Advice For My Friend!

I have just got off the phone with my friend who lives in New Zealand, it seems the RE's over there aren't that great, she asked me a few questions and I am a bit stumped so thought you nice ladies might be able to help!

She has been diagnosed with PCOS, she is also taking a few different meds for other things. She is on Aropax which is a anti-depressant mostly for panic attacks, she is on a high dose of Thyroxine for her thyroid function (or lack of) and has just come off Spironolactone which she was taking for skin/hair condition that developed from the PCOS.

The RE has not yet given her HSG (!?) and put her clomid & metaformin (she did have type 2 diabetes - but has lost weight & it has gone) They also have male factor!

What she wants to find out & can't get an answer on is that the RE told her she can't do IVF whilst on Aropax & Thyroxine. She is scared to come off the Aropax incase as she says "I go nuts" She also can't come off the Thyroxine.

I have no experience on this and don't know much about PCOS. Can anyone help and give any advice?

TIA

Cathie

Re: Advice For My Friend!

I really don't know about anti-depressants and thyroid drugs related to IVF. I know that some of the drugs I took said not to use them with any other drugs and of course the RE asks if you are taking other drugs. Maybe she could speak with the doctor who prescribed the Aropax and Thyroxine and see if he can give her something safe or slowly reduce her dosages.

Re: Advice For My Friend!

Aropax is what we call Paxil here. the generic name for both is paroxetine. It is an SSRI, In the US Paxil was recently upgraded as far as dangerousness in pregnancy. I dont think their is a problem with IVF specifically but it is not recommended to take during pregnancy. She should ask her regualr MD to switch her to another SSRI that is safer like Proxac (fluoxetine) or Zoloft (sertraline).

I also believe there are a couple woman here who take something for thryoid and have had IVF. I dont know too much about that.

On a side note , rom a psychiatric view did she have the panic attacks before or after she was diagnosed with thryoid problems? Because sometimes thyroid symptoms are misdiagnosed as anxiety and perhaps she doesnt have an anxiety disorder at all (just a thought)

Metformin (the diabetes med) is given to PCOS women to help them ovulate.

Hope this helps

Re: Advice For My Friend!

I don't know too much about the anxiety medication, but I do know you should never come off the thyroid medication. Does she have an endocrinologist to manage her thyroid. She will need to be closely monitored.

Re: Advice For My Friend!

Thanks for the advice I'll pass it on