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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ChicagoKat on January 24, 2013, at 12:17:52
Has anyone ever experienced or heard of Tegretol causing morbid depression/suicidal ideation?
As many of you know, I took a holiday from my Ritalin, thinking I'd become tolerant. But restarting it did *nothing* for me. I even tried taking an extra tablet today - still morbidly depressed. I have never felt so bad in my decades of depression.
Tegretol was added to my therapy about 3 wks ago...could it be the culprit?? Thanks.
Kat
Posted by Phillipa on January 24, 2013, at 12:35:40
In reply to Tegretol - morbid depression?, posted by ChicagoKat on January 24, 2013, at 12:17:52
Kat I don't know but will look now. Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on January 24, 2013, at 12:40:22
In reply to Tegretol - morbid depression?, posted by ChicagoKat on January 24, 2013, at 12:17:52
Kat as usual the same old warnings. Take with grain of salt or call doc and ask. Phillipa
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/brain-and-nervous-system/medicines/tegretol.htm
Posted by ChicagoKat on January 24, 2013, at 12:50:26
In reply to Re: Tegretol - morbid depression? » ChicagoKat, posted by Phillipa on January 24, 2013, at 12:40:22
> Kat as usual the same old warnings. Take with grain of salt or call doc and ask. Phillipa
>
> http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/brain-and-nervous-system/medicines/tegretol.htmThanks Phillipa. I found similar info when I did a search, and my pharmacy reference had the same usual warning. I have a call out to my pdoc.
I really think the Tegretol must be the cause, I have never felt like this before, never in my decades of depression have I ever felt so unbelievably low and suicidal. I'm gonna get off this drug, but since it's an anti-epileptic I'll need my pdoc's advice on how to taper it. But at this point I think I'd almost rather have a seizure than feel the way I do.
But no worries, I'll taper as directed. Thanks again Phillipa, you are simply the best.
Kat
Posted by SLS on January 24, 2013, at 14:00:16
In reply to Tegretol - morbid depression?, posted by ChicagoKat on January 24, 2013, at 12:17:52
> Has anyone ever experienced or heard of Tegretol causing morbid depression/suicidal ideation?
>
> As many of you know, I took a holiday from my Ritalin, thinking I'd become tolerant. But restarting it did *nothing* for me. I even tried taking an extra tablet today - still morbidly depressed. I have never felt so bad in my decades of depression.
>
> Tegretol was added to my therapy about 3 wks ago...could it be the culprit?? Thanks.
> KatTrileptal, the sister drug of Tegretol, is less sedating and produces fewer cognitive side effects than does Tegretol. Depression and suicidal thoughts have been seen with Tegretol. I don't know about Trileptal.
What was it about Tegretol that you liked so much when you first started taking it?
If I were in your situation, I would probably perform an experiment and do a fairly rapid taper of the Tegretol and observe what happens. It is not a good idea to discontinue one of these anticonvulsant drugs abruptly, as rebound seizures can occur.
I would not allow these morbid or suicidal thoughts to continue without intervening in some way. The least complicated intervention would be to reduce the dosage of Tegretol to see if it is indeed the culprit.
- Scott
Posted by ChicagoKat on January 24, 2013, at 14:12:18
In reply to Re: Tegretol - morbid depression? » ChicagoKat, posted by SLS on January 24, 2013, at 14:00:16
> Trileptal, the sister drug of Tegretol, is less sedating and produces fewer cognitive side effects than does Tegretol. Depression and suicidal thoughts have been seen with Tegretol. I don't know about Trileptal.
>
> What was it about Tegretol that you liked so much when you first started taking it?
>
> If I were in your situation, I would probably perform an experiment and do a fairly rapid taper of the Tegretol and observe what happens. It is not a good idea to discontinue one of these anticonvulsant drugs abruptly, as rebound seizures can occur.
>
> I would not allow these morbid or suicidal thoughts to continue without intervening in some way. The least complicated intervention would be to reduce the dosage of Tegretol to see if it is indeed the culprit.
