BiPolar~ Because we need our own thread~

[Racquel]

Originally Posted by CurveControl

My doc said that SSRIs are not very effective for BiPo unless they are combined w/ a mood stabilizer.
???

A doc I had as a teen (before BP dx) put me on those and all they did is push me seriously manic. Vanessa, I second CC in getting in for a lenghthy session with your psych to see what you can get put on to control it.

Am doing very well since being back on the supps so it seems to be working again. I do know that my moods are a bit off if I forget to take them in the morning ... not cranky or moody just kinda melancholy. Guess that's a good thing because I'm not ******y. DBF even commented last night that things have been much better over the course of the last month. How long it lasts without the meds I don't know but for now I'm going to enjoy the drug free ride and stick with the supps.

Was a pretty good weekend but was feeling like a fish out of water on Sunday at DBF's parents anniversary party. There's 9 kids and oodles of grandkids. He was busy with the guys and then playing kickball and dodgeball with the kids. I find it very difficult to try and make conversation with a bunch of women I don't know. Guess I've always found it easier to talk to men and considering DBF wasn't around much I just felt so very uncomfortable. GREAT family and super nice people but coming from a family where it was just me and my brother it can be awkward. Funny thing is that I never felt this way with my ex's family. Seemed to fit right in with them but they were always joking and really outgoing. I always wished I was one of those people that could go into any setting and make conversation ... but I'm not. I'm the one who says something and then thinks to myself "you idiot, that sounded really dumb". Guess that comes from the way I grew up. It was nice when we left though and 2 of his nephews came up, gave me a hug and said "bye Racquel, I'll miss you". Yesterday I watched his DD and had over 2 neices. Then he took kids home and got a$$ chewed for me having her all day. I think it comes down to jealousy cuz little miss goes home to tell mommy "Racquel and I this -- Racquel and I that". Part of me feels bad but at the same time I'm thankful the kids and I are so close. Last night little miss called daddy to say goodnight but had to talk to me too. Heard mom in the back just a cranking. Why can't we all just get along? My ex, his girlfriend, DBF and I all get along great.

[Houston Heather]

Raquel, it makes me realize how awesome my birth mom was. She gave up custody when I was a couple years old. She had visitation when she was stable and sober (not often). She'd cry when I left but other than that I had a blast. I have only fond memories of my time with her (maybe a total of a week).

Still kind of a zombie. I'm glad my P-DOC gave me permission to reduce my lithium. He was very pleased to hear I've lost 31 pounds since March. I did some research, there is nothing in the literature about someone on lithium losing weight on low-carb. Nothing.

But I am. I cut back on my workouts due to the zombie thing. I should be sharper in a few days and then I'll get right back at 'em. I'm going to run tomorrow.

I just hate the zombie thing, but when I read about seroquel carb binges I'm glad that's all I've got to deal with. [shudder] I would hate to undo all my hard work because I was taking the wrong med!

Speaking of wrong meds, I was on an SSRI (only) as a teen and got seriously manic, turned into a BAD kid. I was miserable and so was everyone around me. I have to agree with the "Needs a mood stabilizer" argument.

Take care, y'all.

[CurveControl]

*nods* at the Sukkyness of carb binging.

[Houston Heather]

Well, I'm getting my energy back.

Only you gals would appreciate this: I know I'm not manic. I went to 3 stores today, I had a week's pay on me, and I spent $1 on some hand sanitizer.

Anyway, not manic, not depressed, NOT A ZOMBIE! I did over an hour working out total (ran this morning, weights after my nap). Yay. Tomorrow is a "flop day" - nothing planned except rest.

I'm still a little slower than I'd like but I'm getting to a better place. I'm not sick, and I'm a lot less tired.

You know there isn't one study in Medline about patients taking lithium while on a low-carb diet? Nothing. Maybe my doc can write up something.

[CurveControl]

My doc strongly reccomends LC with the Sreoquel because of the possibility of diabetes.
I have been sown and moody this week, Today was my flop day. I did the bare minnimum of cleaning, and sorted through some storage bins to clean some clutter out of my life.
I am sure part of my mood is missing DS while he is in Illinois, But that is a normal Mom emotion, and not extreme so I am not going to worry about it.

