For the last year I have been on Lamictal,
Zyprexa, Abiilify,Cymbalta,and now I've
been on Zolft for a month and I am just
getting worse. I can going off that med
today. The only thing that has helped to
manage "anything" was Klonopin which I've
been on for a year, but I think my body is
starting to get used to the drug and its
not working the same as it did anymore. I
just don't know how much more I can
take....or what to expect for the future.
I just know I can not go on like this, I
need a medicine NOW and and I need it to
work. I don't expect perfection, I just
want some normality, its been so long now,
I am staring to forget what it was ever
like to smile and be happy, the down
cycles are worsening and getting
prolonged.
Anyone have any stats on any meds even if
it is a combination that have worked for
them?... I am at my wits end.
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bakin_april
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 28 Jan 2008 Posts: 210 Location: state of confusion, usa
Meds Posted: 02-09-08 14:50pm
Don't worry about the amount or
combination of meds you're taking. It's
quite common in treating BP to go through
trial & error to determine the right
meds. I've taken Cymbalta, Lithium,
Wellbutrin & Geodon for 8 mos. So
far, it's the best combination I've used.
I've taken meds for 8 years, it would be
easy to look at it as 8 years of failure,
but that won't do any good. So, PLEASE,
don't get discouraged!!
During the process of finding the right
meds for you, keep your head up & your
thoughts positive. It helps to
communicate openly & honestly with
your caregivers about EVERYTHING: how the
meds make you feel, why you like or
dislike them, what your expectations are,
what your moods are, etc. For me, this is
very, very hard, but I work at it because
it's in my best interest. Remember, your
caregivers work for you. You hired them
to solve your problem. So call between
visits, get an appointment earlier than
your next sceduled appointment . .
whatever it takes!
I want you to be empowered to handle this!
You deserve a better quality of life than
you seem to have now.
I can't stress enough to not give up!!
You are definitely worth getting the best
treatment you can get. I feel a positive
change will be right around the corner for
you!!
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Go2extremes
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 04 Feb 2008 Posts: 43
Thanks Posted: 02-10-08 18:13pm
Sometimes I don't know if it is more
frustrating for me or for my family. I am
seeing a new Dr. next week I am hoping
that I will have better luck with her med
advice and combinations. I have been off
Zoloft for the past 2 days, and ironically
I have stopped crashing, and am stable
again! I just don't know
anymore....thanks for the encouragement
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bakin_april
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 28 Jan 2008 Posts: 210 Location: state of confusion, usa
Posted: 02-10-08 18:51pm
This disease is extremely hard on
families. Have you heard of NAMI
(National Alliance for the Mentally Ill)?
They have chapters across the country.
They present support groups for consumers
& family. My husband took Family to
Family training. He said it was like a
light bulb going off. www.nami.org
I sometimes go to a group sponsored by
DBSA (depression & bipolar support
alliance). Families & consumers are
welcome at these group meetings. At NAMI
family & consumers attend separate
groups.
www.dbsalliance.org
The most valuable thing about groups is
connecting with people who understand you.
You can develop a support system &
learn TONS of info from others who know
exactly what you're going through.
Good luck with the new doctor. Sometimes
I think female physicians are easier to
talk to. It never hurts to get fresh eyes
to look over the situation. It might help
the doc if you take a list of everything
you've ever taken, even the meds that
didn't work. I've been asked for that
several times over the years.
Feel free to PM if you want.
Have a great week!
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Go2extremes
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 04 Feb 2008 Posts: 43
Support groups Posted: 02-10-08 22:40pm
Thanks for the info on Nami, I was
familiar with DBSA, I think that will
probably be the next step for my family
and I, my partner and I have been talking
about that a lot lately. It can't hurt
right? I think these message forums have
been much help as well, so feeling as
though you are going in some type of
direction is better than no direction! I
have to tell my GF and family about NAMI
and see if they have heard of it. I even
think these type of message forums could
help THEM not feel so alone and helpless.