>
>
> - ScottThanks so much for your input Scott; it is always valued. It's good to see a confirmation that Tegretol has caused depression and suicidal thoughts. What I really liked about Tegretol when I first started taking it was that it wiped out the anxiety I got from taking Ritalin. But now I'm getting the worst depression of my life and I am almost positive Tegretol is the culprit, as I have *never* felt this way before. I am definitely going to taper down the Tegretol; I have a call out to my pdoc to get his rec on a taper schedule.
Any thoughts on something else I can use to fight the anxiety I get with Ritalin? IR Ritalin gives me a couple hours of feeling good, but then anxiety hits for about 3 hrs. I was so happy when I found that Tegretol killed any anxiety and the Ritalin was able to do its job for its entire length of action. Extended release forms of Ritalin like Concerta give me a couple good hrs and then about 10hrs of anxiety. Oh, and benzos are completely out for me; I'm far too tolerant to them. Thanks again Scott.
Kat
Posted by brynb on January 24, 2013, at 17:51:01
In reply to Tegretol - morbid depression?, posted by ChicagoKat on January 24, 2013, at 12:17:52
Hi Kat,
At this point, nothing surprises me. I tried Trileptal this week (I'm on my own--sans pdoc--until next week) and I think it made me worse out of the blue.
I'm sort of in the same place as you right now, if iit's any consolation :/. I would try contacting your pdoc and taper off.
Hang in there friend.
b
Posted by SLS on January 24, 2013, at 19:18:35
In reply to Re: Tegretol - morbid depression? » SLS, posted by ChicagoKat on January 24, 2013, at 14:12:18
> Any thoughts on something else I can use to fight the anxiety I get with Ritalin? IR Ritalin gives me a couple hours of feeling good, but then anxiety hits for about 3 hrs. I was so happy when I found that Tegretol killed any anxiety and the Ritalin was able to do its job for its entire length of action. Extended release forms of Ritalin like Concerta give me a couple good hrs and then about 10hrs of anxiety. Oh, and benzos are completely out for me; I'm far too tolerant to them. Thanks again Scott.
> KatWhich antipsychotics have you tried?
Have you tried gabapentin (Neurontin)?
Phenergan (promethazine)?
What about topiramate (Topamax)? It is currently being studied for treating PTSD.
- Scott
Posted by ChicagoKat on January 25, 2013, at 9:15:02
In reply to Re: Tegretol - morbid depression? » ChicagoKat, posted by brynb on January 24, 2013, at 17:51:01
Thanks bryn, like I said in my email, I'm wondering if Trileptal is making things worse for you too. Tegretol definitely was for me. You hang in there too, and speak soon
Kat
Posted by ChicagoKat on January 25, 2013, at 9:19:13
In reply to Re: Tegretol - morbid depression? » ChicagoKat, posted by SLS on January 24, 2013, at 19:18:35
> Which antipsychotics have you tried?
I've tried all the AAPs and they all make me agitated and Zyprexa gave me akathisia.
>
> Have you tried gabapentin (Neurontin)?Yes, and it helped a great deal, but I developed incredibly rapid tolerance to it.
>
> Phenergan (promethazine)?Never tried that, but if I got akathisia from Zyprexa and AAPs make me agitated, could phenergan also make me agitated?
>
> What about topiramate (Topamax)? It is currently being studied for treating PTSD.That's one I've never tried. I will ask my pdoc about it. Thanks Scott! :)
>
>
> - ScottAnd, btw, how are you doing these days??
Kat
Posted by ChicagoKat on January 25, 2013, at 9:22:00
In reply to Tegretol - morbid depression?, posted by ChicagoKat on January 24, 2013, at 12:17:52
Pdoc took me off Tegretol (I was at such a low dose he said to just stop it).
Already feeling better. Back to my usual level of misery, which I am somehow able to cope with. The morbid depression, which actually made me *scream* in agony is history. :)
Thanks to everyone for their posts.
