Medication Change

[little_pepper]

Hi all

 Recently my psychiatrist decided to change my medication because i had a relapse on my old one and i was on quite a high dose. After spending a month changing over (and constant nausea)  the only side effect i have is loss of appetite. I can literally go the whole day without feeling hungry. I'm not really sure if this is a good thing or not. I'm at a healthy weight already and if i remember to eat during the day its fine. I'm worried that now I'm under eating and not getting the nutrition i need. I can afford to lose a few kilos as i gained a bit of weight on my old medication. Do you think it would be worth sticking with this new medication and altering my diet? or discussing with my psych another medication? 

[Doolhof]

Hi Little Pepper,

Thanks so much for sharing your story! Congratulations to you for trying another medication and for putting up with the side effects caused by coming off the old medication!

I am certainly no expert in any of this and do listen to my Dr. regarding his suggestions and recommendations relating to taking medication or going off it for a while. Have a chat with your Dr. about the lack of appetite.

If I had your concern, I would consider what is a healthy diet and try to include fruit and vegetables into what you do eat each day. Maybe make up a little healthy eating schedule for the day.

For example have a small bowl of yoghurt, porridge, fresh fruit or something similar for breakfast, have a healthy small snack mid morning like dried fruits and nuts, a salad/sandwich/soup for lunch and a small serve of balanced vegetables and meat for dinner. Make this suggestion to your Dr and see what they might suggest.

Small meals  frequently would be more beneficial than trying to sit down and eat a large meal if you are not feeling hungry. Like I mentioned, I am no expert, but do know that our bodies need food and nourishment to keep us healthy.

Hope this has been of some help! Exercise is also good and may increase your appetite as well. If you are not getting enough food ask your Dr about vitamin supplements, even if it is just for short term purposes until you get the healthy eating happening again.

All the best, cheers for now from Mrs. Dools

[little_pepper]

Thanks for you for your suggestions Mrs Dools. I mostly have my loss of appetiteunder wraps.I pre prepared meals so i would remember to eat + its so much easier to pull something out of the freezer and heat up! Unfortunately another side effect cropped up around christmas where i found that just as i was starting to relax and fall asleep i would get these twitches/spasms. At first it wasn't so bad and almost amusing. Then it got progressively worse when i could see myself twitching during the day and throwing myself around at night. Didn't sleep well for three nights, felt like i'd had waaaaay to much coffee then started feeling suicidal. Saw a Dr who suggested e few days in hospital. I declined and spent some time with some good friends who let me ball my eyes out gave me a cuppa and fed me 🙂 Called mental health team who suggested cutting down on the medication a little. Two days later i slept like a baby for fifteen hours straight and twitching has mostly stopped. Saw my GP a few days ago (he had been on holidays) and have been told that i'm not tolerating the medication at a therapeutic dose and i'll probably be switching again. something i'm not looking forward to. 

 all the best

little pepper

[Doolhof]

Hi Little Pepper,

Thanks for the update. You have been on quite a journey. It is wonderful you have such supportive friends to help you out like they have! That is so excellent.

I have recently come off my medication I had been on for a decade or so. It has stopped being helpful. I am trying a period of time without medication, all through the supervision of my Dr and with the help of a Mental Health Nurse.

I've had many side effects coming off the medication and ended up in hospital on a drip for three days thanks to migraines, terrible vertigo and other withdrawal symptoms. The staff at the hospital were very supportive and helpful.

I do wish you all the best in trying to find the right medication for you. At present I am trying to look after myself better, to eat healthily, to exercise, make time for the things I enjoy in life and  to deal with my depression  without medication. Like I wrote, that is only through close supervision with my Dr. I am willing to return to my Dr the moment I feel like I am not on top of things and need the help of medication again.

I'm also trying to work through issues, some from decades ago, like the loss of my babies. It is tough going, but I need to find a sense of closure and also a way to move forward once again.

I wish you well on your journey, take care, keep in touch if you need to, from Mrs. Dools.