HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Don't think the lamictal and geodon are working....

Support Forums
>
Bipolar Disorder
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 11/19/2006 9:03 PM (GMT 0)
I was in the hospital again on Friday night. I don't think that the lamictal and geodon are working. The doctor that was taking care of me said to ask if I could try lithium and depacote instead. He said the first two are newer, fancier drugs and that going back to the basics might work better for me. I need to ask my NP about this. The only problem is my next appt. isn't until the 14th of December. I guess since I have almost full scrips of the two, I'll tough it out and than ask what he thinks about changing.

This bipolar thing is scaring me very much. I keep listening to the negative thoughts and ignoring the positive. I don't know why. Could it really be because of the drugs? Are they truly not working? I don't want to end up as a statistic. Any advise would help and be most appreciated.

Thanks 

Posted 11/21/2006 8:17 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Chelle,

How long have you been on the Lamictal and Geodon? Meds can take up to 12 weeks to work properly (though some improvement in the meantime woud be expected). A possible change is definitely something you should discuss with your NP. My feeling is that you should do this asap: your next scheduled appointment may be for the 14th Dec, but there should be the possibility of making an earlier appointment. In the UK, the way of doing this is to ask for an "emergency appointment" -- then you get seen the same day; something like that may be possible for you -- try it :)

Hun, the negative thoughts won't be because of the drugs, but they may be gaining ground because the meds you're on aren't the right ones for you. I'm slumped with the negative patterns as well at the moment -- can't seem to shift out of this mess, but did manage to see my doc for an emergency appointment today (meds upped) and I'm trying to believe this will help. Let's try to be strong and proactive together.

Rosie x
Posted 11/22/2006 2:24 AM (GMT 0)
 You sound just like me except I wouldn't take the Lamactil and Depokote, I am toughing it out on Prozac, and Ativan. I think the Ativan is a God send except I am completely addicted to it. I refuse to believe that I have Bi-Polar Disorder, I think you should refuse to believe that you have it, and really pray. Go to church as much as you can and just be quiet and listen for peace to come to your body. Exercise is also the ticket, try something that gets your heart racing and a sweat going. If you think about this stuff to long it starts to consume all of your thoughts. Say a Hail Mary when you feel like your in a bad place. Hormones are also a bad thing with this Bipolar stuff, If you had a Hysterectomy, Yours might be screwed up?
Posted 11/22/2006 7:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Shakes,

As I understand from your post, you have been diagnosed with bipolar. Is that correct? If so, I am truly sorry to hear that you are refusing to believe your diagnosis: bipolar is not a condition that you can just ignore. I am very happy that you have a faith to help you cope with difficult times, but that won't cure you or make the diagnosis any less real. I'm afraid that your recommendations to Chelle here are rather unhelpful as you should never recommend to anyone that they don't take a diagnosis seriously: Chelle has been doing wonderfully in coming to terms with her diagnosis and I would hate to see anything set her off track and cause her to lose the progress she's been making.

Rosie
Posted 11/23/2006 4:48 AM (GMT 0)

Thanks Rosie-

I can always count on you for good advise. I am REALLY trying to deal with this. My hubby bought a safe and locked up all my meds, including the Nyquil, Benadryl, cough syrup, etc. He's giving me my doses that I divy out in a pill thingy every week. I hate this, but I know it's for my own good, but I still hate it.

I ordered 3-4 new books on Amazon.com for bipolar, one's a workbook. When they get here, I'll post the titles as maybe they can help someone else.

I didn't really take offense to Shakes comments, I know he/she meant well. But I can't deny what I have. I have to deal with it head on. I can't bury my head in the sand. I go to church every week and am on my knees all the time. But it's up to me, not anyone else. All I can do is ask for help and advise here, through my therapist and my NP. And believe me, I listen. It's hard sometimes, but I try so hard. I'm in a funk tonight because of the pill safe thing. I feel like a baby, but right now, I can't be trusted with my meds. I just can't have a huge quantity at my disposal until I can pull myself out alone. Hence the Friday hospital stayover. Not fun, but I did it to myself and then realized what I'd done and called for help.

Rosie, you rock!

Posted 11/28/2006 6:23 PM (GMT 0)

Wow Chelle! It's really great that you are being so positive in dealing with this - your an inspiration.

And , that you know what's best even though it's uncomfortable sometimes.

Hey , you're NOT a baby - it was an intelligent move.

Keep up the good work.

Smiler tongue

Posted 11/28/2006 7:24 PM (GMT 0)
I was misdiagnosed with Bi-polar five years ago. My psychiatrist proceed to ruin my life. I was on every medication that is known to treat this disease. I became addicted to Ativan and took me 6 months of tapering to get off this drug, and all the other anti-psychotic drugs. At times I was a neurotic vegetable with no quality of life. I was on Effexor and Lamictal. Effexor is another dangerous drug. The long term side effects with possible brain side effects are documented. It IS possible to be mis-diagosed!! Just because a physician says you have it is not necessarily so! Get other Dr's opinions. I agree with Shakes.
Posted 11/29/2006 12:41 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Time-Flies,

Welcome to HW!

Sorry you had to go through a misdiagnosis; yes, sadly these do happen. Sorry too that you were kept on Ativan for too long: it really is a crisis-managemet only med I believe and should never be seen as a long-term solution.

I don't know enough about Effexor to judge what you say about it. I've been on it and know what I've read in the manufacturer's information (which, for legal reasons, has to be pretty comprehensive). What source have you found that says about dangerous side-effects? It would be good to know more. -- Do you have a link?

Yes, second opinions are always wise. There are great doctors (including psychiatrists) out there, and then there are the ones that mess up. I hope you now have better help and a solid diagnosis.

Rosie x
Posted 11/30/2006 1:15 AM (GMT 0)
Hello fellow manics,

 Has anyone ever experienced a vibrating in their body? Or arms going numb while sleeping? I feel better after I take something but it is scary. (Ativan)

 Shakes

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply