Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 85770

Shown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Need help with meds/side effects!

Posted by Chloe on December 1, 2001, at 18:16:52

I am so upset. And don't know what to do anymore.

I was taking 600 mg lithium, 600 mgs neurontin 7 mgs diazapam, and 1.5 Celexa.
Things were humming along nicely. I was feeling very calm and extremely stable and sleeping ok. I spent one month on this regime without much trouble except dry hair. By the second month, my hair was dry and I had this intense, burning scalp pain. It was so bad, my pdoc and I said stop the Li over time. I fell into a very bad depression, AND still had hair pain (BTW thyroid was normal), though it was better without the li.

So I talked to the pdoc, she said stop the neurontin, then resume the lithium so I will just be taking one drying agent. Decreasing the N made my depression turn to psychotic suicdal depression and I had to make an appointment to see her.
I was so depressed and out of it at the appointment. We talked about possibly nortriptiline or Ritilan and who knows what else. But basically she wanted me to get completely on the N then start back on the li. And she gave me a perscription for vioxx for scalp pain. I was depressed and suicidal, and all I left her office with was a script for a really expensive aspirin! Needless to say, I was quite disappointed. And later hysterical! This was not a solution in my mind.

So painfully I tapered off my dose of N, the only thing holding me together, and then the next day, I took 300 mgs lithobid as instructed.
Within one hour, I had searing scalp pain again. So I know it's the li that is causing this hair problem. I called my pdoc later in the day. I don't know if she heard me, but she said things will get better when the li kicks in. WELL, I can't take the Li it's causing my scalp to feel like someone took gasoline, poured it on my head, and lit a match. Hello. I will not take it.

So I am back to my 300 mgs of neurontin, and very unstable. One minute I feel like i am going to survive, the next I am furious and suicidal.

I like neurontin. I think that is important to keep. But it needs another mood stabilzer with it, to work well for me. Has anyone had any luck with neurontin and Depakote? Maybe I could jsut add 125 mgs and things would be more even. Though, I know Dep. does not have the AD props that lithium does. lithium is a very good AD drug for me. But the pain is bad. And the vioxx does nothing. I thought that stuff was for arthritis, not scalp pain.
God, what am I going to do?

Sorry for the long muddled post. Things are really bad for me on just a few drops of Celexa and diazapam and neurontin. How can I stay well with meds and stay away from debilitating side effects???? Where do I go from here? Any thoughts?

Thanks
Chloe

 

Re: Need help with meds/side effects! » Chloe

Posted by JohnX2 on December 3, 2001, at 21:04:13

In reply to Need help with meds/side effects!, posted by Chloe on December 1, 2001, at 18:16:52

Hi Chloe,

I assume you are diagnosed as bipolar per
taking Li?

Just a couple thoughts on possible routes.

(a) Add another mood stabilizer.
Depakote may help it is the more common for
bipolar. Lamictal has a good anti-depressant
effect, but unfortunately it has the dermititis
issues, so maybe not the way to go.

(b) Try an anti-psychotic. Zyprexa is a pretty
quick acting med that is approved for bipolar
disorder. It has very good anti-anxiety properties
and sure will help alleviate any psychotic issues.
Won't goof up your scalp.

(c) A different AD. You seemed concerned that
dropping Li causes depression. What are your
feelings about the effectiveness of the celexa
you are on?

