Medication side effects

Railroad Momma · 07-01-2009, 22:57

I was totally elated when my MH doctor prescribed my newest medication. I had heard so many wonderful things about how it improved bi-polar depression. I had tried to get previous doctors to prescribe it with no luck. Well, be careful what you wish for. Even though my doctor told me that one of the side effects to this new medication was weight gain, I didn't care. I have lived with bi-polar depression for most of my life and have had no positive effects with the numerous meds I have been prescribed in the past. Well, I have gained at least ten pounds in roughly 2 months and am thinking that maybe I should not have gotten on this particular med. It has helped with the depression, but now I'm becoming depressed due to the weight gain. It also has been the culprit for my increased cholesterol numbers. So, I either remain depressed or live with the side effects of a drug I literally prayed for. I guess I'll have to live with the weight issue and hope I can resolve this in the future.

shayden · 02-09-2010, 18:42

momma,

my heart goes out to you as there simply has to be a better way for them to treat your bi-polar without the side effects - especially those that make you depressed.

the VA had me on mortazapine to help me sleep - common side effect - weight gain. i gained nearly 40 pounds and weighed more than i ever had before... needless to say, it wasnt worth it because i didnt like who i saw when i looked in the mirror... i told them i couldnt handle the weight gain and to find something else...

it is so difficult though - finding the right medicine is vital; and i hate that the one that actually helps creates another problem. i would definitely talk to your doctor and look inside yourself as to what hurts/helps more.

also - research if there is a comprable medicine out there...and possibly reach out to one of the docs listed on the site to see if they have any recommendations...

wishing you the best in this!

Railroad Momma · 02-09-2010, 19:00

Thanks so much for your caring words. Not all of my weight gain is due to this medication (Abilify). I unfortunately hit menopause and with that added weight. Getting older really sucks! I also have become a lot less physical since the menopause set in. I really need to go talk to my gyn doctor about this weight gain. Perhaps some hormone replacement might come in handy. Who knows, I'd still rather be emotionally happy with the added weight than miserable with my mental health. Take care and good luck with your sleep issues.

eagleheart · 03-29-2010, 11:42

I am one of the woman that cant really be treated by any of these medications other than accasional anti anxiety meds. The latest that was tried I found out would run into extreme conflict with my other health problems. I have pretty much given up on these types of meds. I think they just sell good but have the side effects that can kill women in the long run. What I have decided to do is check out what the asians do with food. I really em convinced that how we eat can help with depression and anxiety. I have lots of ideas that I have collected. Depression likes to convince you that you cant do anything but remain depressed. I push out of that mood on my own. Even if it feels strange. I keep pushing to start something new. I dont think that male docs have a clue about what to do about us medication wise and just keep giving us stuff that mess us up even more. If you think you can handle knowing that weight gain and a dangerous raise in cholestoral is ok just understand that these side effects will kill you if the remain the side effects of that drug. I am just being honest. These docs need to be held accountable for the drugs that they are giving women.

army girl · 07-09-2010, 06:51

Eagleheart,

You said, "I really am convinced that how we eat can help with depression and anxiety". Can you share some of your knowlege/ideas?

I really want to be able to get off medication in the future. I recently had to be treated with a drug for high cholesterol and my BP keeps inching upwards, both of these are well know side effects of my medication. I just read a new study that links statins (for cholesterol managment) to increases in depression and anxiety New insights into link between anti-cholesterol statin drugs and depression . I was told just last week I tested high for Major Depressive Disorder on the psychological tests I am having to take. This could be coincidence, but I am sick of being told I am sick. What a cycle..... taking meds for one thing....only to cause another. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

eagleheart · 07-10-2010, 11:55

Got your note

I wanted to tell you frist to go to healing from PTSD on face book. They have a link with plant remedies also ask for the artical on plant remedies. He will give it to you to read. Second I want to tell you that there is a cactus plant that alot of resreach is getting done on becasue it lowers choles faster than drugs and m

uch healther. I hopes this helps as a start.

You said, "I really am convinced that how we eat can help with depression and anxiety". Can you share some of your knowlege/ideas?

I really want to be able to get off medication in the future. I recently had to be treated with a drug for high cholesterol and my BP keeps inching upwards, both of these are well know side effects of my medication. I just read a new study that links statins (for cholesterol managment) to increases in depression and anxiety New insights into link between anti-cholesterol statin drugs and depression . I was told just last week I tested high for Major Depressive Disorder on the psychological tests I am having to take. This could be coincidence, but I am sick of being told I am sick. What a cycle..... taking meds for one thing....only to cause another. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.[/quote]

aikonawihs · 07-12-2010, 10:15

Hi
I found Women to Women.com which is a site with lotsa' info about menopause, stress etc...for women of any age.
PTSD seriously effects the endocrine system, especially the adrenals who help to take over after the estrogen quits producing. My menopause was pure h--- when it started, I thought I would die.
I have found lasting results by eating protein and green vegetables. Stay away from sugar and processed food. I thought I couldn't live without bread, but it has been easy because of the other wonderful things I get to eat.

