Bipolar? - Page 2

faithgirl · 05-10-2008, 06:58 AM

Hi Molly! I hope you can find something else to help you sleep. It's not bad enough that losing weight is so hard, but then add these meds to it to make it even harder! I have the rage at times too. I hate it becuase that isn't the real me. The Cymbalta has an awful lot of side effects but it does seem to be settling my thoughts down and as a bonus, I don't have much desire to eat. And when I do eat, I seem to get full quickly. I am loving this little bonus and I hope it sticks around. I am having difficulty sleeping too though. I think I am going to try some of the tylenol pm stuff, only without the tylenol part. I forget what that's called. I hope we can all find what we need to manage depression/bipolar.

CurveControl · 05-10-2008, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by faithgirl

Hi Molly! I hope you can find something else to help you sleep. It's not bad enough that losing weight is so hard, but then add these meds to it to make it even harder! I have the rage at times too. I hate it becuase that isn't the real me. The Cymbalta has an awful lot of side effects but it does seem to be settling my thoughts down and as a bonus, I don't have much desire to eat. And when I do eat, I seem to get full quickly. I am loving this little bonus and I hope it sticks around. I am having difficulty sleeping too though. I think I am going to try some of the tylenol pm stuff, only without the tylenol part. I forget what that's called. I hope we can all find what we need to manage depression/bipolar.

Benadryl, or Diphenhydramine.

I can't use just that. No way. I have been on hard ass heavy sleeping pills, and I still had to kick them in with alcohol.
You should talk to your Pdoc about your trouble getting to sleep, because insomnia is a major symptom in BiPo, and OTC meds for it are self medicating and not adressing the root of the problem.

For years my only *troubling* (to me) problem was insomnia.
For many Many years I took Ambien (10 mg) Xanax 10r 2 mg, and a bottle of wine to sleep, sometimes I would toss in an OTC sleeping pill, Doxylamine (generic Unisom).
I should be dead from all that crap all those years.

faithgirl · 05-10-2008, 03:18 PM

Really? I was thinking it was from the Cymbalta. I had insomnia, but it pretty much had gone away by the time I got to the doctor. Now it is bad. I see the doctor next Monday so I will mention it to him. I was hoping to not have to take something at night, but it looks like that isn't going to happen. I need some sleep!

CurveControl · 05-10-2008, 03:40 PM

I have never met a BiPo that has never had sleep issues. Not always, But enough to be problematic.

Valentine Baby · 05-12-2008, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Houston Heather

This is all assuming you are bipolar. Weight gain is a real risk with the medication, depending on what you're given.

Again, sometimes you have to take the risk. All my medication is known to cause weight gain. Dr Atkins specifically mentions antidepressants, lithium, and my risperdal has a warning that it can cause diabetes and weight gain. Guess what? I'm losing weight on low-carb. I'm losing at about the rate I did before medication. My side effects are a lot better on low-carb, and I've got enough energy to start running and lifting weights.

I'm not bipo but I do take Zoloft for panic and depression. THank you for posting this. I have hope after all.

Houston Heather · 05-12-2008, 05:55 PM

I thought for sure I was doomed until I inducted... glad I was wrong.

immelting · 05-13-2008, 12:09 PM

I hope I don't sound foolish here, but has anyone tried Holy Basil? I am trying to get off meds- not really bi-polar, but at least ADHD and chronic depression. I went to the health food store here and the hoilstic nutritionist said that he uses Holy Basil. I started it and it seems to help with evening out my rages. I don't know if the rages are because of the depression or perimenopause. any thoughts on this?

CurveControl · 05-13-2008, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by immelting

I hope I don't sound foolish here, but has anyone tried Holy Basil? I am trying to get off meds- not really bi-polar, but at least ADHD and chronic depression. I went to the health food store here and the hoilstic nutritionist said that he uses Holy Basil. I started it and it seems to help with evening out my rages. I don't know if the rages are because of the depression or perimenopause. any thoughts on this?

No. This is not a disorder I feel free to experiment with. It may be a wonderful supplemet to take with the meds I am on, But I don't think I will ever go without prescription meds again.

faithgirl · 05-13-2008, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by immelting

I hope I don't sound foolish here, but has anyone tried Holy Basil? I am trying to get off meds- not really bi-polar, but at least ADHD and chronic depression. I went to the health food store here and the hoilstic nutritionist said that he uses Holy Basil. I started it and it seems to help with evening out my rages. I don't know if the rages are because of the depression or perimenopause. any thoughts on this?

