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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Sleepy on November 8, 2001, at 11:54:54
I'm just writing to see if there is anyone out there who's been diagnosed bipolar and has successfully gone off all meds--? I was misdiagnosed at one point and put on Prozac for a time, which led to bouts of extreme mania, then put on Serzone, which gave my life entire blank voids (memory blackouts I still haven't filled in). Now I'm on Depakote, which suppresses the mania okay and does absolutely nada for depression. So my dr. put me on Effexor, which he seemed to think would do the trick, but after a brief and horrible time I took MYSELF off that drug. I had awful memory lapses (during one incident I had both my children in the car with me and forgot how to get to my daughter's music lesson--I'd been driving her there for months and suddenly I couldn't recall how to get there! I drove around frantically searching before realizing I was scaring my kids to death) and decided it was NOT for me. I've gained 20+ lbs. on the Depakote and that in itself makes me miserable. I start with a new therapist today and I'm going to start making noise about getting off the Depakote and staying off of everything. I know this probably sounds outlandish to some of you out there, but isn't there some way to get beyond all this without medication??? I keep hearing, when I complain about the weight gain, "Isn't that a small price to pay...???" Well, it isn't a small price to pay. I've never weighed this much (nonpregnant) in my entire adult life and it's making me so, so unhappy. *sigh* Friends and family seem to think it's their job to make sure I'm taking my meds and it's just really getting to me. Sorry to be such a downer. Thanks for any advice/suggestions, etc.
Posted by houstongirl on November 8, 2001, at 12:03:37
In reply to SickNTired of Meds, posted by Sleepy on November 8, 2001, at 11:54:54
I just tried it (see above BPII - went off meds!). I gained 30 pounds on Depakote. I'm sick of it, too! Going off the meds worked great for a while, but I ultimately crashed. Not as hard as I've crashed in the past (i.e., I'm not suicidal), but this is not fun. I'm trying Topamax to see if it will help with the weight, but it's too soon to tell. I'm tired of having terrible memory, too.
Cristy
> I'm just writing to see if there is anyone out there who's been diagnosed bipolar and has successfully gone off all meds--? I was misdiagnosed at one point and put on Prozac for a time, which led to bouts of extreme mania, then put on Serzone, which gave my life entire blank voids (memory blackouts I still haven't filled in). Now I'm on Depakote, which suppresses the mania okay and does absolutely nada for depression. So my dr. put me on Effexor, which he seemed to think would do the trick, but after a brief and horrible time I took MYSELF off that drug. I had awful memory lapses (during one incident I had both my children in the car with me and forgot how to get to my daughter's music lesson--I'd been driving her there for months and suddenly I couldn't recall how to get there! I drove around frantically searching before realizing I was scaring my kids to death) and decided it was NOT for me. I've gained 20+ lbs. on the Depakote and that in itself makes me miserable. I start with a new therapist today and I'm going to start making noise about getting off the Depakote and staying off of everything. I know this probably sounds outlandish to some of you out there, but isn't there some way to get beyond all this without medication??? I keep hearing, when I complain about the weight gain, "Isn't that a small price to pay...???" Well, it isn't a small price to pay. I've never weighed this much (nonpregnant) in my entire adult life and it's making me so, so unhappy. *sigh* Friends and family seem to think it's their job to make sure I'm taking my meds and it's just really getting to me. Sorry to be such a downer. Thanks for any advice/suggestions, etc.
Posted by Mitch on November 8, 2001, at 13:01:11
In reply to SickNTired of Meds, posted by Sleepy on November 8, 2001, at 11:54:54
> I'm just writing to see if there is anyone out there who's been diagnosed bipolar and has successfully gone off all meds--? I was misdiagnosed at one point and put on Prozac for a time, which led to bouts of extreme mania, then put on Serzone, which gave my life entire blank voids (memory blackouts I still haven't filled in). Now I'm on Depakote, which suppresses the mania okay and does absolutely nada for depression. So my dr. put me on Effexor, which he seemed to think would do the trick, but after a brief and horrible time I took MYSELF off that drug. I had awful memory lapses (during one incident I had both my children in the car with me and forgot how to get to my daughter's music lesson--I'd been driving her there for months and suddenly I couldn't recall how to get there! I drove around frantically searching before realizing I was scaring my kids to death) and decided it was NOT for me. I've gained 20+ lbs. on the Depakote and that in itself makes me miserable. I start with a new therapist today and I'm going to start making noise about getting off the Depakote and staying off of everything. I know this probably sounds outlandish to some of you out there, but isn't there some way to get beyond all this without medication??? I keep hearing, when I complain about the weight gain, "Isn't that a small price to pay...???" Well, it isn't a small price to pay. I've never weighed this much (nonpregnant) in my entire adult life and it's making me so, so unhappy. *sigh* Friends and family seem to think it's their job to make sure I'm taking my meds and it's just really getting to me. Sorry to be such a downer. Thanks for any advice/suggestions, etc.
