Topic Tuesday // Managing side effects of medication // Tues. 17 Apr. 7pm - 9pm AEST

[Former-Member]

Fuzzy thoughts, peeing my pants, loss of words, weight gain, suicidal thoughts, ... fun of takeong meds :nauseated_face:🤬

[FeeFee1976]

yes! try lying on a bath towel, and change towels through the night. bit more comfortable, and keep spare pjs by the bed to change.

[Shakeelah25]

my psychiatrist told me that suicidal thoughts can be common when you initially start antidepressants but it should go away when the meds settle

[Bunniekins]

@Former-Member Kirin 'peeing your pants' I have had a couple of close calls.... this has never happened to me in the past ... so it is happening to you too?

[Former-Member]

Some really interesting (albeit I respect frustrating/annoying/debilitating) side effects that have been brought up. We will get to the part of sharing ideas of managing these soon!

A few of you have mentioned your choices around stopping your medication. This is completely your choice, however please be aware for the purpose of this discussion and your own well being to note that there can be difficulties from stopping cold turkey or stop starting your medications. I encourage you to talk to your GP or MH professional if this is what you are struggling with - the professionals are there to support and guide and offer you alernatives if needed. 

Welcome along @Former-Member and @Liss23!

Onto the next question: I think it would be really interesting to share how long you may have found these side effects to last? This may help others consider their own timelines and experiences over the course of their recovery

[Former-Member]

My partner has suffered many side effects when on different meds

Agitation - anticonvulsant - not on for long
Constipation - reduced by discontinuing one drug, laxatives no longer needed now managed with diet (plenty of veg, some fruit)
Dry mouth - stopped when two drugs discontinued
Sexual dysfunction - one drug discontinued
Excess sedation - one drug discontinued
Weight gain - two drugs discontinued, exercise resumed
Man boobs (not sure if they will remain once weight comes off)
Has now reached threshold on cardiac activity - waiting on pdoc advice

[Shaz51]

@Liss23, @Bunniekins, @Former-Member

my husband has had MI all his life and on lots of different meds through his life

I try to get him to take them regularly but he decides to go off them because of the tireness, weight gain, memery loss, dizzyness until I say you need to take your meds

[Bunniekins]

 'pill podge' on going .....  till I explode probably ....

[Liss23]

Thankyou very much @Former-Member
Depends on the medication and side effect, some go away after a few weeks others never do. Everyone is so different also!

[Former-Member]

Yep @Bunniekins unfortunately. Sometimes more sometimes less, need to have extra clothes with me and use the toilet all the time