Funny how once we are diagnosed every feeling has to be examined to be sure it is not in the extreme (at least I do)

[Racquel]

Good morning ladies! After yesterday's dreary weather the sun today is a very welcome sight. Guess the weekend is supposed to be nice ... thankfully. Have DBF's kids tomorrow and taking them to see fireworks. DS has decided to stay with dad and go to dad's GF's house. Oh well, they will be here soon enough. He found a really nice house just outside of town and hopefully will be moving in about 2 weeks. Everyone I tell that to looks at me like I'm cracked but then I have to explain that even though we are getting a divorce we're very good friends. I'm a bit jealous though ... house is on an acre in the middle of nowhere and has 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. BUT, he'll also be paying more rent than me. Said that his GF might end up moving in if she can't find someplace when her lease is up. She's a real sweety and I'm happy for him.

Heather -- that zombie feeling is what I always hated about lithium. Was on it for quite a while in 1992-1993 and the doc just kept telling me that I had to get used to it. Never did. I had no emotion ... just kinda went thru life.

Molly -- sorry about you missing DS.

[CurveControl]

frustration threshold is so low!
WTH is wrong w/ me? Could be that I am feeling ikky from allergies.

I hope I feel better after I exercise.

[Houston Heather]

I always feel better after exercise. Especially weights.

[Racquel]

Feeling kinda sucky today. Have been applying for jobs and haven't gotten one of them. All I want to do is cry. Had an interview last week for a position which would've been PERFECT ... they hired someone and she started yesterday. It's the only thing that really sucks about small town living. I think I'm actually over-qualified and it's hurting me. Maybe it's not what you know but who you know. Applied at local factory yesterday but they aren't hiring for a while and when they do it'll be 2nd shift. Not what I want but will take anything at this point. Applying for a broker/secretary/billing position with local trucking company tomorrow. Maybe the fact that I know his nephew will help.

[CurveControl]

Good Luck Raquel.

My Allergies are still whooping my butt.

[Houston Heather]

SO TIRED....

I took today off workouts. I figure I need an R&R day - except for working that's what I've been doing.

Tomorrow is an off day and should be fun.

[Houston Heather]

Feeling a little better even though today was a long day... takes a while for the lithium levels to adjust if you don't go off the pills completely.

Today I got good news. My Risperdal has finally gone generic, meaning I can save $45 a month on the medication. Yay!

I'll take it.

[cenicienta]

Hey All!

My son's pdoc prescribed Geodon for him. He was on Depakote, but it made him more violent instead of less. Anyone with any experience good or bad with Geodon?

[CurveControl]

Never heard of it. Did you check Crazymeds?

[cenicienta]

I went to crazymeds and Jerod has very little about it on his site. He also mentioned that the crazymeds talk section with Geodon was in the process of being updated.

[CurveControl]

Let me know what you find out. DD has an appt at the end of the month.

[i.am.jenn]

Hi ladies, I found your thread and just wanted to pop in and ask if anyone has any experience with Geodon. I've been on it for depression, mood stability and sleep disorder.

I think, at this point, when I get a good nights sleep, I am pretty normal the next day.

However, I have a HORRID time waking up. I'm sleeping about 10 hours a night just to be able to wake up at a decent hour.

I've been dealing with this since the doc started me on mood stabilizers. So is it the drugs or me? Is there a better way to deal with this problem? Do I just have to deal with it in order to get a good nights sleep?

If you have any experience or thoughts on it, I'd love some. I haven't met anyone who's taken it so I haven't really been able to get any feedback.

Thanks!

[CurveControl]

Not at all familiar, But I am intrigued. Sounds like it is for manic type symptoms. I sleep long on the seroquel too, But would love a change.

Does the Geodon gave a GOOD sedating effect?? Like very fast, very tired? I have no trust in my ability to sleep unless something knocks me out quickly.

