking them until tonight, will be my first time, I started suffering from depression and anxiety about 6 months ago, thought there was something really wrong with me , since this was my first time going through this, after nothing could be found, I was referred to a psy and therapist. I am on Serzone and Xanax, well then I went to my obgyn for my yearly and I told her what I had been going through, and she checked my hormmorne levels, it showed that my testostorine level was extremely high. And when your hormornes are out of whack they can cause depression and anxiety. So She put me on Loestrin B.C., will start them tonight. Will let you know how they do. how long have you been suffering from depression, and have you had your hormornes checked? I started to see a pattern to mine it would always get worse two weeks before that time of month and last all during my monthly. I was actually diagnosed with PCOS, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, which is caused by the excess testoterone level. I thought I was going through menopause because I was having panick attacks, severly depressed, very anxious , night sweats, could't sleep at night etc. got so band I became housebound.Medicine has helped a great deal, psy said that this might explain everything and if B.C. pills help I will be weaned off of meds. Has the B.C. helped you any yet. Are you still on meds, what were you on? Fell free to E-mail me. I know I was not much help, Sorry.

 

Re: any women out there taking Antidep. and B.C pills

Posted by Terry on April 4, 1999, at 20:17:47

In reply to Re: any women out there taking Antidep. and B.C pills, posted by Jan on April 4, 1999, at 11:46:21

> > hi just wanted to know if any of you take Birth Control pills and Antidepressents. I will be starting on sunday taking B.c. and want to know if it would have any effect on my antidepressents. I have read on some boards that B.C. pills can make depression worse. I will be on a low dose of B.C. Any suggestions or comments please reply or e-mail, Thanks Ann
>
> I just started taking B.C. pills on March 3rd after several failed anti-dep meds. How long did it take for the hormones to make you feel better? I really thought the B.C. pill was the answer to my depression. I know it's only been 1 month. I'm scared and running out of options.

I'm not sure BC pills in and of themselves will alleviate depression. I'm taking an AD with BC pills. My psychiatrist recommended BC pills because of the estrogen they contain, which supposedly helps with cognitive function, memory, etc. (If I were menopausal, I could take estrogen replacement therapy, but I'm too young for that yet, so I'm on BC pills, which also contain estrogen.)I have problems with cognitive function (losing things, forgetting things, etc), either because of my diagnosis (bipolar type II) or my meds (Depakote, Serzone, and others). I've been on BC pills for several weeks now and have noticed an improvement in cognitive function. I have not noticed any difference in mood or depression. I think your best bet would be to talk to your doctor about trying something in addition to the BC pills for your depression. Sometimes you have to try many different types of antidepressants to find one that works. There are many, many antidepressants out there. Don't give up, and keep trying! Terry

 

Re: any women out there taking Antidep. and B.C pills

Posted by Carol on April 6, 1999, at 18:21:20

In reply to Re: any women out there taking Antidep. and B.C pills, posted by Terry on April 4, 1999, at 20:17:47

> > > hi just wanted to know if any of you take Birth Control pills and Antidepressents. I will be starting on sunday taking B.c. and want to know if it would have any effect on my antidepressents. I have read on some boards that B.C. pills can make depression worse. I will be on a low dose of B.C. Any suggestions or comments please reply or e-mail, Thanks Ann
> >
To all:

I'm 38 and I have been on BC pills AND ADs for around 13 years. The BC pills predated the AD by a little bit, and have been constant through the medication roulette that so many of us are on. I'm diagnosed as "atypical" depression. The BC pills help balance me out over the cycle. I still have some "PMS" symptoms, but they are much more limited, and only last 2, max 3 days. Also, now that I can predict when they should hit, I'm more effective in managing the problem.

Different BC pills have different balances of estrogen and different chemical compositions. The first BC pill I was put on made me totally sick, and I felt lousy for the entire 3 months I took it. I've been on Ortho-novum products for 15? years, and I tolerate these OK. At this time, I'm on the 1-35/28 days (so I don't forget to restart at the end of the week) and I think I do OK with this added to my AD cocktail.

If you feel lousy on the 1st BC pill, ask the dr. to change manufacturers--the side effects should be different. You might need to be on one type for 2 or 3 months to even out your cycle, though.

Good luck
Carol

 

any women out there taking Antidep. and B.C pills

Posted by maybelle on April 12, 1999, at 1:06:06

In reply to Re: any women out there taking Antidep. and B.C pills, posted by Carol on April 6, 1999, at 18:21:20

I have been on B.C. pills for ten years (different kinds). This predated my depression diagnosis and treatment. The B.C. pills definitely helped my PMS mood swings, severe cramping, and heavy bleeding. After begining antidepressants, I found that stopping B.C. actually made my depression/anxiety worse, so I went right back on them. Some antidepressants I have been on (almost all with success) are BuSpar, Zoloft, and Imipramine. None of these seemed hampered by B.C. in my case.

 

Re: any women out there taking Antidep. and B.C pills

Posted by Kathy on April 21, 1999, at 16:07:25

In reply to any women out there taking Antidep. and B.C pills, posted by maybelle on April 12, 1999, at 1:06:06

I took triphasil for about 8 months and I believe they
made me over emotional w/ crying spells, depression, etc

I have always had bouts of depression but these crying
jags were happening more frequently. My therapist said that
the particular brand of bc I was taking triphasil is known to
cause emotional problems so I got off them completely.
I don't feel as emotional but still depressed. Whatever you
do you may want to not try the Triphasil bc pills to start off
with. I would go low dose if possible. I took
anti-depressants/ anti-anxiety pills at the same time as the bc pills
and they did not help - which is why I'm going off the bc pills
and trying the anti-depressants alone - but that's just me.
Good luck to you

 

Re: any women out there taking Antidep. and B.C pills

Posted by Kelly on April 27, 1999, at 13:59:00

In reply to any women out there taking Antidep. and B.C pills, posted by maybelle on April 12, 1999, at 1:06:06

I've been on B.C. pills for 6 years now...all different one, now on Mircette. It's a great low dosage pill with only 2 days of placebos as opposed to 7, which really helps regulate mood swings for me. I have also recently started taking Prozac for a depression diagnosis. Trozac, on top of the Mircette has allowed me to experience a full range of emotions again. I am having a wretched time trying to sleep and have been put on Trazodone then switched to Serzone for sleep effects on top of the Prozac. Neither has seemed to work yet....I'll keep trying. My point though is that the Mircette and the Prozac seem to work extremely well together for me. The Mircette was not originally perscribed for any hormonal problems, just as a low dosage low side effect B.C. pill, but the outcome has been close to miraculous with the Ad and BC working in conjunction! The mood swings were lessened then the depression was lifted. I hope you have such great results!

Kelly


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