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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Medication To Overcome Depression

I am 27 year old female, I weigh about 158. I just started a new birth control, and started a new antidepressant. 2 hours after starting the new antidepressant I experienced sever stomach pain, nausea. I seem to be hungry all the time but no appetite, and if I dont eat the pain gets even worse. I'm pretty sure I'm not pregnant, I had a period even though it didnt last as long as it normally does, and I took a pregnancy test and it was negative. I only took the antidepressant for 2 days before stopping it because of the stomach pain, and now its been about 3 days being off it and I'm awakened in the middle of the night with the stomach pain and it lasts for 4 hours. I ususally have to try and force myself to eat something and that helps a little. I thought I would be better by now and I thought I was getting better till the pain came back in the middle of the night. I have also had these headaches also everyday and I have taken excedrin and it doesn't seem to work.
Wed, 25 Jun 2014
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Psychiatrist 's  Response
Hi,

I can understand the distress that you are having with your current set of symptoms. The pain that you have mentioned seems to be due to peptic ulcer disease. It is quite possible that it got exacerbated by intake of antidepressants. However, generally the gastric symptoms of nausea and abdominal pain due to anti-depressants usually go off in a few days. In your case, an independent condition might be present.

I would suggest that you take a proton pump inhibitor like rabeprazole before food twice a day. It will help in your abdominal pain. In case, it still persists, you should seek a gastroenterology consultation for evaluation of your condition.

You should also reconsider the decision regarding anti-depressants. If treatment for depression is not initiated, it will only go worse. As I have mentioned, initial nausea due to anti-depressants goes off within few days. Most of the newer anti-depressants like escitalopram, sertraline are quite safe. An it is not necessary that if you had some symptom with one of them, you will have it with other anti-depressant too. You headaches will also start decreasing once the anti-depressants start showing its effect.

Hope the information was helpful. Best wishes.


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Suggest Medication To Overcome Depression

Hi, I can understand the distress that you are having with your current set of symptoms. The pain that you have mentioned seems to be due to peptic ulcer disease. It is quite possible that it got exacerbated by intake of antidepressants. However, generally the gastric symptoms of nausea and abdominal pain due to anti-depressants usually go off in a few days. In your case, an independent condition might be present. I would suggest that you take a proton pump inhibitor like rabeprazole before food twice a day. It will help in your abdominal pain. In case, it still persists, you should seek a gastroenterology consultation for evaluation of your condition. You should also reconsider the decision regarding anti-depressants. If treatment for depression is not initiated, it will only go worse. As I have mentioned, initial nausea due to anti-depressants goes off within few days. Most of the newer anti-depressants like escitalopram, sertraline are quite safe. An it is not necessary that if you had some symptom with one of them, you will have it with other anti-depressant too. You headaches will also start decreasing once the anti-depressants start showing its effect. Hope the information was helpful. Best wishes.