Aa
Dosage reduction on treatment
Would anyone know if the reduction of any of these meds (Pega/Riba/Vic) would lessen my anxiety? I am on an anti-depressant and Ativan (1mg a day) but I feel as if most of my anxiety is being caused by the meds and I'm having such a struggle fighting it on a daily basis. Anyone?
Thanks everyone. This sounds like a tricky one. I'll see what results I can get from my doc tomorrow. It's always nice to go in with some knowledge though...thanks so much.
robbijo
robbijo
I agree with the above statements about changing the dosage or type of AD.
Yes, lowering interferon will reduce your anxiety but it may make it more likely for you to fail treatment.
When I went into a rant in my hepatolgist's office at week 18 of my 24 week tx, he wanted to put me on ADs.
I refused, we lowered my interferon dosage( this was the second time, to half dose) and I felt better after a couple of weeks, far from 100%, but somewhat better for the duration.
I know my body. I'm very med sensitive.
Probably, I could have been on a half dosage the full time.
But I am not you.
Only you can decide which is the best course to follow.
Best of luck~
OH
Yes, lowering interferon will reduce your anxiety but it may make it more likely for you to fail treatment.
When I went into a rant in my hepatolgist's office at week 18 of my 24 week tx, he wanted to put me on ADs.
I refused, we lowered my interferon dosage( this was the second time, to half dose) and I felt better after a couple of weeks, far from 100%, but somewhat better for the duration.
I know my body. I'm very med sensitive.
Probably, I could have been on a half dosage the full time.
But I am not you.
Only you can decide which is the best course to follow.
Best of luck~
OH
I went thru the Peg/Riba protocol about 5 yrs ago w initial good results, then the sneaky little ba***rd reared its ugly head again. I can certainly relate to your anxiety during treatment. In spite of my email, I'm a 50-ish female and it about made me crazy! I was SO lucky to have found a great GI doc who understood what I was going thru. He adjusted my meds when I complained. We started on Prozac (bad for me), then proceeded to Klonipine (not sure if that's the right one, but it was even worse) and finally discovered that Xanax worked pretty well for me. CAUTION! Xanax is NOT recommended w Incivek. Bottom line, you need to speak w a doctor that doesn't blow off your symptoms. There are so many adjustments available and side effects that no one but us know about that you HAVE to talk w someone whose response is more than, "Get over it" Just FYI, I just had to come off the Incivek program due to severe medication related dermatitis. I wish you better luck. (Yeah, NOW I'm in the 4%...whoopee)
Can too high a dose of an anti-depressant cause increased anxiety?
------------------------------------------------------------------
Absolutely ..along with a whole host of other problems that Keith has copied above.
Be careful with those ...
Will
------------------------------------------------------------------
Absolutely ..along with a whole host of other problems that Keith has copied above.
Be careful with those ...
Will
Ativan Side Effects
Nervous system
Nervous system side effects have been common and have included drowsiness, fatigue, confusion, impaired cognition, daytime anxiety, asthenia, amnesia, headache, dizziness, and ataxia. Orofacial dyskinesias have been observed rarely.
http://www.drugs.com/sfx/ativan-side-effects.html
Side effects of SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors)
The most widely prescribed antidepressants come from a class of medications known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). The SSRIs include well-known antidepressants such as Prozac, Zoloft, and Paxil. Research suggests there is little difference in the effectiveness of these newer antidepressants, but there may be differences in side effects, cost, and how long the medication takes to work.
The SSRIs act on a chemical in the brain called serotonin. Serotonin helps regulate mood, but it also plays a role in digestion, pain, sleep, mental clarity, and other bodily functions. As a result, the SSRI antidepressants cause a wide range of side effects, including:
Nausea
Insomnia
Anxiety
Restlessness
Decreased sex drive
Dizziness
Weight gain
Tremors
Sweating
Sleepiness or fatigue
Dry mouth
Diarrhea
Constipation
Headaches
While some side effects go away after the first few weeks of drug treatment, others persist and may even get worse.