I have no problem with the adjustment period because I have older kids and I only work 2 evenings a week. I can live stoopit for a week or two till I adjust.

[Houston Heather]

I have the opposite problem on my meds - if I sleep too long I have freaky weird dreams. Anything over 8 hours and I'm in for a very unpleasant ride.

I used to be able to sleep 16 hours straight so it must be my meds. DH sees it as "a good thing" and I'm still functional so .

I'm just the opposite of Molly - I like the familiar and you couldn't pay me to change my meds!

[i.am.jenn]

It can put me to sleep in an hour and a half on an empty stomach. I usually eat dinner around 4-5 (not too heavy like steak), take the Geodon at 6:00 at then I'm in bed between 8:30 - 9:30. I sleep really well, no complaints on quality, just wish I had more hours in the day (I'm a full time student).

[cenicienta]

You know, I am so glad that you posted a good experience with Geodon. My son was prescribed it by his pdoc and all that I have been hearing is bad things about it. So, thank you for sharing your positive experience with it.

From what I have read on other boards, the sleepiness that you are encountering is a pretty common complaint across the board. Many people are complaining about having a hard time waking up. So you are definitely not alone on that one.

I have also found out that Geodon is weight neutral. You might gain some weight, but not as much as with Risperdal or Seroquel. Geodon supposedly has a lesser side effect profile than many other atypical antipsychotics.

[Houston Heather]

All my meds are supposed to make me fat (lithium, lexapro, risperdal). I'm glad I have an active life... the only weight I gained was directly related to the tub of ice cream before bed.

One thing I hope to do is illustrate that you can lose weight, while taking "fattening" meds, with a low-carb lifestyle. I found absolutely nothing on medline about lithium/weight loss/ low carb. Not even lithium-lowcarb. Zero. I'm a pioneer! Either that or I'm the only blabber-type on lithium.

I fit into a Junior's pair of short-shorts today. You can't buy that kind of feeling. I will never wear them in public, only use them for progress photos, but still.

[CurveControl]

I dunno, Heather. I have been Spot ON induction for the last 2 weeks and gained 3 pounds. I was very upset.
In fact so upset that I ate 2 bags of mini muffins last night. I am probably up 5 more pounds just from that.

[CurveControl]

Crazy meds:

Geodon (ziprasidone HCl). One of the newer atypicals, Geodon is proving to be effective in helping with bipolar depression, as it hits a lot of dopamine receptors and does a bit of serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibition. Its side effect profile is pretty low and it's generally weight neutral. Reads like a winner, right? Well, if you really want to play it safe you should get an EKG before taking Geodon, because there's a nice sudden death warning for prolonged QT intervals. We don't know what the hell a QT interval is, as that's cardiac language. All we do know is that Geodon can mess with your heart and if you have a history of heart troubles, Geodon may not be for you. This is where you'd need your cardiologist and psychiatrist talking to each other, and where getting all your health services from an HMO is an advantage because it would be easier for them to talk to each other when they all work for the same HMO. As for our experience with it, Geodon eliminated Mouse's short-term memory. The real short-term memory of the previous seven seconds. She couldn't remember what she had said, what she had put in her pocket, anything like that. Plus it made her manic as hell, and mania is a fairly common thing to watch out for amongst the bipolar, most likely due to the serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibition. She was living in a fantasy world of a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against Pfizer over Geodon, and spent the money she would be winning. Anecdotal evidence is piling up that Geodon can aggravate, or even induce mania in bipolar, especially when combined with an antidepressant or the more antidepressing of the mood stabilizers like lithium or Lamictal, so use with caution in bipolar where mania is a problem.

Dang. Mania I DON't need.

[Houston Heather]

UGH. You couldn't PAY me to take it.

I'm brain-dead enough from my lithium. And I have scary manias.

[CurveControl]

Actually I have been teetering towards the depressed end of the spectrum, I could use a good week long Hypo, just to get some crap DONE..

*sigh* ya know I am on the depressed end when I wish for Hypo. I am more likely to go mixed. I am ugly in a mixed state. But then Who isn't?