paxil and travel meds - hepC and malaria

goawaypaxil · 06-08-2005, 08:29 AM

Hi my friends!

I'm going to be travelling out to Taiwan, Thailand and Cambodia

to visit my sister who teaches english as a second language in Taipei in July/August for 3 weeks and am currently getting all my ducks in a row. One of those ducks is going to our local travel clinic to see what I need to be covered for healthwise. I'm fairly certain it will involve getting a Hepititis shot and I KNOW malaria will come up.

Here's my question. Do I need to be concerned about how anything they propose will mix in with Paxil? I don't know that I can expect that they would be aware but, to be truthful, I'm not sure that my doctor will either. I will be going to see him before my trip so he will be consulted but I'm not 100% confident about his knowledge on that front.

I'm waffling a bit on getting the malaria pills anyway since it's common to experience side affects and I have a tendency to experience whatever side affects are offered when it comes to meds. My sister who has been out there for 2 years has rather strongly advised against it - has said we'll just be cautious re: mosquitos (approp. dress, mosquito netting, keeping inside at dusk, etc). She's also heard some scary things about malaria meds and even when taken it doesn't guarantee I will not get it (apparently a 60% reduced chance of getting it if you take the pills).

Does anyone have any experience in this? Scotty? : )
Thanks everyone!
Johanna

Homerbcool · 06-08-2005, 09:20 AM

sounds like goawaypaxilgirl is going away..nice trip...it should be amazing...my son went to Thailand by hmself for 3 weeks...loved it..but wants to go back with some one next time...

Sorry, I can not help with the medical questions, but i amsure when Scotty (Laurie) sings on this afternoon she will be able to help, as well as, any other members who have travelled abroad...

scotty · 06-08-2005, 09:54 AM

What an exciting trip!! HepC immunization I can speak to since Ryan has his while on Paxil. No problem with that one at all. Now the malaria meds are really getting alot of bad press for side effects. That one I would NOT take. Avoiding the situations that would expose you to malaria is, in my opinion, a much smarter thing to do.

Here's a link on the FDA warning on the malaria drugs.

http://www.mercola.com/2003/jul/30/malaria_drugs.htm

They are seeing quite a few soldiers have psychotic reactions to this drug.

Homerbcool · 06-08-2005, 09:58 AM

oh yeah, i saw something on one of those 20/20 type shows about that...dangerous stuff for sure....great heads up lauire...btw, had my echocardiogram done today, when i was leaving I saw a personalized liscence plate...RNLORI..not quite yuor name but made me think of you

scotty · 06-08-2005, 10:32 AM

Homer, the one that I've considered is

pxlscks

Suze · 06-08-2005, 10:34 AM

Good one Laurie!! LOL!

scotty · 06-08-2005, 10:41 AM

I figured it would go really nice with my bumper sticker!!

Suze · 06-08-2005, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotty

I figured it would go really nice with my bumper sticker!!

For sure Laurie!

Homerbcool · 06-08-2005, 10:44 AM

or how about gskscks

scotty · 06-08-2005, 10:44 AM

Nice one too Homie!!

goawaypaxil · 06-08-2005, 10:46 AM

Thanks Laurie and Homer!
My sister had told me to watch out for Lariam - I can't believe it's still on the market in Canada. She mentioned that it's no longer available in the states but here we are, still peddling dangerous drugs...

I'm leaning more and more AWAY from the malaria meds.

Homerbcool · 06-08-2005, 10:54 AM

didn't a soldier go on a shooting rampage whilst on this stuff

scotty · 06-08-2005, 10:56 AM

Yup!! I don't think its banned in the U.S. Lord knows it takes ALOT for the FDA to ban anything!!

scotty · 06-08-2005, 10:58 AM

This is the "official" FDA warning:

"“Mefloquine may cause psychiatric symptoms in a number of patients, ranging from anxiety, paranoia,
and depression to hallucinations and psychotic behavior. On occasions, these symptoms have been
reported to continue long after mefloquine has been stopped. Rare cases of suicidal ideation and
suicide have been reported though no relationship to drug administration has been confirmed. To
minimize the chances of these adverse events, mefloquine should not be taken for prophylaxis in
patients with active depression or with a recent history of depression, generalized anxiety disorder,
psychosis, or schizophrenia or other major psychiatric disorders. Lariam should be used with caution
in patients with a previous history of depression.”

“During prophylactic use, if psychiatric symptoms such as acute anxiety, depression, restlessness or confusion occur, these may be considered prodromal to a more serious event. In these cases, the drug must be discontinued and an alternative medication should be substituted.”

Homerbcool · 06-08-2005, 11:52 AM

The news trory is coming back to me slowly...there was also a man and his wife that had big time issues with it, agian either mureder or suicide was inovled with their story.

