slimsta00018
05-03-2008, 12:46 AM
Hey there. I was just diagnosed with bi-polar along with my paranoid schizophrenia about 4 months ago. I haven't seen my psychiatrist in like 6 months, and Im wondering whether I should ask to get on Lithium or not. I have read about Seroquel and I don't like the sound of it. Does anyone have any advice? I am currently on Zyprexa by the way.
Sponsor
craziunique
05-03-2008, 07:14 AM
welcome aboard!!!
I love this board!! it has guided me many of a time. Even if you are just looking and reading other posts and dont replied. After a while you get the "hang" of it, that you are NOT ALONE - believe me!! this board is a good outlet to talk to people with the same or similar condition. They accept you unconditional! - They dont "know you " from Adam - but it's nice to know there is a place you can go to and vent. I do!
It good therapy I think. By the way I'm on Seroquel - i take 50mg in the morning and 50 in the afternoon and 200mg at night - believe me at night -it WILL make you go nite nite.
But before I took it , I was mentally all over the place- OVER THINKING- worrying about crap for no stupid reason. Because I wish i gone on it sooner , now I'm working 20 hours at home and struggle BAD. Because on my bipolar. luckily, my boss is half way understanding. I still have my health insurance :angel: If i didnt have that and still tring to find a regular job in "this market" i think i would of lost it by now. I'm not saying I haven't have my moment's - I did one thing positive today.
I took a nice long bike ride today it was nice!! well with the price of gas now - im sorta force to - so look at things that way - find a trolly in your town other ways to save on gas. The bus - because I'm sure with the rest of us, with or with out insurance our meds are the most important thing on our list - even before food!!!
crazi....
I love this board!! it has guided me many of a time. Even if you are just looking and reading other posts and dont replied. After a while you get the "hang" of it, that you are NOT ALONE - believe me!! this board is a good outlet to talk to people with the same or similar condition. They accept you unconditional! - They dont "know you " from Adam - but it's nice to know there is a place you can go to and vent. I do!
It good therapy I think. By the way I'm on Seroquel - i take 50mg in the morning and 50 in the afternoon and 200mg at night - believe me at night -it WILL make you go nite nite.
But before I took it , I was mentally all over the place- OVER THINKING- worrying about crap for no stupid reason. Because I wish i gone on it sooner , now I'm working 20 hours at home and struggle BAD. Because on my bipolar. luckily, my boss is half way understanding. I still have my health insurance :angel: If i didnt have that and still tring to find a regular job in "this market" i think i would of lost it by now. I'm not saying I haven't have my moment's - I did one thing positive today.
I took a nice long bike ride today it was nice!! well with the price of gas now - im sorta force to - so look at things that way - find a trolly in your town other ways to save on gas. The bus - because I'm sure with the rest of us, with or with out insurance our meds are the most important thing on our list - even before food!!!
crazi....
katlin09
05-03-2008, 02:59 PM
Slim,
Welcome to the BP world...so I have 2 questions...who diagnosed you with BP and what particularly about Seroquel do you not like?
Welcome to the BP world...so I have 2 questions...who diagnosed you with BP and what particularly about Seroquel do you not like?
slimsta00018
05-03-2008, 06:06 PM
Well I was admitted into Ben Taub Psychiatric Hospital for about 3 weeks for taking a whole bottle of depression,sleep,and anxiety pills during a manic episode(or at least i think it was) anyways the psychiatrists there diagnosed me but I can't find the paper that states that I have it so I don't know what type it is. I think I am Bi-Polar2 but Im not quite sure. Should I ask my psychiatrist if I should get on Lithium? I haven't seen a psychiatrist in about 6 months but I have been steadily on Zyprexa and Celexa for depression. Any replies to this would be great.
katlin09
05-03-2008, 08:38 PM
Well first things first I'd definitely get back into your pdoc (psychiatrist) or if you're not seeing one, find one and get your diagnosis clarified. Then talk with them about meds. How are you doing on the zyprexa, is it helping? I take Seroquel 450mg, Zoloft 50mg, Lamictal 50mg (currently titrating up to 100mg) Ambien CR 12.5 and Sonata 10mg for sleep, and Topomax 75mg. I think those are all of my BP related meds, *l* sometimes it's hard to remember them all.
I have BPII w/severe BP Depression on the suicidal side, I'm also a severe insomniac. I don't have any problems with the Seroquel, I take it at night along with my other sleep meds and it helps me get about 4 hours of solid sleep. Some people have problems with daytime drowsiness, I don't. Different meds affect different people. Unfortunately finding the right meds is not a quick process, it's kind of a trial and error process of trying different cocktails of different meds to see what works for you.
I have BPII w/severe BP Depression on the suicidal side, I'm also a severe insomniac. I don't have any problems with the Seroquel, I take it at night along with my other sleep meds and it helps me get about 4 hours of solid sleep. Some people have problems with daytime drowsiness, I don't. Different meds affect different people. Unfortunately finding the right meds is not a quick process, it's kind of a trial and error process of trying different cocktails of different meds to see what works for you.
savvy traveller
05-03-2008, 10:55 PM
since you haven't seen a psychiatrist for a while, it may take a few sessions for them to decide what you need. i would recommend keeping a diary of your moods and thoughts up to your appointment so that they have a better idea of why you would like additional medication. might help speed things up. i haven't taken either medication so i'm sorry i can't offer more advice. good luck!
seaturtle
05-04-2008, 12:53 AM
Hello, welcome,
If you're having bipolar episodes and are diagnosed with bp, then your doctor surely will Rx a mood stabilizer. Lithium works for some; for others, there are significant side effects.
There are other mood stabilizers, Lamictal being a good one, at least for me, minimal side effects and antidepressant properties.
I think you might ask your doc just about adding a mood stabilizer, and leave which one up to him. You may have to try a few - good luck, let us know.
If you're having bipolar episodes and are diagnosed with bp, then your doctor surely will Rx a mood stabilizer. Lithium works for some; for others, there are significant side effects.
There are other mood stabilizers, Lamictal being a good one, at least for me, minimal side effects and antidepressant properties.
I think you might ask your doc just about adding a mood stabilizer, and leave which one up to him. You may have to try a few - good luck, let us know.
CarenR
05-04-2008, 11:47 AM
Zyprexa is a wonderful drug.. I take it for Bipolar 1.......
katlin09
05-06-2008, 06:46 PM
hey i'm not alone in Hell!!! *lol* Sorry I've spent the last 2 nights sitting up staring at the walls, actually bouncing off the walls in a manic stage, trying to get used to new meds. It wasn't bad when I was hyped up and ready to go, but I crashed about 2:00 today and now I'm wiped out and just trying to hang in until 9:00 when I can take my night meds and pass out. You know if I had to pick one thing that I can't stand the most about this stupid disease is the up/down, up/down....i'm so anal about things being the same and in their right place all the time....the up/down stuff kills me.