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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 22 of 22. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Davina on March 17, 2003, at 14:21:14
Hi...
I have posted a couple of questions in the Topomox thread, but thought I should find a more general area to talk. The search feature isn't operating, so I thought I would take a leap and start my own. I am bipolar and over the years have seen numerous doctors and taken all kinds of meds in various ways for various lengths of time. Sometimes they seem to work and my life seems fine! But then, eventually they don't seem to work anymore or I develop unwanted side-effects (i.e. weight gain, hair loss) so I get them changed to something new which may or may not work... many times I just end up back on Prozac since I tend to live more in the depressed world... but, then that becomes not even enough when I really start to cycle between episodes... like now. So- I am seeing a new doctor and trying some new meds. I left a good paying job in August and have worked some part-time since then... but I owe a TON of money. My insurance has just been cancelled because I couldn't pay. I am struggling to enjoy my new part-time job so I can have at least some income... but, the blanket is not lifting. When I am manic I take on so much... I plan so many things! I feel so capable!!! And when I am stable, I truly AM a very capable person... but, when I am like this- I can barely take care of myself. The world doesn't stop for us to gather ourselves together and find a balance... bills keep piling up, relationships still need attention, and responsibilities don't go away. So how do you catch up? The meds are hugely expensive! I can barely handle a part-time position making less than half of what I was before... so, what do you do? Is there any such thing as disability for people like this? Is there any help out there??? My parents are trying to help the best they can, but the have no idea the extent of the problem. And I can't just let my burden fall on them like that. I am too old for that... But, I can't help myself right now either! I feel trapped... and hopeless. I want so badly to be happy and to feel like a normal person!!! Even if I could just get manic for a little bit maybe I could make some headway! But, I am the type that has mixed episodes, so right now my mania is encased in a vault of depression that I just can't break! The meds are new... so I need to give them time. But, like I said... the world won't wait.
Does anyone have any idea what I am talking about??? If so, please respond...
Davina
Posted by BarbaraCat on March 18, 2003, at 21:19:15
In reply to New bipolar poster seeking support answers..., posted by Davina on March 17, 2003, at 14:21:14
Oh yes, I can relate to what you're saying. I'd been dx'd with major depression for 30 years and have been on most of the SSRI's and analogs. They work for a while and then poop out and any increase aggravates a very agitated depressive state. Just in the last year I explored the possibility with my pdoc that I am BPII and in carefully considering my past history the symptoms are loud and clear. Lithium has saved my life, although I resisted it for a long time. I take other ADs, but only lithium (not depakote, lamictal, topamax or any other I've tried) has made such a difference.
In the meantime my life has become a shambles - 30 years of chaotic frenzied energy in a hypomanic state and crushing black despair in a depressed state. No, the world doesn't stop but gets more difficult layer by layer with each episode and it's hard to dig out. The financial mess and not being able to manage working become overwhelming and only add to the overall despondency.
I am currently undergoing my last round of appeals for disablity insurance. It's been about 1-1/2 years since first applying. I've gotten a lawyer (they all work on contingency with a maximum of $5300 only if your case wins). I also have a dual diagnosis of fibromyalgia which will help give clout at my hearing. If your condition is such that you cannot function on a consistent full-time basis then by all means, explore disability. I've talked to many people who were awarded disability benefits because of mood disorders, and bipolar is a good one. It will of course depend upon your docs support and being able to substantiate your symptoms and history with good medical records. It's a long drawn-out process and the monthly claim amount varies depending on how long you've worked and how much you've made during your work history. Definitely work with a reputable lawyer. One of the few times hiring a lawyer is worth every penny.