-John

> I am so upset. And don't know what to do anymore.
>
> I was taking 600 mg lithium, 600 mgs neurontin 7 mgs diazapam, and 1.5 Celexa.
> Things were humming along nicely. I was feeling very calm and extremely stable and sleeping ok. I spent one month on this regime without much trouble except dry hair. By the second month, my hair was dry and I had this intense, burning scalp pain. It was so bad, my pdoc and I said stop the Li over time. I fell into a very bad depression, AND still had hair pain (BTW thyroid was normal), though it was better without the li.
>
> So I talked to the pdoc, she said stop the neurontin, then resume the lithium so I will just be taking one drying agent. Decreasing the N made my depression turn to psychotic suicdal depression and I had to make an appointment to see her.
> I was so depressed and out of it at the appointment. We talked about possibly nortriptiline or Ritilan and who knows what else. But basically she wanted me to get completely on the N then start back on the li. And she gave me a perscription for vioxx for scalp pain. I was depressed and suicidal, and all I left her office with was a script for a really expensive aspirin! Needless to say, I was quite disappointed. And later hysterical! This was not a solution in my mind.
>
> So painfully I tapered off my dose of N, the only thing holding me together, and then the next day, I took 300 mgs lithobid as instructed.
> Within one hour, I had searing scalp pain again. So I know it's the li that is causing this hair problem. I called my pdoc later in the day. I don't know if she heard me, but she said things will get better when the li kicks in. WELL, I can't take the Li it's causing my scalp to feel like someone took gasoline, poured it on my head, and lit a match. Hello. I will not take it.
>
> So I am back to my 300 mgs of neurontin, and very unstable. One minute I feel like i am going to survive, the next I am furious and suicidal.
>
> I like neurontin. I think that is important to keep. But it needs another mood stabilzer with it, to work well for me. Has anyone had any luck with neurontin and Depakote? Maybe I could jsut add 125 mgs and things would be more even. Though, I know Dep. does not have the AD props that lithium does. lithium is a very good AD drug for me. But the pain is bad. And the vioxx does nothing. I thought that stuff was for arthritis, not scalp pain.
> God, what am I going to do?
>
> Sorry for the long muddled post. Things are really bad for me on just a few drops of Celexa and diazapam and neurontin. How can I stay well with meds and stay away from debilitating side effects???? Where do I go from here? Any thoughts?
>
> Thanks
> Chloe

 

Re: Need help with meds/side effects! » JohnX2

Posted by Chloe on December 4, 2001, at 17:30:53

In reply to Re: Need help with meds/side effects! » Chloe, posted by JohnX2 on December 3, 2001, at 21:04:13



> I assume you are diagnosed as bipolar per
> taking Li?

I am soft bp2 but main problem is major depresson, mood dyregulation, distorted thinking. Lately, I am mainly depressed, but pop up into very hopeful, "happy" moods, only to crash into a suicidal, paranoid type state again. Very frustrtating. I am like a rollercoaster, and it's really taking a toll on my life and relationships. Also, I am very med sensitive, side effect sensitive and treatment resistant.

> Just a couple thoughts on possible routes.
>
> (a) Add another mood stabilizer.
> Depakote may help it is the more common for
> bipolar. Lamictal has a good anti-depressant
> effect, but unfortunately it has the dermititis
> issues, so maybe not the way to go.

I am considering going back on a small dose of depakote, but my pdoc thinks that the "hair loss" side effect of dep will give me trouble now, since I still have this scalp pain.
Lamictal was way too energizing/anxiety producing for me, and did cause some skin probs right off. Too risky. Though did have nice AD probs, even with in the first few doses for me.

> (b) Try an anti-psychotic. Zyprexa is a pretty
> quick acting med that is approved for bipolar
> disorder. It has very good anti-anxiety properties
> and sure will help alleviate any psychotic issues.
> Won't goof up your scalp.

This is such a good idea! The AP's have always been my salvation. But I can only take them in emergencies, since I have low grade, chronic tongue movements left over from long term use of the traditional AP's in my twenties. When I use the atypicals, within 24 hours, I get a pretty activated tongue and jaw, and it can interfere with my speech. It's also annoying as hell. But how I wish I could take seroquel everyday. It's very calming, stabilizing and gives me wonderful sleep. At times I think persistant TD would be worth it. But...when I feel more rational, I just can't continue with the AP's. It doesn't seeem right.

> (c) A different AD. You seemed concerned that
> dropping Li causes depression. What are your
> feelings about the effectiveness of the celexa
> you are on?

Well, initially, Celexa was so activating and caused some mixed state kinda stuff, that it made me suicidal! But I have been slowing increasing the dose to two milligrams, and my depression was getting better. But wow, did I crash and burn after one day of feeling pretty "upbeat." So, the SSRI's are only good to a degree for me. I really need an AD with stabilizing properties or take the AD with a more potent stabilizer than neurontin...Or I need to take a ton more of neurontin, but it's SO drying to my scalp and hair. OUCH > God, I hate how I just complain...


