What should I do for my sore mouth? I am afraid it's from the side effects of psychotropic drugs like Effexor

Question: I have already had 55 ECT (shock treatments.) I had 45 in Sacto a few years ago and they saved my life. Recently I had 10 more at Mayo because my mouth/lip/tongue pain was almost unbearable. The electro-convulsive treatments took away my mouth pain and the depression that came from having such sores in my mouth. Just the other day I had some grapefruit/juice which I know I shouldn't have.and the pain and swelling came back. I am taking my doctor's benedryl/maalox/codeine liquid formula, but I am wondering what other ideas anyone else might have. It affects my speaking, eating and sleeping. I want to nip it in the bud before it gets worse. I fear if I have much more ECT I'll be SO confused and won't have any memory left at all.

I was on 8 different psychotropic meds, but am only on Effexor XR and Seroquel. (The reduction chiefly due to the ECT treatments.)

(Yes, Effexor is THAT one.) They say it warns on page 36 of the information of homicidal ideation.

Answers:
I have to wonder what you do for nutritional support.mouth sores sounds to me so much like a symptom of not enough "stress" nutrition (B vitamins, calcium/magnesium, vitamin C). This sounds like an EXTREMELY stressful situation, so I imagine you would need a great deal of supplements to stay at your best. Mouth sores in situations like this are very common. There is much readjusting and even re-learning involved in where you are at, which would stress anyone. Before I say more I must tell you this: if you do try new supplements then watch carefully how you respond to the drugs you are on.very often the right supplement combination reduces your dosage need for certain drugs. I didn't believe in supplements for many years until someone told me that nature can't put back what modern living takes out of us, and that no animal could adapt to the kinds of stresses and demands of civilization in such a short time, and also that even today's food doesn't have the same nutrition of 100 years ago. For over 20 years I have taken what some friends think is scary amounts of vitamins, minerals and other supplements and while I still have some problems, I am in better shape by far than anyone else in my family at my age.

I learned about supplements by reading about 50 books by different authors (there was a lot of bad info. in the 60s and 70s). It's not something you can learn just by reading a book or two but once you start figuring out the right combinations for your own body and lifestyle it is SO worth the time and trouble, even if doctors call me foolish and dangerous. (I will believe my doctor when he looks as healthy at 50 as I do!)

Other Answers:
I was on effexor for a while. that is some scary stuff. I'm sorry for everything you have been through. I have no advice that you haven't already tried. I'll pray for you. God bless.

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well I take effexor xr and seroquel and i have been for about 3 months.I've had a few side effects but minor compared to yours.see your doctor.

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