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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by sheilac on August 19, 2012, at 13:13:27
I've dropped the low dose (5mg) of Adderall and have been taking the 25mg Lamictal, 150mg Lithium and 1mg Klonopin at night. In the morning I take 150mg Lithium and 1mg Klonopin.
I feel so tired and irritable. I have been sleeping great. Must be the addition of the Lamictal.
Since the doc said no Adderall, I have been drinking caffeine at every turn in order to get through the day and stay awake. He wanted me to stop all caffeine. I guess he thinks I can just stop my life and sleep for 2 weeks until I get used to being in my now tired state.
The goal is to taper down on the Klonopin and Lithium and stay off the Adderall for now.
I am wondering if I should stop my morning Klonopin or half my morning and evening klonopin. With the Lithium I don't usually feel too anxious.
But I am so bitchy and irritable due to feeling so tired all the time. My family can't stand me and neither can I!
As I taper down and off Klonopin and Lithium he will push the Lamictal. Maybe then he will ok the Adderall - but maybe not.
I feel tired and dumb, like I can't reason. I've felt unmotivated to do anything.
I know all this could be to this med change. But I hate it and I am miserable.
It's all I can do not to lie to the doc and take the Adderall. At least when I took Adderall I didn't need caffeine. All the caffeine I'm consuming can't be good for me and my mood.
It's times like this that I feel like being off all meds. I hate feeling tired, irritable and stupid.
I hope the Lamictal doesn't make me any dumber than I feel.
Posted by brynb on August 19, 2012, at 13:36:50
In reply to Tired = Irritability, low tolerance?, posted by sheilac on August 19, 2012, at 13:13:27
sheila-
perhaps you should take all of the lithium and klonopin at night (all at once). It won't make a difference on their half-lives, and it will certainly help with sleep. taking them in the morning will only make you tired and cranky during the day.
-b
Posted by Sheilac on August 19, 2012, at 16:18:51
In reply to Re: Tired = Irritability, low tolerance? » sheilac, posted by brynb on August 19, 2012, at 13:36:50
Maybe you're right. I was blaming the tiredness on the Lamictal. But I know when I wake up tired I'm cranky all day.
My doc has me taking the meds at 8:00pm. I think I may need to take them with dinner or by 7:00.
Thanks for the idea.
Posted by brynb on August 19, 2012, at 16:28:55
In reply to Re: Tired = Irritability, low tolerance?, posted by Sheilac on August 19, 2012, at 16:18:51
> Maybe you're right. I was blaming the tiredness on the Lamictal. But I know when I wake up tired I'm cranky all day.
>
> My doc has me taking the meds at 8:00pm. I think I may need to take them with dinner or by 7:00.
>
> Thanks for the idea.no problem. i take my lithium (300mg) after dinner to help with the gi issues (and it makes me sleepy).
Posted by Sheilac on August 19, 2012, at 16:45:57
In reply to Re: Tired = Irritability, low tolerance?, posted by brynb on August 19, 2012, at 16:28:55
I know since I added Lamictal (even the small dose) I've been sleepy and don't wake up in the middle of the night anymore.
Posted by phidippus on August 20, 2012, at 0:14:03
In reply to Tired = Irritability, low tolerance?, posted by sheilac on August 19, 2012, at 13:13:27
>All the caffeine I'm consuming can't be good for >me and my mood.
Actually, caffeine is very good for mood and coffee is vey healthy. Caffeine reduces glutamate, which can help with depression. Coffee is full of flavinoids and antioxidants which help prevent cancer and promote a strong immune system.
Drink up
Eric
Posted by phidippus on August 20, 2012, at 0:25:54
In reply to Tired = Irritability, low tolerance?, posted by sheilac on August 19, 2012, at 13:13:27
I think your doctor has the right idea. He wants to strip down your medications so he can deal with your primary illness, which is the bipolar mood disorder. Getting rid of the klonopin, adderaalll and lithium allows him to treat you with a single medication in order to see how you respond. Once mood stabilization is established, other medications will be brought on board to deal with whatever other problems you may be having. I think its important you stay patient through the process.
Eric
Posted by sheilac on August 20, 2012, at 6:11:28
In reply to Re: Tired = Irritability, low tolerance? » sheilac, posted by phidippus on August 20, 2012, at 0:25:54
I did take my klonopin, 150mg of lithium and my 25mg of lamictal last night around 7:00.
I got up a little earlier this morning to allow myself to quietly wake up with breakfast, vitamins, coffee and water.
I am not taking my klonopin or lithium this morning. Hopefully, this will help me stay awake during the day and feel more alert and less crabby.
Posted by phidippus on August 20, 2012, at 11:04:59
In reply to Eric= Irritability, low tolerance?, posted by sheilac on August 20, 2012, at 6:11:28
I think that's an excellent idea. Have you ever gotten withdrawal effects from Klonopin?
Eric
Posted by Sheilac on August 20, 2012, at 15:37:35
In reply to Eric= Irritability, low tolerance?, posted by sheilac on August 20, 2012, at 6:11:28
Haven't had any Klonopin withdrawal. But I've stopped it cold turkey in the past and didn't have a problem.
I think the coffee this morning made me a little nervous, but I made it without Klonopin.
I see the doc again next week. I hope he ups the Lamictal. I'm only taking 25mg for 2 weeks and now that I am down to 150 lithium I feel like I may need more stabilization.
Don't really know what my target dose is for Lamictal, especially since I'm a low dose girl.
Still miss Adderall, but not stable enough yet to add it back.
Posted by phidippus on August 20, 2012, at 19:16:31
In reply to Re: Eric= Irritability, low tolerance?, posted by Sheilac on August 20, 2012, at 15:37:35
Glad the Klonopin won't be a problem.
The targeet dose for Lamictal is 200 mg, but since you're sensitive, 100 mg might work for you.
Eric
This is the end of the thread.
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