I really have such a tricky emotional picture. My pdoc just doesn't want to add anything at the moment. But, really what is there to add? I have tried most every stablizer, tegretol, topamax, trileptal, lamictal, all the atypicals, serzone, remeron, not much luck with TCA's, afraid of MAOI's. This is a challenge, huh?
So, I thank you so much for replying. I wish so much I could just take the meds that help me, like Li or and AP and get on with things. But I seem to be damned if I take a med and damned, I mean really damned if I don't!
I wonder if provigil would be an ok AD adjunct without causing too much instability...Any experience with that one?
Thanks,
Chloe

 

Re: Need help with meds/side effects! » Chloe

Posted by Emme on December 5, 2001, at 9:29:56

In reply to Re: Need help with meds/side effects! » JohnX2, posted by Chloe on December 4, 2001, at 17:30:53

Chloe,

I'm sorry things are not working out for you now with the Li. There's one more anticonvulsant that you may not have tried: gabitril. I tried it and it did help some with depression and anxiety. Unfortunately, I couldn't really tolerate it at a therapeutic dose. But if you're looking for another option, maybe as an add-on, ask your doctor about it. Good luck.

Emme


>
> > I assume you are diagnosed as bipolar per
> > taking Li?
>
> I am soft bp2 but main problem is major depresson, mood dyregulation, distorted thinking. Lately, I am mainly depressed, but pop up into very hopeful, "happy" moods, only to crash into a suicidal, paranoid type state again. Very frustrtating. I am like a rollercoaster, and it's really taking a toll on my life and relationships. Also, I am very med sensitive, side effect sensitive and treatment resistant.
>
> > Just a couple thoughts on possible routes.
> >
> > (a) Add another mood stabilizer.
> > Depakote may help it is the more common for
> > bipolar. Lamictal has a good anti-depressant
> > effect, but unfortunately it has the dermititis
> > issues, so maybe not the way to go.
>
> I am considering going back on a small dose of depakote, but my pdoc thinks that the "hair loss" side effect of dep will give me trouble now, since I still have this scalp pain.
> Lamictal was way too energizing/anxiety producing for me, and did cause some skin probs right off. Too risky. Though did have nice AD probs, even with in the first few doses for me.
>
> > (b) Try an anti-psychotic. Zyprexa is a pretty
> > quick acting med that is approved for bipolar
> > disorder. It has very good anti-anxiety properties
> > and sure will help alleviate any psychotic issues.
> > Won't goof up your scalp.
>
> This is such a good idea! The AP's have always been my salvation. But I can only take them in emergencies, since I have low grade, chronic tongue movements left over from long term use of the traditional AP's in my twenties. When I use the atypicals, within 24 hours, I get a pretty activated tongue and jaw, and it can interfere with my speech. It's also annoying as hell. But how I wish I could take seroquel everyday. It's very calming, stabilizing and gives me wonderful sleep. At times I think persistant TD would be worth it. But...when I feel more rational, I just can't continue with the AP's. It doesn't seeem right.
>
> > (c) A different AD. You seemed concerned that
> > dropping Li causes depression. What are your
> > feelings about the effectiveness of the celexa
> > you are on?
>
> Well, initially, Celexa was so activating and caused some mixed state kinda stuff, that it made me suicidal! But I have been slowing increasing the dose to two milligrams, and my depression was getting better. But wow, did I crash and burn after one day of feeling pretty "upbeat." So, the SSRI's are only good to a degree for me. I really need an AD with stabilizing properties or take the AD with a more potent stabilizer than neurontin...Or I need to take a ton more of neurontin, but it's SO drying to my scalp and hair. OUCH > God, I hate how I just complain...
>
>
> I really have such a tricky emotional picture. My pdoc just doesn't want to add anything at the moment. But, really what is there to add? I have tried most every stablizer, tegretol, topamax, trileptal, lamictal, all the atypicals, serzone, remeron, not much luck with TCA's, afraid of MAOI's. This is a challenge, huh?
> So, I thank you so much for replying. I wish so much I could just take the meds that help me, like Li or and AP and get on with things. But I seem to be damned if I take a med and damned, I mean really damned if I don't!
> I wonder if provigil would be an ok AD adjunct without causing too much instability...Any experience with that one?
> Thanks,
> Chloe

 

Re: Need help with meds/side effects! » Emme

Posted by Chloe on December 6, 2001, at 9:41:52

In reply to Re: Need help with meds/side effects! » Chloe, posted by Emme on December 5, 2001, at 9:29:56


Hi Emme,
Thanks for the idea. I have had a really hard time with these newer mood stabilizers, ie topamax, lamictal, trileptal. They don't seem to work all that great, and the side effects are devastating to my body. I am so thankful I don't have seizures and would have to take an AC every day. I am just trying to get through day by day. But it is so hard to live with my emotional all over the map. Who knows what today will bring...

