Bipolar Disorder Forum - Epilim as a treatment for Bipolar?

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Q: Epilim as a treatment for Bipolar?

asked by: Gawyn on October 4th, 2008

New User

Hi there,

This is my first post on this forum and as part of that I wanted to say a big thankyou to the many people who are generous enough to post a reply on this forum. It was part of the reason I received my recent diagnosis.

So I've been told I have Bipolar Disorder. Deep down, I probably realise how true that is even if I still don't want to accept it. I guess I don't like the idea that i'm broken in some way Sad

I'm 24 and a teacher and it has been MIGHTY difficult to try and control my moods while teaching. Some days its impossible and I just have to take a sick day. The doctor tells me that I cycle very quickly (within days) and he's not quite sure how to treat it. So he has put me on Epilim, 400mg a day (I think its depatoke, sodium valporate or something like that in other countries). I'm also on Clonazapam, 50mg at night to help me sleep (because I also get night terrors that can result in me lashing out at things).

I started taking these about 5 days ago and have been completely depressed, and exhausted. I'm sleeping about 10 hours plus per day including random naps. Had some strange headaches. I've read that alot of people get increased appetite- well I've got none. Not that I'm nauseous or anything, I just don't feel any hunger anymore. I'm sure that I could go the whole day without eating.

As for my moods. They're so crazy. Compared to Clonazapam which makes me nice and calm, I'm feeling really depressed on Epilim. I'm also easily irritated. Its like im in a depressed cycle that I can't get out of.

So have I got anything to look forward to? Is there a bright side to what seems such a dark and gloomy thing at the moment? I don't feel any different on Epilim unlike what I do on the Clonazapam, but that wears off. I blathering, but I hope someone out their can make sense of what I'm feeling. Anyone in the same boat?

Also is their anything else that I need to look out for. I'm off for a bloodtest on Wednesday, then back to my psyche, so before I tell him that I hate it, I hate it, get me off it!- I thought I'd ask for some advice.

Thanks in advance.

Replies(5)

MandMs

replied on October 6th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

There may be increased drowsiness and sedation, if Epilim is taken with benzodiazepines, such as Clonazepam.
Less common side effect of clonazepam is a mental depression.

Do you feel drowsy, having a headache, being sluggish, and being irritable after waking up these last 5 days?

Gawyn

replied on October 6th, 2008

New User

Hey, thanks for the reply.

Headaches were common before so I can't really tell whether they're related. They still feel the same.

As for drowsy and sluggish. Definitely! I can't get my mind to want to do things. Yet I don't want to sleep. My sleep patterns are all over the place. I'm sleeping at 8am in the morning. Then only for 4-5 hours. And defintely moody which is strange, cause I thought this was meant to sort out moods.

No hyperness though.

And I'm still not eating. I just don't want to. Its like there is no hunger in me at all.

I'm hanging out for blood test so I can get back to the pysche and tell him. I guess I'm looking for reassurance until this time. And I'm not sure that the pysche knows everything. A bit of self knowledge drawn from other people's experiences helps.

So thanks again. Smile

MandMs

replied on October 8th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

You are welcome!

Having hangover-like symptoms of being drowsy, having a headache, being sluggish, and being irritable after waking up when Clonazepam is taken before sleep, is commmon side effect of this medicine.
This is likely the result of the medication's long half-life (being in the body, before metabolized and eliminated), which continues to affect the user after waking up, as well as its disruption of the REM cycle.

I have a suggestion for you to ask your doctor for thyroid gland hormones test.
It is a simple blood test, and it can be helpful.

Sleeping difficulties and appetite problems are characteristic for bipolar disorder, but, can be, also, due to problems with thyroid gland.
There is a connection between bipolar disorder and thyroid hormone status.
Sometimes, threating thyroid gland disorders can lead to resolving bipolar symptoms.
You said that you are cycling very quickly, and that you feel depressed and at the same time irritated, which can mean that you are experiencing mixed episode of bipolar disorder (having symptoms of depression and mania-irritated at the same time, and this pattern of bipolar symptoms is more usual for your age)
So, I'll share with you a clinical fact that thyroid problems are more common in the complex forms of bipolar disorder (mixed states and rapid cycling) than in classic bipolar manic patient.

Waiting for your post!
Best wishes!
Marija

antigone

replied on October 9th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

It sounds like you experience rapid cycling. Keep a mood chart. Just do a search for "mood chart" and you will find many types of mood charts. Find one that works for you and you can fill out daily (daily while you are trying to find the correct medications). This will help you keep your symptoms straight, help you see your progress and will offer your doctor a better picture of your symptoms and response to treatment. Has your doctor discussed an atypical antipsychotic with you? They can offer some stablity with rapid cycling that epilim may not offer. Often these medications are used in conjunction with each other. My son with bipolar disorder suffers with night terrors. Risperdal has really helped to get the night terrors under control for him. Perhaps your doctor will discuss some other medication options with you. Fish oil is very beneficial for mood disorders. It can be used with medications safely. That may be something to speak to your doctor about using with medications.

Gawyn

replied on October 9th, 2008

New User

Hey there, thanks for replying again.

The Clonazepam seems to be working well. It has completely stopped all night terrors, which is great. The trade off is I seem to go to be around 10 at night and wake up at three. When I do wake up, I don't sleep again for- well ages sometimes. I'm stockpiling books and films so I have something to do when it happens now. Its just not worth it to lie there and get all frustrated- then I'm never going to get to sleep.

Well to update my situation. I just had a blood test and got back the results. I'm pretty sure that he tested my thyroid- I remember him saying he was going to do that. He said that everything was within nomral ranges. He also upped my dose of Epilim, from 400mg a day to 700mg. I think it was registering at about 239 something or others, when he wanted 350 minimum.

I seem to have settled down a fair bit. I haven't ended in tears like I did in those first few days. I'm doing some strange stuff though. Drawing and writing poems. Haha. While I am an English teacher even this is wierd for me. Still, I felt like drawing and writing so I went for a drive and did it.

Being on Epilim is a little bit wierd, it feels like everyting is well... numbed down a little. Well the hyper side is. The depression side is new to me.

I kept a journal the other week antigone- it wasn't good. About four mood changes over as many days. And I wrote in their all the wierd stuff I was doing. Doesn't anyone else find it embarassing to have to go to your pysche and explain this stuff? I can hardly look him in the eyes sometimes cause I feel like such a freak!

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