Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 64502

Shown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Birth Control Pill, Depression and St. John's Wort

Posted by Cindylou on May 28, 2001, at 13:03:25

Hi,
I have a few questions regarding the birth control pill...

1. Can it CAUSE depression?
2. Can it HELP depression?
3. Can it interfere with the effects of St. John's Wort?
4. Can it interfere with effects of Manerix (an MAOI)?

Thanks in advance for your responses.

Quick background on me if you need it ...

I have a long history of moderate depression, sometimes bordering on severe. Have been on AD meds for almost 12 years, mostly SSRIs plus Wellbutrin. Have since stopped all meds in order to "start fresh" since the SSRIs make me extremely fatigued. I am considering trying St. John's Wort -- I know it's only for mild depression, but my nutritionist is encouraging me to try it since she's seen it help moderate cases as well, and I am very petite with a fast metabolism. My other option is Manerix -- a reverible MAOI.

I'm considering going on the Birth Control Pill, more for help with PMS than for birth control.

Any information on all of this "stuff" would be greatly appreciated!!

-cindy

 

Re: Birth Control Pill, Depression and St. John's Wort

Posted by sl on May 28, 2001, at 16:19:16

In reply to Birth Control Pill, Depression and St. John's Wort, posted by Cindylou on May 28, 2001, at 13:03:25

> Hi,
> I have a few questions regarding the birth control pill...
> 1. Can it CAUSE depression?

YES. Make sure the dr who gives you the pill KNOWS...you may need to try a couple before you find a blend that doesn't cause a problem.

> 2. Can it HELP depression?

Umm...I'd guess yes, but I haven't HEARD that. I just think that if it can cause it, it shoud be able to help it, but it might be an obscure brand.

> 3. Can it interfere with the effects of St. John's Wort?

Nope. I realy doubt it.

> 4. Can it interfere with effects of Manerix (an MAOI)?

Not a clue. If you have a good pharmacist, I suggest you ask them. They know a LOT about that stuff.

> Quick background on me if you need it ...
> I have a long history of moderate depression< snip >
St John's Wort -- I know it's only for mild
depression, but my nutritionist is encouraging me

Um....better to be on that than NOTHING if you have a history of "severe" depression.

> I'm considering going on the Birth Control Pill, more for help with PMS than for birth control.

You can also try Evening Primrose Oil.
http://www.hcrc.org/faqs/eveprim.html

..or soy stuff. Soy has "isoflavones" that're good for "female problems". (that's in quotes cuz I dunno what either of those are supposed to mean, I just heard those)
http://www.virtuesofsoy.bigstep.com/generic.html?pid=0

> Any information on all of this "stuff" would be greatly appreciated!!

There ya go!

Good luck! :)

sl

 

Re: Birth Control Pill, Depression and St. John's Wort » sl

Posted by Cindylou on May 28, 2001, at 17:34:25

In reply to Re: Birth Control Pill, Depression and St. John's Wort, posted by sl on May 28, 2001, at 16:19:16

Great! Thanks for the help ...

> > Hi,
> > I have a few questions regarding the birth control pill...
> > 1. Can it CAUSE depression?
>
> YES. Make sure the dr who gives you the pill KNOWS...you may need to try a couple before you find a blend that doesn't cause a problem.
>
> > 2. Can it HELP depression?
>
> Umm...I'd guess yes, but I haven't HEARD that. I just think that if it can cause it, it shoud be able to help it, but it might be an obscure brand.
>
> > 3. Can it interfere with the effects of St. John's Wort?
>
> Nope. I realy doubt it.
>
> > 4. Can it interfere with effects of Manerix (an MAOI)?
>
> Not a clue. If you have a good pharmacist, I suggest you ask them. They know a LOT about that stuff.
>
> > Quick background on me if you need it ...
> > I have a long history of moderate depression< snip >
> St John's Wort -- I know it's only for mild
> depression, but my nutritionist is encouraging me
>
> Um....better to be on that than NOTHING if you have a history of "severe" depression.
>
> > I'm considering going on the Birth Control Pill, more for help with PMS than for birth control.
>
> You can also try Evening Primrose Oil.
> http://www.hcrc.org/faqs/eveprim.html
>
> ..or soy stuff. Soy has "isoflavones" that're good for "female problems". (that's in quotes cuz I dunno what either of those are supposed to mean, I just heard those)
> http://www.virtuesofsoy.bigstep.com/generic.html?pid=0
>
> > Any information on all of this "stuff" would be greatly appreciated!!
>
> There ya go!
>
> Good luck! :)
>
> sl

