Mood stabilizers?

[Helps-]

Hi, can anyone please tell me if ET is contraindicated with mood stabilisers? I have intense anxiety and bi-polar depression (and fatigue).

[Mazcd Partner MPNVoice]

hello Helps-, I am so sorry to hear that you are experiencing intense anxiety and bi-polar depression. With regards to mood stabilisers and ET, this is something you will need to discuss fully with your GP or the doctor/consultant who is prescribing the mood stabilising medication, as they will also need to check for any contra-indications with any other medications you may be taking for your ET or any other medical condition.

Kind regards, Maz

[PhysAssist]

Hi Helps,

Please seriously consider what Mazcd said- anxiety and depression are serious disease that deserve adequate treatment, and there will be treatments available for them regardless of your MPN/ET status.

Primary care MD's/DO's can help you find the right care for all of your problems, if you let them.

Be safe, and take care of you!

PA

[EPguy]

I'm with you on the severe anxiety part. Do you have access to a psychiatrist? This Dr is a good part of your team if possible.

One general advice: If you take certain supplements take care on serotonin syndrome. Many psyc meds act on serotonin, SSRIs for example, and supps can over do it. I got close to this limit once.

[Helps- in reply to EPguy]

I take 100mg of Zoloft. What do you mean by suppose, please?

[EPguy in reply to Helps-]

Sorry for the short hand. Supps= supplements.

Examples of some supplements and regular drugs are in this page, along with a good discussion of serotonin syndrome. Zoloft is an SSRI and is of the drugs listed:

Example supplements: (there are many others) "St. John's wort, ginseng and nutmeg"

"Taking more than one serotonin-related medication (or supplement) or increasing your dose of a serotonin-related medication increases your risk of serotonin syndrome. Know what medications you take and share a complete list of your medications with your doctor or pharmacist."

mayoclinic.org/diseases-con...

[Helps- in reply to EPguy]

Thank you so very much for that information!

[Helps- in reply to EPguy]

Is serotonin syndrome related to having ET or is that for everyone, please?

[Helps- in reply to Helps-]

Apologies, I just saw the link you kindly added.

[hunter5582]

I will join the consensus that this is an issue to review with both a psychiatrist and a MPN Specialist. I would also suggest that severe anxiety requires treatment other than medications. A combination of medication and counseling (e.g., CBT for anxiety) is the most effective approach.

You should review this information with your care team. Broadly speaking, mood stabilizers are not contraindicated with ET. Something to be aware of is that SSRIs can alter platelet function. None of us are qualified to speculate on whether this is relevant in your case. This is a question to review with a MPN Specialist should medications that might impact platelet function are prescribed.

Wishing you success moving forward.

[Helps- in reply to hunter5582]

Thank you so much for your reply. How do SSRI’S affect platelets?