7 replies to this topic

[samrd]

Hi,

I'm new to this forum and need a little help with my never-ending fatigue. So, a few months ago when I was on a "weight-gaining journey" I decided to start taking Periactin (Cyproheptadine) in order to increase my appetite. I'm a 23 year old female and have always been thin, not a huge appetite, etc. The cypro did increase my appetite but made me tired all of the time, so I discontinued use. Unfortunately, I'm now in a continuous cycle of fatigue and a definite increase in my appetite overall. Being tired all of the time, needing to sleep upwards of 10+ hours a night with naps included, has left me feeling mildly depressed. Basically, I'm just wondering what effects Cyproheptadine has on neurotransmitters or hormones in the body that could relate to my feelings of fatigue, depression and increased appetite. Also, wondering if anyone can recommend supplements to increase my energy levels? I become so much more anti-social when I just don't have the energy to do anything.

 

I think it must have somehow changed my hormone levels or something because my menstrual cycle has been all wonky since.

 

 

Thanks!

[Jeoshua]

Menstrual cycles get out of whack due to stressors on the body. I'm no expert, but I'd recommend not taking something that puts your body under enough stress to mess with that cycle.

If you want to gain weight, you could try staying away from appetite suppressants like caffeine, staying away from marijuana or anything else that messes with glucose metabolism, and eating more carbs and less fat. It sounds a bit off with the fat part, but fat is what makes you feel full. If you don't eat a lot of it, you won't feel as full, and your appetite will naturally increase as your body looks to get the calories it needs.

[samrd]

Menstrual cycles get out of whack due to stressors on the body. I'm no expert, but I'd recommend not taking something that puts your body under enough stress to mess with that cycle.

If you want to gain weight, you could try staying away from appetite suppressants like caffeine, staying away from marijuana or anything else that messes with glucose metabolism, and eating more carbs and less fat. It sounds a bit off with the fat part, but fat is what makes you feel full. If you don't eat a lot of it, you won't feel as full, and your appetite will naturally increase as your body looks to get the calories it needs.

 

Thanks for the response! I'm not really looking to gain weight anymore, I honestly would just rather feel healthy and energetic instead of caring about weight gain. So increasing appetite isn't really a priority to me anymore. Honestly, I just came to this forum because you all seem very knowledgable about hormones, neurotransmitters, supplements, etc. I'm curious what Cyproheptadine does to the body and how mine was effected which lead to my resulting symptoms. I know it effects choline levels, serotonin levels, etc. but I wanted to know if anyone had any more knowledge about it. I can barely ever find information on it.

 

If this is any more helpful, prior to taking the Cypro I had normal cycles:

First half: Energetic, slept around 8 hours feeling fully refreshed, lower appetite, not craving junk, etc.

Second half: PMS, depression, acne, increased libido, increased appetite (especially for junk), requiring at least 10 hours of sleep a night

 

Now, after taking Cyproheptadine about 5 cycles ago my cycles have been as follows:

First half: PMS, depression, acne, increased libido, increased appetite (especially for junk), sleeping a LOT

Second half: Sleeping a lot still--maybe a little less, skin clears up a bit, appetite is not as low as pre-cypro, but lower than first half, libido slightly lowered.

 

I'm literally at a loss as to why my symptoms have almost completely reversed. Also, I took Cyproheptadine in the first part of my cycle because I already had a large appetite in second half.

 

The only reason I'm blaming it on the Cypro is because I've literally taken nothing else during this time. I hadn't taken anything prior to taking the it either. Does Cyproheptadine affect testosterone? Could any of these symptoms be a result of a change in choline or serotonin levels?

 

Thanks again Any information would be greatly appreicated! I'm not looking for a cure all, but anything that might be useful in helping getting my energy levels up would be amazing.

[Adaptogen]

i took cyproheptadine for around a week before realizing that the sedative properties outweigh the appeal of an appetite stimulant.

What is your current lifestyle and diet like? are you getting at least some form of exercise daily? intense exercise a few times a week? minimal processed foods? proper sleep, such as 8-10 hours, going to bed at the same time every night?

