I am so glad that I found this place. I am the mother of three special needs kids. I have a son with Asperger's. who also suffers from depression. I have a daughter that has bi-polar depression. My youngest was just diagnosed with b-polar depression with an aversion to people. They all have sensory integration and that makes for a very interesting household. But it doesn't stop there. I am a severe bi-polar who has been in the hospital 9 times, usually for medication issues. My husband has depression, seasonal affective disorder, and social phobia. Life gets hectic at times. I take lithium(1200 mg) and would like to get off it. I have gained 30 pounds on it over the past 4 years and have lost a 1/3 of my hair. I am already carrying 50 extra pounds from the 35 other meds that they tried on me. There are other side affects that I won't go into, but my family doesn't know why I want to go off. I have been stable, but as of Dec. when we found out that we were going to have to move, because we were losing our house, I have not been able to sleep without taking something and it seems like I just need more to get to sleep. I'm spending money again and just started a new business. I started the business to get out of the house and have some time for myself, but now that I see that I'm in the midst of a manic episode, I'm not sure this is such a good time to start the business. I want to be successful. Heaven knows we could use the extra money. I found a things on a web site that talks about
high dose thyroid hormone as a mood stablilzer in bi-polar disorder. I'ts had limited clinical trials and just the research of one clinician. I'm desperate enough to try it. I hate being on lithium, even though it keeps me sane. If you have any other ideas that won't make me gain weight and might actually help me lose weight, let me know. I need all the help I can get.
mom3
lithium 1200 mg.
geodon 160 mg.
effexor xr 150
klonopin 2 mg(every night) 