Hi sleepy,
Have you ever been on Neurontin? There are some alternatives to Depakote. I wouldn't go off cold turkey on everything!! I never gained any weight on Neurontin and it actually helps my ADHD (at lower doses). Also lower doses of Tegretol or Trileptal or Lamictal tend not to cause weight-gain or cognitive blunting either. There was ONE time I went off all meds and I nearly wound up homeless. Not a good idea. You need some alternatives-maybe a different doctor.
Mitch
Posted by Sleepy on November 8, 2001, at 14:43:40
In reply to Re: SickNTired of Meds, posted by houstongirl on November 8, 2001, at 12:03:37
Cristy and Mitch,
I appreciate the replies! I've tried to go meds-free in the past, but my boyfriend keeps catching it (he notices a difference in me if I'm off meds for even a day or two). He's had to become the Meds Police and I know that's not fair to either of us. Also, if I'm honest with myself here--like Cristy, I do seem to go into a major nosedive as soon as the initial euphoria wears off. I love the feeling of being off meds for just a short time and my mind feels so sharp! Once I get back to the Depakote though, I'm just so tired all the time and can never get enough sleep. We've tried lowering the dosage, but I still feel like I could sleep for years. I wonder if that's a common side effect or if it's just me?
Just got back from my first appointment with a new therapist. It went pretty well and when I started to say things about wanting off the meds she put me on a list to see a psychiatrist (I've just relocated recently and have had to start from ground zero for doctors). Anyway, Mitch, I don't know anything about Neurontin, though I know I've heard of it before. I'll ask the pdoc about it. He's supposed to be very good with meds, from what the therapist told me.
Beginning to feel like one of those little gerbils on a wheel--around and around. Different meds; different side effects. The Depakote had my hair falling out at one point. My main gripe with the Depakote is weight gain, but I also just don't want to feel like my life is run by medication. Still--my therapist did point out that my friends and family are concerned (and some are even frightened) when I get off my meds. So I guess that tells me something right there.
All the Best,
Sleepy
> I just tried it (see above BPII - went off meds!). I gained 30 pounds on Depakote. I'm sick of it, too! Going off the meds worked great for a while, but I ultimately crashed. Not as hard as I've crashed in the past (i.e., I'm not suicidal), but this is not fun. I'm trying Topamax to see if it will help with the weight, but it's too soon to tell. I'm tired of having terrible memory, too.
>
> Cristy
>
>
> > I'm just writing to see if there is anyone out there who's been diagnosed bipolar and has successfully gone off all meds--? I was misdiagnosed at one point and put on Prozac for a time, which led to bouts of extreme mania, then put on Serzone, which gave my life entire blank voids (memory blackouts I still haven't filled in). Now I'm on Depakote, which suppresses the mania okay and does absolutely nada for depression. So my dr. put me on Effexor, which he seemed to think would do the trick, but after a brief and horrible time I took MYSELF off that drug. I had awful memory lapses (during one incident I had both my children in the car with me and forgot how to get to my daughter's music lesson--I'd been driving her there for months and suddenly I couldn't recall how to get there! I drove around frantically searching before realizing I was scaring my kids to death) and decided it was NOT for me. I've gained 20+ lbs. on the Depakote and that in itself makes me miserable. I start with a new therapist today and I'm going to start making noise about getting off the Depakote and staying off of everything. I know this probably sounds outlandish to some of you out there, but isn't there some way to get beyond all this without medication??? I keep hearing, when I complain about the weight gain, "Isn't that a small price to pay...???" Well, it isn't a small price to pay. I've never weighed this much (nonpregnant) in my entire adult life and it's making me so, so unhappy. *sigh* Friends and family seem to think it's their job to make sure I'm taking my meds and it's just really getting to me. Sorry to be such a downer. Thanks for any advice/suggestions, etc.
