Anyone had depression as a side effect of pizotifen? or 'late' PND? please... I SH last week :(

[teafortwoandtwofortea]

I had depression as a teenager/young adult and 'mildly' SH if that's possible (I have dislosed this on MN before). I always did it in a calm way, made sure I didn't cut deep and no scar, though got it wrong a few times. I feel deeply ashamed when I think someone has noticed the pattern of the few scars on my arm and regret it so much but they're not so bad I wear long sleeves all the time. I think my depression then was becuae I was unhappy at home with very strict parents and a lot of pressure to perform academically plus I was in pain all the time with chronic migraine and back pain from a problem with my walking.

I'm now married, 2 lovely children, great job and a lovely husband. I've had orthoses made for my feet and since I was 21 (now 26) my migraines have been under control, going from almost every day to 1-2 'bad' ones a month plus a few mild attacks. DH and I have had our issues as with any couple - mainly over taking responsibilty for kids/housework etc but a few issues with more personal stuff. I guess I think form the outside my life looks great.

I started taking pizotifen about a month ago - put on 1/2 stone but not too bothered about that. What I have found is that I seem to be having moments where I feel so low. I didn't want to get out of bed last weekend and I SH after a row with DH and for the first time it wasn't controlled, though it did make me feel better (for a while anyway).

With an 9 month old of course I expect to be up and down, it's hard work, but I'm having thesse deep dark moments and they're dragging me down. I've had them for 5/6 months but over the last month it's got worse. I'm wondering if this is ringing bells with anyone and whether it's my new pills? I took them before DS1 without this reaction but my body's changed. I'm also wondering about PND - can you get it this late?

Any help gratefully received. sorry this was so long, just felt I had to write it down.

(sorry for those of you who don't recognise me - have been a regular but had to namechange recently)

bump

you can have PND this late. after 12 months it is often classed as just 'plain' depression.

I'm not familiar with the pills but I also know that worsening depression can be a side effect of many drugs and you must mention it to the gp (or your HV if that is eaiser) as soon as you can. Do you have strategies for dealing with your feelings? Can you try other things next time you feel you want to SH? (I'm sorry if you know this already but there are 'techniques' people find helpful to release the feelings without harming themselves...elastic bands on wrists, using a red pen, ice cubes, throwing ice cubes at a brick wall etc)

If it is PND, you will get better, but not without some support and help.
Take care of yourself x

Thanks for replying professor, I really appreciate it.

I have tried other things, I was feeling quite proud of myself for the last few years as I thought I'd beaten it. Last time I did it before now was a few months before DS1 arrived. Goes to show you never really know yourself.

I guess I'm not sure if it's the meds becuase I feel like it's been building for a while. The thing is that I bonded with DS2 so well, way better than with DS1 and I felt so happy and full of love when he arrived. It's just ebbing away now. SOmetimes I feel low and cry lots but mostly I just feel numb. I'm finding it difficult to stay happy these days.

It's FMV (the professor is a recent addition for silliness )

I see pizotifen is a migraine treatment. According to medicinNet, side effects are: ''Increased appetite and weight gain, drowsiness, fatigue, nausea, unusual weakness, dizziness, headache or dry mouth may occur. If these persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly. Very unlikely but report promptly: vision changes, confusion, stomach pain, swelling, mood changes, sexual function problems. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.''

so it is worth talking to your GP. Do you think you can be honest with the doc about how low you are feeling? And about the SH?

Thanks FMV. I think it might be worth going back. I've never talked to a health professional about my past depression or SH. The trouble is that I am one and until recently could've potentially got a job working in psychiatric services. I didn't want to have anything on my record just in case it went against me. Recently though I've chosen to specialise and it's more of a physical thing. I think the stigma has reduced over the last 5-10 years too which might help. maybe it's time.

It's funny, but the more I think about it I realise I've been going this way for a while, it's the incident last week has shocked me. Although it feels normal and ok to me, this time around I 'know' it's not ok or normal and something must be wrong for me to have done that.

oh, I do empathise (I work in MH too). We run a support group for mums in our town and it's possible there is something similar near you too. There's no shame in PND, something like 1 in 7 women are affected. It's a chemical imbalance, not a sign of weakness and if you get help soon, you might be feeling better in a matter of months.

And if there is a chance it might be the migraine medication making you feel worse...?

If you do nothing, you could be feeling this way - or worse - for a long time....
Does your partner know you SH?

I know there are people on here with more understanding and knowledge than me, especially on matters of SH, so let's keep this bumped and get you some support.

I know - common sense dictates I stop it but this is the 4th type of tablet I've tried since DS2 came along and the only ones which have worked. Arrghh! The choice seems to be 'be depressed with no migraine' or 'have migraine and probably end up depressed through pain'.

Yes, DH does know - he's OK about it but he can't really help. He's a mental health OT, reckons I should get out and do stuff I enjoy - one day, when I have the time and energy... no simple answers here.

.
anyone else help?

Can't amitriptiline help with migraine? I have a colleague who takes it, and it is an AD as well

Thanks fizzbuzz, I tried amytriptiline when I first has DS2 as it was one you could take while BF. It was ok, not great, for the migraines and reduced them a bit but I was so tired with them - not safe to drive and I do a 90 mile commute.

Better day today I think anyway. Talked to DH some more and that helped. I think it's kind of coming to a head if that makes sense, the SH forced the issue and now I've realised I have to act. Thanks so much for listening here too - it helps to write it down.

I bet this has been said so many times but I wish there'd be a 'crazymixedupteen'net

Hi dear one,
I came across your post as I'm only a few weeks on the pizo for migraine prevention and already I'm hitting horrific lows just like you have mentioned, I thought maybe it's just me because I haven't been taking it long, but I know myself and felt it was the meds so went searching to find anyone else. You posted over a year ago so hopefully you have found some peace from the dark. Much light always

I'm late finding this post but I also am a couple of weeks into taking Pizotifen and while its definitely helping my migraines I feel so low and depressed on it. Not only that but my thinking and organisation has become scattered. Ill be stopping these and going back to my GP. pizotifen should add "may cause depression" to their side effects because it seems to be very common.