SERIOULSY SCARY STUFF!!!!!!!

sarah · 06-09-2005, 10:56 AM

Back in 1991, when I went to India, I had to have the malaria stuff, can't remember what it was, but boy do I remember how crap I felt afterwards. I couldn't even lift my arms for about a week, and I was so sick it was unbelievable. I know a lot of people in this country travelling abroad now refuse to bother with it.

goawaypaxil · 06-09-2005, 11:13 AM

Thanks Laurie, Homer and Sarah.

Well, that settles it. I'm officially NOT taking the malaria meds.

Bought my ticket today - woooohoooo! I'm going!

I've got to get myself to a tanning bed (which, of course, has tons of controversy attached to it as well!) and get some kind of a base on my lilly white skin otherwise I'll wind up fulfilling all the colour requirements of Laurie's long-awaited lobster! I'm strawberry blond and freckly - I'll be the one with the hat and SPF 40 sunblock!

sarah · 06-09-2005, 12:44 PM

It sounds like a wonderful trip goawaypaxil . Hope you have a fantastic time. I have the odd sunbed now and again. Everything in moderation is the key. I think the biggest problem with these is the people who use them all the time. I used to be one of them!! Probably explains the wrinkles!!!

06-08-2005, 08:29 AM	#1
goawaypaxil Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Guelph, Ontario Posts: 59	paxil and travel meds - hepC and malaria Hi my friends! I'm going to be travelling out to Taiwan, Thailand and Cambodia to visit my sister who teaches english as a second language in Taipei in July/August for 3 weeks and am currently getting all my ducks in a row. One of those ducks is going to our local travel clinic to see what I need to be covered for healthwise. I'm fairly certain it will involve getting a Hepititis shot and I KNOW malaria will come up. Here's my question. Do I need to be concerned about how anything they propose will mix in with Paxil? I don't know that I can expect that they would be aware but, to be truthful, I'm not sure that my doctor will either. I will be going to see him before my trip so he will be consulted but I'm not 100% confident about his knowledge on that front. I'm waffling a bit on getting the malaria pills anyway since it's common to experience side affects and I have a tendency to experience whatever side affects are offered when it comes to meds. My sister who has been out there for 2 years has rather strongly advised against it - has said we'll just be cautious re: mosquitos (approp. dress, mosquito netting, keeping inside at dusk, etc). She's also heard some scary things about malaria meds and even when taken it doesn't guarantee I will not get it (apparently a 60% reduced chance of getting it if you take the pills). Does anyone have any experience in this? Scotty? : ) Thanks everyone! Johanna __________________ All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us. Gandalf, LOTR: FOTR Began withdrawing from Paxil: January 2005 Attempts: 2004 and present Prescribed dosage: 20 mg Current dosage: 15 mg and holding

06-08-2005, 09:20 AM	#2
Homerbcool "Infatuated with kazoobies" Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 16,757	Re: paxil and travel meds - hepC and malaria sounds like goawaypaxilgirl is going away..nice trip...it should be amazing...my son went to Thailand by hmself for 3 weeks...loved it..but wants to go back with some one next time... Sorry, I can not help with the medical questions, but i amsure when Scotty (Laurie) sings on this afternoon she will be able to help, as well as, any other members who have travelled abroad...

06-08-2005, 09:54 AM	#3
scotty Administrator Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 47,003	Re: paxil and travel meds - hepC and malaria What an exciting trip!! HepC immunization I can speak to since Ryan has his while on Paxil. No problem with that one at all. Now the malaria meds are really getting alot of bad press for side effects. That one I would NOT take. Avoiding the situations that would expose you to malaria is, in my opinion, a much smarter thing to do. Here's a link on the FDA warning on the malaria drugs. http://www.mercola.com/2003/jul/30/malaria_drugs.htm They are seeing quite a few soldiers have psychotic reactions to this drug. __________________ AKA Laurie "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." MLK

06-08-2005, 09:58 AM	#4
Homerbcool "Infatuated with kazoobies" Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 16,757	Re: paxil and travel meds - hepC and malaria oh yeah, i saw something on one of those 20/20 type shows about that...dangerous stuff for sure....great heads up lauire...btw, had my echocardiogram done today, when i was leaving I saw a personalized liscence plate...RNLORI..not quite yuor name but made me think of you

06-08-2005, 10:32 AM	#5
scotty Administrator Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 47,003	Re: paxil and travel meds - hepC and malaria Homer, the one that I've considered is pxlscks __________________ AKA Laurie "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." MLK

06-08-2005, 10:34 AM	#6
Suze Banned Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2,515	Re: paxil and travel meds - hepC and malaria Good one Laurie!! LOL!

