![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Anita on June 13, 1998, at 0:11:30
Has anyone tried pergolide or bromocriptine as an
adjunct to their current antidepressant? Any info on
this would be great.
Posted by Racer on August 25, 1998, at 22:49:44
In reply to Pergolide for depression?, posted by Anita on June 13, 1998, at 0:11:30
Horses with Cushing's syndrome are often treated with pergolide, which alleviates their depression. Cushings is caused by a benign tumor on the pituitary gland, which interferes with the biofeedback loop in cortisol production in the body. One of the more common effects in horses is depression, and pergolide, as well as treating other symptoms, seems to alleviate the depression well.
Please don't think I'm making light of depression. I'm just trying to give the only information I have in answer to your question.
Also, if the pergolide helps with any physical symptoms, that alone is likely to assist with the depression.
Good luck.
Posted by Splat on September 5, 1998, at 18:50:15
In reply to Pergolide sometimes alleviates depression in horse, posted by Racer on August 25, 1998, at 22:49:44
Hi,
I'm not a physician, but I think what you're talking about
is treating depression secondary to Cushing's caused
by a pituitary tumor. The same treatment is used in
humans (I have a small pit. tumor -- not using any meds for
it though). It seems that bromocriptine causes
such tumors to shrink. So it's really curing the
Cushing's which can cause depression, as
opposed to treating primary depression, I think.Just adding what I know.
-Splat
> Horses with Cushing's syndrome are often treated with pergolide, which alleviates their depression. Cushings is caused by a benign tumor on the pituitary gland, which interferes with the biofeedback loop in cortisol production in the body. One of the more common effects in horses is depression, and pergolide, as well as treating other symptoms, seems to alleviate the depression well.> Please don't think I'm making light of depression. I'm just trying to give the only information I have in answer to your question.
> Also, if the pergolide helps with any physical symptoms, that alone is likely to assist with the depression.
> Good luck.
Posted by Racer on September 22, 1998, at 13:11:54
In reply to Re: Pergolide sometimes alleviates depression in horse, posted by Splat on September 5, 1998, at 18:50:15
Yes! Cushings in horses is primarily caused by a pituitary tumor, but I didn't know that the pergolide actually shrank the tumor. The other treatment available is an anti-histimine, so go figure.
Cushings in horses has some good side effects, too. I wonder if some of our problems have a good side too? Cushings, for example, will relieve arthritis in horses and some dogs. That's a good thing. Any one want to speculate on the good in depression? Maybe it protects us from brain tumors? Or Wayne Newton? (Find a depressed person watching Wayne Newton? Hardly!) Any thoughts?
Posted by Sandra on June 7, 1999, at 16:47:27
In reply to Re: Pergolide sometimes alleviates depression in horse, posted by Splat on September 5, 1998, at 18:50:15
Does anyone know if there is a good source of Pergolide on line? My vet has recommended that my cushings horse be put on this medication but it is up to me to find a source and then he will provide the RX for it. Can anyone help? Thanks!
Posted by mle on June 8, 1999, at 15:25:38
In reply to Re: Pergolide, posted by Sandra on June 7, 1999, at 16:47:27
If you do find a good source, let me know. In the meantime, unless you're getting some of the really awful symptoms, bad feet, etc, you don't have to treat.
The Cushings will require great care for cuts and scratches, regular clipping, and close watch on diet and water consumption, but doesn't really require treatment.
That said, the best thing I can tell you is to try the horse bulletin boards. Equisense, Horseman's advisor, Equinet, Hoofbeats, Acmepet, etc. Someone at one of those should be able to help you.
Good luck. How old is your horse? My Cushing's horse is 24. Still jumps, though, and can knock me into the dirt when the spirit strikes! Thoroughbred, of course...
Posted by tammy on December 13, 1999, at 12:49:32
In reply to Re: Pergolide, posted by Sandra on June 7, 1999, at 16:47:27
Did you find any place to order pergolide less than $3.50 per tablet? I have a 27 year old pony just diagnosed with cushings. A pill a day is quite expensive. Thanks
> Does anyone know if there is a good source of Pergolide on line? My vet has recommended that my cushings horse be put on this medication but it is up to me to find a source and then he will provide the RX for it. Can anyone help? Thanks!
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.