Kat
Posted by SLS on January 25, 2013, at 12:39:16
In reply to Re: Tegretol - morbid depression? » SLS, posted by ChicagoKat on January 25, 2013, at 9:19:13
I forgot about using a sympatholytic like propranolol or atenolol. Both are NE beta-blockers.
- Scott
Posted by ChicagoKat on January 25, 2013, at 12:51:07
In reply to Re: Tegretol - morbid depression?, posted by SLS on January 25, 2013, at 12:39:16
> I forgot about using a sympatholytic like propranolol or atenolol. Both are NE beta-blockers.
>
>
> - ScottThanks Scott...I am already on atenolol for the high BP and especially the high HR Ritalin can give me. I'm thinking of trying Lexapro or Zoloft. They certainly don't help with my depression anymore, but they might help with anxiety. Last spring I was on Ritalin plus Lexapro and it was probably the best time period I've had in ages. I was able to tolerate the Ritalin much better. We'll see. But thanks so much for the recommendations, and if you think of anything else, don't hesitate to let me know.
How are you doing?
Kat
Posted by herpills on January 25, 2013, at 13:42:40
In reply to Tegretol - morbid depression?, posted by ChicagoKat on January 24, 2013, at 12:17:52
> Has anyone ever experienced or heard of Tegretol causing morbid depression/suicidal ideation?
>
> As many of you know, I took a holiday from my Ritalin, thinking I'd become tolerant. But restarting it did *nothing* for me. I even tried taking an extra tablet today - still morbidly depressed. I have never felt so bad in my decades of depression.
>
> Tegretol was added to my therapy about 3 wks ago...could it be the culprit?? Thanks.
> KatHI Kat...I haven't taken Tegretol...BUT I was put on Trileptal at one point because my doctor said my Lamictal wasn't enough to prevent mania. The problem is , Trileptal made me so depressed I had to discontinue it after 2 weeks. I imagine Tegretol could do the same, and I say if you've already tried it for 3 weeks and its still making you depressed, maybe time to try something else? Feel better soon! herpills
Posted by herpills on January 25, 2013, at 13:46:10
In reply to Update: it was the Tegretol; feeling better :), posted by ChicagoKat on January 25, 2013, at 9:22:00
> Pdoc took me off Tegretol (I was at such a low dose he said to just stop it).
> Already feeling better. Back to my usual level of misery, which I am somehow able to cope with. The morbid depression, which actually made me *scream* in agony is history. :)
> Thanks to everyone for their posts.
> KatHi Kat...funny I just saw your update after I responded to your first post. I'm glad you're feeling better, but sorry to hear another med has turned out to be ineffective. We've all been there! Take care
Posted by ChicagoKat on January 25, 2013, at 16:00:51
In reply to Re: Tegretol - morbid depression? » ChicagoKat, posted by herpills on January 25, 2013, at 13:42:40
Thanks for the post herpills. I'm sorry you went through depression with Trileptal. My pdoc had me stop the Tegretol and I'm already feeling better....back to my usual state of misery, but one that I can manage to cope with. Hope you are feeling better :)
Kat
Posted by ChicagoKat on January 25, 2013, at 16:13:32
In reply to Re: Update: it was the Tegretol; feeling better :) » ChicagoKat, posted by herpills on January 25, 2013, at 13:46:10
> > Pdoc took me off Tegretol (I was at such a low dose he said to just stop it).
> > Already feeling better. Back to my usual level of misery, which I am somehow able to cope with. The morbid depression, which actually made me *scream* in agony is history. :)
> > Thanks to everyone for their posts.
> > Kat
>
> Hi Kat...funny I just saw your update after I responded to your first post. I'm glad you're feeling better, but sorry to hear another med has turned out to be ineffective. We've all been there! Take care
>
>
Yep, we certainly have all been there. Sometimes I wish I could start a new med that, instead of having bad side effects, had side effects like making my teeth whiter or making my hair glossier. I mean, why do all side effects have to be bad? You take care too :)
Kat
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