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bakin_april
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 28 Jan 2008 Posts: 210 Location: state of confusion, usa
Posted: 02-11-08 11:31am
Do you see a counselor? If not, you may
consider it. I've seen one for years. I
go even when there's nothing pressing to
talk about because the counselor is the
one ally I have that is totally there for
me.
My husband met the counselor at my
request. He's been to a couple of
appointments with me when there were
things I found hard to discuss with him.
Even then the counselor made it clear that
those appointments wouldn't be couples
counseling, it was all about me. That's
the kind of support person I need on my
side.
In seeking out a counselor go with your
gut instinct to determine if you think
you'd like working with them or not.
They're used to clients moving on, you
won't hurt their feelings if you go to
someone else. Keep trying until you find
the one that clicks. It's your well-being
at stake. Again, like the docs, the
counselors are employed by you.
It sounds like you're putting a lot of
effort into the management of your
condition. That's really great! I know
how hard that is, but the rewards are
unbelievable - - for you & those who
love you.
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Go2extremes
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 04 Feb 2008 Posts: 43
councilers Posted: 02-11-08 14:36pm
Hey there,
Yes Ive been through 2 councilers on my
3rd now and I like him a lot. Drs on the
other hand I havent had the best luck with
been through 3 of them, going on my forth.
Actually its a phsycologist MD that I
see, I wish he could perscribe meds but he
can't. Anyway, I've been to sessions with
my family with him and my partner. They
sort of helped. I think it would be better
If they went when I was not there to a
support group, its just too hard to say
what you feel in front of the person with
the problem, at least thats how I see it.
I wish I were further along in progress,
with Drs and meds now...almost a year....
and a tough one at that. Plus a stressful
high profile job, where I deal with ALOT
of people. Sometimes I just can't take
it, I need stability, no one wants to be
around someone that they don't know each
day, even if it is at work, you know? Its
tough... I was getting stable and now I am
having a hellish Monday dealing with
people at work. Thats my next session I
suppose...yay!
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bakin_april
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 28 Jan 2008 Posts: 210 Location: state of confusion, usa
Posted: 02-11-08 15:06pm
Sorry to hear that today's going so rough
for you. Is there any way you can step
away for a couple of minutes? Maybe walk
or call your counselor or hide in the
bathroom & gather your thoughts? The
last time I worked there were days I
thought I would flip out right there in
the office.
I always felt that nobody got me. It
seems BP makes that worse for me with the
changes it makes in my thought patterns.
It's like the coworkers were speaking a
language I don't know, but I was expected
to keep up with the work.
It sounds like you, family & loved
ones are working hard to create a way to
process all the stuff that goes along with
this condition. That's really great.
Alot of people want to isolate themselves
once they're diagnosed. I'd highly
recommend NAMI as a resource for your
family.
Getting meds fine tuned can be
exasperating, but pretty soon all the
elements will come together &
everything will fall into place.
Hang in there . . . you're doing just
fine.
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CarolDiane
Moderator
Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Posts: 2392 Location: ,
Thanks: 111
Thanked:156
UGH Posted: 02-12-08 06:25am
I am on 14 meds. Take into consideration
that a few of them are twice daily. I had
to go buy a bigger weekly pill holder.
They just keep adding and adding and
adding. Grrrrrrrrrr!
I am also BP.
Here they all are:
Theophlline 300mg twice daily for asthma
and COPD
Nexium 40mg in the morning for acid
reflux
Atenolol 25mg in the morning for high
blood pressure
Lexapro 10mg twice daily for deppression
Synthroid 0.075 mg for hyothryroid
Klonopin 1mg three times a day for
anxiety
Xanax 1mg as needed for severe anxiety
attacks
Advair 500/50 twice daily for COPD
Singulair 10mg once a day for allergies
Spivira once a day for COPD
Benedryl for allergies every 4-6 hours as
needed for allergies
Albuterol inhailer every 4-6 hours as
needed (rescue inhailer)
One 81mg asprin daily ( for blood flow to
the brain)
Vicodin 10/660 every 6 hours times a day
for pain L-spine
Lamectal 100mg at bedtime for Bipolar
Carrie
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bakin_april
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 28 Jan 2008 Posts: 210 Location: state of confusion, usa
UGH Posted: 02-12-08 08:02am
Carrie, does Benadryl give you problems?
