Can you think yourself into having side effects?

[PerketteMol]

Hi everyone!

I am new to this board. I have been prescribed to Celexa today...and I took a 10 mg dosage of it. Before I took it, I was kind of scared to because I didn't want to experience side effects or anything. ESPECIALLY, when the doctor told me that it may cause nausea. And guess what? I am nauseous now. lol. I don't know if I just "thought" myself into it since I was anxious about it or what.

What do you think? It's my first time taking it too, by the way.

[studdmuffin]

yes you can think your way into side effects.

as you know anxiety symptoms can be very odd. sometimes that's all it is, anxiety.

[Copper]

Yes, benzos have one of the worst reputations for withdrawal symptoms. They've actually done (double blind) experiments where they took a group of daily benzo patients and told them they would gradually be reducing their dosage. Only half of the patients actually had their dose reduced. But guess what? The percentage of people complaining of withdrawal symptoms was about equal between the two groups.

[noahidenanny]

any medication that you take by mouth they say can cause nausea, the trots,indegestion, all that stuff. It's a standard warning,I think they'd put it on sandwiches if they could. If the Dr. or Druggist starts talking about drinking milk, or a whole glass of water, or only before you eat or only after you eat,-that's when it's more than the standard generic warning and you'll be fine(unless you talk yourself into being sick )
                                  so-feel better soon!

[cubmanben]

To be honest, from what I've noticed from dealing with anxiety I can talk myself into pretty much anything! I've talked myself into thinking I was going to have a heart attack, I've talked myself into thinking that I was going to have a stroke. I've talked myself into thinking I was going crazy... so yeah, I think thinking about side effects can definitely cause them if you're not careful. I used to read the label, then re-read the label and then go online and research the drug and you know what... it did nothing but make my anxiety worse! So far I've had zero side effects from the Lexapro or Klonopin.
As a side note, there are some actual side effects as well, so that's not to be discounted and everyone reacts differently to different medications. Give it a few days. When I was taking Seroquel it took me about 4 days to adjust to having that in my system. If it's unbearable, talk with your doc. Otherwise just make mental notes or jot down how you're feeling and keep track of it for a week or so and then check back in with your doc if they're still bothersome, but tolorable and see what he/she suggests. I hope you get to feeling better and hope the meds kick in for you in a good way soon!

[sixpack]

My brother in law is a psychiatrist.  We got into talking about meds and side effects one day.  He told me that he has several patients that have every side effect of every medication listed on the pamphlet that comes with the medicine.  So what that tells me is that  YES you can talk yourself into side effects of medications.

He also stated---kind of funny---that some medications are known to cause weight gain---ends up happening to those who need to lose weight---some are known to cause weight loss--ends up causing it only happen in those who are under weight  AND THE KICKER---some meds are known to cause breast growth (oooh Eric which one is that for us ladies???? )  but it only ends up happening to men.   now that is scary.  lol

[lifesurs2njoy]

Yes, I think you can, or at least I can anyway.  I actually had to quit reading the pamplets that come with the prescriptions because if it was on listed, I ended up with it.(or at least I thought I did!...lol) 

However, I think nausea is pretty standard with a lot of scripts.  I was nauseous when I started taking Zoloft but it went away relatively quickly so just hang in there.

[ddiaz]

I absolutely believe without a shadow of a doubt that you can self induce side affects, reactions and symptoms.

Here is my latest proof.

My uncle had been diagnosed with leukemia. He was actually doing well, health wise. He had plenty of energy and was happy. Then his doctor retired and he got a new doctor. I took him for his first appt with the new doctor. He look at my uncles legs and said " HUH? No bruises? Well, you can expect that to happen any time now. What? you're still eating well? Leukemia patients always lose their appetites. You won't be eating much longer. You're sleeping at night? That's odd. Well, insomnia occurs in 98% of leukemia patients so I'm going to prescribe you something to help you sleep, just in case."

I am not kidding, within a week my uncle had all of the symptoms, just like the doctors told him to, and he died within 3 months.

I wish I could sue the stupid doctor. He told my uncle exactly how to have leukemia, and my uncle did as instructed. I think that our power to cause side affects could be put to much better use if doctors would tell us that there are no side affects and that within 3 months most patients let go of anxiety and depression and it never returns.

But then they couldn't put their kids through college now could they?

[Pan]

I absolutely believe without a shadow of a doubt that you can self induce side affects, reactions and symptoms.

Here is my latest proof.

My uncle had been diagnosed with leukemia. He was actually doing well, health wise. He had plenty of energy and was happy. Then his doctor retired and he got a new doctor. I took him for his first appt with the new doctor. He look at my uncles legs and said " HUH? No bruises? Well, you can expect that to happen any time now. What? you're still eating well? Leukemia patients always lose their appetites. You won't be eating much longer. You're sleeping at night? That's odd. Well, insomnia occurs in 98% of leukemia patients so I'm going to prescribe you something to help you sleep, just in case."

I am not kidding, within a week my uncle had all of the symptoms, just like the doctors told him to, and he died within 3 months.

I wish I could sue the stupid doctor. He told my uncle exactly how to have leukemia, and my uncle did as instructed. I think that our power to cause side affects could be put to much better use if doctors would tell us that there are no side affects and that within 3 months most patients let go of anxiety and depression and it never returns.

But then they couldn't put their kids through college now could they?

Sorry to hear that happened to your uncle but thanks for posting that as it really is so true and hits right to the core of why, for so many of us, anxiety disorders become so chronic.

I honestly believe that in many ways, regardless of our actual physical and mental wellbeing we have to make a conscious choice to be well...once we take on the mantle of sickness we convince our bodies and minds of this and we are then on the slippery slope.

Great Post!

[zeke]

I am sure we can talk ourselves into experiencing side effects.  Some medical practitioners are reluctant to describe them to to patient - this seems especially true if you are hospitalized,  Problem then is if you unexpectedly develop a really nasty side effect (excruciating headache, for example), then you think you are dying!

Then the nurse/doc says cheerfully "Oh, that's perfectly normal... we'll just give you another med for the side effect".   

zeke