Medication Woes

[Darling Deedee]

Am bipolar. Have been sorta stable for a number of years (three ish?) on Zyprexa and Lamictal. Can't take SSRIs or TriCylic's cause they make me manic. I have one major depressive episode each year, usually over the summer but we have to wait it out as no other meds work. Its a struggle I know many of you face.

My pdoc wants to try me on newer meds. I'm resistant. Tried Geodon and Abilify three years ago. It was a disaster. I've been suicidal before, but never like I was on Geodon. Had it all planned out and the money set aside for what I needed. I wanted to claw my skin off. Light was physically painful and food was revolting. Didn't eat for a month (literally. I lost 30 pounds). I spent two weeks essentially curled up under the kitchen table, bawling while on Abilify. Miserable.

I have a hard time trusting my pdoc's assurances that these newer drugs (can't remember which two) would have better outcomes than the last two (geo and abil). He can't promise me that. I'm not willing to try.

Zyprexa has made me extremely fat. I'm doing my best. Have cut out all sugar, junk food, convenience food. I suppose I feel better physically but I haven't lost any weight. Judgments abound.

Anyone out there have any luck with the newer antipsych meds?

 

[dysert]

Am bipolar. Have been sorta stable for a number of years (three ish?) on Zyprexa and Lamictal. Can't take SSRIs or TriCylic's cause they make me manic. I have one major depressive episode each year, usually over the summer but we have to wait it out as no other meds work. Its a struggle I know many of you face.

My pdoc wants to try me on newer meds. I'm resistant. Tried Geodon and Abilify three years ago. It was a disaster. I've been suicidal before, but never like I was on Geodon. Had it all planned out and the money set aside for what I needed. I wanted to claw my skin off. Light was physically painful and food was revolting. Didn't eat for a month (literally. I lost 30 pounds). I spent two weeks essentially curled up under the kitchen table, bawling while on Abilify. Miserable.

I have a hard time trusting my pdoc's assurances that these newer drugs (can't remember which two) would have better outcomes than the last two (geo and abil). He can't promise me that. I'm not willing to try.

Zyprexa has made me extremely fat. I'm doing my best. Have cut out all sugar, junk food, convenience food. I suppose I feel better physically but I haven't lost any weight. Judgments abound.

Anyone out there have any luck with the newer antipsych meds?

I'm considering a new class of medicine for my depression, though it would likely be different from yours since you're bipolar. I am on Abilify and Effexor now, though, and I've been stable for as long as I've been on that mix. Why might I try something new? To see if it would break me from being "flat" all the time and from having no feelings. Tough call, though. I've had plenty of bad experiences with other meds myself. Good luck.

 

[quietpraiyze]

Am bipolar. Have been sorta stable for a number of years (three ish?) on Zyprexa and Lamictal. Can't take SSRIs or TriCylic's cause they make me manic. I have one major depressive episode each year, usually over the summer but we have to wait it out as no other meds work. Its a struggle I know many of you face.

My pdoc wants to try me on newer meds. I'm resistant. Tried Geodon and Abilify three years ago. It was a disaster. I've been suicidal before, but never like I was on Geodon. Had it all planned out and the money set aside for what I needed. I wanted to claw my skin off. Light was physically painful and food was revolting. Didn't eat for a month (literally. I lost 30 pounds). I spent two weeks essentially curled up under the kitchen table, bawling while on Abilify. Miserable.

I have a hard time trusting my pdoc's assurances that these newer drugs (can't remember which two) would have better outcomes than the last two (geo and abil). He can't promise me that. I'm not willing to try.

Zyprexa has made me extremely fat. I'm doing my best. Have cut out all sugar, junk food, convenience food. I suppose I feel better physically but I haven't lost any weight. Judgments abound.

Anyone out there have any luck with the newer antipsych meds?

If you're not having any problems with your current meds, I would say trust yourself and stay where you have peace. I had an experience with a Dr. who when he met me for the first time was telling me how he wanted to change my meds. I didn't even know who this man was. He looked like Dr. Oz and had his type of personality. I'm not a fan. I told him NO straight up. To me it was very bizarre. I had never had that happen before or since. Well I broke my ankle and ended up not going back there - thank God.

After my last episode one of the meds they put me on was Abilify. I had some strange stuff happening so I made them take me off. I'm going through the same thing concerning meds and weight and it's not getting easier since I'm older.