How are you managing? Did you find a substitute for the Gabitril?
All the best
Chloe


> I'm sorry things are not working out for you now with the Li. There's one more anticonvulsant that you may not have tried: gabitril. I tried it and it did help some with depression and anxiety. Unfortunately, I couldn't really tolerate it at a therapeutic dose. But if you're looking for another option, maybe as an add-on, ask your doctor about it. Good luck.

 

Re: Need help with meds/side effects! » Chloe

Posted by Beliala on December 8, 2001, at 19:36:59

In reply to Need help with meds/side effects!, posted by Chloe on December 1, 2001, at 18:16:52

I've also found that certain meds exacerbated my scalp pain, though in my case the pain was pre-existing (meds simply made it worse, and some of them made my hair jump ship to boot). Neurontin's supposed to help "nerve pain" but I guess it isn't doing the trick in your case. I don't know if you've tried tricyclics, but I've personally found them helpful for this particular problem even though they never did anything for my depression. Amitriptyline was the most effective in my case. Maybe you could add a low dose (like, 20mg) for a few months until this calms down. I find NSAIDS somewhat helpful but by themselves they weren't enough to make the pain bearable.


> I am so upset. And don't know what to do anymore.
>
> I was taking 600 mg lithium, 600 mgs neurontin 7 mgs diazapam, and 1.5 Celexa.
> Things were humming along nicely. I was feeling very calm and extremely stable and sleeping ok. I spent one month on this regime without much trouble except dry hair. By the second month, my hair was dry and I had this intense, burning scalp pain. It was so bad, my pdoc and I said stop the Li over time. I fell into a very bad depression, AND still had hair pain (BTW thyroid was normal), though it was better without the li.
>
> So I talked to the pdoc, she said stop the neurontin, then resume the lithium so I will just be taking one drying agent. Decreasing the N made my depression turn to psychotic suicdal depression and I had to make an appointment to see her.
> I was so depressed and out of it at the appointment. We talked about possibly nortriptiline or Ritilan and who knows what else. But basically she wanted me to get completely on the N then start back on the li. And she gave me a perscription for vioxx for scalp pain. I was depressed and suicidal, and all I left her office with was a script for a really expensive aspirin! Needless to say, I was quite disappointed. And later hysterical! This was not a solution in my mind.
>
> So painfully I tapered off my dose of N, the only thing holding me together, and then the next day, I took 300 mgs lithobid as instructed.
> Within one hour, I had searing scalp pain again. So I know it's the li that is causing this hair problem. I called my pdoc later in the day. I don't know if she heard me, but she said things will get better when the li kicks in. WELL, I can't take the Li it's causing my scalp to feel like someone took gasoline, poured it on my head, and lit a match. Hello. I will not take it.
>
> So I am back to my 300 mgs of neurontin, and very unstable. One minute I feel like i am going to survive, the next I am furious and suicidal.
>
> I like neurontin. I think that is important to keep. But it needs another mood stabilzer with it, to work well for me. Has anyone had any luck with neurontin and Depakote? Maybe I could jsut add 125 mgs and things would be more even. Though, I know Dep. does not have the AD props that lithium does. lithium is a very good AD drug for me. But the pain is bad. And the vioxx does nothing. I thought that stuff was for arthritis, not scalp pain.
> God, what am I going to do?
>
> Sorry for the long muddled post. Things are really bad for me on just a few drops of Celexa and diazapam and neurontin. How can I stay well with meds and stay away from debilitating side effects???? Where do I go from here? Any thoughts?
>
> Thanks
> Chloe

 

Re: Need help with meds/side effects! » Beliala

Posted by Chloe on December 9, 2001, at 16:00:39

In reply to Re: Need help with meds/side effects! » Chloe, posted by Beliala on December 8, 2001, at 19:36:59

Beliala,
I don't know when the scalp pain started. But I think I was when I started Trileptal this spring for mood stabilization. When i switched it to another MS to alleviate the scalp pain and skin hypersensitivity, it seemed that they all caused the same problem to some degree. Including neurontin.

For some reason, neurontin does have pain reducing qualities for me, helps my joints, etc. BUT, it is also very drying to my hair and skin. So, I can't raise the dose to where I think it might help. I am only on 100 three times a day. And it is doing very little for mood stabilization, but keeps me calm enough so I can get through the day. I am toying with increasing this dose.

Do you mind me asking what causes your scalp pain? And what dose of Neurontin is useful for you? Does it also dry out your skin and hair?