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/medications_depression.htm
Nervous system
Nervous system side effects have been common and have included drowsiness, fatigue, confusion, impaired cognition, daytime anxiety, asthenia, amnesia, headache, dizziness, and ataxia. Orofacial dyskinesias have been observed rarely.
http://www.drugs.com/sfx/ativan-side-effects.html
Side effects of SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors)
The most widely prescribed antidepressants come from a class of medications known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). The SSRIs include well-known antidepressants such as Prozac, Zoloft, and Paxil. Research suggests there is little difference in the effectiveness of these newer antidepressants, but there may be differences in side effects, cost, and how long the medication takes to work.
The SSRIs act on a chemical in the brain called serotonin. Serotonin helps regulate mood, but it also plays a role in digestion, pain, sleep, mental clarity, and other bodily functions. As a result, the SSRI antidepressants cause a wide range of side effects, including:
Nausea
Insomnia
Anxiety
Restlessness
Decreased sex drive
Dizziness
Weight gain
Tremors
Sweating
Sleepiness or fatigue
Dry mouth
Diarrhea
Constipation
Headaches
While some side effects go away after the first few weeks of drug treatment, others persist and may even get worse.
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/medications_depression.htm
Thank you, Will. I have my 16 week appt. on Wed with my liver doc. I don't know how much good it will do since she keeps telling me to just "get a grip" and "get on with life". Believe me, I'm all for that! Can too high a dose of an anti-depressant cause increased anxiety? I guess that sounds odd but I've yet to find anything about this virus and treatment that wasn't an oxymoron.
I'm currently seeing a therapist but she is not a psychiatrist and not able to counsel on meds or write scripts. I'm headed to acupuncture next week to see what relief I may get from that. Hey, it's not like I'm not tryin', right?
Thanks again, Will. I hope your day brings you joy!
robbijo
I'm currently seeing a therapist but she is not a psychiatrist and not able to counsel on meds or write scripts. I'm headed to acupuncture next week to see what relief I may get from that. Hey, it's not like I'm not tryin', right?
Thanks again, Will. I hope your day brings you joy!
robbijo
Oh...btw ...Vic is never to be reduced or discontinued "ever" for any reason during its full course.
.
Can cause tx. failure with possible resistance issues to this type of drug in the future
Will
.
Can cause tx. failure with possible resistance issues to this type of drug in the future
Will
This is my 2nd foray into tx...I have anxiety also...not sure what ativan is...I take one .25 xanax..I break it up sometimes....over the day..some days I don't need it at all...it does help...I really don't feeling drugged with the low dose, just more mellow..feel better!
Reduction of any of these medications is never ideal and should only be done with the advice of your physician and only if problems arise that may cause you to discontinue treating.
Anxiety is certainly a by-product of treating for many ,however reducing any dosages is not the answer to this,
An anti-anxiety drug such as you are taking can often be a short term solution and sometimes experimenting with different ones is needed,,
having said that often these type
Something you may be interested in. This psychologist has worked with hundreds of HCV patients while treating..
Will..
http://blog.texasliver.com/2011/11/psychiatric-complication-of-hepatitis-c-therapy/
having said that often these types
of medications may have the oppsite effect on patients and anxiety levels may actually highten ,especially if dossages are not carefully monitored..
Below, if you are interseted is a short vidoe segmant on "depresssion and anxiety issuse whie doing HCV therapy
This psychologist has worked with hundreds of HCV patients in regards to anxiety and clinical depression while treating..
I found her to be very credible and one of the best I had heard....
Best.....
Will..
http://blog.texasliver.com/2011/11/psychiatric-complication-of-hepatitis-c-therapy/
.
Anxiety is certainly a by-product of treating for many ,however reducing any dosages is not the answer to this,
An anti-anxiety drug such as you are taking can often be a short term solution and sometimes experimenting with different ones is needed,,
having said that often these type
Something you may be interested in. This psychologist has worked with hundreds of HCV patients while treating..
Will..
http://blog.texasliver.com/2011/11/psychiatric-complication-of-hepatitis-c-therapy/
having said that often these types
of medications may have the oppsite effect on patients and anxiety levels may actually highten ,especially if dossages are not carefully monitored..
Below, if you are interseted is a short vidoe segmant on "depresssion and anxiety issuse whie doing HCV therapy
This psychologist has worked with hundreds of HCV patients in regards to anxiety and clinical depression while treating..
I found her to be very credible and one of the best I had heard....
Best.....
Will..
http://blog.texasliver.com/2011/11/psychiatric-complication-of-hepatitis-c-therapy/
.
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