Posted by JohnX2 on November 8, 2001, at 21:37:47
In reply to SickNTired of Meds, posted by Sleepy on November 8, 2001, at 11:54:54
Hey, I remember something about my 2 months
on Serzone: read-ending the person in front of
me. That was my last memory. Only med I can't
tell my doc what doses I was taking because I
don't remember a darned thing besides the
car accident and 1 other person that followed
me to Blockbuster to accuse me of drunk driving!!!Ever give Lamictal a run? Only med I've taken
without noticeable side effects after initial
titration. Cured me of all Major Depression, but
not dysthymia, after 1.5 years of trying every
other med in the book and dealing with all those
crummy side effects, etc.I'm sick and tired of meds too. But they do
improve the quality of my life, so be it.good luck
-john> I'm just writing to see if there is anyone out there who's been diagnosed bipolar and has successfully gone off all meds--? I was misdiagnosed at one point and put on Prozac for a time, which led to bouts of extreme mania, then put on Serzone, which gave my life entire blank voids (memory blackouts I still haven't filled in). Now I'm on Depakote, which suppresses the mania okay and does absolutely nada for depression. So my dr. put me on Effexor, which he seemed to think would do the trick, but after a brief and horrible time I took MYSELF off that drug. I had awful memory lapses (during one incident I had both my children in the car with me and forgot how to get to my daughter's music lesson--I'd been driving her there for months and suddenly I couldn't recall how to get there! I drove around frantically searching before realizing I was scaring my kids to death) and decided it was NOT for me. I've gained 20+ lbs. on the Depakote and that in itself makes me miserable. I start with a new therapist today and I'm going to start making noise about getting off the Depakote and staying off of everything. I know this probably sounds outlandish to some of you out there, but isn't there some way to get beyond all this without medication??? I keep hearing, when I complain about the weight gain, "Isn't that a small price to pay...???" Well, it isn't a small price to pay. I've never weighed this much (nonpregnant) in my entire adult life and it's making me so, so unhappy. *sigh* Friends and family seem to think it's their job to make sure I'm taking my meds and it's just really getting to me. Sorry to be such a downer. Thanks for any advice/suggestions, etc.
Posted by sjb on November 9, 2001, at 14:47:34
In reply to SickNTired of Meds, posted by Sleepy on November 8, 2001, at 11:54:54
I do not think I am bi-polar but everything else rings a bell with me. I too am trying the no-med route. I'm sick of all the time I've wasted trying new drugs and "waiting the 4-6 weeks" of hell for the "full effect". Let some of our friends, families and PDocs try this for a while. I think what little brain matter I did have before I started all this crap is fried. Plus, I've gained weight too and it sucks.
Posted by Sleepy on November 9, 2001, at 16:25:08
In reply to Re: SickNTired of Meds » Sleepy, posted by JohnX2 on November 8, 2001, at 21:37:47
>No, never have tried Lamictal. Wow, there sure are a lot of meds out there I've never even heard of! Wish I could say any med I've tried so far has managed to improve the quality of my life--I guess either I haven't tried the right one yet or there is no right one for me.
Your Serzone story is exactly why I won't continue on the Effexor. When something messes with my mind so much I can't even remember whole chunks of time--well, that's scary business. My normally mild-mannered brother was on Serzone once and ended up disrupting our entire Thanksgiving screaming and swearing at our older brother. I've got to add here that our family is one of those rare anomalies--a family that doesn't fight during get-togethers. So it was obvious to all of us that that was NOT the med for him. I wish I'd have recalled it WAS Serzone before I let the doc try it out on me. I think I'd have avoided it at all costs! Incidentally, my brother has been worse in the past than I am (with his ups and downs), but is somehow managing without any medication at all at this point. Don't know how he's doing it, but he seems to be functioning okay. So far, so good.
> Hey, I remember something about my 2 months
> on Serzone: read-ending the person in front of
> me. That was my last memory. Only med I can't
> tell my doc what doses I was taking because I
> don't remember a darned thing besides the
> car accident and 1 other person that followed
> me to Blockbuster to accuse me of drunk driving!!!