I was told that Trazadone was good for neuropathic pain, so I have tried that again the last two nights. I am having a hell of a time sleeping, so I was very excited to use this drug. Well, all it has done is make me much less depressed (good, I guess) but also unbearable anxious and unable to sleep soundly or sit still. I am very med sensitive, so I wonder if traz with my Celexa is too much antidepressant for me. I can't wait till the Traz is out of my system!

Amytriptiline might be a possibility...But my pdoc is reluctant to add anything "new" right now. And I am not sure that it would help with the scalp pain, since it's med induced. My experience is that I can take the MS like Trileptal or Lithium for a month or two, then the dry hair turns to a burning scalp that is so intolerable.

This is such a puzzle. I thank you so much for your suggestion, and a tca may be the next step. Though a mood stabilizer is really what I need! One without this drying out effect!

Gee, sorry this is so long...
Chloe

 

Re: Need help with meds/side effects! » Chloe

Posted by Beliala on December 9, 2001, at 22:59:22

In reply to Re: Need help with meds/side effects! » Beliala, posted by Chloe on December 9, 2001, at 16:00:39

Chloe,

My scalp pain was initially triggered by an allergic reaction to hair dye years ago. Ever since then my scalp’s been really sensitive, though it’s usually just a minor annoyance. Anything that makes my hair shed excessively (whether meds or my own screwed-up hormones) tends to really aggravate the scalp pain....as well as some meds that I didn’t stay on long enough to find out if they’d make my hair fall out. The first meds that aggravated the scalp pain (and also happened to give me hair loss) were Ritalin and Dexedrine. I guess they must have made those poor nerve endings even more hypersensitive because every stimulant-type drug I’ve tried since has aggravated the pain - reboxetine, Wellbutrin, deprenyl.

I went on the amitriptyline (20 mg) and Neurontin (300 mg) to calm down the med-induced scalp pain. They really seemed to help, with amitriptyline probably making the bigger difference but I got a lot of side effects. After a few months I dropped the amitriptyline without the pain getting worse again. I eventually went back on it when my screwed-up hormones messed things up, and that time I recall noticing a difference within 24 hrs, with maximum improvement after a week.

Right now I’m tricyclic-free - the 4 I tried gave me acne which became cystic after a few months (idiosyncratic reaction since I’ve never seen this side effect mentioned). I wonder if tricyclics "quit" on me after awhile because I definitely notice improvement when I go on them, but no worsening when I go off. I’m on 800 mg Neurontin and I can’t say whether I’d be any different without it since I’ve been on at least 300 mg since around April 2000. My scalp pain’s still somewhat worse than before I ever took the Ritalin (but then the hormone problem hasn’t been corrected). I haven’t noticed any difference in my skin/scalp on it, though the tricyclics seemed to actually make it greasier.

Don’t worry about the length of your post ;o). As you can see I’ve written a book here, half of which is probably irrelevant but I couldn’t think of any way to summarize things better.

Beliala

 

Re meds/side effects-hormones » Beliala

Posted by Chloe on December 10, 2001, at 20:21:19

In reply to Re: Need help with meds/side effects! » Chloe, posted by Beliala on December 9, 2001, at 22:59:22

Thanks,
It's interesting that you only need the TCA for a short time. I am glad you didn't have to tolerate those miserable side effects for too long.

Ahh, hormones are very interesting. I just switched to the birth control pill Yasmim and ahve had a huge reduction of anxiety (and that dark hair over my upper lip!). Yasmin is really helping me I think. I am not having the pms anger problems and I am *almost* surviving with out a first line mood stabilizer. That is an accomplishment for me! I still vascilate from suicidally depressed to barely coping, but it does not seem to be related to irregular cycles anymore. Which is a help. I think this pill is making my emotional picture a *little* less confusing. And I have not noticed any additional hair loss. (The lithium was awful with hair shedding).
BUT all is not perfect. I have developed a raging yeast infection from the estrogen I am told. I have always been on progestin only pills to suprress my pms and ovulation. So I guess my body does not like all this estrogen. There is always so side effect with everything I take. But this is highly treatable, thouogh uncomfortable, ugh.

Anyway, I don't know what your hormonal troubles are. But yasmin is a new class of bcp that is unique from all others out there. And it's being marketed for PMDD and PMS. Not like you asked...I just thought I would share this.

