[CaptainYaaar]

My Dr just called and my prolactin levels are through the roof. Im going to have to get an MRI to make sure there is not a tumor over my pituitary gland. Odds are good I will have to stop the Risperdone.
Oddly enough I have been experienncing some major depression.
Can high levels of prolactin cause depression?
Also, does this mean that I cannot take any other AAP's, or how does that work?
Is Risperdal the only drug that causes high prolactin or are there others?
I take Trileptal, Risperdone, Zoloft, Yaz, small amount of Seroquel, and Nuvigil or Dexidrine PRN.

Thanks so much!

[Anna]

All the conventionals can mess with prolactin levels. Risperdal is the main atypical AAP that tends to have this side effect. The others can cause it, but it's really pretty rare, for the most part. I've gotten elevated prolactin levels with Risp., at higher doses, and had no problems with any of the others. I still take a (much lowered) dose of risperdal.

Elevated prolactin levels can cause depression.

Anna

[CaptainYaaar]

Im hoping my pdoc can just switch me to Seroquel, I seem to do better moodwise on that med anyways. What are the odds that it's my med combo rather than just the Risperdal? Im getting nervous that theres going to be a major overhaul here. And how severe a depression can elevated prolactin cause? Because, Ive been in the pit lately. I never fully realized that it could be a hormone imbalance caused by the psych meds......but Im learning now. MRI is scheduled for Tuesday.

Anna, on 17 November 2009 - 11:25 PM, said:

All the conventionals can mess with prolactin levels. Risperdal is the main atypical AAP that tends to have this side effect. The others can cause it, but it's really pretty rare, for the most part. I've gotten elevated prolactin levels with Risp., at higher doses, and had no problems with any of the others. I still take a (much lowered) dose of risperdal.

Elevated prolactin levels can cause depression.

Anna

[Stacia]

Risperdal is known for elevating prolactin levels whereas the other AAPs and ACs are not. I'd expect your pdoc to d/c and then watch for you levels to come down for a while before considering other changes. As to amt of depression, Idk. It depends on the individual I would think.

This post has been edited by Stacia: 19 November 2009 - 09:10 PM