Depression and meds, what I just learned.

[michelleric]

There are many posts here I was to respond to, but cant get to them right now. Maybe I will be better mentally soon.

I saw my therapist this morning. I am not in a very good mental health place at the moment. Been getting worse the last couple of weeks. I "thought" pain was the overall reason, but my therapist just gave me a huge reason, and for that I am grateful.

A pain management doc started me on Lyrica about 3 weeks ago. My mood has gone South since I have been on it. I didn't correlate the 2.

She said that she thinks they need to take Lyrica and some other med to quit smoking off the market. Or let the patients know ALL the risks to these meds.

Lyrica can lead to a very bad depression and high suicidal thoughts. 2 of her pts. committed suicide while they were on this med. (granted I know she is a psychologist...and most pts. most likely see her for some sort of depression/anxiety.)

She know of other cases also, and feels Pfizer will have enough law suits to make this more known to the public.

Anyway, just wanted to let u all know that. It is a great drug for many, as far as pain is involved, but of there is a history of depression, it can make it worse.

That is it for now,
Thanks, Michelle

[essdipity]

Michelle, try reading up on meds before getting the prescriptions filled. Will save you some $$$. Or, if getting a script you know is in a certain class you've had trouble with, quiz the doctor thoroughly about it.

Best of luck.

ess

[michelleric]

Q and Karen,

Yes, the other med she mentioned was Chantrix.

I also had a horrible reaction to Wellbutrin last summer, given to me by neuro. (actually NP from Neuros office). I do believe I am sensitive to some meds, and have now learned that I MUST  be very careful what I take. Need to read the info on meds before I take them.

Thanks all for your comments,
Michelle

[Karen99]

Could be Chantix.  I had a most unpleasant and unexpected side effect from Wellbutrin (same as Zyban) many years ago.  

I think it is very important to be monitored anytime psychotherapeutic-type meds are used.

Good thing your psychiatrist recognized Lyrica as contributing to your depression and withdrew it.  

Get to feeling better, Michelle.    

[Quixotic1]

Wow!  Lyrica may well be just like poison for you!  Thank you for sharing that with us.  I was not aware of it.

I wonder if the other med is Chantix.

Quix

[rothexl]

Hi Michelle,

thanks for sharing this info- something that is important for all of us who have to battle depression- so I will be warned should I require pain meds in the future!

I'm so sorry you are feeling so terrible at the moment, I really hope that you will get out of the black hole again very soon, I know so well what it feels like to be in there.

All the very best to you and look after yourself!!!

Rike

[Udkas]

Hi there,

Thank you for sharing this information with us and I hope that you and your therapist are able to get on top of your depression.  I am hoping that a switch in pain meds might do the trick.

Just for interest I take Neurontin (Gabapentin), in the info pamphlet on that it also states that some people are more prone to suicidal thoughts on this drug and to be aware of this.  I can't say it's given me any suicidal thoughts infact it made me feel better as I wasn't dealing with so much pain, but when I was on the real high dose I did gain some weight.

I always read the info pamphlets on any drug I take, discuss it with the pharmarcist and the Dr.

Michelle I hope things improve for you, thinking of you.

Udkas.

[Fluffysmom]

I'm glad that you have a good therapist to help you through this, and hope that the insight about Lyrica can be a great help to you in resolving this bad mental place you're in.

I've taken Lyrica for a long time without it causing depression, so I'm not one that has that side effect.  I know how individual that can be, and every adverse effect should be in the warnings about a med so we and our doctors know to look out for it.

I'm wishing the best for you.

Kathy

[sllowe]

Hey Lady,

So glad you brought this up the therapist. You going to talk to pain doc and discuss a switch?

Very important message! Not all meds affect everyone negatively, but you never know when you are going to be one of the ones it does!

Thank YOU so much for telling us!
-Shell

[starryeyes1]

I was prescribed Lyrica when I felt like Gabapentin wasn't working..after reading the side affects and warnings I did not feel comfortable taking it. I never took even once..I went back on the Gabapentin.

That is very scary about the suicides..be careful!

Hugs,
Kristi