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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jodsteroo on February 14, 2001, at 1:40:04
i have been on everything for depression...all ssri's, tricyclics, maoi's....wellbutrin...serzone...effexor...buspar...even most moodstabolizers..depakote,lithium...topimax...neurontin...lamictal...gabatril....and antipsychotics...risperidone....seroquil....and other things like ambien, klonapin, stimulants...dexedrine, adderall and many others w/combinations and stuff + ect.....just to try to fix my depression. nothings reslly worked cause i cant tolerate side effects. im a 19 yrold fem and most of these meds make my skin break out...i also have bad acne to begin with but currently im on serzone and my skin looks even worse...ive broken out b4 on the ssri's and wellbutrin pretty bad too and im worried cause my doc just put me on dexedrine for the tiredness and im afraid my skin will get worse....i dont know what to do...ive struggled with bad skin since i was 13 and have been on accutane 2 times + every other dermotologic treatment available.its wierd cause my skin cleared up after ect and neurontn..i dont get it...anyone else break out, get oily hair, and facial hair growth, gained weight, whatever....from their meds?please give me your info....thanks...jodi
Posted by rogdog on February 14, 2001, at 1:55:44
In reply to acne and meds???, posted by jodsteroo on February 14, 2001, at 1:40:04
I have had similar problems with almost al the meds. I have taken the only one that didnt was xanax and luvox, everything else did and most everything did in fact make my hair grow faster and it seemed all over my body.. did this happen to you on neurontin?, and has there been a medication that has helped you regaurdless of the acne? please write back
sincerely, rogdog
Posted by SalArmy4me on February 14, 2001, at 3:07:58
In reply to acne and meds???, posted by jodsteroo on February 14, 2001, at 1:40:04
Were you ever on oral tetracycline? That's what helped me a lot.
But for the depression, have you considered using an MAOI? They have an excellent track record for treatment resistant depression. I definitely am treatment resistant, but MAOIs helped.
Posted by Christina on February 14, 2001, at 7:34:22
In reply to Re: acne and meds???, posted by SalArmy4me on February 14, 2001, at 3:07:58
Which MAOI are you on that helps with your treatment-resistant depression?
What side effects do you have?
Posted by Noa on February 14, 2001, at 11:12:47
In reply to Re: acne and meds??? » SalArmy4me, posted by Christina on February 14, 2001, at 7:34:22
Another thought, too: Have you consulted an endocrinologist? Perhaps there is some hormonal problem underlying both the acne and the depression, and making you prone to the hair growth when taking certain meds??
Posted by Lin on February 14, 2001, at 17:08:08
In reply to acne and meds???, posted by jodsteroo on February 14, 2001, at 1:40:04
Jodi -- Ever since I started lithium, my face is a mess. I am always breaking out. Always. Also, I have gained 20 lbs in the past year from the litium, despite the fact that I have not changed my eating habits or exercise habits. WHen I was on Depakote, my hair thinned alot. I don't know the solution -- I just wanted to post this to say that you're not alone!!!
> i have been on everything for depression...all ssri's, tricyclics, maoi's....wellbutrin...serzone...effexor...buspar...even most moodstabolizers..depakote,lithium...topimax...neurontin...lamictal...gabatril....and antipsychotics...risperidone....seroquil....and other things like ambien, klonapin, stimulants...dexedrine, adderall and many others w/combinations and stuff + ect.....just to try to fix my depression. nothings reslly worked cause i cant tolerate side effects. im a 19 yrold fem and most of these meds make my skin break out...i also have bad acne to begin with but currently im on serzone and my skin looks even worse...ive broken out b4 on the ssri's and wellbutrin pretty bad too and im worried cause my doc just put me on dexedrine for the tiredness and im afraid my skin will get worse....i dont know what to do...ive struggled with bad skin since i was 13 and have been on accutane 2 times + every other dermotologic treatment available.its wierd cause my skin cleared up after ect and neurontn..i dont get it...anyone else break out, get oily hair, and facial hair growth, gained weight, whatever....from their meds?please give me your info....thanks...jodi
Posted by MarkinBoston on February 15, 2001, at 12:23:15
In reply to acne and meds???, posted by jodsteroo on February 14, 2001, at 1:40:04
See an endocrinologist, one specializing in women's health. Acne and hair growth are symptoms of elevated testosterone levels, or more specifically, free testosterone levels. There are various conditions where low levels of SHBG result in too much free (unbound) testosterone in your blood. Hormones affect moods and could explain some of them.
