Medication Question - Could a combination of medication be causing an increase in self-harming thoughts/behaviour?

[Anarchymummy]

Hi,I don't know if this is the best place to ask for advice but I am too nervous/embarrassed to ring my GP in case it's nothing. Anyways I currently am on a lot of pain medication for my back.(Tramadol,Diclofenac,Codeine),I don't take them as much as I am prescribed but it's been at least one of each everyday for the last two years,Anyways my doctor has recently prescribed Amitriptyline and Prochlorperazine because of the nerve damage in my leg and vertigo.

[Emmabob.]

if it could be a side effect from them, it -should- say on the leaflets which came with them.

[Anarchymummy]

(sorry continued as on my mobile)I have been taking them more regularly although it's now been a week or so since I took either.I also last month had to take the morning-after-pill and am due on again. That's background infomation to my question though because the last three days I have been incredibly suicidal and irational.I haven't self-harmed for almost five years yet it's all I can think of atm.I wondered if taking new meds and the emergancy pill could be linked with it somehow? Thanks.

[effervescence]

It could be, the morning after pill contains high doses of hormones which may be interacting with your medication and/or affecting your mood. See how you feel in the next few days and I would see your GP if it doesn't go away and discuss it with them.

[Anarchymummy]

Thanks =) I am hoping my mood will improve soon because I'm struggling to hide my irrationality from my daughter.I usually get bad PMS but I'm like an emotional rollercoaster atm.I suspect the added hormones aren't helping...I know that I reacted badly when I used to take the regular contraceptive pill. =(

[Geranium]

How are you doing now? If things haven't improved it would be a good idea to speak to your doctor.

Amitriptyline is a possible culprit - I have just checked on the NHS website + they say there is an increased risk of self-harm when you begin taking it. (Personally I think the risk may continue.) Anyway they advise that you contact them about any changes in thoughts/behaviours related to self-harm when you have been taking it - so don't feel embarrassed about asking.

[mzugguitarlover]

So... I don't know if this helps anything, but my mom takes tramadol and diclophenac. My dad took a tramadol once and got hyper... I think it's important to remember that codeine is, well, codeine, and tramadol IS a ver mild opiate. I'm not saying you're taking drugs (I know this is a sore subject with my mom). I don't know about the other meds, but is it possible that those could do something with your mood? Also, yeah, messing with any of your hormones could cause that...

[fragile as glass]

yes it is perfectly feasable for a mix/cocktail of drugs to bring down your mood significantly. one medication alone could be responsible for it, not necessarily a mixture. all meds have their side effects and many could have more or less the same effects so it would be trial and error to find the rogue drug.

Hope you feel better soon and find your culprit/s.

[emoskylady]

I would look up each of your medications online to see a list of ALL the side effects. Alot of times, medications only post the most common side effects on the informations sheets that come with them. Also, if you or anyone in your family have a history of depression medications usually increase your chances of getting it again. That happened to my dad once, he started taking a prescribed drug to try and help him stop smoking, but at the time depression and suicide weren't listed on the leaflet but were posted online. And since he had depression about ten years ago it made those side effects about 100% worse for him..