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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by linkadge on July 18, 2003, at 18:18:41
Hi,
I am still having considerable problems with my combination of meds.
I am bipolar and tried lithium alone for many months. I was very depressed even when on 1200mgs of the stuff. I was depressed because I couldn't do anything, I just sat around shoving food in my face.
But heres the problem. Nothing mixes with lithium. Fish oil, Celexa, folic acid all give me terrible vertigo to the point that I can't go up the stairs.
I am taking just Celexa now, (no lithium) and my brain is absolutely fried.
My mom gained 100+ lbs on Lithium and now has kidney problems. I can't go back on lithium I just cant. Help !!!!
Linkadge
Posted by Jack Smith on July 18, 2003, at 18:54:35
In reply to Help needed with bipolar , posted by linkadge on July 18, 2003, at 18:18:41
Have you tried other mood stabilizers? I mean there are a ton out there, now. Lamictal, alone may be better than Lithium alone for you because it has some AD qualities and apparently can be a little activating which would be good since lithium made you umotivated.
Do you have classic bipolar symptoms because I believe that Lithium is best for that but not for softer bipolars.
Good luck, I am sure you will find something. There are a ton of options out there besides lithium.
JACK
Posted by McPac on July 18, 2003, at 21:27:13
In reply to Help needed with bipolar , posted by linkadge on July 18, 2003, at 18:18:41
Link,
I sure wish I could help you dude, hate to hear you feeling badly......I would echo Jack's suggestion, why not try a different mood stabilizer, perhaps Lamictal for the very reasons Jack mentioned......unless, of course, you've already tried that......
"I am taking just Celexa now, (no lithium) and my brain is absolutely fried"..............be careful Link, an AD without any mood stabilizer could present big problems........."Nothing mixes with lithium. Fish oil, Celexa, folic acid all give me terrible vertigo to the point that I can't go up the stairs"...........just wondering, if you were to take the fish oil (or folic acid) now (since you're not on Li), would you still get the vertigo? If you would, then maybe the Li isn't the culprit?......at any rate, Take Care Linkadge!!!
Posted by linkadge on July 18, 2003, at 23:08:06
In reply to Re: Help needed with bipolar , posted by McPac on July 18, 2003, at 21:27:13
Here in Canada the *only* thing approved for bipolar is Lithium. The doctor won't perscribe anything that isn't approved, not even Depakote.
I'm just so $%^$%^$ ANGRY !!!
It's like this little part of my brain I want to rip out. Anger is useless, It shouldn't even be there.
Linkadge
Posted by catmint on July 19, 2003, at 0:57:19
In reply to Help needed with bipolar , posted by linkadge on July 18, 2003, at 18:18:41
Posted by catmint on July 19, 2003, at 1:07:24
In reply to doc won't perscibe anything else, posted by linkadge on July 18, 2003, at 23:08:06
Linkage,
Try to see another doc.
There are many doctors who will prescribe meds that are not approved for bipolar.
Depakote has never been approved for BP.
I'm pretty sure that Lamictal isn't either but I heard they might be approving it soon (?) for BP depression.
I realize you are in Canada but is possible that another clinic could help you? You shouldn't have to suffer needlessly.
Posted by jay on July 19, 2003, at 4:43:41
In reply to doc won't perscibe anything else, posted by linkadge on July 18, 2003, at 23:08:06
> Here in Canada the *only* thing approved for bipolar is Lithium. The doctor won't perscribe anything that isn't approved, not even Depakote.
>
>
>
> I'm just so $%^$%^$ ANGRY !!!
> It's like this little part of my brain I want to rip out. Anger is useless, It shouldn't even be there.
>
>
> Linkadge
>I am in Canada too. My doctor will prescribe anything and everything (mostly), if it helps. Best to try and find a new doctor. Oh, and it's just my opinion, but psychiatrists here seem very conservative with prescribing. Try to get a younger, more open GP/family doc. It pays in the end...believe me!
Best,
Jay
Posted by McPac on July 19, 2003, at 14:30:20
In reply to doc won't perscibe anything else, posted by linkadge on July 18, 2003, at 23:08:06
"I'm just so $%^$%^$ ANGRY !!!
It's like this little part of my brain I want to rip out. Anger is useless, It shouldn't even be there".>>>>>>>>>Link, is this anger med-induced anger?
