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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by D minor on October 15, 2004, at 1:30:44
Hty,
I'm getting really sick of these medications. I've been diagnosed bipolar, though I have doubts about that. Taking:
Depakote 500
Remeron 15
Wellbutrin 300
Abilify 5
Seroquel 400My question is, if you're bipolar do you absoutly have to take medication, or will cognitive therapy work? I'm really considering goin off my meds and just not seeing my pdoc anymore. I'm sleepy all day, I'm always hungry, usually for sugar, and I'm gaining weight. My pdoc thinks I'm too demanding at that I'll never be satisfied. That really hurt.
Miserable on these meds,
dm
Posted by anxiety_free on October 15, 2004, at 6:26:56
In reply to Bipolar: Do I HAVE to take meds?, posted by D minor on October 15, 2004, at 1:30:44
You don't really HAVE to do anything, but it is a good idea to take your meds. Have you considered a new shrink? Yours sounds a little bitchy, and those meds are known to have the side effects you mentioned. At any rate, the # of meds can get overwhelming; I was once with a shrink who had me on 7 or 8 different daily meds...it made me slow, boring, and fat, so I changed shrinks. Also, try being more assertive with your doc. Remember: they work for you, and should treat you as a partner in your therapy. Let your doc know you're displeased with his/her attitude towards you, and if it continues you will be compelled to seek help elsewhere. It works; the shrink will see you as a PERSON, not just a guineau pig. And, BTW, after looking over your meds I'm kind of wondering if you should suggest more Abilify (well tolerated, I went all the way up to 30mgs) and less other crap, like Depakote (which can cause pancreatitis). The Abilify can act as an anti-depressant, too, so you may be able to cut back on Remeron...or suggest a switch. Effexor works just as well, is commonly used in BP, and can cause WEIGHT LOSS...at any rate, I'd take effexor or even a tricyclic over remeron. Good luck!
Posted by anxiety_free on October 15, 2004, at 6:30:46
In reply to Bipolar: Do I HAVE to take meds?, posted by D minor on October 15, 2004, at 1:30:44
Why are you taking two anti-psychotics? Ask your doc. Even new ones carry risks; mixing and matching compounds your problems. Abilify can be great monotherapy for bipolar with fewer side effects than seroquel. If you're taking seroquel for sleep and/or anxiety (thats why I was Rx'd it), suggest a REAL sleeping pill or anti-anxiety agent.
Posted by Sad Panda on October 15, 2004, at 9:54:28
In reply to Bipolar: Do I HAVE to take meds?, posted by D minor on October 15, 2004, at 1:30:44
> Hty,
> I'm getting really sick of these medications. I've been diagnosed bipolar, though I have doubts about that. Taking:
> Depakote 500
> Remeron 15
> Wellbutrin 300
> Abilify 5
> Seroquel 400
>
> My question is, if you're bipolar do you absoutly have to take medication, or will cognitive therapy work? I'm really considering goin off my meds and just not seeing my pdoc anymore. I'm sleepy all day, I'm always hungry, usually for sugar, and I'm gaining weight. My pdoc thinks I'm too demanding at that I'll never be satisfied. That really hurt.
>
> Miserable on these meds,
> dm
>
>Your pdoc sounds pretty heartless, pretty much the opposite to what a doctor is supposed to be. I would be inclined to try getting rid of Remeron, it is notorious for causing sugar cravings & weight gain.
Cheers,
Paul.
Posted by crazychickuk on October 15, 2004, at 10:08:21
In reply to Re: Bipolar: Do I HAVE to take meds?, posted by Sad Panda on October 15, 2004, at 9:54:28
Hey, if you really feel you would be better of of meds then try it, i am taking that approach its been 2 mnths of hell so far, but its getting better touch wood, i am seeing a really nice therapist, she is teaching me to change my way of thinking etc and to keep calm etc on my manic days.... you could only but try it as long as you got a good therapist who is there for you.. but be aware the withdrawl is awfull taking me 2 mnths...
take care
Posted by Toph on October 15, 2004, at 10:55:44
In reply to Bipolar: Do I HAVE to take meds?, posted by D minor on October 15, 2004, at 1:30:44
Did you ever try lithium, D? I am fortunate that with lithium I control all serious swings into clinical depression and psychotic mania. I still have minor depression which sucks but I'm glad that I do not have to take a cocktail of meds. Hope you find something that works for you.