At your age, its normal to have crazy hormone levels. Don't worry. An endo might be able to give you something to tame them a little.
Posted by jodsteroo on February 15, 2001, at 22:32:21
In reply to Re: acne and meds???, posted by MarkinBoston on February 15, 2001, at 12:23:15
> See an endocrinologist, one specializing in women's health. Acne and hair growth are symptoms of elevated testosterone levels, or more specifically, free testosterone levels. There are various conditions where low levels of SHBG result in too much free (unbound) testosterone in your blood. Hormones affect moods and could explain some of them.
>
> At your age, its normal to have crazy hormone levels. Don't worry. An endo might be able to give you something to tame them a little.
do you think that the meds are messing with my hormones ...does serotonin affect free testosterone levels...or is it norepinephrine....or dopamine.......well i know dopamine does but theres just so much we(doctors)dont know about the brain yet....im on serzone and dexedrine...my mood still feels crappy though....also...i went to an endo about 3 yrs ago when i was on zoloft and i had the same prob...acne and hair growth...i got my hormone levels tested and the doc said i was on the high side of normal for testosterone....he tried spironolactone but it dropped my blood pressure too low....i wonder if theres another prob like pcos...or something....anyway thanks for your responce....
Posted by jodsteroo on February 15, 2001, at 22:40:04
In reply to Re: acne and meds???, posted by rogdog on February 14, 2001, at 1:55:44
> I have had similar problems with almost al the meds. I have taken the only one that didnt was xanax and luvox, everything else did and most everything did in fact make my hair grow faster and it seemed all over my body.. did this happen to you on neurontin?, and has there been a medication that has helped you regaurdless of the acne? please write back
> sincerely, rogdogit didnt happen on neurontin.....i felt less anxious on it...even better than klonapin but i didnt feel tired...it helped me sleep too....i didnt take it for very long cause i felt like i was in a fog all the time...might add it on to something for anxiety though! only thing that had helped me was e.c.t but it only lasted for like 2 weeks...then slowly i slipped back into the depression....ide recomend it though if youve tried everything else....very simple process...they put you to sleep lasts like 1 min when they shock you and you cant feel a thing...then you wake up with a headache...took advil....and then about a month later you dont even remember you did it....short term memory loss....anyway good luck...write back if you have any q's!
Posted by jodsteroo on February 15, 2001, at 22:43:14
In reply to Re: acne and meds???, posted by SalArmy4me on February 14, 2001, at 3:07:58
> Were you ever on oral tetracycline? That's what helped me a lot.
>
> But for the depression, have you considered using an MAOI? They have an excellent track record for treatment resistant depression. I definitely am treatment resistant, but MAOIs helped.yeah i took tetracycline...but it didnt work well. ive also tried maoi's....parnate and nardil....hated the diet and got bad headaches from both of them...nardil made me throw up after i took it.....but if your willing to do a tyramine free diet ide say parnates the way to go....write back if you have any q's!
Posted by jodsteroo on February 15, 2001, at 22:45:15
In reply to Re: acne and meds??? » SalArmy4me, posted by Christina on February 14, 2001, at 7:34:22
> Which MAOI are you on that helps with your treatment-resistant depression?
> What side effects do you have?not on any maoi's at this point but ive tried nardil and parnate...i liked parnate better just cause i got headaches and was throwing up on nardil...but i just couldnt handle the diet....