If you're still on your meds, be careful about using natural supplements. Many should never be used with antidepressants becuase you can have bad reactions from mixing them. Always ask your doctor first. I thought I could go without meds, but it has just gotten harder and harder to cope. I think I will probably be on them for a very long time if not forever.

wifezilla · 05-13-2008, 04:53 PM

Lamictal is weight neutral and seems to have fewer overall side effects. Now, the RARE one you CAN get from lamictal sucks unbelievably (Stephen Johnson Syndrome aka The Rash of Death), but it IS rare.

Stable blood sugars do seem to help, but I think it also has a lot to do with getting the proper amounts of essential fatty acids. If you are pumped full of carbs, you are most likely not getting them. Supplementing with Fish Oil is something that helps, especially on the depressive end, and it doesn't appear to mess with most prescription meds.

The on off on off on off meds thing is a sure way to end up crazy and alone. Don't do it...for your sake as well as your loved one's.

Houston Heather · 05-13-2008, 05:15 PM

What they said.

You can't afford to experiment, especially if you are fairly well controlled.

I tried to "self medicate" with things like valerian root and 5-HTP for years. It didn't work and I wasted a lot of money while throwing my marriage down the drain. Thank God he's still around.

Also, this bears mentioning, don't take 5-htp with an antidepressant, and don't take St John's wort with 5-htp or an antidepressant. You can end up with serotonin syndrome and literally fry your brain.

My sister was on Lamictal but they just took her off, she was getting the rashes. Scary stuff, I'll take my Lithium.

CurveControl · 05-13-2008, 07:22 PM

I love my lamictal. I would trade the seroquel, But I like the lamictal. I get by on 100 mg of each so it is a fairly low dose.

Houston Heather · 05-14-2008, 02:19 PM

You can have my share of the Lamictal, and I'll take your share of the Lithium.

Here's a funny story: my doctor changed me from 300 mg 3 times a day to 450 mg twice a day. Extended release.

I was switched from my beloved Roxane pharmaceuticals "pink" lithium to Westward's "blue" lithiums. To paraphrase my husband: "Not only did it make you sick, you were a b*tch, too!"

So true. Everyone's different, and I'm taking 4 of my "Roxane" lithium a day.

I even sent them a fan mail once. I wonder what they thought of it.

CurveControl · 05-17-2008, 06:01 PM

So we don't keep jacking this one to Bits!

BiPolar~ Because we need our own thread~

And in the Medical forum because it is a REAL medical concern!

05-10-2008, 06:58 AM	#31
faithgirl MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: ca Posts: 2,561 Gallery: faithgirl WOE: dunno	Hi Molly! I hope you can find something else to help you sleep. It's not bad enough that losing weight is so hard, but then add these meds to it to make it even harder! I have the rage at times too. I hate it becuase that isn't the real me. The Cymbalta has an awful lot of side effects but it does seem to be settling my thoughts down and as a bonus, I don't have much desire to eat. And when I do eat, I seem to get full quickly. I am loving this little bonus and I hope it sticks around. I am having difficulty sleeping too though. I think I am going to try some of the tylenol pm stuff, only without the tylenol part. I forget what that's called. I hope we can all find what we need to manage depression/bipolar. __________________ Kathleen Last edited by faithgirl : 05-10-2008 at 07:01 AM.

05-13-2008, 04:53 PM	#40
wifezilla Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 3,839 Gallery: wifezilla Stats: 250/210/190 WOE: Read em all. Doing it my way. Start Date: May 2007	Lamictal is weight neutral and seems to have fewer overall side effects. Now, the RARE one you CAN get from lamictal sucks unbelievably (Stephen Johnson Syndrome aka The Rash of Death), but it IS rare. Stable blood sugars do seem to help, but I think it also has a lot to do with getting the proper amounts of essential fatty acids. If you are pumped full of carbs, you are most likely not getting them. Supplementing with Fish Oil is something that helps, especially on the depressive end, and it doesn't appear to mess with most prescription meds. The on off on off on off meds thing is a sure way to end up crazy and alone. Don't do it...for your sake as well as your loved one's. __________________ *"I am Melllvar, seer of the tapes, knower of the episodes! Tremble before my encyclopedic knowledge of Star Trek!"* My blog about weight loss for people and pets http://wifezillasway.blogspot.com/