Take care
chloe

> Chloe,
>
> My scalp pain was initially triggered by an allergic reaction to hair dye years ago. Ever since then my scalp’s been really sensitive, though it’s usually just a minor annoyance. Anything that makes my hair shed excessively (whether meds or my own screwed-up hormones) tends to really aggravate the scalp pain....as well as some meds that I didn’t stay on long enough to find out if they’d make my hair fall out. The first meds that aggravated the scalp pain (and also happened to give me hair loss) were Ritalin and Dexedrine. I guess they must have made those poor nerve endings even more hypersensitive because every stimulant-type drug I’ve tried since has aggravated the pain - reboxetine, Wellbutrin, deprenyl.
>
> I went on the amitriptyline (20 mg) and Neurontin (300 mg) to calm down the med-induced scalp pain. They really seemed to help, with amitriptyline probably making the bigger difference but I got a lot of side effects. After a few months I dropped the amitriptyline without the pain getting worse again. I eventually went back on it when my screwed-up hormones messed things up, and that time I recall noticing a difference within 24 hrs, with maximum improvement after a week.
>
> Right now I’m tricyclic-free - the 4 I tried gave me acne which became cystic after a few months (idiosyncratic reaction since I’ve never seen this side effect mentioned). I wonder if tricyclics "quit" on me after awhile because I definitely notice improvement when I go on them, but no worsening when I go off. I’m on 800 mg Neurontin and I can’t say whether I’d be any different without it since I’ve been on at least 300 mg since around April 2000. My scalp pain’s still somewhat worse than before I ever took the Ritalin (but then the hormone problem hasn’t been corrected). I haven’t noticed any difference in my skin/scalp on it, though the tricyclics seemed to actually make it greasier.
>
> Don’t worry about the length of your post ;o). As you can see I’ve written a book here, half of which is probably irrelevant but I couldn’t think of any way to summarize things better.
>
> Beliala

 

Re: Re meds/side effects-hormones » Chloe

Posted by Beliala on December 12, 2001, at 2:01:03

In reply to Re meds/side effects-hormones » Beliala, posted by Chloe on December 10, 2001, at 20:21:19

Chloe,

I was planning on giving Yasmin a try, until I learned it’s not available in Canada. Seems like everything I want to try isn’t available here. I lasted 8 days on Diane-35 and it made me feel kinda PMSy, especially in the insomnia department. It also aggravated a weird skin problem I’ve developed since the last time I was on bcps; my derm thinks the estrogen’s the culprit but I wish I could trial another bcp to find out for sure. Unfortunately my GP thinks all my complaints are just "stress" and I should just get my pdoc to up my meds. Then I’ll start getting periods, etc. I guess chronic psych patients aren’t allowed to have health problems.

Yeah the infections suck. They were part of the reason I went off bcps in the first place. I was hoping taking ample amounts of probiotics would help prevent that if I ever found a bcp I could tolerate.

Beliala

 

Re: Re meds/side effects-hormones » Beliala

Posted by Chloe on December 13, 2001, at 21:03:40

In reply to Re: Re meds/side effects-hormones » Chloe, posted by Beliala on December 12, 2001, at 2:01:03

Beliala,
I was going to get right back to you, then I hit another one of my "agitated, suicidal depressions" and have been as raging basket case for 36 hours. And now I am not sure if it's hormone related or not. I thought if I ONLY took Yasmin active pills only, I would not get periods. Well, I am bloated, craving sweets and having some staining since my recent bout of depression. And I am super irritable. So. I just don't know which end it up anymore. I thought the Yasmin was helping enough so I could avoid a major mood stabilizer. But I am having severe doubts. I am ruining my relationships, friends and family. And working once a week is getting more and more difficult when I don't know how I am going to feel on hour to the next...

One thing I do know is that I did have a yeast infection. It was helped by gynazole 2 percent cream insert. But is this going to be a chronic thing? Oh lord, that would be a drag...But managable, I guess. BUT what are probiotics?

And what is Diane 35? I think I heard that was available in Europe... not here though. I am sorry you don't have Yasmin there. My gyn says it's really a "breakthrough" in oral contraception, because it's so different from all the others with the older progestins. I would like to see a pill with this novel progestin AND a different estrogen too. Estriol Estrodial (sp?) is really the only one used for OC in the US. I am wondering if some of my lability is related to the EE.

Your GP sounds extremely closed minded. That "stuff" makes me furious. No one should be dismissed or negated in that way. You are clearly suffering from hormonal issues. And upping your meds is probably not the best way to manage your symptoms. And if you up your psych meds, you may just run into extra problems(side effects!) from those meds too. Oh, I feel for you. Is there anyway of getting another GP or another opinion?