06-08-2005, 10:41 AM	#7
scotty Administrator Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 47,003	Re: paxil and travel meds - hepC and malaria I figured it would go really nice with my bumper sticker!! __________________ AKA Laurie "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." MLK

06-08-2005, 10:44 AM	#9
Homerbcool "Infatuated with kazoobies" Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 16,757	Re: paxil and travel meds - hepC and malaria or how about gskscks

06-08-2005, 10:46 AM	#11
goawaypaxil Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Guelph, Ontario Posts: 59	Re: paxil and travel meds - hepC and malaria Thanks Laurie and Homer! My sister had told me to watch out for Lariam - I can't believe it's still on the market in Canada. She mentioned that it's no longer available in the states but here we are, still peddling dangerous drugs... I'm leaning more and more AWAY from the malaria meds. __________________ All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us. Gandalf, LOTR: FOTR Began withdrawing from Paxil: January 2005 Attempts: 2004 and present Prescribed dosage: 20 mg Current dosage: 15 mg and holding

06-08-2005, 10:54 AM	#12
Homerbcool "Infatuated with kazoobies" Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 16,757	Re: paxil and travel meds - hepC and malaria didn't a soldier go on a shooting rampage whilst on this stuff

06-08-2005, 10:56 AM	#13
scotty Administrator Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 47,003	Re: paxil and travel meds - hepC and malaria Yup!! I don't think its banned in the U.S. Lord knows it takes ALOT for the FDA to ban anything!! __________________ AKA Laurie "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." MLK

06-08-2005, 10:58 AM	#14
scotty Administrator Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 47,003	Re: paxil and travel meds - hepC and malaria This is the "official" FDA warning: "“Mefloquine may cause psychiatric symptoms in a number of patients, ranging from anxiety, paranoia, and depression to hallucinations and psychotic behavior. On occasions, these symptoms have been reported to continue long after mefloquine has been stopped. Rare cases of suicidal ideation and suicide have been reported though no relationship to drug administration has been confirmed. To minimize the chances of these adverse events, mefloquine should not be taken for prophylaxis in patients with active depression or with a recent history of depression, generalized anxiety disorder, psychosis, or schizophrenia or other major psychiatric disorders. Lariam should be used with caution in patients with a previous history of depression.” “During prophylactic use, if psychiatric symptoms such as acute anxiety, depression, restlessness or confusion occur, these may be considered prodromal to a more serious event. In these cases, the drug must be discontinued and an alternative medication should be substituted.” __________________ AKA Laurie "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." MLK

06-08-2005, 11:52 AM	#15
Homerbcool "Infatuated with kazoobies" Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 16,757	Re: paxil and travel meds - hepC and malaria The news trory is coming back to me slowly...there was also a man and his wife that had big time issues with it, agian either mureder or suicide was inovled with their story. SERIOULSY SCARY STUFF!!!!!!!

06-09-2005, 10:56 AM	#16
sarah "Texts gerbils!" Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: UK Posts: 3,863	Re: paxil and travel meds - hepC and malaria Back in 1991, when I went to India, I had to have the malaria stuff, can't remember what it was, but boy do I remember how crap I felt afterwards. I couldn't even lift my arms for about a week, and I was so sick it was unbelievable. I know a lot of people in this country travelling abroad now refuse to bother with it. __________________ Sarah x Paxhell free since May 12th 2003.

06-09-2005, 11:13 AM	#17
goawaypaxil Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Guelph, Ontario Posts: 59	Re: paxil and travel meds - hepC and malaria Thanks Laurie, Homer and Sarah. Well, that settles it. I'm officially NOT taking the malaria meds. Bought my ticket today - woooohoooo! I'm going! I've got to get myself to a tanning bed (which, of course, has tons of controversy attached to it as well!) and get some kind of a base on my lilly white skin otherwise I'll wind up fulfilling all the colour requirements of Laurie's long-awaited lobster! I'm strawberry blond and freckly - I'll be the one with the hat and SPF 40 sunblock! __________________ All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us. Gandalf, LOTR: FOTR Began withdrawing from Paxil: January 2005 Attempts: 2004 and present Prescribed dosage: 20 mg Current dosage: 15 mg and holding

06-09-2005, 12:44 PM	#18
sarah "Texts gerbils!" Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: UK Posts: 3,863	Re: paxil and travel meds - hepC and malaria It sounds like a wonderful trip goawaypaxil . Hope you have a fantastic time. I have the odd sunbed now and again. Everything in moderation is the key. I think the biggest problem with these is the people who use them all the time. I used to be one of them!! Probably explains the wrinkles!!! __________________ Sarah x Paxhell free since May 12th 2003.

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