Posted by jodsteroo on February 15, 2001, at 22:50:40
In reply to Re: acne and meds???, posted by Noa on February 14, 2001, at 11:12:47
> Another thought, too: Have you consulted an endocrinologist? Perhaps there is some hormonal problem underlying both the acne and the depression, and making you prone to the hair growth when taking certain meds??
your right i should see an endo again...i did about 3 yrs ago when i was having the same problem with acne and hair growth on zoloft...just afraid cause i hate pills and ive been to so many docs i dont think my parents would take me.....besides i dont even feel any better on the serzone/dexedrine combo....wanna stop it but my doc insists i get up to the theraputic level....so i guess i have to wait it out and prove him wrong.....in the meantime ill be growing a mustache and beard with a face full of acne....bummer huh....well thanks for your responce!
Posted by jodsteroo on February 15, 2001, at 22:59:30
In reply to Re: acne and meds??? » jodsteroo, posted by Lin on February 14, 2001, at 17:08:08
> Jodi -- Ever since I started lithium, my face is a mess. I am always breaking out. Always. Also, I have gained 20 lbs in the past year from the litium, despite the fact that I have not changed my eating habits or exercise habits. WHen I was on Depakote, my hair thinned alot. I don't know the solution -- I just wanted to post this to say that you're not alone!!!
>lithium is known to cause acne....and weight gain...it sucks thats why i refuse to take it......but i did like how stable i felt on it so my doc suggested i try lamictal(an aed now used for certen types of depression)no weight gain...hair loss and it had antidepressant properties in it too....i got a rash on it....but fortunatly theres others that dont have the weight gain...hair loss...bloated feeling..and acne.....ask your doc about lamictal, neurontin,topimax,gabitril,trileptal,and a new form of depakote called depakote sr supposidly causes little or no side effects because the sustained release formula never reaches peak blood levels so all the side effects with the old depakote are tremendously decreaced....any way..thanks for your post...weite back if you have any Q's!
>
> > i have been on everything for depression...all ssri's, tricyclics, maoi's....wellbutrin...serzone...effexor...buspar...even most moodstabolizers..depakote,lithium...topimax...neurontin...lamictal...gabatril....and antipsychotics...risperidone....seroquil....and other things like ambien, klonapin, stimulants...dexedrine, adderall and many others w/combinations and stuff + ect.....just to try to fix my depression. nothings reslly worked cause i cant tolerate side effects. im a 19 yrold fem and most of these meds make my skin break out...i also have bad acne to begin with but currently im on serzone and my skin looks even worse...ive broken out b4 on the ssri's and wellbutrin pretty bad too and im worried cause my doc just put me on dexedrine for the tiredness and im afraid my skin will get worse....i dont know what to do...ive struggled with bad skin since i was 13 and have been on accutane 2 times + every other dermotologic treatment available.its wierd cause my skin cleared up after ect and neurontn..i dont get it...anyone else break out, get oily hair, and facial hair growth, gained weight, whatever....from their meds?please give me your info....thanks...jodi
Posted by Noa on February 17, 2001, at 12:04:59
In reply to Re: acne and meds???, posted by MarkinBoston on February 15, 2001, at 12:23:15
I was just at Barnes and Noble last night, reading a book on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, and hair growth and acne are both signs of this. I have signs such as these, although when lab tests were done, they were negative. Still, my gyno recently put me on Alesse28, an oral contraceptive, and my skin is MUCH better.
As for the AD or lithium connection, I don't know. I certainly have heard a lot here about that. But it also seems plausible to me that if one is near the threshold for too-high levels of androgen, taking some medications could lower the threshold by increasing certain hormones which leads to the increase of other hormones, etc. Also, if the medications lead to weight gain, fat cells also store androgens, which again can lead to the increased hair growth and acne.
The book also talked a lot about insulin resistance, which is common and which I have, and how it can cause hairiness and acne, too, possibly because it leads to increased fat in certain parts of the body (the abdomen, especially) where estrogen and androgens are stored. The author of the book said it is still unkown what causes pcos, and that one possiblity is that insulin resistance causes it, but they don't really know how these are related.
Posted by Noa on February 17, 2001, at 12:07:26
In reply to Re: acne and meds???, posted by jodsteroo on February 15, 2001, at 22:59:30
I agree about seeing the endo. If you want to see a web site where women recommend the endos they use, go to www.thyroid-info.com
This is the end of the thread.
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