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Posted 7/31/2005 4:21 AM (GMT 0)
hi,

just wondered and would greatly appreciate if anyone knew about the effects of vicodin combined with lithium and seroquel. I've done some research on vicodin and know that it is a narcotic and highly addictive.

My bf has recently been taking it, and I'm noticing a change in his behaviour.
Posted 8/1/2005 2:25 PM (GMT 0)

Not good, hon.  BPs are almost always substance abusers along with it, it's part of the beast.  It's called "self medicating".  We can get addicted to something the very first time we try it, if it makes us feel good.  It's that easy. 

The only side effect of that combo of meds, is it might make him a little more drowsy, but a little calm, and probably a slight euphoria. 

Is he truly in that severe of pain, or is he maybe exaggerating the severity? 

Posted 8/2/2005 1:13 AM (GMT 0)
not sure Shannon, his lower back has been hurting him for a while now, but I'm thinking it might be because of extra weight gain. (he has put on alot of weight). His doctor has told him about the weight issue, and that he needs to exercise and eat properly in order to manage his weight. I guess it goes back to the seroquel, and that its making him drowsy, he doesnt have the energy to exercise...it all seems like a vicious circle. The troubling part for me is that the doctor didnt prescribe the vicodin to him, so I guess he ordered it online or something. From what Ive read and heard, it is the prescription drug that Kelly Osbourne got hooked on and had to go to rehab for.
Posted 8/2/2005 2:59 AM (GMT 0)

I'm not trying to be alarming, but if he's ordering it online, he may have a problem.  Vicodin costs a FORTUNE online, around 100-150 dollars a bottle.  At a pharmacy it's dirt cheap.  (20 pills for less than $15).   The fact that he is getting it online suggests he can't get a doctor to write him any (or any more).  I am telling you this, because I did the very same thing.  And I tried to justify it by complaining of back pain, which I did have, but it wasn't so severe that I needed a continuous supply of vicodin, and my docs knew it.

If his pain is that severe, he needs physical therapy and some imaging tests (CT, MRI) to rule out any disc herniation (bulging or slipped discs).  Don't always be so quick to buy a BPs excuses for taking narcotics, we are masters at lying about things like that, and terribly addictive personalities.

I understand about the weight gain on meds, it happens to almost everyone at first.  If he is that sluggish, maybe he should discuss the dosage with his doc, it can always be lowered.  I really hope I am wrong, but I agree with you, the online ordering is concerning to say the least.

Posted 8/2/2005 4:03 AM (GMT 0)
You're a life saver, I have to tell you that there are not any people I can talk to about this whole thing. This is due to the fact that most people don't understand the disease at all. I was attending a support group for friends and families of bipolar during the winter, and did find that to be helpful, but they are on hiatus for the summer months (they dont seem to get much attendance in the summer). And my own immediate family has no interest in hearing about this stuff. So coming to this board as well as to another board I visit, has really helped me get through some difficult times recently. Helps to hear what others have been through.

Just wanted to say that all of this really helps someone who is far away, but truly appreciates your experience and information in this area. I am coming to see that my b/f has alot of complex issues, much more complex than I first thought.
Posted 8/2/2005 12:20 PM (GMT 0)

You are so very welcome; I think THIS is where families should come, haha! From the horse's mouth, so to speak.

I feel like this is the most helpful place I have ever been, even moreso than being a nurse all those years.  I hope you stick around and ask to your heart's content, we never get tired of helping others understand.  (If  that's possible, lol).

You sound like such a nice and caring person; he is very very lucky to have you, I just hope he realizes that.

And yes, BPs ALWAYS have many more complex issues than just being bipolar.  Lots of personality disorders usually go with it, unfortunately, those sometimes, not always, stay even after we get better.  And substance abuse goes hand in hand with it.  I did find, though, that when I was stabilized, my cravings for drugs and alcohol is gone.  It's the strangest thing.  I guess since I'm not either too high or too low, I don't have that driving, incessant need to fix either one or the other.  I really didn't expect that to happen, it's just a bonus!

Anyway, it's always nice to talk to you. smurf

Shannon

Posted 8/3/2005 3:35 AM (GMT 0)
i know he appreciates alot of what i do, but unfortunately, something else happened this week that is hard for me to digest.

He went to a party with his friends the other night who are all musicians, came home and called me at 2 a.m. to tell me that he is numb from alcohol and pot and it feels great. He could barely talk....I told him the next day that Im concerned that substance abuse will cancel out the effects of his meds. I mean, he just sounds messed up all the time lately. I also said that I have to protect my own feelings and wellbeing too, and hearing him like that really hurts me. He said that I do the things that I enjoy to let loose (swim, hike and make art) and he does what he wants to do to let loose (party hard). I know that this behaviour comes hand in hand with BP (substance abuse) as you said. It just hurts me that he is being self destructive. I told him that I have to shy away from him when he is showing that behaviour....this along with the prescription drug abuse. It seems to be going from bad to worse.

Don't know if I mentioned but Im an artist and having an art show in New York in two weeks, its a big deal for me and I am busily trying to finish ten small paintings for this show. He is really worrying me, but I have to focus on my work. It's tough, and Im sure I sound cold, but his timing couldn't be worse. Oh, I invited him to come to my show, and he said no...I believe its because he's out of control, and doesnt want me to see that. Thats just a guess on my part.
Posted 8/3/2005 4:49 AM (GMT 0)

Hey there,

I was just reading your posts and wanted to toss in a few words. That Shannon is one smart cookie and I think that we're all lucky to have her input on this forum.

Something you wrote in your last post caught my attention. You mentioned that you feel cold for feeling that you have to focus on your work for your upcoming art show. Please know that this is not being cold or brutal or unfaithful, but is as important to the whole relationship as anything that you do for your boyfriend. I'm having an evening of unusual clarity after several months worth of turmoil in my own relationship. I am the BP partner who has been through the whole (allbeit, less extreme) gammit of typical Bipolar beaviour. I feel somewhat obliged to you, a caring and involved person, to commend you on your efforts and let you know how strongly I feel that it is as important for you to take care of your own needs as it is to help your boyfriend. It is as tiring loving someone with BP as it is being the person with BP.

I think that one part of the whole picture of chronic illness that is often over looked is the partners, spouses, family and friends of people with Bipolar who work tirelessly to attempt to maintain balance and stability in an otherwise bumpy ride. The fact that you have gone through the effort of involving yourself in this forum is a very admirable accomplishment. 

I could probably write for days how important I think it is to maintain your own health and wellbeing as a "caregiver" or partner to someone with BP, but I won't. Just know that as Shannon said, this forum is full of people who understand your struggle and are always willing to listen.

Best of luck with your art show and I hope that you and your boyfriend can find some peace in all of the madness that is life.

Putter

Posted 8/3/2005 5:04 AM (GMT 0)
thank you for your comments, Putter. I felt compelled to involve myself in this forum and a couple of others as well due to the fact that I really wasnt getting the information I needed from websites, general reading and doctors.

I was pleasantly surprised and very grateful to see that there are people from all walks of life here, who are willing to share their stories. The thing that really has amazed me is how similar many of the stories are. That fact really is helping me to start to figure out what are characteristics of bipolar disorder and what are P's personality traits.

Anyways, I find it therapeutic to write about our situation here, just writing about it helps me sometimes understand better what is on my mind. And the responses are just wonderful, giving me ideas on how to do things differently. I know that some of the ways I have to responded to P, just in the last few weeks, have made him stop and think. I know his situation is bad right now and Im not sure where our relationship is going to go. Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom before you can climb up...Ive heard that saying before, and maybe thats where hes at right now.
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