Posted by Davina on March 19, 2003, at 15:46:54
In reply to Re: New bipolar poster seeking support answers... » Davina, posted by BarbaraCat on March 18, 2003, at 21:19:15
Thank you so much for your response... I can't tell you how much it helps to hear someone can relate to my individual experience with this. I have tried lithium in the past and recall that it was very effective... but, I had severe weight gain and my hair began to fall out in clumps. We aren't 100% sure it was the lithium, but we took me off of it. Two years have passed since then and I am having a "relapse". My new pdoc is adamant about my taking topomax... he has several reasons including the fact that my apetite started to go insane the past few weeks which is a serious condition for me since I had to have gastric bypass surgery to take off all the weight I have gained over the years (especially while on lithium and depakote). I am babying myself onto it, and he also wants me to take remeron and risperdal. I want to get used to the topomax side-effects first, though, before I go into those because we tried to start me on them all at once and I developed tachycardia and hypertension, and was very very loopy. I think the topomax is starting to work a bit... I am still taking my prozac... but this time rather than saying "Oh- I am feeling good now!" and running free, I am very hesitant. I feel a little better, but am still in a very unstable state. Thank you so much for responding to my posting... you'll never know how much it means to me! God bless you and I pray that you get your benefits in their entirety very soon... Davina
Posted by BarbaraCat on March 19, 2003, at 17:02:32
In reply to Re: New bipolar poster seeking support answers..., posted by Davina on March 19, 2003, at 15:46:54
Remeron? Whooo boy, watch out for that one if you're having a weight problem. It's notorious for putting on weight and I didn't find it to be that good of an AD either, although some on this board found it helped very much. I wish you good luck with Topomax. My pdoc said that a patient of his lost 50 lbs without even trying. But do rethink Remeron with your doc. I once banged on the locked door of a food market until they let me in, bought a Dove ice cream bar and proceeded to snarl and slaver over it as I wolfed it down. I didn't even make it to the car before I consumed it - and this was on a cold February night! Needless to say, I gained 35 pounds in a few months that only now are coming off with dedicated exercise. Keep in touch, girl. I'm with you.
Posted by Davina on March 20, 2003, at 16:44:32
In reply to Re: New bipolar poster seeking support answers... » Davina, posted by BarbaraCat on March 19, 2003, at 17:02:32
Thanks! I will do that... =) I am surprised that he would have prescribed that to me at all if that is the case... hmmm. I always have a list of questions ready for my visits, so I'll have to add that one. I'm glad you're there!
Posted by Ron Hill on March 21, 2003, at 13:01:27
In reply to New bipolar poster seeking support answers..., posted by Davina on March 17, 2003, at 14:21:14
Davina,
> Does anyone have any idea what I am talking about???
I know exactly what you are talking about. And you did a great job of describing it. Best wishes with your new meds and if I can help you, let me know.
FYI: I am BP II. I take 600 mg/day of Lithobid which does a good job controlling my hypomania. Further, I take a small amount of an over-the-counter (in US) product called Enada NADH which provides remarkable relief from my atypical depression (low motivation, low energy, anhedonia, and hypersomnia).
Best wishes.
-- Ron
Posted by BarbaraCat on March 21, 2003, at 13:28:37
In reply to Re: New bipolar poster seeking support answers... » Davina, posted by Ron Hill on March 21, 2003, at 13:01:27
Hi Ron,
Lithobid is the timed release form, isn't it? I'm wondering if you ever took standard lithium and noticed any difference with Lithobid. - Barbara> FYI: I am BP II. I take 600 mg/day of Lithobid which does a good job controlling my hypomania.
Posted by Ron Hill on March 21, 2003, at 13:45:08
In reply to Re: Lithobid » Ron Hill, posted by BarbaraCat on March 21, 2003, at 13:28:37
Barbara,
> Lithobid is the timed release form, isn't it? I'm wondering if you ever took standard lithium and noticed any difference with Lithobid. -
Yes, Lithobid is slow-release. It is the only type and brand of lithium that I have taken. From what I have read, side effects are greatly reduced with the slow-release formulation.