 

Re: Birth Control Pill, Depression and St. John's Wort » Cindylou

Posted by Sulpicia on May 29, 2001, at 2:27:40

In reply to Birth Control Pill, Depression and St. John's Wort, posted by Cindylou on May 28, 2001, at 13:03:25

> BC can cause horrible depression and aggravate existing problems.
I know several women with bipolar disorder who have been hospitalized
with severe depression after starting BC. Depo-provera is even worse.

Were I in your shoes, and I am to a certain extent with chronic depression
and the periods from hell, I would:
treat the PMS nutritionally; there are several good studies that demonstrate
excellent symptom reduction with calcium supplements. My pdoc firmly believes that BC and other
hormonal treatments are frankly dangerous for people with chronic depression.
As for the depression, I might forget about the SJW -- mild or moderate, 11 years is
chronic, which meets the criteria of neither mild nor moderate. On top of BC
you could find yourself in a terrible jam.

Other AD possibilities: a stimulant [like ritalin] as an augment for the SSRI, or have you
tried the older tricyclics? I might be inclined to give them a try b4 MAOIs, just because
of the dietary restrictions etc.

Last suggestion -- try running. I know it sounds crazy but it's one of the best ADs I've
ever found.

Good luck,
S.

 

Re: Birth Control Pill, Depression and St. John's Wort » Sulpicia

Posted by Cindylou on May 29, 2001, at 17:54:46

In reply to Re: Birth Control Pill, Depression and St. John's Wort » Cindylou, posted by Sulpicia on May 29, 2001, at 2:27:40

Sulpicia,
Thank you.
Question: Could the birth control pill actually affect me negatively in ONE DAY???? I took it last night, and today felt worse than I have in a long time. Extremely fatigued, sad, sick of being sick and tired, low tolerance level, etc etc.

Last month when I started the pill, I had the same type of feelings, so I stopped after the first one and told my gynecologist. She said it probably wasn't the pill because it takes awhile to build up in my system.

Any thoughts?? I really didn't attribute my horrible day to the pill until I read your post.

Also, as far as augmenting the SSRIs, I tried to do that with wellbutrin (which didn't help offset the fatigue very much), with Provigil (which made me feel extremely flu-ish and hungover) and Adderall (which had a similar effect as the Provigil). So it seems I'm out of luck on that idea.

Also, I have tried Desipramine in the past -- it actually seemed to help some, but I could only tolerate a very low dose. I tried it again a few weeks ago, and I had very bad side effects. Must be my age, or my hormones changing since having a baby, or something (seems like I'm EXTRA sensitive to all meds since I had my baby 18 months ago.)

The MAOI I'm talking about trying (Manerix) is actaully reversible; it doesn't have the same contraindications of the irreversible MAOIs that are available here in the US. (Manerix is only available in Canada -- my doc and I are working on acquiring some). Have you ever heard of this?

You say you have chronic depression -- are you currently being treated? What seems to work for you? Also, how much calcium do you take to treat the PMS? I do take natural Cal/Mag supplements from a nutritionist, but not for PMS -- maybe I'm not taking enough.

Sorry for the barrage of questions -- and thanks in advance for your help.

