Anyone Bipolar with Gastrointestinal Problems?

Hi

I have Bipolar II. I was diagnosed at 14, took meds for two years, then came off under the supervision of my doctor. At age 20, I had another episode. I was put back on medications for bipolar. Ever since I have been on the meds, my bowel habits have changed dramatically. I am extremely constipated, for days at a time. I cannot go to the washroom without taking several prescription laxatives. I also have severe abdominal pain and heartburn. All of this worsened significantly since December. I have had bloodwork, xrays, a barium enema, ultrasound, and CT Scan. Now I am going for a colonoscopy and endoscopy. Is anyone BP with GI problems? I noticed more of a problem when I switched from lithium to Epival. The lithium was making me very cloudy and the weight gain was incredible, although with Epival the two are tied for that.....

My meds are:

500mg Epival

75mg Effexor

5mg Zopiclone

0.25 Risperidal

Thanks for any info....

Hi bpchick,

I have crohns disease but I was diagnosed with that many years before my bi-polar diagnosis.

It is quite possible that your current medications may have some side effects causing your problems. Make sure to discuss your symptoms and current medications with your doctors.

It sounds like they are giving you a very thorough work out with all the blood work, x-rays, ct scans, ultrasounds, endoscopies and now the colonsocopy which is great. But make sure you tell them when you started these new meds and when your symptoms started happening. There seems to be a pattern here. You can try looking these meds up on the net and read about their side effects. Maybe constipation and heartburn are included. It's worth a try. Maybe you would just need a med change. Wouldn't that be wonderful?

When are you scheduled for your next test? Please keep us posted.

Best wishes.

I understand the constipation problem you are having. Ever since I started medications years ago, I have constantly been constipated and have to take laxatives to go. I never go on my on. When it has been a while and I take a laxative, sometimes it takes several of them and several days with cramping that is hideous. It is just a horrible side effect of the drugs. It is very frustrating at times. So I understand what you are going through. There are some laxatives that don't even help too.