Rage, mad, angry, hostile.........

[season]

Does anyone know if meds can alter the mood in such a way that it can make you angry and sometimes in a rage?

My cousin who I adore, has changed dramatically in the last couple of months. She lives under a lot of stress but she says that she feels agitated after taking her blood pressure meds. I worry about her as she has lupus and secondary sjogrens also.

I have seen her completely calm one minute and then in a 'cussing' rage the next.

Can it be her meds or is it stress?

[SLEEPY101]

Could be stress but I know when I take my narcotics for pain I get irriable and anger easy. Is she on pain meds?

[eyeamdry]

You didn't mention age.........but how about PMS if she is of that age?  Or if a bit older..perimenopause or hormones off?  Lucy

[Joe S.]

A lot of medications can have psychological side effects. You would have to check the side effects of her medications in your PDR.

[cremer]

Also is she depressed, people with depression can become agitated and angry.

[Seeker]

Howdy season, your cousin may need to be checked for Bi-polar disorder.  Stress, medications, and other illnesses can aggravate the condition.

Seeker.

[tired of it]

Its called being p**ed at the world for being sick all the time,, is she dealing with some really stupid people who just dont get it?, thats what sends me off,

[dainbramage]

I do know steroids causes extreme mood swings, heavy anger and tempers. Can make you psychotic. The doctor needs to be informed so her meds can be adjusted.
But I agree with "tired of it", stupid people.

[Carolina]

My first impulse is to suggest that steroids (prednisone, etc) are mostly likely the cause of noticeable mood swings.

Keep us posted.

Kisses

Elaine

[JannaLee]

I agree with everything above, especially Tired's suggestion.

Over the past years (since getting so sick) I am MUCH less inclined to put up with nonsense in my life.  

Can you talk to her about it and get her thinking why she is behaving so?  In the end, we do not want to alienate the ones who love us!

Janna

[puccini914]

I take prednisone daily, but only 5mg.  When I get bumped up for flare or for URI I get just like you describe.  It always happens if I have to take more the 20mg.  It's rag, it's drop of a hat mood changes.  If your cousin is taking any form of prednisone, I would suggest letting her know that these symptoms are temporary and once the dose gets lower the mood swings will pass.  Also, sometimes just knowing it's a side effect, helps me keep better control.  Instead of raging, I just step back, take a few deep breaths and tell myself that it's just the meds.  Hope this helps.

Peace Be With You.
Jennifer

[Scottietottie]

Hi 

I would look up what drugs she is on and check online to see what potential side effects can be. If I take codiene I go into really black awful bad tempered moods. Carbemazopine (I think thats how its spelled) is a temper inducing med - for me and someone else I know - so one to stay away from (for me). Valium (given to me because my doc thought I was anxious) went back to the pharmacist after about 3 days because it made me so depressed I wanted to cry all the time. There is no doubt that some drugs can be mood changing.
My hubby is on beta blockers and if he forgets to take one, which happens sometimes, he's like a cat on a hot tin roof - really jittery and edgy.

Take care - Scottie 

[mebog]

   Many people have told me preds make them angry and they yell a lot.   I'm only on 5mg now but have been hospitalized many times with pneumonia and they give me massive doses of it.  I turn in to a laughing fool.
You never know what will set you off.

LOL,  mebog

[warmwaters]

Lots of different meds can cause mood changes. Some antidepressents, prednisone or other steroids, blood pressure meds, etc. etc.

Plus stress, hormonones, etc.

You probably need to start with "You haven't seemed your self lately... What's up?" and talk with her about both things going on in her life, and medicines. 

It's so good that you care about her.

[CAT1962]

I am like that a lot of times and don't even TAKE SjS meds. I am depressed, I know, but the meds can cause weight gain, so I am not taking any. I am fatigued, achy, have joint pain and stiffness, swelling, etc...finances stink....enough to make anyone fly off the handle sometimes...