-cindy

> > BC can cause horrible depression and aggravate existing problems.
> I know several women with bipolar disorder who have been hospitalized
> with severe depression after starting BC. Depo-provera is even worse.
>
> Were I in your shoes, and I am to a certain extent with chronic depression
> and the periods from hell, I would:
> treat the PMS nutritionally; there are several good studies that demonstrate
> excellent symptom reduction with calcium supplements. My pdoc firmly believes that BC and other
> hormonal treatments are frankly dangerous for people with chronic depression.
> As for the depression, I might forget about the SJW -- mild or moderate, 11 years is
> chronic, which meets the criteria of neither mild nor moderate. On top of BC
> you could find yourself in a terrible jam.
>
> Other AD possibilities: a stimulant [like ritalin] as an augment for the SSRI, or have you
> tried the older tricyclics? I might be inclined to give them a try b4 MAOIs, just because
> of the dietary restrictions etc.
>
> Last suggestion -- try running. I know it sounds crazy but it's one of the best ADs I've
> ever found.
>
> Good luck,
> S.

 

Re: Birth Control Pill, Depression and St. John's Wort » Cindylou

Posted by Sunnely on May 29, 2001, at 23:06:10

In reply to Birth Control Pill, Depression and St. John's Wort, posted by Cindylou on May 28, 2001, at 13:03:25

Hi Cindy,

There have been reports of oral contraceptives (OCs) inducing or aggravating depression.

I don't know for sure if OCs interfere with the action of St. John's wort (SJW). In fact, the exact mechanism as to how SJW acts as antidepressant remains unclear. OTOH, SJW can interfere with the metabolism of OCs. SJW has been found to be an "inducer" of a gut enzyme called CYP3A4. A number of OCs are metabolized by this enzyme. The combined use of SJW + OCs ---- > hasten metabolism of OCs ----- > increased OC clearance ----- > decreased OC blood level ----- > loss of OC effectiveness ----- > adverse reactions such as spotting, breakthrough bleeding, or unwanted pregrancy.

I am not sure if OCs interfere with the action of moclobemide (Manerix), a RIMA (reversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase-A). Although there is a potential for the occurrence of serotonin syndrome with the MAOIs (irreversible type) if combined with SJW, this is probably unlikely with SJW + RIMAs.

++++++++++++++++++++++++

> Hi,
> I have a few questions regarding the birth control pill...
>
> 1. Can it CAUSE depression?
> 2. Can it HELP depression?
> 3. Can it interfere with the effects of St. John's Wort?
> 4. Can it interfere with effects of Manerix (an MAOI)?
>
> Thanks in advance for your responses.
>
> Quick background on me if you need it ...
>
> I have a long history of moderate depression, sometimes bordering on severe. Have been on AD meds for almost 12 years, mostly SSRIs plus Wellbutrin. Have since stopped all meds in order to "start fresh" since the SSRIs make me extremely fatigued. I am considering trying St. John's Wort -- I know it's only for mild depression, but my nutritionist is encouraging me to try it since she's seen it help moderate cases as well, and I am very petite with a fast metabolism. My other option is Manerix -- a reverible MAOI.
>
> I'm considering going on the Birth Control Pill, more for help with PMS than for birth control.
>
> Any information on all of this "stuff" would be greatly appreciated!!
>
> -cindy

 

Re: Birth Control Pill, Depression and St. John's Wort » Cindylou

Posted by Sulpicia on May 30, 2001, at 23:51:56

In reply to Re: Birth Control Pill, Depression and St. John's Wort » Sulpicia, posted by Cindylou on May 29, 2001, at 17:54:46

> Cindylou--
sorry for the delay in answering. I'm currently reading
a pre-publication paper which may offer some suggestions
for you.
I should be thru it by tomorrow noon -- at which point
I *will* have a coherent answer for you.

Back shortly.
S. :)

 

Re: Birth Control Pill, Depression and St. John's Wort » Sulpicia

Posted by Cindylou on May 31, 2001, at 13:41:48

In reply to Re: Birth Control Pill, Depression and St. John's Wort » Cindylou, posted by Sulpicia on May 30, 2001, at 23:51:56

THANK YOU! I'll look forward to hearing from you. For now though, I stopped taking that #@!% BC pill. :)

-cindy


> > Cindylou--
> sorry for the delay in answering. I'm currently reading
> a pre-publication paper which may offer some suggestions
> for you.
> I should be thru it by tomorrow noon -- at which point
> I *will* have a coherent answer for you.
>
> Back shortly.
> S. :)


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