Questions in the Mental Health Forum have been answered by Roger L. Gould, M.D., affiliated with U.C.L.A. and by doctors from Henry Ford Health System.

Question Title: Can medicine really make you want to kill yourself?

Forum: The Mental Health Forum
Topic: Panic

Posted by Jc on July 09, 1999 at 13:14:20

Hi my name is Jc and I have had panic attacks since novemeber'98 I had gone to see so many doctors and they said I had chronic panic attacks and depression, and of cource anxiety... well just a couple of weeks ago my NEW Doctor said I also had Diabetes(what a shock!) and also they said that Diabetes will cause Panic,Anxiety,and depression..well they switched my medications to prozac now mind you I was on paxil up to 3 weeks ago then they switched me to prozac 20 mg now to 40mg (20mg in morning then 20mg around noon) well one morning I had a migraine headache (actually all day) that night I had gone to the emergency room(pain was overwhelming) and they gave me 75mg of demerol (on top of that I havent eaten anything all day) got home and slept until 4:00 in the afternoon woke up and I felt still drugged up. I panicked..I forgot to take my diabetes medicine and prozac and I took all of it at one time! (very scary) had a major reaction and I really wanted to kill myself! my husband was trying to stop me and I actually went to the kitchen and Got the knife out! wow it was horrible how I felt! can medication really do that to you? because I'm okay now but then it was horrible and I stopped my medication because of the feeling it gave! Now what should I do! Please help me!!!!
Thanks,
Jc

Posted by HFHS.MD-AJ on July 13, 1999 at 07:45:42

Jc,

It sounds like you have been struggling with different psychiatric and medical problems. Mood disorders (such as Major Depression) and anxiety disorders (such as Panic Disorder) often go hand in hand. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) medications such as Paxil and Prozac are often beneficial in the treatment of both depression and anxiety disorders. It would be highly unusual for this class of medications to make people feel like killing themselves. Suicidal ideation may however be associated with both Major depression and Panic Disorder. I am glad to hear that you are okay now. I am not sure why Paxil was discontinued and replaced with Prozac. Both have RARE reports of aggravating diabetes.I recommend that you discuss your concerns further with your treating physician/psychiatrist. You will benefit from thorough evaluation by a psychiatrist, if you are not under the care of one yet.

This response is provided for general information only. Always consult your physician for any health concerns.

Keywords: anxiety, panic attacks, depression, Prozac, Paxil, SSRI




 

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