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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Maxime on October 16, 2010, at 18:34:55
In reply to Re: Thinking of coming off meds » Maxime, posted by Phillipa on October 14, 2010, at 23:38:10
> Mine was also recently checked then hormone doseage changed and that changes the thyroid levels according to both endo and hormone doc. So I'm thinking I need to get mine rechecked. Maxie I'd freak out literally if I gained all that weight. I honestly don't know what to say about that. And I know food with some isn't the reason. I'm sorry. Phillipa
Thank you Phillipa. I appreciate your post.
Posted by Maxime on October 16, 2010, at 18:37:44
In reply to Re: Thinking of coming off meds » Maxime, posted by morgan miller on October 15, 2010, at 13:31:19
> Maxime, I apologize for basically saying that you are the cause of your appearance and problems and not your medications. I realize now that I should have been a little more sensitive and thoughtful in my post. I do think a few of your medications could be causing some problems and it is a good idea to take as few medications as possible, as long as the ones you are on are helping you and keeping you safe.
>
> I still stand by some of the things I said regarding long term improvement and achieving true happiness.
>
> Good luck with the changes you make!
>
> MorganThanks Morgan. Actually what I like about you is that you are straight shooter. You don't mince words. So no need to apologise.
Posted by Maxime on October 16, 2010, at 18:46:46
In reply to Re: Thinking of coming off meds » Maxime, posted by floatingbridge on October 15, 2010, at 14:09:19
Hi FB. My endo thinks the weight gain is all from eating. I assure you, it's not. I feel so embarrassed when I see her because I feel like she is judging me.
My friend has known me for years now. She knows how bad I have been. When she said it, she was referring that something was wrong inside my body. She didn't I ate too much food to gain 65 pounds. She was concerned about my health actually both mental and physical.
I know that now isn't the best time to play around with my meds. I finally have a job and I would hate to lose it as a result of being so depressed that I couldn't do my job.
Maybe now isn't the time to try to reduce my meds. Maybe I should wait a few months and start then. My job is a contract and it ends in December. I hope it will be renewed but if it's not, I will be out of a job once again. Again, this would not be the best time to be off my meds.
Maybe I will make little changes.
Thank you for letting me bounce my thoughts off you.
Posted by Maxime on October 16, 2010, at 18:55:01
In reply to Re: Thinking of coming off meds » SLS, posted by bleauberry on October 15, 2010, at 17:23:46
I know you don't see eye to eye on many things which is okay. I appreciate and respect *both* of your opinions. I find it helpful to hear two sides of the coin.
So please keep posting your thoughts/ideas here, but don't argue. I like the fact that you both have different views on meds etc.and I take both of your recommendations to heart. Different view points is what I like about PB.
Hugs for you both. xoxo
Maxie
Posted by Maxime on October 16, 2010, at 19:04:49
In reply to Re: Thinking of coming off meds » Maxime, posted by floatingbridge on October 15, 2010, at 22:36:57
Yes, I think my pdoc will brainstorm with me. I know he doesn't like me on so many meds, but if they are working he doesn't mind. I know they are working to a degree, but I am still very depressed.
I know that I will never be med free. I can accept that. I just want to lessen the amount of meds I am on. My goal would be to stay on the Adderall XR and the Trileptal. But maybe I would have to be on a AD, I don't know.
Maxie
Posted by Maxime on October 16, 2010, at 19:10:35
In reply to Re: Thinking of coming off meds, posted by SLS on October 15, 2010, at 12:57:02
> > Please Maxie, don't unless you have a real solid plan with your doctor.
>
> I agree.
>
> Maxime: I know that quite a few drugs give you hyperprolactinemia. When I was on desipramine, I gained no weight at all. Have you tried desipramine? -> Never mind. I searched the archives and see that you had lactation as a reaction to desipramine in 2005.
>
>
> - Scott
>Hi Scott, it's funny. Meds that once made me lactate don't anymore. I take Largactil to help me sleep (yup, weight gainer) not every night, but around 4 nights a week. Although my prolactin level has my endo freaked out, I don't lactate on it anymore. So maybe I would try desipramine again and see what happens in that area. Although I had *very* urinary retention and I had to go to the hospital and they used a catheter (sp?).
Posted by Maxime on October 16, 2010, at 19:15:53
In reply to Re: Thinking of coming off meds » Maxime, posted by SLS on October 16, 2010, at 5:47:32
I did go through the hospital in 2008. The problem is, they can only see people on short term basis (9 weeks). I need something long term especially since it takes me so long to trust people. I know that I badly need therapy and not getting access to makes me sad because I am ready for therapy, whereas maybe 5 years ago I didn't think I need a therapist.Thanks Scott!
