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
I called. Going tomorrow. He's going to call a buddy of his to see how to taper off. Sorry I started on them to begin with I think.
Geri:
Well, I WAS a shrink and am good at compartmentalizing so my "nice" posts don't show it. Besides, doing for others sure helps me feel better about life in general, no sh!t. Being on the board is a give and take as far as I'm concerned so I try not to post about me unless it's "something". Thanks for the compliment and your prayers. Everyone here is always in mine as well.
deb
Geri:
Well, I WAS a shrink and am good at compartmentalizing so my "nice" posts don't show it. Besides, doing for others sure helps me feel better about life in general, no sh!t. Being on the board is a give and take as far as I'm concerned so I try not to post about me unless it's "something". Thanks for the compliment and your prayers. Everyone here is always in mine as well.
deb
Since you didn't need Prozac prior to treatment, the possibility exists that all the psych symptons you mentioned (on both doses of Prozac) may be caused by the Prozac.
Don't know a lot about ADs, but what research I did suggests that you have to be very flexible making adjustments, like upping the dose, lowering the dose, or changing meds. In your case, since you didn't need it to start with, one adjustment might be just stopping the meds.
At this point, I really wouldn't wait but would call your doctor today to discuss exactly how you're feeling and the idea that it might be Prozac related.
All the best,
-- Jim
Don't know a lot about ADs, but what research I did suggests that you have to be very flexible making adjustments, like upping the dose, lowering the dose, or changing meds. In your case, since you didn't need it to start with, one adjustment might be just stopping the meds.
At this point, I really wouldn't wait but would call your doctor today to discuss exactly how you're feeling and the idea that it might be Prozac related.
All the best,
-- Jim
Hey! Girl - You're soo "cool". -:)) I would never guess from your different posts that you were having these kind of problems. I understand, sort of, where you're coming from. - Having had some minor (compared to now) problems over the years. I do agree with Andiamo - if you can get away for a while, it would be very soothing for the soul. Make a loving pact with your husband that it would be "your time" and he gets all the responsiblities of "taking care of you"'. ie: doing the meals & cleanup, making you 'comfy', going for long 'quiet' walks with you, or just listening quietly even when you don't make a lot of sense (to him), etc.. You've been tx for 6mos. now and you are in deep need of a "time out". Our minds and bodies can only take so much ( eventho' our Father said the He would not give us more than we can handle) and removing ourselves from stressful situations, even for a little while, can do absolute wonders.
As for the meds sx - I agree - Prozac is terribly bad news.
Take care, girl, keep us "updated", and I will keep you in my prayers.
Geri
As for the meds sx - I agree - Prozac is terribly bad news.
Take care, girl, keep us "updated", and I will keep you in my prayers.
Geri
LOL.
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Hope all of you on tx just keep hanging in there, because one day it will be over and your mind will return to normal, whatever normal is.
Seemed every time I got in my car I ended up screaming at someone out the window, not to mention how many times I hung up the phone on relatives, friends, etc.
But all that stopped when the meds left my house, so no more screaming in the car, and no more hanging up on the few friends I have left :) Depression after treatment is another story though, so better close that balcony door :)
-- Jim
------------------
Hope all of you on tx just keep hanging in there, because one day it will be over and your mind will return to normal, whatever normal is.
Seemed every time I got in my car I ended up screaming at someone out the window, not to mention how many times I hung up the phone on relatives, friends, etc.
But all that stopped when the meds left my house, so no more screaming in the car, and no more hanging up on the few friends I have left :) Depression after treatment is another story though, so better close that balcony door :)
-- Jim
you are such a dear, despite what Jasper says, I 'm not by ANY stretch suicidal.....just...it seems.....a little crazy....middle aged crazy? IFN crazy?
Deb
Deb
Jim:
Started taking an AD just prior to beginning treatment for prophylaxis, started with Lex and shifted to Prozac for the effect on appetite it has. I've not taken ADs at all until now - 47 years. I guess I didn't think that doubling the dose would have that effect on me when i was on such a baby dose to begin with but I am pretty sure the doctor felt it was important or else he wouldn't have doubled it. That really helps, though, Jim, I didn't even think of that doubling being a problem. As always, you seem to know how to address how my mind works, James. Thanks and I'll keep ya posted. Deb
Jasper:
I remember those conversations with you. I remember thinking you were zooming at that time but wasn't sure if it was upsetting you or not. I guess we know what happened, huh? The only problem with what you said about thyroid is that I'm not HYPO (low) like I used to be, I'm now HYPER and haven't stopped taking synthroid because the doc says stay on it because it might reverse again. So I prolly don't need MORE right now, I prolly need less. But thank you for your "chiming"...I always welcome it from you, Jasper.
I wish we'd talk more about how nuts this **** makes us, if it does. Who I am and how I feel is the most important thing to me, not hair, not fat, not any of that and this is the scariest part for me.
Deb
Started taking an AD just prior to beginning treatment for prophylaxis, started with Lex and shifted to Prozac for the effect on appetite it has. I've not taken ADs at all until now - 47 years. I guess I didn't think that doubling the dose would have that effect on me when i was on such a baby dose to begin with but I am pretty sure the doctor felt it was important or else he wouldn't have doubled it. That really helps, though, Jim, I didn't even think of that doubling being a problem. As always, you seem to know how to address how my mind works, James. Thanks and I'll keep ya posted. Deb
Jasper:
I remember those conversations with you. I remember thinking you were zooming at that time but wasn't sure if it was upsetting you or not. I guess we know what happened, huh? The only problem with what you said about thyroid is that I'm not HYPO (low) like I used to be, I'm now HYPER and haven't stopped taking synthroid because the doc says stay on it because it might reverse again. So I prolly don't need MORE right now, I prolly need less. But thank you for your "chiming"...I always welcome it from you, Jasper.
I wish we'd talk more about how nuts this **** makes us, if it does. Who I am and how I feel is the most important thing to me, not hair, not fat, not any of that and this is the scariest part for me.
Deb
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