Posted by Ritch on October 15, 2004, at 12:12:12
In reply to Bipolar: Do I HAVE to take meds?, posted by D minor on October 15, 2004, at 1:30:44
> Hty,
> I'm getting really sick of these medications. I've been diagnosed bipolar, though I have doubts about that. Taking:
> Depakote 500
> Remeron 15
> Wellbutrin 300
> Abilify 5
> Seroquel 400
>
> My question is, if you're bipolar do you absoutly have to take medication, or will cognitive therapy work? I'm really considering goin off my meds and just not seeing my pdoc anymore. I'm sleepy all day, I'm always hungry, usually for sugar, and I'm gaining weight. My pdoc thinks I'm too demanding at that I'll never be satisfied. That really hurt.
>
> Miserable on these meds,
> dmI agree with the others generally. Why two antipsychotics? Why Remeron if Seroquel works for sleep? Maybe you wouldn't need the Depakote if you are taking an AP. Remeron and Depakote have been the most appetitite stimulating meds I've ever taken. Try getting rid of one of them at a time--maybe you would feel just as good or possibly better on just two or three? I think going off all of them all at once could be a disaster (primarily from the withdrawal reactions).
Posted by HappyGirl on October 15, 2004, at 23:49:50
In reply to Bipolar: Do I HAVE to take meds?, posted by D minor on October 15, 2004, at 1:30:44
Hi D Minor:
I was wondering how you were doing since I didn't see your name/post after you got the Depakote.To answer to your question below;
>>> Depakote 500
Remeron 15
Wellbutrin 300
Abilify 5
Seroquel 400 <<<In my personal journey on Bipolar II with ultra rapid cycler, ... I got one med. at a time, starting from the Depakote alone med. regimen to Lithium, Zyprexa, 2 anti-depressants. I never was put on two meds. all once. Then, it's very hard for me to tell whether your med. combo. is suitable to your condition. However, seeing your med. list, it seems your pdoc. having a hard time to find the right med. combo. for you, although it seems to me he/she WANTS to help you the best he/she can. For that reason, I have no idea whether you should switch a new pdoc., because in my personal experience, it's tough to find a good one. However, if he/she is hesitant to offer the help you need, then you may need to consider other pdoc. soon.
In regard to whether Bipolar needs med., ... yes, we, Bpers need the med. combo. not only the present but also the future. Because, Bp is said to be one of most 'serious' M.I.s
As to psycho.-therapy, ... it helps in some ways, particularly if you have some issues, such as the work, marital problems and lists go on. But, therapy alone does NOT offer Bpers significantly. Med. and psycho.therapy combo. works well, ... but again this seems all indificual preferences. Some says it works well, but the other saying NOT much. All depends on the situation and circumstances you have.Hopefully, you feel better soon.
Please keep us posted your progress.
H.G.
Posted by D minor on October 16, 2004, at 2:48:18
In reply to Re: Bipolar: Do I HAVE to take meds?//D minor, posted by HappyGirl on October 15, 2004, at 23:49:50
Thanks H.G.,
it's been a week since I started the Depakote. I've been really sleepy, causing me to miss some work and school. Other than that I haven't noticed any side effects. I just had my first blood test today.Actually, to All, my psychologist told my pdoc that I was frustrated with him (something I wish she wouldn't have done) and in reply he told her that he felt I was un-pleasable. My husband thinks this was very unprofessional of her. We're thinking I might not need anymore talk therapy since I seem to be doing "alright."