I know it can take time to find the right meds but I am always leery of people when they start that "newest drug" thing. I'm thinking they think I'm a lab rat and I'm not. If it helps get the name of the drugs and start researching looking up side affects and what kind of rep these meds have in the mentally ill community. But I say most of all trust yourself and the Lord.

 

[Darling Deedee]

Thank you both.
The pdoc has been with me long term and everyone (him and my GP) are concerned with the weight gain, the high cholesterol and the metabolic syndrome that I've got thanks to Zyprexa. I'm doing my level best here but its not changing much. Oatmeal, fish oil, metamucil daily to lower the cholesterol. I haven't seen much result. I'm 29 and 340lbs.
I hear you about trusting your gut and not believing their 'new drug' claims. I originally went on Zyprexa when it was one of those 'new drugs' and look where its got me. Unfortunately its the only thing that keeps me stable (not manic).
Thanks guys. Feeling better about my decision to stay the course and keep fighting.

 

[RuthD]

I was concerned about weight gain on my current meds and my old doctor switched me to Latuda saying it was side effect free. Well not only could I not function on it, I was so depressed and anxious it wasn't funny. Now I'm afraid to change meds.

 

[dysert]

I was concerned about weight gain on my current meds and my old doctor switched me to Latuda saying it was side effect free. Well not only could I not function on it, I was so depressed and anxious it wasn't funny. Now I'm afraid to change meds.

Side-effect free? I doubt there's any such thing.

I don't blame you for being afraid to change meds. I keep toying with the idea, but knowing what all would be involved really makes me hesitate. The risk:reward ratio just doesn't seem worth it.

 

[quietpraiyze]

You stay encouraged. I so hear you about the weight. It is really really hard when you're doing all the right things and there doesn't seem to be a change but change is happening. You're just not seeing it yet, but hang in there. Have you talked with a Nutritionist? In January I joined Sparkpeople. It's an online weight loss support community. I usually don't like getting getting info emails but with them, I'm really liking it. They really give you practical information. Stuff I can use. They ask you to commit to 10 minutes of exercise a day and I can do that or at least try! It's just nice to know I'm not alone in my struggle. There's also Myfitnesspal. I tried them first but I needed more support. I know there are other weight loss support communties out there as well. Maybe there's one out there that will work for you. You don't have to go it alone.

It's hard because nobody can tell us how much of our weight gain is meds induced. So we have to really watch our diet, exercise, stress, sleep, etc. Don't give up. You don't know how God can intervene for you. If it was made available to you, would you consider weight loss surgery? Would that be an option for you?

 

[Loven God]

I was just in the hospital for a med change and it is scary . So far so good . The took some away and up'ed the does on others . They keep me in the hospital to make sure there would be no problems .

 

[dysert]

I was just in the hospital for a med change and it is scary . So far so good . The took some away and up'ed the does on others . They keep me in the hospital to make sure there would be no problems .

You're quite fortunate. My insurance company squawks because they don't think I should be taking 3 Effexors per day. They'd never pay for a hospital stay!

 

[Loven God]

That is sad dysert , insurance company's seem to do more harm then good at times . I run into the same problem with repeat with my insurance to . I just wish they could see past what we are takeing and know the doctor knows best and not do any squawking .

 

[FutureAndAHope]

Well,

I had schizophrenia, could not work, delusional, angry, bitter, hated life. I went to a church, grew in faith. Eventually I realized the emotional problems I was having was caused by sin, and a spiritual problem. I repented of my sin, told satan to get lost. All the voices stopped, and my emotions stabilized. Medication was not my answer.

Now many years after my life is great, I am married, happy, good job, good family situation. I credit all this to God's work in me.

I would recommend people spend more time in prayer. The bible says the fruits of the Spirit are love, Joy, and peace. We all need to be loved, to have joy, and to have peace. All these things come as a direct result of seeking God, and sticking at it even when it seems pointless.

 

[dysert]

Well,

I had schizophrenia, could not work, delusional, angry, bitter, hated life. I went to a church, grew in faith. Eventually I realized the emotional problems I was having was caused by sin, and a spiritual problem. I repented of my sin, told satan to get lost. All the voices stopped, and my emotions stabilized. Medication was not my answer.

Now many years after my life is great, I am married, happy, good job, good family situation. I credit all this to God's work in me.

I would recommend people spend more time in prayer. The bible says the fruits of the Spirit are love, Joy, and peace. We all need to be loved, to have joy, and to have peace. All these things come as a direct result of seeking God, and sticking at it even when it seems pointless.

That's a great testimony! I'm glad God worked a miracle in your life without your having to resort to medication.