Well, I am desperately seeking a psychopharm consult. I have to find a way to take meds I need to control my terrible mood dyregulation and depression without having intolerable side effects (yeah, do you think this is possible???). I feel so out of control And I thought the Yasmin was really calming things. But not I am not sure...Since I think I had pms/pmdd and now a light period on active pills...HUM

I am so glad I am not the only one at sea in this hormonal puzzle.
Thanks
Chloe


>
> I was planning on giving Yasmin a try, until I learned it’s not available in Canada. Seems like everything I want to try isn’t available here. I lasted 8 days on Diane-35 and it made me feel kinda PMSy, especially in the insomnia department. It also aggravated a weird skin problem I’ve developed since the last time I was on bcps; my derm thinks the estrogen’s the culprit but I wish I could trial another bcp to find out for sure. Unfortunately my GP thinks all my complaints are just "stress" and I should just get my pdoc to up my meds. Then I’ll start getting periods, etc. I guess chronic psych patients aren’t allowed to have health problems.
>
> Yeah the infections suck. They were part of the reason I went off bcps in the first place. I was hoping taking ample amounts of probiotics would help prevent that if I ever found a bcp I could tolerate.
>
> Beliala

 

Re: Re meds/side effects-hormones

Posted by Beliala on December 14, 2001, at 23:59:28

In reply to Re: Re meds/side effects-hormones » Beliala, posted by Chloe on December 13, 2001, at 21:03:40

Chloe,

Sorry you’re feeling so crappy. I’ve been feeling super irritable too, which is a new one for me because in all my years of being suicidally depressed I have NEVER been like this. I always used to be so even-tempered. I think for me it’s primarily hormones, although I wonder if perhaps the Neurontin/Imovane are having a downer effect on me as well.

Diane-35 is an anti-androgen birth control pill containing cyproterone acetate as the progestin. Yep it’s not available in the U.S. but is sold just about everywhere else. The progestin is what typically causes mood problems but there are no absolutes and I see "mental depression" (and presumably other mood changes) is an official side effect of estrogen as well. I wish 17-beta estradiol (natural estrogen) were available in place of the EE but I suppose it’s metabolized too quickly to be practical. The drug companies probably figure we chicks couldn’t be bothered to pop a pill more than once per day.

I actually only got one yeast infection on bcps, though it took 3 packs of Canestan to get rid of it (had a couple bacterial ones too….was getting to be a regular at the gyn office). Probiotics are beneficial bacteria which take up space and help prevent the yeast/"bad" bacteria population from getting out of control. The two that are commonly taken are Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum. Apparently some strains are more useful than others but I haven’t looked into that. Of course cutting out refined carbohydrates is the best way to prevent yeast overgrowth....but where’s the fun in that??

I’m not optimistic getting a new GP would improve things for me. I come across as quite "mental" - very socially and intellectually impaired, which I suppose fits the stereotype of what a hypochondriac looks/acts like. I feel like I’m walking around in a fugue and it’s so difficult to express myself....at least on this message board I can take my sweet time. For the moment I’ve given up; I find all these appointments so draining.

Sounds like you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place. I’m still looking for a med which helps AND has tolerable side effects....most I’ve tried fit neither category. Good luck in your search.

Beliala

 

Re: Re meds/side effects-hormones

Posted by sid on December 15, 2001, at 11:15:04

In reply to Re: Re meds/side effects-hormones » Beliala, posted by Chloe on December 13, 2001, at 21:03:40

Diane-35 is a pill that's prescribed first and foremost against acne. It can also serve to reduce PMS. It is also a contraceptive pill, but it's often not even considered as such by insurance companies as they will cover Ortho Tricyclen for e.g., but not Diane-35 because it is listed as a an acne med (at least it's been my experience). I tried it for a while for acne and PMS, but it made me somewhat depressed, so I switched to Ortho-Tricyclen which is better for my mood and OK for acne, although Diane-35 was definitely better for acne (adult acne). In the company info about Diane-35 it specifically says that depression can be a side effect, so I'd be careful with it.

