Medication Merri Go Round

[Iamsensative]

Well my medication that helps keep me stable is also making me sick. My LDL is so high that i developed cholesterol spots on my eyes. i tried going off when i noticed the weight gain, but i got to the point that i decided weight be damned i can function. Its not perfect but if really makes going through day to day easier. Now i must come off and i am scared to fall into that deep depression or anxiety that is unrelenting. I tried so many different drugs and this was a last resort. Trying to take one moment at a time and not panic. But some days the rug gets pulled out and i dont know where to turn.

 

[The Albatross]

Are you talking about Xanthelasma? Medication side effects are common - yes. You do not share why you need to discontinue your preventative medication. Why is that?

 

[Justmehere]

I'm so sorry you have to go through this. Cholesterol spots are scary!

Are you in therapy? Meds can really help with PTSD but there re often side effects.The best treatment is combined with robust therapy. For me, it's done more than meds have done for me (and I've tried over 17 meds for PTSD) - but I know everyone responds differently.

While it's hard to face having to come off a med, try to not fear the fear. Maybe it's an opportunity to learn some new ways to ground and ride out the waves of emotion.

Also, there are a few supplements that have helped me like sam-e and low dose B vitamins - maybe it would be good to talk to your doc about trying these or other options?

 

[The Albatross]

Yes, I believe/seem to recall the OP is in therapy.

 

[Iamsensative]

Are you talking about Xanthelasma? Medication side effects are common - yes. You do not share wh...

Yes, its leading to metabolic syndrome, gone up 2 sizes, high blood pressure, high bad cholesterol and i eat very little. All since going on rexulti.

 

[Iamsensative]

I'm so sorry you have to go through this. Cholesterol spots are scary!

Are you in therapy? Meds ca...

Thank you for your kind words. Yes i am in weekly therapy. I am better tonight, i will have to look for options. I will check out your suggestions.

 

[joeylittle]

Standard disclaimer - I am not a doctor.

Rexulti was only fairly recently approved as an adjunct in treating depression. It's always been pretty bad for weight gain.

There are options that are close to rexulti that have more of a weight neutral track record (Latuda is a recent approval as well that comes first to mind) and there's also Wellbutrin (which tends more towards weight neutral or loss).

None of those are SSRI/SNRI.

You mentioned the medi-go-round, so I'm wondering what else you may have tried before the rexulti?

Edit to add: I was hit badly with metabolic problems while on Abilify, and they never got better, even after discontinuing the drug. For what it's worth, nothing but nothing made an impact on my weight until I switched to a very low-carb eating plan. I'm currently on Effexor and Wellbutrin. Low carb is taking the weight off, where even very low calorie (supervised) didn't make a dent.

 

[Rollercoaster]

Well my medication that helps keep me stable is also making me sick. My LDL is so high that i deve...

I too am coming off of Remeron for weight gain issues. I have tried for three years to come off this med. Finally they compounded the med into 1 mg doses. I started on this med 5 yrs ago at 30 mg and dropped to 15 with no trouble. Then I went to 7 mg and was sicker than a dog. That's when my psychiatrist decided to compound my meds into 1 mg capsules. I drop 1 mg per week. So week one I took 6 pills each night, week two I took 5 pills each night etc until you are off of them.You'll have to phone around to find a compounding pharmacy. Sometimes slow and steady is the way to go if you're very sensitive. Good luck :)