Posted by Maxime on October 16, 2010, at 19:44:58
In reply to Re: Thinking of coming off meds » floatingbridge, posted by Maxime on October 16, 2010, at 18:46:46
Somewhere in this thread of posts, someone asked me I had tried Lyrica as a mood stabiliser. I can't find the post! Yes, I have tried both Neurontin and Lyrica and they both gave me very bad edema. I had to go into the hospital after being on Neurontin for a short time. In addition to the edema, they both made me feel really trippy man.
Posted by Abby Cunningham on October 16, 2010, at 20:07:00
In reply to Re: Thinking of coming off meds, posted by Maxime on October 16, 2010, at 19:44:58
Maxime, I gained a whole lot of weight (for me) while on Elavil, a cousin to the tricyclic you're on. First time I ever gained weight! I was very skinny before. this was years ago and I had to come off it due to supravenricular tachycardia. Can't take any tricyclic because of that.
Posted by Maxime on October 16, 2010, at 20:34:27
In reply to Re: Thinking of coming off meds » Maxime, posted by Abby Cunningham on October 16, 2010, at 20:07:00
> Maxime, I gained a whole lot of weight (for me) while on Elavil, a cousin to the tricyclic you're on. First time I ever gained weight! I was very skinny before. this was years ago and I had to come off it due to supravenricular tachycardia. Can't take any tricyclic because of that.
Were you able to lose the weight afterwards? I have a feeling that the weight is going to be hard to get rid off.
Posted by Phillipa on October 16, 2010, at 21:25:07
In reply to Re: Thinking of coming off meds » SLS, posted by Maxime on October 16, 2010, at 19:10:35
Maxie just a thought when you mentioned lactation first thing my endo asked me was if I did as had told him of a microadenoma of pituitary that had shown up 6 years ago on MRI. No I didn't lactate but he felt it was time to check the microadenoma again so less than a year ago had another MRI of pituitary and still micros not macro which would cause lactation and not be good would have had to be removed. Just had a brain MRI for the lack of taste and smell and micro still. No changes. But Have you ever had an MRI of pituitary? I seriously am not sure of the symptoms of micro or macro. Phillipa
Posted by floatingbridge on October 17, 2010, at 0:40:32
In reply to Re: Thinking of coming off meds » floatingbridge, posted by Maxime on October 16, 2010, at 18:46:46
Maxime, thanks for the clarification about who said what and how. And I'm glad to hear that you have a friend who really seems to know you.
Do you have the ability to chose a different endo? I have difficulties w/ doctors, and it's hard on me if I don't feel respected. That's my issue.
Could the desire to lighten your med load be coming from a place of feeling a little better? That would be a positive factor. Taking it slow and gathering information is proactive and part of self-care.
Returning to intellectually engaging work after lengthy unemployment will highlight cognitive issues. The brains of even those blessed with good health grow rusty with even a little disuse, hence the benefits of crossword puzzles, etc.
Here's to a decent Sunday.
Posted by SLS on October 17, 2010, at 3:13:16
In reply to Re: Thinking of coming off meds, posted by Maxime on October 16, 2010, at 19:44:58
Maxime,
I forgot to ask you about Topamax. If you start very low and raise the dosage gradually to 100mg-200mg, you might find that it has antidepressant properties. For me, the response to Topamax was mild but obvious. The side effect of interest would be weight-loss instead of weight-gain. I found that 200mg was no better than 100mg. I suffered no cognitive impairments at all.
- Scott
Posted by Maxime on October 17, 2010, at 14:58:56
In reply to Re: Thinking of coming off meds » Maxime, posted by Phillipa on October 16, 2010, at 21:25:07
No MRIs, although I would like to get one to see what is going on. I think she would do one if I wasn't on all these meds which make my prolactin do crazy things.
Posted by Maxime on October 17, 2010, at 15:02:04
In reply to Re: Thinking of coming off meds » Maxime, posted by SLS on October 17, 2010, at 3:13:16
> Maxime,
>
> I forgot to ask you about Topamax. If you start very low and raise the dosage gradually to 100mg-200mg, you might find that it has antidepressant properties. For me, the response to Topamax was mild but obvious. The side effect of interest would be weight-loss instead of weight-gain. I found that 200mg was no better than 100mg. I suffered no cognitive impairments at all.
>
>
> - ScottNo, I have only ever gone as far as 50 mg before I start having visual hallucinations and being put into the hospital. I can't try that med again.
Posted by morgan miller on October 17, 2010, at 17:29:37
In reply to Re: Thinking of coming off meds » Phillipa, posted by Maxime on October 17, 2010, at 14:58:56
> No MRIs, although I would like to get one to see what is going on. I think she would do one if I wasn't on all these meds which make my prolactin do crazy things.