I'm on two antipsychotics because one alone doesn't work. Well, I can't tollerate any higher doses of Abilify (akathesia). Even the two that I'm on hasn't stopped the halucinations. Which leads me to my other question.
In the hospital they told me that the hallucinations wouldn't fully go away until my mood was stabilized (this was when I was dxed MD). Does this stand true for BP. When I stop cycling will they go away?
I think I will definatly listen to y'all and ask to be taken off the Remeron. I guess I was just getting frustrated. 6 meds are a lot.
Thanks for listening,
dm
Posted by crazychickuk on October 16, 2004, at 8:40:00
In reply to Re: Thanks All, posted by D minor on October 16, 2004, at 2:48:18
Some therapists are old fasioned... get a new one i DID and am glad.. best of luck
Posted by HappyGirl on October 16, 2004, at 10:07:59
In reply to Re: Thanks All, posted by D minor on October 16, 2004, at 2:48:18
Hi D minor:
I'm so glad to see/read your somehow 'up-beat' post this morning when I opened this site, psycho.-babble.In answer to your question below;
>>> it's been a week since I started the Depakote. I've been really sleepy, causing me to miss some work and school. Other than that I haven't noticed any side effects. <<<--- It sounds to me like you're doing a GREAT job on the Depakote. When on 750 mg. - 1250 mg., I was just 'zombie' not capable to do anything(truthfully). I needed to quit both the work and the school. Sleepiness/zombiness, ... in my personal experience, does NOT go away at least you're accustomed to it. In that regard, I can not tell, ... but for me, unfortunately it didn't subside a bit even a year later when the effectiness of the Depakote ceased and switched a new pdoc.(long story). ---
In regard to 'talk therapy,' I, too have NOT yet found a good one to speak out. I had a bad experience with the therapist at the beginning when I was first dxed with Bp. Like you, she was so blunt and non-caring to my feelings/emotional well-being. It hurt me rather the help I needed. Since then, I have NO talk therapist. But, maybe on the road ahead, I will find a right one. Some saying, ... like pdoc., it's VERY hard to find a therapist who fits to your emotional and psychological needs.
>>> In the hospital they told me that the hallucinations wouldn't fully go away until my mood was stabilized (this was when I was dxed MD). Does this stand true for BP. When I stop cycling will they go away? <<<--- I never been in hospital although my Bp is one of 'hardest' group. Then, I have no clue whether they/hospital's quote is true. However, in regard to 'rapid cycler,' ... in my case, first of all, the med. combo.(zyprexa 5 mg. Lithium 900 mg. Trazodone 150 mg. and WB sr 300 mg.) needs to work 'GOOD' on my system/Bp chemical. Because, rapid cycler is one of 'mania' which is not easily controlled by the med. combo. I'd say, ... rapid cycler seems worse than ordinary mania you normally experience on your manic episodes. Then, the hospital stuff did tell you the 'truth.'
Sometime, it takes awhile to get the med. combo. working on you appropriately, ... but it(feeling well) will come as long as you're taking the med. combo. faithfully.
In my personal opinion, it does NOT matter how many meds.(6 in all) you're on. What matters is you'd better to stay on this combo. as long as it's helping you.
H.G.
Posted by anxiety_free on October 17, 2004, at 18:30:15
In reply to Re: Thanks All, posted by D minor on October 16, 2004, at 2:48:18
What your psychologist did wasn't just unprofessional; it approaches illegal. Under the US's new patient rights bill, docs aren't supposed to discuss your case at all unless absolutely necessary, and for your benefit. This was neither of those. Before you find a new set of docs, put these two on notice that just b/c you have a disorder doesn't mean they can act like this...threaten to lodge a complaint with the state medical board, and if you want to, follow through. As for the hallucinations...usually, these are found in either more complicated BP I+II or in schizoaffective disorder. If you lean towards the BP end of the spectrum, stabilizing your mood should help a lot with your problems.
This is the end of the thread.
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