 

Re: Re meds/side effects-hormones » Beliala

Posted by Chloe on December 17, 2001, at 12:13:52

In reply to Re: Re meds/side effects-hormones, posted by Beliala on December 14, 2001, at 23:59:28

Hi Beliala,
I see you are having a hard time too. I can't really focus at the moment, but wanted to respond somehow. Here goes

I was so calm on Yasmin the first month. It felt like a benzo. Now I am back to my irritablity and rages, mixed with some good *hours* of feeling ok. I am really exhausted from living in such "pain" all the time. And unlike you, I am always percieved as being so functionaly and together. Yes, I am at the moment paying bills, and I can arrise to any accasion and be very social and gregarious. But I pay such a price. I get so depressed (and lately suicidal) and drained after being with people.
I wish I could take the meds that seem to buffer me from getting too drained or "crashing" so badly after a decent day or event. Li used to keep me even. But as I have complained before, the head pain is not worth it. I have tried to increase the neurontin in hopes of a bit more stability, but that makes my scalp hurt too. Not so much a burning, but a tightness, dryness, that is painful.

I am so glad my yeast infection is gone for now. and yes, what good is life if you can't eat refined sugars! So I find myself having plain yogurt with acidophilius to counter the effects of the delicious sweet muffin I have for breakfast! :) I am going to look more into the probiotics.

Too bad the Diane 35 didn't work out. PMSy is no good. But did you give it enough time?
I am still bleeding on the active pills of Yas. I thought I was supposed to stop the pill for a few days to let my self have a period if I was having breakthru bleedling. But the gyn nurse said, just keep taking it...I don't really want to waste these expensive pills, if I should be taking a break...Im so confused.

I am sorry that you feel like you have to give up for now. Hopefully, you will find something that can help you soon. But maybe you are more realistic. That maybe this is as good as it gets for us???

Thanks, Beliala
Chloe
>
> Sorry you’re feeling so crappy. I’ve been feeling super irritable too, which is a new one for me because in all my years of being suicidally depressed I have NEVER been like this. I always used to be so even-tempered. I think for me it’s primarily hormones, although I wonder if perhaps the Neurontin/Imovane are having a downer effect on me as well.
>
> Diane-35 is an anti-androgen birth control pill containing cyproterone acetate as the progestin. Yep it’s not available in the U.S. but is sold just about everywhere else. The progestin is what typically causes mood problems but there are no absolutes and I see "mental depression" (and presumably other mood changes) is an official side effect of estrogen as well. I wish 17-beta estradiol (natural estrogen) were available in place of the EE but I suppose it’s metabolized too quickly to be practical. The drug companies probably figure we chicks couldn’t be bothered to pop a pill more than once per day.
>
> I actually only got one yeast infection on bcps, though it took 3 packs of Canestan to get rid of it (had a couple bacterial ones too….was getting to be a regular at the gyn office). Probiotics are beneficial bacteria which take up space and help prevent the yeast/"bad" bacteria population from getting out of control. The two that are commonly taken are Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum. Apparently some strains are more useful than others but I haven’t looked into that. Of course cutting out refined carbohydrates is the best way to prevent yeast overgrowth....but where’s the fun in that??
>
> I’m not optimistic getting a new GP would improve things for me. I come across as quite "mental" - very socially and intellectually impaired, which I suppose fits the stereotype of what a hypochondriac looks/acts like. I feel like I’m walking around in a fugue and it’s so difficult to express myself....at least on this message board I can take my sweet time. For the moment I’ve given up; I find all these appointments so draining.
>
> Sounds like you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place. I’m still looking for a med which helps AND has tolerable side effects....most I’ve tried fit neither category. Good luck in your search.
>
> Beliala

 

Re: Re meds/side effects-hormones

Posted by Beliala on December 18, 2001, at 23:42:42

In reply to Re: Re meds/side effects-hormones » Beliala, posted by Chloe on December 17, 2001, at 12:13:52

Hi Chloe,

Those hormones/brain chemicals are strange things. I wish I could find a pill to straighten them out. Actually the main reason I stopped the Diane-35 was the exacerbation of a painful skin condition - otherwise I would have stuck it out for awhile longer to see if the PMS-type symptoms improved. I don’t recall having the irritability/killer insomnia on the last two bcps I was on, but then I was on clomipramine the whole time so maybe that was masking those side effects, I dunno.

I don’t know what the protocol is for taking pills when you have breakthrough bleeding. I never even realized taking the bcp continuously was an option until fairly recently. I don’t imagine there’s any harm in it - it’s the inconvenience factor that probably prompted your doc/whoever to suggest a break if you start to bleed, maybe to get it all over at once instead of having erratic spotting (disclaimer: just guessing here).

Yep I’m starting to believe there’s no hope for me. Don’t be like me, fight to the bitter end! I’m so tired of it all but I’m too much of a wimp to do myself in. So, I just sit and wait for a miracle, or an unanticipated sudden death (either’ll do).

Beliala


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