 

have you considered depression as a possible cause for your lack of energy?

Edited by Adaptogen, 08 May 2014 - 07:29 AM.

[BlueCloud]

 

 

Basically, I'm just wondering what effects Cyproheptadine has on neurotransmitters or hormones in the body that could relate to my feelings of fatigue, depression and increased appetite.

 

I am not surprised at all. Cyproheptadine is one of the most powerful antihistamines in existence, and is often used off-label as a sleeping aid. It is more powerful than diphenhydramine ( Benadryl in the USA ) or doxylamine , both pretty potent antihistamines sold as sleeping pills. Basically you're using a powerful sleeping pill during the day, no wonder you feel exhausted. I've used cyprohepatdine myself many times for my insomnia.

 

If you still want to use it to increase appetite ( although I'm sure there are better supplements for that than cypro ), take it only at night, also take in account that the sedative effects hits approximately 4 hours after dosing, so time it accordingly ( that is, if you take it at 8 p.m , you'll fall asleep around 12 p.m ) , and try not exceeding 2mg ( 4 mg maximum ) if you don't want to sleep 12 hours+

 

Tolerance for cyproheptadine develops pretty quickly, so it's best not to use it more than twice a week, at the lowest dosage possible. It has some strong anticholinergic effects, wich may account for your feelings of mental fatigue.

Edited by BlueCloud, 08 May 2014 - 10:41 AM.

[xks201]

I would say it could have potentially exacerbated whatever hormone problem caused you to be underweight to begin with. Do you have low cortisol or any thyroid problems?

[samrd]

I would say it could have potentially exacerbated whatever hormone problem caused you to be underweight to begin with. Do you have low cortisol or any thyroid problems?

 

I'm not sure about cortisol. I had my thyroid levels tested like 3-4 years ago at this point and everything was normal.

TSH 1.2      0.3-5.6

Free T4 1.0      0.5-1.2

T3 Total 114      60-181

 

Not sure if any of that has changed in the meantime though. How would I know if I'm low in cortisol? Is having a blood or saliva test the only way to find out?

 

 

 

Basically, I'm just wondering what effects Cyproheptadine has on neurotransmitters or hormones in the body that could relate to my feelings of fatigue, depression and increased appetite.

 

I am not surprised at all. Cyproheptadine is one of the most powerful antihistamines in existence, and is often used off-label as a sleeping aid. It is more powerful than diphenhydramine ( Benadryl in the USA ) or doxylamine , both pretty potent antihistamines sold as sleeping pills. Basically you're using a powerful sleeping pill during the day, no wonder you feel exhausted. I've used cyprohepatdine myself many times for my insomnia.

 

If you still want to use it to increase appetite ( although I'm sure there are better supplements for that than cypro ), take it only at night, also take in account that the sedative effects hits approximately 4 hours after dosing, so time it accordingly ( that is, if you take it at 8 p.m , you'll fall asleep around 12 p.m ) , and try not exceeding 2mg ( 4 mg maximum ) if you don't want to sleep 12 hours+

 

Tolerance for cyproheptadine develops pretty quickly, so it's best not to use it more than twice a week, at the lowest dosage possible. It has some strong anticholinergic effects, wich may account for your feelings of mental fatigue.

 

 

Do you think that it lowering my choline and serotonin levels might be contributing to the symptoms I'm still experiencing after stopping it?
 

[samrd]

i took cyproheptadine for around a week before realizing that the sedative properties outweigh the appeal of an appetite stimulant.

What is your current lifestyle and diet like? are you getting at least some form of exercise daily? intense exercise a few times a week? minimal processed foods? proper sleep, such as 8-10 hours, going to bed at the same time every night?

 

have you considered depression as a possible cause for your lack of energy?

 

I try to eat healthy, but often don't. I haven't been super active lately either, which I know I need to change. I'm definitely getting more than enough sleep though.

 

I think depression might be a part of it, but the depressive feeling is cyclical. Completely irrelevant to external influences. I'm just much better able to cope with stressors/life at certain times in the month as opposed to other times when any little thing can set me off or make me cry.