Posted by linkadge on July 19, 2003, at 16:38:50
In reply to Link, Re: doc won't perscibe anything else, posted by McPac on July 19, 2003, at 14:30:20
Its like this pressure in the back of my head,
I can feel the exact part and I just want to rip it out. It is almost as if my brain is itchy.Linkadge
Posted by cybercafe on July 20, 2003, at 2:52:34
In reply to doc won't perscibe anything else, posted by linkadge on July 18, 2003, at 23:08:06
> Here in Canada the *only* thing approved for bipolar is Lithium. The doctor won't perscribe anything that isn't approved, not even Depakote.
>i'm in canada... i had a doc in the UK put me on depakote but it didn't work (very high dose).... then a doc here (ontario) put me on zyprexa (only 3.75mg) and i am euphoria-free ...
i'm sure you can find a doc to give you a different mood stabilizer...... remember you can always go for a second opinion
Posted by jay beck on July 20, 2003, at 22:42:11
In reply to Re: doc won't perscibe anything else, posted by cybercafe on July 20, 2003, at 2:52:34
is euphoria free a good thing?
Posted by Jack Smith on July 21, 2003, at 12:48:02
In reply to doc won't perscibe anything else, posted by linkadge on July 18, 2003, at 23:08:06
> Here in Canada the *only* thing approved for bipolar is Lithium. The doctor won't perscribe anything that isn't approved, not even Depakote.
> I'm just so $%^$%^$ ANGRY !!!
> It's like this little part of my brain I want to rip out. Anger is useless, It shouldn't even be there.
>
>I thought Lamictal was approved there, guess not. YOu would obviously know better than I. Everything I have learned on this board about Canada has led me to one conclusion--it's health care system is the most overrated thing in the world. WIth the country being so enlightened on other issues, I just saw the whole gay marriage thing, you would think they would be enlightened about mental health, even G.W. is pushing for better mental health systems here (no offense to any republicans, I think it's a good thing).
Good luck, Link, maybe you can find a better doc??
JACK
Posted by Mags on July 21, 2003, at 16:21:44
In reply to Re: doc won't perscibe anything else, posted by Jack Smith on July 21, 2003, at 12:48:02
> > Here in Canada the *only* thing approved for bipolar is Lithium. The doctor won't perscribe anything that isn't approved, not even Depakote.
> I thought Lamictal was approved there, guess not. YOu would obviously know better than I. Everything I have learned on this board about Canada has led me to one conclusion--it's health care system is the most overrated thing in the world. WIth the country being so enlightened on other issues, I just saw the whole gay marriage thing, you would think they would be enlightened about mental health, even G.W. is pushing for better mental health systems here (no offense to any republicans, I think it's a good thing).
>
> Good luck, Link, maybe you can find a better doc??
>
> JACKJack, I must take issue with your comment about Canada's health care system. It is "individual" doctors that make up the Canadian system. I live in Ontario and see a young Psyciatrist who is open to ANY solutions to help me. I am BPII and have been on Lamictal and Depakote both (plus many more trials). We are currently exploring opiates as a solution and i am trying Percocet.
Linkadge, like many have said, try another doctor......and good luck.
mags
Posted by Jack Smith on July 21, 2003, at 17:18:03
In reply to Re: doc won't perscibe anything else » Jack Smith, posted by Mags on July 21, 2003, at 16:21:44
> Jack, I must take issue with your comment about Canada's health care system. It is "individual" doctors that make up the Canadian system. I live in Ontario and see a young Psyciatrist who is open to ANY solutions to help me. I am BPII and have been on Lamictal and Depakote both (plus many more trials). We are currently exploring opiates as a solution and i am trying Percocet.
>
> Linkadge, like many have said, try another doctor......and good luck.Two things.
1) I did not mean anyone to take offense. I was just noting that I thought Canada, as a very open-minded country would be more open-minded in general about mental health.
2) My comment did not mean to say that Canada's health care system is terrible just very over-rated from what we are told in the states. Here, so many talk about the health care system in Canada as utopian and the model that we should follow. It seems that Canada's system is not without its problems. I have read several posts from Canadian posters saying the same thing.
And, congrats on finding a good pdoc. I know they are rare everywhere.
JACK
> mags
>
>
This is the end of the thread.
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