05-13-2008, 05:15 PM	#41
Houston Heather MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Houston Posts: 1,845 Gallery: Houston Heather Stats: I lost it before and I'll lose it again! WOE: Atkins Induction + powerlifting and running	What they said. You can't afford to experiment, especially if you are fairly well controlled. I tried to "self medicate" with things like valerian root and 5-HTP for years. It didn't work and I wasted a lot of money while throwing my marriage down the drain. Thank God he's still around. Also, this bears mentioning, don't take 5-htp with an antidepressant, and don't take St John's wort with 5-htp or an antidepressant. You can end up with serotonin syndrome and literally fry your brain. My sister was on Lamictal but they just took her off, she was getting the rashes. Scary stuff, I'll take my Lithium. __________________ Inducted Feb 26, 2008 Fresh meats and vegetables, NO processed foods (except sausage and bacon) My Fitday 227.5/196/150 42 inch waist/35.5/30 22W/16 Misses/12 Don't just weigh, measure too! Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things in Him who strengthens me. 1 Corinthians 6:20 You were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

05-10-2008, 03:18 PM	#33
faithgirl MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: ca Posts: 2,561 Gallery: faithgirl WOE: dunno	Really? I was thinking it was from the Cymbalta. I had insomnia, but it pretty much had gone away by the time I got to the doctor. Now it is bad. I see the doctor next Monday so I will mention it to him. I was hoping to not have to take something at night, but it looks like that isn't going to happen. I need some sleep!

05-10-2008, 03:40 PM	#34
CurveControl Formerlychubchick Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 34,043 Gallery: CurveControl Stats: 197/ 180.5 /135 WOE: moderate carb, 30-60 grams Start Date: 3/25/08 sigh	I have never met a BiPo that has never had sleep issues. Not always, But enough to be problematic.

05-12-2008, 05:55 PM	#36
Houston Heather MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Houston Posts: 1,845 Gallery: Houston Heather Stats: I lost it before and I'll lose it again! WOE: Atkins Induction + powerlifting and running	I thought for sure I was doomed until I inducted... glad I was wrong.

05-13-2008, 12:09 PM	#37
immelting Senior LCF Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 76 Gallery: immelting	I hope I don't sound foolish here, but has anyone tried Holy Basil? I am trying to get off meds- not really bi-polar, but at least ADHD and chronic depression. I went to the health food store here and the hoilstic nutritionist said that he uses Holy Basil. I started it and it seems to help with evening out my rages. I don't know if the rages are because of the depression or perimenopause. any thoughts on this?

05-13-2008, 07:22 PM	#42
CurveControl Formerlychubchick Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 34,043 Gallery: CurveControl Stats: 197/ 180.5 /135 WOE: moderate carb, 30-60 grams Start Date: 3/25/08 sigh	I love my lamictal. I would trade the seroquel, But I like the lamictal. I get by on 100 mg of each so it is a fairly low dose.

05-14-2008, 02:19 PM	#43
Houston Heather MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Houston Posts: 1,845 Gallery: Houston Heather Stats: I lost it before and I'll lose it again! WOE: Atkins Induction + powerlifting and running	You can have my share of the Lamictal, and I'll take your share of the Lithium. Here's a funny story: my doctor changed me from 300 mg 3 times a day to 450 mg twice a day. Extended release. I was switched from my beloved Roxane pharmaceuticals "pink" lithium to Westward's "blue" lithiums. To paraphrase my husband: "Not only did it make you sick, you were a b*tch, too!" So true. Everyone's different, and I'm taking 4 of my "Roxane" lithium a day. I even sent them a fan mail once. I wonder what they thought of it.

05-17-2008, 06:01 PM	#44
CurveControl Formerlychubchick Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 34,043 Gallery: CurveControl Stats: 197/ 180.5 /135 WOE: moderate carb, 30-60 grams Start Date: 3/25/08 sigh	So we don't keep jacking this one to Bits! BiPolar~ Because we need our own thread~ And in the Medical forum because it is a REAL medical concern!