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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by G-man885858 on July 30, 2011, at 23:58:57
I've tried Paxil, Luvox, Cymbalta, and Parnate. Paxil, luvox, cymbalta have all caused very bad problems FROM THE FIRST DOSE, like severe anxiety, muscle rigidity, headaches, muscle pains, and a general "catatonic"-like reaction. Parnate gave me heart pains, severe headaches & body pains, severe weakness, and severe heatstrokes (despite the fact that I drink a LOT of water everyday). Parnate also has a severely restrictive diet which I could understand if it worked well, but since it causes so much problems then its not worth continuing.
I'm trying very hard to find an antidepressant that works because I smoke cigarettes, and I really want to quit them. My therapist says that my inability to quit smoking is due to severe major depression. She thinks that if I find a good antidepressant then it will help me quit smoking.
So do you people think that is it possible to be allergic to so many antidepressants?
Thanks!
Posted by larryhoover on July 31, 2011, at 9:16:50
In reply to Is it possible to be allergic to antidepressants?, posted by G-man885858 on July 30, 2011, at 23:58:57
G-man, it doesn't sound to me that you're allergic at all. I'd say you're very sensitive to the medication. I am too. What I'd suggest is that you increase the dose very slowly, starting at a very low dose and working up. There is an easy way to do that, too. Prozac (fluoxetine) is one antidepressant that is available in liquid form (and there are probably others, too). Dose is proportional to the volume, and it comes with a little syringe to measure the volume precisely. Instead of the usual starter dose of 20 mg, you could start at 2.5 mg, and increase the dose as you become tolerant to it. It solved the problem for me.
Lar
Posted by Phillipa on July 31, 2011, at 11:27:04
In reply to Re: Is it possible to be allergic to antidepressants? » G-man885858, posted by larryhoover on July 31, 2011, at 9:16:50
Lar do you still take it? Phillipa
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on July 31, 2011, at 18:11:19
In reply to Is it possible to be allergic to antidepressants?, posted by G-man885858 on July 30, 2011, at 23:58:57
No, antidepressants are so broad a family that are very different chemicaly that it would be almost impossible to be allergic to all of them.
You might be allergic to certain families that are chemicaly closely related (for examply tricyclics) but even then allergy is rare.
They symptomsyou describe arnt those of allergy anyway - more like intolorance.
Might be worth trying nortriptyline
Posted by G-man885858 on July 31, 2011, at 18:30:02
In reply to Re: Is it possible to be allergic to antidepressants? » G-man885858, posted by larryhoover on July 31, 2011, at 9:16:50
Larry,
What about antidepressants that do not come in liquid form--- for example Remeron? 10 years ago, before I had any allergies, I was on Paxil. Paxil was not working on its own, so a doctor added Remeron for augmentation. I really noticed a good effect from Remeron, especially when I had my morning coffee.
I really want to try Remeron again, but I'm so afraid that I will get that "allergic" reaction that I get with other antidepressants.
Posted by bleauberry on August 3, 2011, at 5:18:47
In reply to Is it possible to be allergic to antidepressants?, posted by G-man885858 on July 30, 2011, at 23:58:57
We can be allergic to anything. My gut instinct opinion in your case is that you are not having an allergic reaction. It is instead a reaction highlighting something else that for some reason is very sensitive to neurotransmitter changes. I know that scenario really well, as do most Lyme patients. Over sensitivity that looks like allergic reaction or paradoxical reaction of exaggerated reaction, is a sign there is something else going on.
What it is, I don't know. Could be a stealth infection that you won't be able to diagnose but will have to instead take various herbs to try to pinpoint whether it is bacterial, fungal or viral, or heavy metal accumulation (easy in our world). It's basically a confused immune response.
This weirdness shows up sometimes with longterm usage of psych meds as well. I don't think anyone knows why. Maybe some genes or receptors have been significantly modified by the drugs.
In the Lyme circles, it is rather common for patients to have reactions like you experienced. It is not uncommon for them to find super low doses effective, helpful, and tolerable. Your clues are already screaming that whatever doses you took were too high for your biochemistry. My doc had people doing well on 1mg of lexapro as an example. I personally like 18mg of milnacipran, after working up from a starting point of 6.25mg.....so my final dose which felt the best was lower than the lowest starting dose! Someone else here just posted about how their 2.5mg was good, but regular doses were bad.
I'm probably alone on this, but I see what I see. It is what it is. My guess is a stealth infection. That would completely explain the symptoms of severe anxiety, muscle rigidity, headaches, and the general sick catatonic feeling. Psych drugs don't do anything to help with the problem and can actually exaggerate it.
Just based on the information you have given, I personally feel you will do a whole lot better with plant medicines. I'm talking stress/adrenal herbs and antimicrobial herbs, and for the antidepressant itself, Rhodiola. The whole game isn't any easier or clear cut than psychiatry meds, but has far greater potential for longterm improvement and healing, and is much easier to fine tune choices and doses.
Did you know there are herbs that still today, after 2000 years, do a better job than the pharmaceutical competitors? They don't make headlines however because no one can make a profit on them. But for those who know, wisdom is healing.