>
> Ever give Lamictal a run? Only med I've taken
> without noticeable side effects after initial
> titration. Cured me of all Major Depression, but
> not dysthymia, after 1.5 years of trying every
> other med in the book and dealing with all those
> crummy side effects, etc.
>
> I'm sick and tired of meds too. But they do
> improve the quality of my life, so be it.
>
> good luck
> -john
>
> > I'm just writing to see if there is anyone out there who's been diagnosed bipolar and has successfully gone off all meds--? I was misdiagnosed at one point and put on Prozac for a time, which led to bouts of extreme mania, then put on Serzone, which gave my life entire blank voids (memory blackouts I still haven't filled in). Now I'm on Depakote, which suppresses the mania okay and does absolutely nada for depression. So my dr. put me on Effexor, which he seemed to think would do the trick, but after a brief and horrible time I took MYSELF off that drug. I had awful memory lapses (during one incident I had both my children in the car with me and forgot how to get to my daughter's music lesson--I'd been driving her there for months and suddenly I couldn't recall how to get there! I drove around frantically searching before realizing I was scaring my kids to death) and decided it was NOT for me. I've gained 20+ lbs. on the Depakote and that in itself makes me miserable. I start with a new therapist today and I'm going to start making noise about getting off the Depakote and staying off of everything. I know this probably sounds outlandish to some of you out there, but isn't there some way to get beyond all this without medication??? I keep hearing, when I complain about the weight gain, "Isn't that a small price to pay...???" Well, it isn't a small price to pay. I've never weighed this much (nonpregnant) in my entire adult life and it's making me so, so unhappy. *sigh* Friends and family seem to think it's their job to make sure I'm taking my meds and it's just really getting to me. Sorry to be such a downer. Thanks for any advice/suggestions, etc.
Posted by Sleepy on November 9, 2001, at 16:38:00
In reply to Re: SickNTired of Meds, posted by sjb on November 9, 2001, at 14:47:34
I wonder how much testing they do on this stuff before they put it out on the market? Not trying to insult anyone in the pharmaceutical field, but just wondering--how safe does something have to test out to be before it's put out there? Anyway, thanks for the input. I have to agree with you on the "fried" brain matter! And I don't think anyone who's never had to go the meds route will ever be able to understand what some of us go through, sometimes over and over again. Frankly, it scares me to death when I wonder what all these different meds are doing to me in the long run. Thanks to those of you who replied. I do feel better just hearing from others who've gone through similar experiences.
> I do not think I am bi-polar but everything
else rings a bell with me. I too am trying the no-med route. I'm sick of all the time I've wasted trying new drugs and "waiting the 4-6 weeks" of hell for the "full effect". Let some of our friends, families and PDocs try this for a while. I think what little brain matter I did have before I started all this crap is fried. Plus, I've gained weight too and it sucks.
Posted by JohnX2 on November 12, 2001, at 9:10:42
In reply to Re: SickNTired of Meds » sjb, posted by Sleepy on November 9, 2001, at 16:38:00
BTW, A lot of people go into the doctor's office,
get the default SSRI prescription, go through a
short phase of side effects that wear off, and then
feel wonderful for the rest of their experience.
I think the number is around 40% if memory serves
me correct from the Neuremburg presentation.
Ideally we'd like to understand better what to try
next if the 1st test fails.Regards,
John
> I wonder how much testing they do on this stuff before they put it out on the market? Not trying to insult anyone in the pharmaceutical field, but just wondering--how safe does something have to test out to be before it's put out there? Anyway, thanks for the input. I have to agree with you on the "fried" brain matter! And I don't think anyone who's never had to go the meds route will ever be able to understand what some of us go through, sometimes over and over again. Frankly, it scares me to death when I wonder what all these different meds are doing to me in the long run. Thanks to those of you who replied. I do feel better just hearing from others who've gone through similar experiences.
>
>
> > I do not think I am bi-polar but everything
> else rings a bell with me. I too am trying the no-med route. I'm sick of all the time I've wasted trying new drugs and "waiting the 4-6 weeks" of hell for the "full effect". Let some of our friends, families and PDocs try this for a while. I think what little brain matter I did have before I started all this crap is fried. Plus, I've gained weight too and it sucks.
This is the end of the thread.
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