Posted by JohnL on April 19, 2000, at 3:43:18
In reply to Re: Please Read bipolar and medication options, posted by William on April 18, 2000, at 23:23:53
> > I am bipolar-I took Prozac and Tegretal for the past four years.My only ill effects were loss of sex urge, some twitching, yawning and afternoon sleepiness. My family has urged me off the meds. Money, dependancy,fear of liver problems from the Tegretal, and not understanding by my spouse are the reasons I agreed to quit taking my meds on Jan.1,2000. Now the signs of depression are closing in, my sex drive never returned and I am afraid that the really bad times are beginning again. My next dr. appt is not until May 5. I am afraid. Has anyone any advice about alternative medications? Maybe cheaper,less controversial meds that my family wont be so afraid of? Also has anyone else ever gone off these meds cold-turkey and what was the result for them? Thank you.
>
>
> Hi:
>
> I have some URGENT thoughts I would like to pass on. Of course, none of this is "medical" advice or whatever. But, from being Bipolar, to dealing with family...even sex drive....I have a bit of experience in each.
>
> As mentioned...I don't think you should STOP the Tegretol right away. Talk to your doctor, and ask if there is an alternative a bit less risky. Second..your "family" Now...are we talking your "spouse", "children", or in-law's?
>
> There are some EXCELLENT books out there available to family members of us suffering with a mental illness. I can't recall the titles off hand...but I will search around the net for some. To you, AND, to the above posters...we can't sit silently..living in fear and pain?? Is that what life is all about?? No. Being "silent" is just contributing to the "stigma" of Mental Illness.Getting someone to read a book isn't that easy, especially if they are defiant or non-believing to begin with. If they could just get started reading, that could indeed help a whole lot. Much easier said than done though. Try it. Even if they do read something that is agreeable and interesting to us, it will probably be disagreeable and uninteresting to them. Depression is painful for those around us that have to witness it day in and day out. It's a natural human tendency to steer away from pain rather than face it head on. I believe supportive family members are a minority. Most don't understand, don't want to understand, and will actually purposefully or subconciously sidestep the issue.
>
> Also, if you can ask your doctor about support groups in your area, that would be excellent. You will get a chance to meet fellow bipolar and depressives, and share your issue in an open forum.Remaining silent and private at home can be very constructive for the home atmosphere and relationships. We all have problems, but when they become a topic of discussion day after day, they wear people down and cause friction. The appropriate place to talk--when family members are resistant--is with a professional counselor or a group forum or both. These people are open, understanding, and very helpful. Family members--even the best-intentioned ones--are pitifully underprepared to help much, especially in an ongoing daily basis. I wish it weren't so, but that's just reality. Not in every case, but most.
>
> I would honestly say..CALL your doc...talk to them...get back on your meds regarding what they say. The sexual component CAN be treated..but you have to get the family REALIZING that this IS a BONIFIDE illness like Cancer, Aids, etc.
>
> Also..just a note on the St. John's Wort...in the North American Medical Community...it's efficiacy holds VERY little ground. We need serious medicine for a serious problem. (not demeaning what you said.)True, North America is embarrassingly lagging in SJW research. But in Europe where a bonifide organization for herbal medicines has existed for decades--similar to our FDA--SJW has been proven effective for decades and in hundreds of controlled studies. Many of the studies were flawed by USA standards, but some of them were perfect. Whether SJW has scientific support or not depends on which part of the world we look for it. Where it hasn't been heavily researched (USA), efficacy support is lacking. In places where it has been well-researched (Europe) it is prescribed more often than any other prescription antidepressant. I'm pretty sure it's not a continent-wide placebo effect. To see all the controlled scientific studies on SJW and its proven efficacy, go to www.hypericum.com. All the studies, complete with graphs and statistics, are there for review.
>
> Best wishes..and please respond back with questions..and let us know how you make out...
> Sincerely, William:-)
poster:JohnL
thread:30386
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000411/msgs/30536.html