Bipolar 2 & Trouble with meds. - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

centerice00 · 06-30-2009, 07:42 PM

Hi,

Since June 3rd I sought treatment for vicodin addiction and anxiety. I went to a psychiatrist and was diagnosed with bipolar 11. So, I am now on three meds, Depakote ER 750 mg. per night, Risperidal .25 mg per night and Suboxone, 16 mg per day.

Yes, my moods are now good, I no longer crave Vicodin, and mentally I feel the best I have ever felt.

But, now I am always so tired that I can hardly keep my eyes open. Being so tired is effecting my life. I had to leave work at noon the other day because I could not keep my eyes open, I am too tired to do anything that I don't have to do. (I'm too tired to spend time with my family). I also always feel like I am in a "fog", and I am also getting quite forgetful. My life is still impaired, just in different ways now.

Also, all I do is eat. Hungry all the time.

I told my psychiatrist that I am so tired, and he said to wait a bit and see. The meds are still pretty new. But, I just can't stand it anymore.

Tonight I am thinking of trying an experiment. I have decided not to take any Depakote or Risperadal at all and see how tired I am tomorrow. I can't stop the Suboxone or else I will get withdrawl symptoms. I just want to see if it is the bipolar meds making me so tired. If it isn't these meds, then it must be the Suboxone, and then I will have to deal with that accordingly.

Thinking about it though, I want to get better, and listen to the doc. Would it be a big deal to skip meds for one night? I just don't know what else to do.

Has anyone else been through this? I can't stand it anymore!! And it hasn't even been a full month!!

are there any other meds out there that wouldn't make me so tired? I do think I also have OCD, and I understand that Risperdal should help with that too.

dreams in neon · 06-30-2009, 11:19 PM

I take Depakote and Risperdal myself and felt the same way you did after I started taking them. I started off on 1000mg of Depakote and 4mg of Risperdal which were later raised to 1500mg and 6mg/day. If the sleepiness is bothering you to the point where you can't keep your eyes open, I'd call your pdoc and let him know. Your doses can be decreased or you can be put on a different mood stabilizer and/or antipsychotic that do not cause so you so many problems with tiredness. That being said, I would not advise you to stop your meds cold turkey. I don't mention this to scare you, but if you stop taking anti-convulsants (like Depakote) immediately, it can cause seizures and other issues. If I were you, I'd call your pdoc first thing tomorrow morning to let him know how bothersome these side effects are so your dosages and or meds can be adjusted and/or changed accordingly.

tigger5150 · 07-01-2009, 10:22 PM

I actually responded yesterday... not sure where my post went! Musta forgot to push a button.
Now I can say I agree with Dreams on stopping your meds cold turkey. In addition to the possible side effects, stopping two is not going to tell you which drug is causing the problem. Doing anything with your meds should be done in combination with your doctor.

seaturtle · 07-02-2009, 08:17 PM

Hi,

I agree, too. Stopping them like that would be dangerous.
But be firm with your doctor, make sure he knows just how bad this is for you.
I think most meds take some time to work and some time for your body to adjust and get to the therapeutic effects and past those nasty side effects. I have had initial side effects I could bear (with difficulty) and others that just make me so miserable I couldn't stand them.

I don't know if this has any validity at all, but it's been my experience that the meds which give me the least side effects are the ones that really work for me. Everything except Lamictal, Wellbutrin and the benzos I just can't tolerate, but these three are practically without side effects for me.

centerice00 · 07-03-2009, 04:52 AM

Thank you for your help.

The other night I decided that it wouldn't be a good idea not to take any of the two meds, so i took one of my Depakotes and the Risperadil. I was more awake in the morning, and i thought for sure that it was the Depakote making me tired.

Then I took my Suboxone (I take that in the morning). I quickly realized that it is definately the Suboxone that is making me so tired, not the Bipolar meds.

I am on too high a dose of Suboxone, so I need to lower my dose, gradually, of course.

Once I can get rid of the tiredness, this is the best I have felt in my life, I think, I feel normal and good.

I also felt such a sense of relief when I was diagnosed with bipolar 2. It gave me an explanation as to why I was the way i was, and because there was a name attaached to what i have, it can be treated.

I wish I would have gone to a psychiatrist years ago. This is still all so new to me.