I tried lexapro in Feb. I was super sick all day, every day, and so I tried it for a month. It was before I was diagnosed with PTC. I was sooooo sick. It made my symptoms worse.

IDK if it was just me, or the PTC. I wasn't taking anything else at the time. I went off of them after a month, and I felt better.

I'm going to my GP tomorrow for blood work. I can ask her. Are you only taking diamox?

I was placed on Paxil back in 2/11 for depression. Looking back on the big picture now, I am thinking that my LP shunt was starting to fail at that time, but I just ignored the symptoms and chalked it up to depression and stress. After going on the Paxil, I put on quite a bit of weight, which definitely didn't help the situation at all. I really didn't have any major side effects from the Paxil itself, except for the weight gain, but I do think it mellowed me out to the point that I didn't pay attention to my PTC symptoms that were gradually building again.

I became majorly symptomatic back in 2/12 and weaned myself off of the Paxil right away once I had a gut feeling that my shunt had completely failed and I was back into a full-blown PTC episode. I wanted to be as clear as possible from other meds while taking meds for the PTC/IIH. So I really can't say how/if the SSRI interacts with the Diamox. Hopefully, someone with experience taking both at the same time will chime in here.

But please hang in there, and don't apologize for feeling badly and needing to vent. This is a really tough disease - and most people just don't understand..

Hugs -
Chris

I did fine on diamox and celexa. But it took a while to find the right SSRI for me. I'd advise going to a psychiatrist as they are better trained in antidepressant medication management that a PCP. Good luck!

HI! I have been on Zoloft for almost 5 years and was 'just' diagnosed with PTC and started Diamox. I do know that for my Zoloft, it took about 2 months to regulate and start working. The Zoloft actually helped me LOSE weight! The symptoms aren't as bad after the first few weeks and you get used to the medication. The zoloft mellows me out and helps me not to ignore my symptoms, but to not stress and work myself up so much.

Before Zoloft i was on Paxil which was terrible!!! I think it's trial and error.

Danielle, I am so sorry to hear that it is all getting a bit too much for you but I am so glad you posted about it.
You sure as hell have a lot of your plate and you never have a pity fest! You are sharing with friends! Big difference.


I think that , a lot of us need the help of an antidepressant.I know I do.I was totally against them before but the more and more i struggled with life and IIh I began to realise that I couldn't do it all. I was falling apart trying to be perfect, or the old me.

This illness is so much more than having headaches.It has changed our worlds completely. We, have to take all this all on board as well as the physical symptoms.Its a lot.And, still try and function in the real world.

There is a grieving process I think we all at some point go thu.. The saying good bye to the old us and trying so hard to deal with the new one.
Also, I think as our csf is not being distributed around our bodies as it should be , we have lack of vitamins and minerals that keep it all together.

I started taking mine after I and my family could not cope with my mood swings.It was dreadful. I was started on one and it did take a few changes till I found the right one for me.
Now, I am on a very ow maintenance dose, probably for life and I don't care any more. I am myself again with them.

Do, have a chat with your dr about how you are feeling. They know best and only will want to help you. We have enough to deal with besides the burden of depression.

Did you know that, when you are under pressure or feeling down or have too much on your plate that the serotonin in the brain that keeps your moods steady, can " drop" in its levels and finds it hard to get back to normal levels? That's where the meds come in, they bring it back to normal levels again.
Doesn't sound so bad when you think of it like that?
Go and have a chat with your dr and let us know how you get on. You can always message me if I can help any further, ok? Good luck! Cath

Danielle,
I think Cath has explained things very well. I too am on an antidepressant and my dr. Told me I just may have to accept that I need them for like.

My PTC went full blown las August (2011). I have been on Cymbalta for years and had actually weaned myself off it earlier in the summer. My neuro put me right back on it. I have not really ever had side affects from it, and I was on it with Verapamil (beta blocker) for several months with no problems. Cymbalta is also now being prescribed for pain conditions like Fibro, so you may want to ask about that. I have tried many over the years as I developed post partum 7 years ago. Cymbalta has worked the best for me, but of course everyone reacts differently. It's not an overnight fix, but for me it works and is just part of my life.

I wish you luck. I think most dr.s are pretty willing to try if you ask and tell them whatnismgoingmon. Oh, insurance may make a difference in what you are proscribed.

Amy

Thank you guys so much! I don't know why it has been getting to me so much lately but your encouragement was so needed today!
I am on the Diamox and then some antihistimines (Allegra and Singular).
I would love to find anything even if it was an antidepressent that might help me lose weight. That is another frustrating topic. No matter how much I workout or change my diet, I can't lose weight.
Thank you again for all your help!