Posted by BetweenDreams81 on January 14, 2011, at 20:34:20
In reply to Re: New to medication...Lamictal, Xanax, Ambien, posted by mellow on January 14, 2011, at 19:13:08
Thank you mellow!...I really appreciate your response, and it gives me hope...that's what I need most! These are uncharted waters for me.
I wasn't technically diagnosed bipolar...but definitely have some major swings and bipolar/depression is part of my family history. To be honest though, I was really nervous during my entire appointment and couldn't keep a straight thought, went all over the place and on long drawn out tangents that I had a hard time bringing full circle (yes, definitely ADD too) and a lot of the questions I had and things I had planned to mention kind of went out the window. Didn't really know what to expect, but I guess that wasn't it!
My internal clock is off and has been for several years, so I am sure that he's right that much of my drained/exhausted feeling have to do with lack of good restful sleep (very typical for me to be up til 3 AM and wake up around 8 AM.) My plan is to use the Ambien for 10-14 days and stick to a regular sleep/wake schedule and then see if I can taper it down and keep on the schedule without it.
Xanax was for my anxiety...I will be in a very stressful environment (for me) in a week or so for about 3 months and need to be able to easily socialize immediately (sales type job). I don't know that I can expect miracles, but any bit of help is better than nothing until the Lamictal starts to kick in.
He thought about Lithium for me since I had used Lithium Orotate with a decent experience (you may have seen a few posts on the alternative board from a few months ago). It did take care of a good bit of the anxiety I was having...just didn't help my energy and low mood whatsoever. I am not opposed to it and he said if the Lamictal was not working optimally, that it often works really well with and additional low dose of Lithium. I am concerned about the side effects like weight gain and acne though (as vain as that may be.)
I used to take Adderall, but from what I have read about manic or hypomanic episodes...that is quite definitely what it sends me into. I feel euphoric, confident, social (talk a mile a minute) and ready to take on the world...and that is a FANTASTIC feeling...but then I also am exceedingly impatient, lash out at the littlest thing, people respond and move sluggish by comparison...and then I am up non-stop hyper focused until 5 AM. (even on as little a dose as 5 mg...NOT extended release) And the following day, if I don't take it again, I crash and am basically a waste of space.
Well, there's a tangent for ya! Sorry...I just hope to feel leveled out soon, but especially want my motivation and energy back.
poster:BetweenDreams81
thread:976775
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20101231/msgs/976817.html