I've overcome anxiety with Somatic Experiencing with an amazing counselor. The anxiety actually melts away. I was depressed last year and two sessions of energy work popped the bubble and I was able to pull out of it.
Foundation for Human Enrichment- Trauma Healing

I have used psych drugs for very short periods twice and found they make things worse for me. I haven't done any drugs at all since 2004 and I'm doing better than I have for years.
Plus - make sure you get lotsa' Omega 3 - the research on that is astounding.
Many times anxiety is a reaction to sugar or foods that turn to sugar once ingested.

StellaDarlings · 07-23-2010, 00:23

I'm no doctor so nothing I say is based on those grueling
hours of studying how all the body's systems work together.

What I do know is that PTSD is very bad for your whole body.

Taking in as many soluable vitamins every day is good for
the brain.

Since PTSD is really an alteration in brain function (an implosion
of the amygdala) which causes! the brain to contruct new
on-ramps and off-ramps so that the flight/flight response work
of the amygdala has enough integrity for you to continue to live
on this earthly plane....

Vitamin deficiency of the brain can cause severe physical
problems. So, start your care with the brain. And the brain
needs lots of those B complex types.

The brain uses 15-20% of the body's blood supply. Likewise the
brain uses 20% of the body's oxygen.

All human cells, especially your brain/nervous system cells
called neurons, need energy to do their job. All cells use
blood sugar (glucose) and oxygen to create Adenosine Tri-
Phosphate (ATP), the energy source that fuels cell function.

If your cells need more energy, they use more oxygen. That is
why your breathing rate increases when you exercise.

If your cells do not receive enough oxygen, they produce less
energy.

And PTSD robs you of oxygen and so the brain plays soccer
with what it does get=you get sick every which-a-way.

Sooooo, BREATHING is the single most important thing you can
do for your PTSD symptoms. Slow down your heart rate, be
quiet, as you breath from your abdomen.

I've used an Doctor of Oriental Medicine for acupuncture,
massage, and other treatments to help me with this, personally.

Drink enough water to keep hydrated throughout the day.

Eat plenty of foods with soluable vitamins (B12 B6, etc)
Get 15 min of direct sun on your bare skin every day (D3)
Sleep more than you think you should. (8 HOURS!)

PTSD is a disorder than can be managed. Correctly managed
you could end up more healthy than you ever imagined. That is
until a car alarm goes off as you walk past it.

Alice
"I am not a physician"

eagleheart · 07-24-2010, 20:06

I am trying to stick with the green veggies and protein. I am a veggie so I a have been eating green veggies all along. Maybe that was helping me with some of my stress. I have a slight addiction to ginger ale because of my stomache. It helps my stomache but ginger ale has lots of sugar in it. So I am going to have to find a ginger tea or something. I just started taking B 12 about a month ago. My doc found that my b12 was to the floor and called me right away. So I think the one who wrote about the brian cells has a point about PTSD doing bad things to the body. I think it robbed me of my b 12. So food and vitamins will be helpful. Now if I could just break free of pain killers all the way that would be great. I get phyiscal pain from restless leg symptom and bone spirs in my back and have to use them. I hate pain killers. They do bad things to the brian. So I try not to take them unless I have to. I am reading this book called Sacred plant medicine which is gving me some ideas about pain.

I found Women to Women.com which is a site with lotsa' info about menopause, stress etc...for women of any age.
PTSD seriously effects the endocrine system, especially the adrenals who help to take over after the estrogen quits producing. My menopause was pure h--- when it started, I thought I would die.
I have found lasting results by eating protein and green vegetables. Stay away from sugar and processed food. I thought I couldn't live without bread, but it has been easy because of the other wonderful things I get to eat.

I've overcome anxiety with Somatic Experiencing with an amazing counselor. The anxiety actually melts away. I was depressed last year and two sessions of energy work popped the bubble and I was able to pull out of it.
Foundation for Human Enrichment- Trauma Healing

I have used psych drugs for very short periods twice and found they make things worse for me. I haven't done any drugs at all since 2004 and I'm doing better than I have for years.
Plus - make sure you get lotsa' Omega 3 - the research on that is astounding.
Many times anxiety is a reaction to sugar or foods that turn to sugar once ingested.[/quote]

eagleheart · 07-24-2010, 20:12

Are you being able to use any of this info that these other women have been giving? Also how are you? I have been reading this book called sacred plant medicine. After I am finished I will write down some of the stuff I found for you.

You said, "I really am convinced that how we eat can help with depression and anxiety". Can you share some of your knowlege/ideas?

I really want to be able to get off medication in the future. I recently had to be treated with a drug for high cholesterol and my BP keeps inching upwards, both of these are well know side effects of my medication. I just read a new study that links statins (for cholesterol managment) to increases in depression and anxiety New insights into link between anti-cholesterol statin drugs and depression . I was told just last week I tested high for Major Depressive Disorder on the psychological tests I am having to take. This could be coincidence, but I am sick of being told I am sick. What a cycle..... taking meds for one thing....only to cause another. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.[/quote]