Hi Linda,
I So feel for you and can somewhat relate to what you are going through. I have not had the burning eyes, nose and mouth but yes to all the rest, oily hair but dry skin.

There are quite a few of senior members here that have been dealng with this alot longer then I have, but what has worked for me was after 6 weeks of a pretty high dose of Cab, I had prolactin levels rechecked and they dropped significantly.
I was unable to handle the side effects so I tapered off and quit cab for a little over 3 weeks,and started feeling much better off of the meds. Had levels rechecked and they started upward again.

What the endo said finally hit home that this is going to be a lifelong condition to deal with so it was decided to take half a pill twice a week. I didn't want to go through the aweful experience again and if this is going to be for the duration, then what has been a lot more tolorable is to start very slowly, cutting tablet in quarters and I am only taking 1/4 pill twice a week. will try that for a month or so, recheck prolactin level and increase only if necessary. It has helped quite a bit and side effects are still there but just not as intense.

The whole Idea is to find a balance between treating tumor / prolactin levels v/s the side effects of the cab, taking the least amount as required. We have the rest of our lives to deal with this so, I've decided to take it real slow. Moniter prolactin levels and increase meds only as required.

This website has helped me to validate that I too, am not going crazy with the side effects of the Cab.

http://www.askapatient.com/viewrating.asp?drug=20664&name=DOSTINEX&page=1&PerPage=20

I am not sure if your husband would be open to veiwing this site as well as what others have posted here to help in understanding the serious condition and side effects that you are dealing with. Hope this helps.

Hi, I think this, as many other symptoms people have, is one that effects not only the one who has it but everyone around. As well as you will have to accept some of the effects of this, the same way people around you will have to start accepting this, including your husband. It will take time for you as well as for people around you to get used to this, the best thing you can do is to be as honest with them as possible so that they have it easier to distinguish between what kind of reactions are due to the meds and the prolactinoma from yourself so that they don't take it personally if you have moodswings and agressions which many have due to hormonchanges. Give your husband time to adapt but eventually he will have to accept this and that this is something, as FXST123 said, is going to be something for a lifetime, but the effects might not be as strong at all times. As sooner you and your husband accepts this new lifestyle as easier it will get.

Thank u for writing back to me. It's nice to be able to talk with others who have the same issue .
My family doctor thinks I should go on paxil but I was on lexapro for 3 yrs and stopped in March. I was unsure of what was going on with me before I got tested for high prolactin/ tumor. Does anyone one out there are taken anti depression and it's helping. See I also have psoriasis and have to inject enbrel once a week. Just overwhelmed ..thinking too much about everything ...

Hi, when it's about antidepressants in general, some of them are restricted and sensitive to what they can be combined with, for instance what Xanax could do when combined with Dostinex, it might be that you won't be able to take them during the same intake, or within some hours, or a day in between, it varies amongst drugs, ask your local physician about this.

Oh really. Because I am on Xanax for aniexty. Only a half tablet around 4pm . I am trying to wing off because I hate taken anything . I am looking to see what herbs will help. But u know the doc say everything is okay to take . I do take zolperm a half to sleep at night.
Thank you for writing back.

Hi, most of the antidepressants have descriptions that they shouldn't be combined, or that carefully combined with other drugs for either not striking each other out when combined or causing damage when combined. Some drugs have to be taken hours or a day apart from taking antidepressants because of this, ask either a physician if you can take them during the same intake, that would be me primary concern and recommend it. For instance, I take Seloken, heartmed, and that cannot be combined with other meds in the same intake.

Thank u.. I am going to look for a new family doctor.
My doctor is clueless. I see my neut next week. Maybe he will know.
Thank u again for taken out your time to help me. It mean so much to me. :)

fyi, I had horrible experience with Cabergoline and when I eventually switched to Bromocriptine I felt so much better. It might be worth a try.

Thanks for Sharing & Good Luck!

The dizziness is the worst. I didn't have this until my 5th week. Just feel blah.. Sad...I read some comments and it looks like you always feel this way . I am hoping that my body will get use to this medicine. Because this is no way for anyone to live..
Thank you for your information. I will take any suggestions..

Hi I m on bromocriptine and had really bad sideeffects in the beginning. THey consisted of bad moodswings I had no control of my emotions, dizziness, vomiting, depression, headaches . I wanted to die I thought I was losing it.Over time it got better my body adjusted to the medication and now the sideeffects are gone or have decreased to bearable. So it should get better for u if not maybe change med. Good luck

Thank u so much for the hope. I just got done working out like I uses to before . I was just sitting here so dizzy and I wanted to cry .
U gave me hope and I really want to thank u. I am hoping that I will be able to give back one day to someone that is in pain mentally and physically .
How long did it take for u to get use to the medicine?
Linda

I switched to Bromocriptine after the paranoia/anxiety got too bad. The lower dose was no problem for me, but my levels crept back up. The higher dose has its own side effects, drowsiness and low libido, but after 3 weeks, I'm adjusting. Talk to your endocrinologist. GPs just don't have the training for this.

Hi Linda! Sorry to hear you're having such a hard time. I am on Cabergoline and I do know that when I started my meds or my meds are increased it takes 4-6 weeks for them to be "tolerated". I warn my friends and family what's going on and I don't push myself mentally or physically, I go with the flow and rest and recouperate as needed. I've been on a new dosage of Cabergoline for 13 weeks now and must admit that the 'hangover' and 'dizziness' feelings haven't subsided but the initial feelings of complete exhaustion have lessened. Maybe get another appt with your endo to see if your meds can be changed to something else, I do know that not everyone is tolerate of specific drugs. My moods are very up and down and once again I speak to friends and family to warn them, I feel sorry for my kids as they seem to bear the brunt of my bad moods! I don't have the burning eyes, nose or mouth but I do get headaches and sinus pain and nausea. Hope you feel better soon x

Thanks dizzycb
I have been trying to go with the flow also but I own my own business and it's been hard. Me and my husband have our own business. I am the firecracker of the business . But now I can't because I get worked up and next thing u know I feel so sick. I can't work out either. I see my doctor on Tuesday . I am hoping to get the medicine cut down some. I am not good with medicine . My body reacts quick . I hope things change because I really hate waking up in the morning. I forget when I first wake up and than it hits me. The dizzy feeling. All day. Nose stuff and headaches. It's been two days since I had cab but you would think I took this yesterday .
It's nice talking to everyone here. It does help mentally.
I feel for u . I have no children (just my husband) lol.. And he gets all the blunt of everything.
Did u have to increase your medication because it was not working?
Thank u again for sharing. We never know who we are helping.
Linda

It's nice to know we're not alone here. I think I speak for a lot of people when I say that it takes time to get used to the medication & it definitely takes time for friends & family to understand what we are going through. I've been on cabergoline since February & I felt horrible for at least a month. Dizzy, nauseous, tired ALL the time, insomnia (on the night I take it), constipation, moodiness. Most of the side effects have gotten better. I still feel like crap the "morning after" taking it. Usually because I have very restless sleep & wake up every couple of hours. Then I'm tired all day. By day 3 I'm ok then I have to take it again.

I was on antidepressants & antianxiety meds prior to diagnosis. I chose to stay on them because I didn't want to start a new med & try to wean off of others at the same time. Then I wouldn't know what was causing what. The combination of the meds hasn't caused any issues but I do feel like the anxiety/depression has gotten a little worse since starting cabergoline. Maybe it's the drug, maybe it's the diagnosis I don't know. All I know is that the anxiety I had prior taking antidepressants was really bad & I don't know what I would have done if I didn't take something for it.