It caused some messed up thinking & I
was advised to avoid it at all costs.
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CarolDiane
Moderator
Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Posts: 2392 Location: ,
Thanks: 111
Thanked:156
Re: UGH Posted: 02-12-08 08:06am
bakin_april
wrote:
Carrie, does Benadryl give
you problems? It caused some messed up
thinking & I was advised to avoid it
at all costs.
No not really. Been talking it for years.
Sure helps with the onset of airborn
allergies right away like dust etc. It
also helps me sleep if I need it. I have
had no problems at all with it.
Carrie
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bakin_april
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 28 Jan 2008 Posts: 210 Location: state of confusion, usa
Posted: 02-12-08 08:35am
Glad you get relief from it. You've gotta
stick with what works best.
I have several health problems, too. To
me, it seems like lots of people with BP
do, as if the brain is totally out of
balance.
April
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Seraph
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 22 Jan 2008 Posts: 276 Location: , South Africa
Thanks: 2
Thanked:0
Posted: 02-12-08 08:58am
Ich...you can say that again...
My daily dose of pills usually includes
anti-depressant's, anti-inflammatories
etc...
Osgood Schlatters,
Bilatteral patella alta due to ^,
Chondromalatia patella (Patella-Femoral
pain syndrome) due to ^,
Osteo-arthritis due to ^,
Long-finger syndrome,
Flat feet,
Left side of chest is more pronounced then
right,
Very low blood pressure,
Learning problems,
BP with mild border line personality
disorder...
Some day's it feels like I'm a real freak
of nature, but it does have it's ups...
I am fairly tall...
Makes it easy to reach hihg places like
changing bulbs and stuff...although it can
be a pain trying to get a car that has
proper seating space. Just call me a
human ladder
Very long and flexible fingers...
Perfect for playing piano/electronic
keybord or typeing.
Neat musical talent...
I can play music by ear...theory is out of
the question tho (Learning/coordination
problem).
Insight...
I don't need to read a manual to operate
things/learn software/realise things. I
learn the easiest with "Hands on"
experience
I suppose, the easiest way to get around
these "afflictions" is to see the positive
side of it. For the most case, a lot of
these things would not be possible, were
it not for the problems I have.
Now, if I can only "PRACTICE WHAT I
PREACH" ;P
After all, "we" are just classified as
having a "mental illness" or a "physical
problem" because we don't conform to what
society sees as "Normal"...blah...screw
society...
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bakin_april
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 28 Jan 2008 Posts: 210 Location: state of confusion, usa
Posted: 02-12-08 09:13am
Your talents are impressive!
On another part of the BP forum, there's a
conversation about creativity & BP.
Personally, I think it's most forms of
mental illness. I'm a writer, creative
cook & crafter. My mother with severe
depression is a writer. An example of
creativity with mental illness is Van
Gogh.
My theory also connects genius &
mental illness. The first example that
comes to mind is Abraham Lincoln.
Sounds like you've got a lot on your plate
medically. It also sounds like you're
doing well with it. Kudos to you!
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Seraph
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 22 Jan 2008 Posts: 276 Location: , South Africa
Thanks: 2
Thanked:0
Posted: 02-12-08 09:29am
I try my best to survive...but ultimately,
it's not going to be enough. If I don't
find a way to change where I am
heading...I am just going to slip into
oblivion...nothing gained and nothing
given...to this world...
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CarolDiane
Moderator
Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Posts: 2392 Location: ,
Thanks: 111
Thanked:156
Posted: 02-12-08 09:57am
I have had the same GP for four years now
and she knows me better then I know
myself. My last visit is when she picked
up on my long secret of BPD. I put all my
trust in her. I want you to know that most
of those meds on my list, I have been on
for over 30 years! Most of the breathing
meds. I was on Xanax for almost four years
and just the year switched to Klonopin and
along with an occasional Xanax for severe
panic attacks, I am doing fine on all of
them. She is a great GP and has taken care
of ALL my needs (even physc) and I would
not trade her for anything. My newest med
being Lamectal.