Posted by 49er on August 7, 2011, at 6:20:06
In reply to Is it possible to be allergic to antidepressants?, posted by G-man885858 on July 30, 2011, at 23:58:57
> I'm trying very hard to find an antidepressant that works because I smoke cigarettes, and I really want to quit them. My therapist says that my inability to quit smoking is due to severe major depression. She thinks that if I find a good antidepressant then it will help me quit smoking.
>
G-mann,Many people without depression try several times before being able to successfully quit cigarettes. Therefore, what your therapist says makes absolutely not sense whatsoever.
As an FYI, the only drugs approved for smoking cessation programs are Chantix and Wellbutrin XL. And they should only be used in my opinion, when everything else has been tried and the benefits clearly outweigh the risks.
But it sounds like your body doesn't like meds very much and personally, I would take that as an indication to avoid them.
What have you tried so far to quit smoking?
49er
Posted by SLS on August 7, 2011, at 7:22:07
In reply to Re: Is it possible to be allergic to antidepressants? » G-man885858, posted by 49er on August 7, 2011, at 6:20:06
> 49er
Nice to see you again.
:-)
Your suggestions sound reasonable to me, especially with the newer data indicating that Chantix can produce psychiatric side effects. Maybe having a depressive disorder (MDD and BP) leaves one more vulnerable to these effects. I haven't looked into it, though.
Have a good day.
- Scott
Posted by G-man885858 on August 7, 2011, at 19:37:01
In reply to Re: Is it possible to be allergic to antidepressants? » G-man885858, posted by 49er on August 7, 2011, at 6:20:06
49er,
I've tried Wellbutrin, Aplenzin, Nicoderm Patch, Nicorette Gum. The patch gave me an allergic reaction, the gum is completely ineffective. Wellbutrin and Aplenzin make me severely drowsy and unable to function and stay awake.
Posted by 49er on August 8, 2011, at 2:26:21
In reply to Re: Is it possible to be allergic to antidepressants? » 49er, posted by G-man885858 on August 7, 2011, at 19:37:01
> 49er,
>
> I've tried Wellbutrin, Aplenzin, Nicoderm Patch, Nicorette Gum. The patch gave me an allergic reaction, the gum is completely ineffective. Wellbutrin and Aplenzin make me severely drowsy and unable to function and stay awake.I am so sorry the above methods haven't helped.
I know this is going to sound strange but I am wondering if a similar type program that I advocate for tapering psych meds might work in your case?
For example, if you smoke 40 cigarettes, smoke 36 for three weeks. Then cut down to 32 and repeat the process.
You will be making 10% cuts. Obviously, you can't cut by 3.6 cigarettes so just pick a higher or lower number for your next cut.
And you you can speed up or slow the program down to your comfort level. Unlike with psych meds where I feel you should wait at least 3 weeks before making a cut, I am not aware that would be necessary with cigarettes.
I am just suggesting you wait 3 weeks to take the pressure off.
I am sure you're thinking this will take forever but if every other method has failed, why not give it a shot? What do you have to lose except maybe your cigarette smoking habit?
49er
Posted by 49er on August 8, 2011, at 2:37:29
In reply to Re: Is it possible to be allergic to antidepressants? » 49er, posted by SLS on August 7, 2011, at 7:22:07
> > 49er
>
> Nice to see you again.
>
> :-)
>
> Your suggestions sound reasonable to me, especially with the newer data indicating that Chantix can produce psychiatric side effects. Maybe having a depressive disorder (MDD and BP) leaves one more vulnerable to these effects. I haven't looked into it, though.
>
> Have a good day.
>
>
> - Scott
>Thanks Scott.
I just feel that since there are so many options for quitting smoking, that it is insane to start with meds.
And the suggestion that someone like G-man who can't quit smoking needs an antidepressant absolutely makes no sense in light of the people who have quit who never touched an AD. It took them several attempts but eventually, they succeeded.
Just so you know, I am not against using meds for people to quit smoking. If someone is in grave danger health wise and has been unable to quite smoking using other methods, then I think trying a drug makes sense.
49er
Posted by SLS on August 8, 2011, at 7:24:28
In reply to Re: Is it possible to be allergic to antidepressants?, posted by 49er on August 8, 2011, at 2:37:29
> > > 49er
> >
> > Nice to see you again.
> >
> > :-)
> >
> > Your suggestions sound reasonable to me, especially with the newer data indicating that Chantix can produce psychiatric side effects. Maybe having a depressive disorder (MDD and BP) leaves one more vulnerable to these effects. I haven't looked into it, though.
> >
> > Have a good day.
> >
> >
> > - Scott
> >
>
> Thanks Scott.
>
> I just feel that since there are so many options for quitting smoking, that it is insane to start with meds.
>
> And the suggestion that someone like G-man who can't quit smoking needs an antidepressant absolutely makes no sense in light of the people who have quit who never touched an AD. It took them several attempts but eventually, they succeeded.
>
> Just so you know, I am not against using meds for people to quit smoking. If someone is in grave danger health wise and has been unable to quite smoking using other methods, then I think trying a drug makes sense.
>
> 49er
>
That is an especially insightful, sober, and balanced perspective. Thanks.
- Scott
This is the end of the thread.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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