|
|
Post by Lillymine on Oct 29, 2004 19:22:44 GMT -5
I take many drugs for a chronic pain problem. 1 of them is Concerta. Has anyone heard about this inducing the skinpicking? I've heard that it's a common problem for people who heavily use speed, and since the drug is meant to stimulate my nervous system, I wondered if it caused the same side-effect. Neither my husband nor myself knew why I had suddenly started doing it all the time until he heard someone talking about it on the radio. Until now I've been embarrassed to talk to my doctor about it because I didn't think it could be related to my meds. If it is a side-effect, does anyone have any suggestions for something I can take to counteract it? I NEED the drug that I think is causing it, nothing else has worked. I feel stuck and lost. Please help!
Lillymine
|
|
|
|
Post by hoppe on Oct 29, 2004 23:23:57 GMT -5
Hi Lillymine  I am quite sure that drugs can cause skin picking, at least it is not the first time I have heard about it!! However, I do not know anything about the specific drug you are taking. I think, you have to talk to your doctor about it. If you have not picked before starting on this medication, then it is probably a side-effect, and it is better he knows about it, not only for your sake but also for other patients that might get the drug prescribed. Do not feel ashamed of it - it is not your fault. And it is best to do something about this right away instead of waiting until the picking has become a bad habit that might stay with you also after you stopped the drug. I know, you said that you need this drug because nothing else has helped. I am sorry about that but you should really consider if it is worth it with a severe side-effect like this. I hope you will find something else that works as well but does not induce picking!! Best wishes hoppe |
|
|
|
Post by Carrie on Nov 18, 2004 1:21:06 GMT -5
Hi, this is my first time writing...but I often visit the website to try to find some new advice. I have a problem similar to yours. I have a prescription for Adderall and ever since i started taking it, i find myself picking my face uncontrolably! Before taking it i only picked on very rare occations, but now i'm fighting it every night! I was wondering if you ever found out if there was anything to take to counteract it.....thanks!!
|
|
|
|
Post by Lillymine on Nov 18, 2004 23:39:53 GMT -5
Carrie,
I only see my doctor every other month, so I haven't asked yet. (I'm so horribly forgetful I haven't called yet either). Mostly I've just been trying to avoid any mirrors. As soon as I talk to her, though, I'll let you know.
Shannon
|
|
|
|
Post by princesscelexa on Nov 29, 2004 2:13:07 GMT -5
hi lily,
i have chronic pain too but i don't know anything about concerta. (not yet--hee hee--i'm getting ready to look.) i DO personally know that using speed (amphetamine/methamphetamine) will cause or worsen it.
i'll look, but i really have no idea.
|
|
|
|
Post by LiViNgDeAdGiRl on Nov 30, 2004 1:32:06 GMT -5
i DO personally know that using speed (amphetamine/methamphetamine) will cause or worsen it. Dude, yeah. Its HORRIBLE! And because the shit comes out of your pores...and dilates your pupils...it makes it even WORSE! |
|
|
|
Post by princesscelexa on Nov 30, 2004 4:32:07 GMT -5
yeah . . . and i wasn't advocating the use of any illegal drugs . . . hee hee . . .
lily, why would a doctor put you on a drug normally indicated for children with ADD/ADHD for pain control? that doesn't even make any sense. i didn't take a long time looking, but as far as i can see, it's a stimulant and it's very similar to ritalin. so yeah. i would say that it could be a side effect. but there wouldn't be any way to deal with it except take xanax or percodan or dilaudid at the same time and . . . that's just insane. why get on a drug merry-go-round?
the bottom line is that any stimulant, be it meth, ritalin, desoxyn, preludin, dexedrine, crystal . . . pharmaceutical or street . . . it's going to mess with most people in one form or another. profuse sweating, dilated pupils, teeth-grinding, obsessive skin picking, incessant chattering . . . you pick.
|
|
|
|
Post by princesscelexa on Nov 30, 2004 4:34:19 GMT -5
bad choice of words. i should have said, "you choose."
|
|
|
|
Post by Lillymine on Dec 26, 2004 19:49:53 GMT -5
I wanted to thank everyone for their help and support. I use Concerta because after 5 years of chronic pain and the sleep deprivation which accompanies such a condition, I now also have chronic fatigue. My doctor put me on it to help keep me awake after I started experiencing blackouts and started occasionally collapsing to the floor. It works great to keep me awake, but there are side-effects. I discussed the problem with my doctor at my last appointment and she reduced my dosage just the teensiest bit. Now I get the drug's wake-me-up benefit and my urge to pick has been drastically reduced to the level of barely there. It's also helped a bit with the sweating Princess mentioned, and I don't feel like every room I walk into has the thermostat set to 100 degrees anymore. Thanks everyone for letting me know I have nothing to be ashamed of and for giving me the courage needed to talk to my doctor about this!
|
|
|
|
Post by hoppe on Dec 27, 2004 4:23:23 GMT -5
Hi Lillymine I am glad you are doing better. And that you were able to talk to your doctor about the picking! That was very courageous of you. I hope you will not experience anymore bad side-effects. Good luck hoppe |
|
|
|
Post by sammie on Dec 27, 2004 15:47:05 GMT -5
I think they can.
Also, infections such as strep can cause OCD. I think that is where mine came from.
I've only had it once, but having diseases such as strep can cause a disturbance in the brain , I am sure.
|
|
