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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by SuzieWong on June 16, 2004, at 1:50:11
I don't know what happened to me last night but I'm still suffering this morning and the only thing I can put it down to is that I took my first dose of Folic Acid.
A couple of hours after taking it I started to feel a bit jittery, like I used to get when I first started taking the Prozac. Thought nothing of it other than that it was a nuisance to be coming back. Later in the evening though I hard a very strange reaction and felt like all my nerve endings were exposed, hot and cold all over, a bit like a panic attack. Wasn't feeling panicky though. Felt like it was some kind of toxic reaction.
Finally went to bed about 2.30am and woke after 2 hours with mouth tingling and skin still tingling. This morning I am still the same and I feel a bit sick aswell.
I took the Folic Acid because I read that it can activate the Prozac. I can hardly imagine that one dose could do this to me. I must admit though that I am very sensitive. Has it actually activated the Prozac enough to make me feel like I'm on a really high dose. I'm only taking 10mg. Anyone else with similar experiences or should I go to the doctors and chance them thinking i'm going mad.
Posted by Glydin on June 16, 2004, at 7:52:30
In reply to Weird reaction to Folic Acid?...Im really scared n, posted by SuzieWong on June 16, 2004, at 1:50:11
Most B vitamins have always caused me anxiety symptoms. I have tried various formulations and seem to have the same results. They are given such great reviews for being good in general for health, but the excess anxiety is hardly worth it for me.
This may get redirected and the folks who frequent alternative may be of more help.
Posted by linkadge on June 16, 2004, at 8:43:22
In reply to Weird reaction to Folic Acid?...Im really scared n, posted by SuzieWong on June 16, 2004, at 1:50:11
Folic acid can be activating, but never to this degree for me. It certainly boosted the effectivness of celexa (for me). You could try a lower dose, or repeat what you did to be certain it was the folic acid.
Linkadge
Posted by SuzieWong on June 16, 2004, at 9:07:41
In reply to Re: Weird reaction to Folic Acid?...Im really scared n, posted by linkadge on June 16, 2004, at 8:43:22
What were the activating effects you experienced Linkadge? Does this sound like it might have been what I experienced.
I've also since read that you shouldn't take Folic Acid if you suffer with OCD. I don't suffer with that but I have had some obsessive thinking since taking Prozac which I thought I'd gone past but its back today....could be connected aswell
Posted by jrbecker on June 16, 2004, at 12:04:40
In reply to Re: Weird reaction to Folic Acid?...Im really scared, posted by SuzieWong on June 16, 2004, at 9:07:41
I also experience some strange effects when taking folic acid. although it does have a very slight affect on mood and seems to give me more energy, it also seems to make me slightly hyperactive.
I've tried anywhere from 400mcg to 16000 mcg and the effect escalates with the dose.
I'm on the fence about whether the tradeoff is worth it for myself, so I don't take it all the time, maybe once or twice a week.
However, I do believe that a small-moderate dose of folate is good for the majority of depressive sufferers. It just seems that a small minority of us [with possible bipolar auspices] might not benefit from its supplementation.
In terms of recommendations for you, lower the dose if you can, and see if that works. You are right that vitamins like folate and b12 synergize with the effect of serotonergic drugs like prozac. And remember prozac is a fairly activating SSRI to begin with, so that might only be exacerbating its effects.
JRB
Posted by linkadge on June 16, 2004, at 12:04:58
In reply to Re: Weird reaction to Folic Acid?...Im really scared, posted by SuzieWong on June 16, 2004, at 9:07:41
I had a little of what you described, but not to the same degree.
Linkadge
Posted by SuzieWong on June 16, 2004, at 12:53:57
In reply to Re: Weird reaction to Folic Acid?...Im really scared n, posted by linkadge on June 16, 2004, at 8:43:22
Thank you for all your comments. I spoke to my doctor but didn't tell him about the Folic Acid just about the reaction incase it was just the Prozac and I was having a dangerous reaction to it. I'm off to Tuscany in a couple of days and didn't want to end up in an Italian hospital.
Your posts are encouraging in that I am sure it must be that the Folic Acid activated something. Why do B Vitamins cause such anxiety in some people? Are we just hypersensitive? Do you think it exacerbated the side effects of Prozac ie as if I had taken a larger dose. I may try it again but not just yet. It was a 400mcg dose so I could take only half and see what happens.
I'm always too scared to speak to my doctors incase they don't take me seriously when I have more serious problems. He is really good though and has certainly lightened my mood about the reaction stating that it was the anxiety rearing its head again and to view it as a one off. He said that the depression and anxiety compete with each other and while one is being addressed by the drug, the other symptom rears its head again. Do you think thats right?
Another doctor had told me I shouldn't take Benadryl with the sleep problems I'm experiencing but my doctor tonight confirmed that I can take it still. So, I'm looking forward to a good night sleep again.
As a point of interest, when I took the Benadryl last week, I woke feeling amazingly calm etc but experienced quite alot of nervousness and shakiness the next day which the leaflet said could happen. I think that effect wears off. As I said, I'm super sensitive to meds.
Posted by SuzieWong on June 16, 2004, at 14:19:14
In reply to Re: Weird reaction to Folic Acid?...Im really scared, posted by jrbecker on June 16, 2004, at 12:04:40
For JRBecker....what were the weird side effects you had which meant that the trade off wasn't worth it for you?
Posted by theo on June 18, 2004, at 18:05:59
In reply to Weird reaction to Folic Acid?...Im really scared n, posted by SuzieWong on June 16, 2004, at 1:50:11
Try FOLTX. It is prescription but is good stuff. It does not have the uncomfortable feeling your talking about.
Posted by fires on June 19, 2004, at 21:17:46
In reply to Re: Weird reaction to Folic Acid?...Im really scared n » SuzieWong, posted by theo on June 18, 2004, at 18:05:59
What's different about FOLTX?
This is the end of the thread.
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