I don't think MRIs will show any effects of medications, so being on medications should not interfere at all with MRI results. Pet and Spect scans are what you want to evaluate brain activity.
Posted by Phillipa on October 17, 2010, at 18:30:13
In reply to Re: Thinking of coming off meds, posted by morgan miller on October 17, 2010, at 17:29:37
I feel what I was trying to say that if an MRI picked up an adenoma that could be the cause of lactation on meds? Phillipa
Posted by Maxime on October 17, 2010, at 20:26:49
In reply to Re: Thinking of coming off meds, posted by morgan miller on October 17, 2010, at 17:29:37
> > No MRIs, although I would like to get one to see what is going on. I think she would do one if I wasn't on all these meds which make my prolactin do crazy things.
>
> I don't think MRIs will show any effects of medications, so being on medications should not interfere at all with MRI results. Pet and Spect scans are what you want to evaluate brain activity.
>
>No,no, I meant a scan of my pituary gland and my thyroid. Not one of my brain (PET Scan), although would be very cool to see.
Posted by morgan miller on October 17, 2010, at 20:33:11
In reply to Re: Thinking of coming off meds » morgan miller, posted by Maxime on October 17, 2010, at 20:26:49
> > > No MRIs, although I would like to get one to see what is going on. I think she would do one if I wasn't on all these meds which make my prolactin do crazy things.
> >
> > I don't think MRIs will show any effects of medications, so being on medications should not interfere at all with MRI results. Pet and Spect scans are what you want to evaluate brain activity.
> >
> >
>
> No,no, I meant a scan of my pituary gland and my thyroid. Not one of my brain (PET Scan), although would be very cool to see.Gotchya
Posted by Maxime on October 17, 2010, at 20:34:57
In reply to Re: Thinking of coming off meds, posted by Phillipa on October 17, 2010, at 18:30:13
> I feel what I was trying to say that if an MRI picked up an adenoma that could be the cause of lactation on meds? Phillipa
Yes, that's it!
Posted by Phillipa on October 17, 2010, at 21:02:52
In reply to Re: Thinking of coming off meds » Phillipa, posted by Maxime on October 17, 2010, at 20:34:57
Why do you say that's it did you google I still haven't got to work now. Phillipa
Posted by SLS on October 18, 2010, at 4:51:49
In reply to Re: Thinking of coming off meds » morgan miller, posted by Maxime on October 17, 2010, at 20:26:49
> No,no, I meant a scan of my pituary gland and my thyroid. Not one of my brain (PET Scan), although would be very cool to see.
Or very horrifying. Most of my cerebral cortex was hypofunctional as was indicated by the color blue on repeated PET scans. This compares with healthy individuals whose brains shows up globally yellow and orange except for the ventricles. It was a horrendous finding to see how globally my brain function is affected by depression. It was not so pleasant a revelation that the U.S. NIH considered me to be "very sick".
- Scott
Posted by floatingbridge on October 18, 2010, at 12:24:58
In reply to Re: Thinking of coming off meds » Maxime, posted by SLS on October 18, 2010, at 4:51:49
I'm really, really sorry Scott.
Did they hold out the possibility of regeneration of structure or function?
Posted by SLS on October 18, 2010, at 13:13:27
In reply to Re: Thinking of coming off meds » SLS, posted by floatingbridge on October 18, 2010, at 12:24:58
> I'm really, really sorry Scott.
>
>
>
>
> Did they hold out the possibility of regeneration of structure or function?This was 1992-1993. I'm not sure what they were thinking behind their veil of objectivity. They did not commit to such predictions. Whatever were their opinions back then were very preliminary as they had not accumulated very much data by then. I have some hope that a great deal of function will reappear once I respond robustly and consistently to treatment. There is some evidence that there is a recovery of brain tissue volume in frontal white matter and the gray matter of the hippocampus as the consequence of attaining remission using antidepressants. Things get more complicated with depression in the elderly, as antidepressant treatment, especially with tricyclics, can actually induce or accelerate the development of white matter hyperintensities (lesions).
This whole thing sucks if you ask me.
- Scott
Posted by floatingbridge on October 18, 2010, at 13:48:41
In reply to Re: Thinking of coming off meds » floatingbridge, posted by SLS on October 18, 2010, at 13:13:27
>Things get more complicated with depression in the elderly, as antidepressant treatment, especially with tricyclics, can actually induce or accelerate the development of white matter hyperintensities (lesions).
Oh. That's sobering.
>
> This whole thing sucks if you ask me.Yes.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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