Aa
a little help on med/psych
I truly hate to out myself on this, esp. with all that's going on with the board right now (lots of anxiety and bad situations for folks) but I've always valued my mind and i need to know if this has happened to others as well.
Last week I had a sharp turn downward in my state of mind and some depressive symptoms, i.e., paranoia, self recrimination and etc. I spoke with my doc and we went from 10 to 20 of Prozac on last Friday. It's a late presentation, usually depressive symptoms start in first 12 weeks and i'm almost at week 24. I'm also hyperthyroid as of recent testing and I wonder if this adds to it.
This week it's going in the opposite direction, racing thoughts, too many for my taste, not necessarily negative, just kind of weird thinking.
I'm also a psychotherapist so I quickly recognize the thoughts as not my usual pattern but can't seem to control them with the usual cognitive behavioral stuff I do when I need to.
I've read a lot about the effect of interferons/combo treatment on the psyche but i thought i could do better at handling this. I don't have a history of psychiatric disorder, substance use, etc.
I don't know whether i should call my doc again regarding this. Please tell me if anyone else has had these types of symptoms; it is so atypical for me that I don't know what to make of it. but it is somewhat scary.
Deb
Last week I had a sharp turn downward in my state of mind and some depressive symptoms, i.e., paranoia, self recrimination and etc. I spoke with my doc and we went from 10 to 20 of Prozac on last Friday. It's a late presentation, usually depressive symptoms start in first 12 weeks and i'm almost at week 24. I'm also hyperthyroid as of recent testing and I wonder if this adds to it.
This week it's going in the opposite direction, racing thoughts, too many for my taste, not necessarily negative, just kind of weird thinking.
I'm also a psychotherapist so I quickly recognize the thoughts as not my usual pattern but can't seem to control them with the usual cognitive behavioral stuff I do when I need to.
I've read a lot about the effect of interferons/combo treatment on the psyche but i thought i could do better at handling this. I don't have a history of psychiatric disorder, substance use, etc.
I don't know whether i should call my doc again regarding this. Please tell me if anyone else has had these types of symptoms; it is so atypical for me that I don't know what to make of it. but it is somewhat scary.
Deb
Deb - you'll be ok - Prozac and things like that were awful things for me... They made me feel "ick"... Yawns... paranoid... LOL! I couldn't take them --- they were awful...
However - ABOUT PANIC ATTACKS: after TX - I feel much more ADHD than ever before - scattered... A couple panic attacks - every once in awhile.
I use Lorazepam for massive ones --- maybe once a month - usually right before my period --- I get GROSSLY uncomfortable in my skin... Like I can't sit right... like I can't get comfy... will I blow up... If I push too hard to pass gas - will my intestines fall out... My chest walls feel constricting like I've got a corsette on --- I get itchy all over -- I can't find a comfortable position to lay in --- will my heart get squished if I lay on that side too long... Did I leave the iron on... If I plug something in will the current run up my arm and kill me, do I have boogers hanging out my nose ---- I mean REALLY WEIRD stuff. LOL!
I think they are hormonally related - most of them. The racing thoughts --- the can't get it together. They seem to be aggravated by my menstrual cycle - when it's normal or not - I can usually tell 2 days in advance when I'm going to start --- just by the way I'm feeling in my own skin... Sounds weird... but YOU outed yourself first.... LOL!
And they only last for a little while --- but I bring myself down with Ativan - and then I'm fine for the rest of the month. They didn't happen prior to TX --- but hey --- well - Yanno --- that's just the way life tosses you into the salad mixture. LOL!
It sounds like you're going through something similar - but with the "saddies" the "blues" tossed in.
I've never been a blue kind of person - so maybe that's it.
But heck deb --- in your shoes --- I might just have had quite a few blues attacks. Seriously - I mean you've had some hard core stuff to deal with....
And TXing - certainly doesn't help doodley squat.
Meki
However - ABOUT PANIC ATTACKS: after TX - I feel much more ADHD than ever before - scattered... A couple panic attacks - every once in awhile.
I use Lorazepam for massive ones --- maybe once a month - usually right before my period --- I get GROSSLY uncomfortable in my skin... Like I can't sit right... like I can't get comfy... will I blow up... If I push too hard to pass gas - will my intestines fall out... My chest walls feel constricting like I've got a corsette on --- I get itchy all over -- I can't find a comfortable position to lay in --- will my heart get squished if I lay on that side too long... Did I leave the iron on... If I plug something in will the current run up my arm and kill me, do I have boogers hanging out my nose ---- I mean REALLY WEIRD stuff. LOL!
I think they are hormonally related - most of them. The racing thoughts --- the can't get it together. They seem to be aggravated by my menstrual cycle - when it's normal or not - I can usually tell 2 days in advance when I'm going to start --- just by the way I'm feeling in my own skin... Sounds weird... but YOU outed yourself first.... LOL!
And they only last for a little while --- but I bring myself down with Ativan - and then I'm fine for the rest of the month. They didn't happen prior to TX --- but hey --- well - Yanno --- that's just the way life tosses you into the salad mixture. LOL!
It sounds like you're going through something similar - but with the "saddies" the "blues" tossed in.
I've never been a blue kind of person - so maybe that's it.
But heck deb --- in your shoes --- I might just have had quite a few blues attacks. Seriously - I mean you've had some hard core stuff to deal with....
And TXing - certainly doesn't help doodley squat.
Meki
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!! A bit late in the day, I know, but 42 years deserves recognition. -:))). You have obviously been blessed with a good soul mate. Hope you have many more wonderful years together.
Geri
Geri
I can relate very well to your story. I crashed and burned when I was in my senior year of high school. I dropped out and did 5 years of drugs. I was very lucky; I met my wife and found a great analyst. I was able to get it together and build a good life out of the ashes.
Unfortunately, it left me with HCV which I am still dealing with. But I can't complain. I had an interesting career and I am much stronger from the therapy. I found developing software to be much like meditating. It helped me relax and concentrate on things outside of my own experience.
Now that I am about to beat the dragon, I dream about what I will do with my renewed energy and mental clarity. One thing I can guarantee, I will never waste another minute of my life on any drug that diminishes my awareness of life.
Unfortunately, it left me with HCV which I am still dealing with. But I can't complain. I had an interesting career and I am much stronger from the therapy. I found developing software to be much like meditating. It helped me relax and concentrate on things outside of my own experience.
Now that I am about to beat the dragon, I dream about what I will do with my renewed energy and mental clarity. One thing I can guarantee, I will never waste another minute of my life on any drug that diminishes my awareness of life.
You seem so far from suicidal, that it never entered my mind to worry about it. Thank you for reassuring me though. When I first read the comment, I did think I might have made a mistake.
I feel better now that I am off effexor. Not normal by any means, but better. I hope the same happens to you.
Today is my 42nd wedding anniversary, so I just got back from taking my wife to dinner. She managed to put up with me for 35 regular years and 7 on interferon!! Now that I am on it again, I spent the evening thinking about all we have been through together and how much stronger we are from the suffering. The good years are fun, but they don't teach you much. the bad years teach you how to enjoy the good years. I am sure you have many good years ahead of you.
I feel better now that I am off effexor. Not normal by any means, but better. I hope the same happens to you.
Today is my 42nd wedding anniversary, so I just got back from taking my wife to dinner. She managed to put up with me for 35 regular years and 7 on interferon!! Now that I am on it again, I spent the evening thinking about all we have been through together and how much stronger we are from the suffering. The good years are fun, but they don't teach you much. the bad years teach you how to enjoy the good years. I am sure you have many good years ahead of you.
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