Can You Desensitize Yourself to Medications?

[SleepPls009]

Hi All, 

 

I went off of Luvox 8 months ago, and ever since then I've been extraordinarily sensitive to all types of medications. Most of them, especially psych meds, just keep me awake at night. Some increase psych symptoms (i.e. depression). But there is very little that I can tolerate. 

 

The problem is, I have a heart condition and I need to start taking a beta blocker. ASAP. I tried metoprolol and it made it impossible to sleep. Right now I'm trying carvedilol, and it brought my depression back. And this is despite me taking an incredibly low dose of carvedilol; I was prescribed the lowest possible dose at my request (3.125 mg) and even then I broke that in half, and it's still giving me depression symptoms! 

 

I know that we often talk about slowly tapering down on meds to avoid discontinuation symptoms, but is it possible to go in the other direction? Can you desensitize yourself to a medicine by very slowly tapering your dose upwards? At least I can sleep on carvedilol, so I'd like to give it a chance, but I can't continue dealing with depression when I'm already struggling with discontinuation symptoms and other health issues. Would welcome any advice on how to get my body to tolerate these meds. Thank!

[Erimus]

Sensitivity to medication should improve with time. After 20 years on Luvox, and various other drugs, it’s going to take a while to undo all the changes your brain made in the presence of the drug. 
 

You need to speak with your doctor to find a solution for your heart health problems, and how you can proceed given your current sensitivity. 

[Thorin]

So when I was put on Lamictal years ago I got Stephen’s Johnson syndrome. Apparently from titrating up too quickly. The doctor had me stop the medication then retitrate up even slower. By titrating up slowly I avoided the SJ Syndrome coming back. So yes, maybe if you titrate up very slowly and then stop at the lowest dose that works for you you could avoid some of the side effects. It’s not certain though.

[SleepPls009]

Titled:  Medicine Sensitivity Developed Through Long Term Antidepressant Use?

 

Hi All, 

 

We talk a lot here about how protracted antidepressant withdrawal can lead to hypersensitivity to medications. For awhile I thought that's what might be happening to me - after going off luvox this April it seemed that I couldn't tolerate anything else that affected the brain. 

 

However, I'm starting to realize that I may have had symptoms of medication sensitivity far before going off luvox - as far back as 2015~2016, I remember having difficulty tolerating amitriptyline and buspar, when I was still on luvox. I think I had gone up on my luvox dose a little while before that (from 100 to 200mg). I had taken luvox for roughly 13~14 years at that point. 

 

My question is, is there any evidence that simply being on an antidepressant for long periods of time can cause intolerance/sensitivity to other medications? If there are any studies or reports on this, in particular, I would really appreciate it if someone could link me to them, since I'm trying to find a way to treat this particular issue. If anyone has any idea of how to treat medication sensitivity, that would be greatly appreciated, as well!

 

Thank you!

Edited December 23, 2022 by manymoretodays
merged with members similar topic, title added

[manymoretodays]

Hi there SleepPls009, @SleepPls009

 

Your 2 topics started were similar enough that I merged the .

And wondering if you saw the replies above.

 

With your 2nd and newest post:

On 12/22/2022 at 10:05 AM, SleepPls009 said:

My question is, is there any evidence that simply being on an antidepressant for long periods of time can cause intolerance/sensitivity to other medications? If there are any studies or reports on this, in particular, I would really appreciate it if someone could link me to them,

 

Have you googled the issue?  Not ideal, but I would be surprised if you have not.

And then you might check the outside topics referenced in the first post here:

Hypersensitivity and Kindling

to find references or possibly links to more studies and reports on this.

 

I too, feel like it's very likely that I suffered with kindling and hypersensitivity when I was still on the drug merry-go- round.

My understanding is that with time, it may decrease.

I tread very easily with any drug from any class now........even 6 years off everything.  And I try to discuss with doctors the why of that and that my fears are not just born out of nothing.  I often will question dosages too......or if I really need what the standard dose is......or good to start real low with anything I think, if it is necessary.  I mean I realize I may need to take another medication someday,  something outside of the classes of pyschiatric or psychoactive medications we deal with here.

 

I've done okay with vaccines, and the use of  Profolol for colonoscopy.  I think they may have been too, too liberal with the use of Nitrous Oxide last year when I had a dental procedure that required multiple visits........as I was set back a bit........both mentally and physically for a few months.  They gave it nasally mixed with O2 throughout the entire procedure(s) whereas before I just had it briefly prior to a procedure.

So......I won't be doing that again.  And let them know as well that it may have been too much.  They did not even ask me, or tell me if any risks inherent either......which is kind of a no no, in my book.  Anyway......they took it well, and we are at peace.

 

That's all I can offer, at this point.

 

Best, L, P, H, and G,

mmt