-- Ron
Posted by BarbaraCat on March 21, 2003, at 14:44:50
In reply to Re: Lithobid » BarbaraCat, posted by Ron Hill on March 21, 2003, at 13:45:08
Posted by BarbaraCat on March 21, 2003, at 14:48:27
In reply to New bipolar poster seeking support answers..., posted by Davina on March 17, 2003, at 14:21:14
Davina,
I just remembered this program. It helps people without insurance to get free medication. Check it out:http://www.themedicineprogram.com/
Barbara
Posted by cybercafe on March 21, 2003, at 16:26:48
In reply to Re: Lithobid » BarbaraCat, posted by Ron Hill on March 21, 2003, at 13:45:08
> Barbara,
>
> > Lithobid is the timed release form, isn't it? I'm wondering if you ever took standard lithium and noticed any difference with Lithobid. -
>
> Yes, Lithobid is slow-release. It is the only type and brand of lithium that I have taken. From what I have read, side effects are greatly reduced with the slow-release formulation.
>
> -- Ronhmm i thought lithane was the slow release form... anyone know what the difference is?
Posted by Ritch on March 21, 2003, at 20:04:58
In reply to Re: Lithobid - what is lithane?, posted by cybercafe on March 21, 2003, at 16:26:48
> > Barbara,
> >
> > > Lithobid is the timed release form, isn't it? I'm wondering if you ever took standard lithium and noticed any difference with Lithobid. -
> >
> > Yes, Lithobid is slow-release. It is the only type and brand of lithium that I have taken. From what I have read, side effects are greatly reduced with the slow-release formulation.
> >
> > -- Ron
>
> hmm i thought lithane was the slow release form... anyone know what the difference is?
Lithane was the first lithium carbonate product I was placed on. It is definitely an immediate relase product. They were light green and chalky tablets from what I remember. I had to swallow them down with water quite quickly or YUCK. Lithobid (300mg) is the slow-release stuff with some added sodium chloride. Eskalith CR is a coated-release version (450mg), and Lithonate is an immediate release version that is in a capsule instead of a tablet (those are the cheapest and easiest to get down the hatch).
Posted by BarbaraCat on March 21, 2003, at 21:29:24
In reply to Re: Lithobid - what is lithane? » cybercafe, posted by Ritch on March 21, 2003, at 20:04:58
Some of you may already be familiar with this site, but everytime I go to it I learn something new. It's a great resource that will give you a better understanding of bipolar disorders than your pdoc has.
Posted by Ritch on March 22, 2003, at 9:43:42
In reply to A good bipolar site » Ritch, posted by BarbaraCat on March 21, 2003, at 21:29:24
> Some of you may already be familiar with this site, but everytime I go to it I learn something new. It's a great resource that will give you a better understanding of bipolar disorders than your pdoc has.
>
> http://www.psycheducation.com/index.htmlHi Barb, yes I've been there a couple of times. The nice thing is that he keeps it updated.
Posted by Davina on March 22, 2003, at 13:08:01
In reply to Re: New bipolar poster seeking support answers... » Davina, posted by Ron Hill on March 21, 2003, at 13:01:27
Hi, Ron... thank you for your thoughts! Since I had such a bad experience trying to start all three of the new meds together, I have decided to baby myself onto them one at a time to see which one is causing which side effects. I was starting to feel a bit hopeful earlier in the week so I added a small dose of Remeron as directed... but that was a mistake. That makes me so tired and lethargic even on the tiniest of doses. I am still (several days later) very sleepy. And I took a quick nose-dive, too. If I were to take enough of that to actually relieve my depression I would be asleep all the time! So, that one is definitely out. I am back on Topomax and Prozac. As soon as I get back to where I was feeling earlier I think I might try increasing the Topomax as directed to 100mg. I have read on this site that increasing slowly reduces the impact of the side effects... although I am enjoying the reduction in my appetite.
Anyway, thank you for your wishes... and my prayers go out to you as well. By the way, does that Enada not trigger any manic episodes? Is it an herbal supplement and where do you get it? Davina
Posted by Davina on March 22, 2003, at 13:13:21
In reply to Re: Lithobid » BarbaraCat, posted by Ron Hill on March 21, 2003, at 13:45:08
Ron-
Does that mean that the long-term side-effects are reduced? My new pdoc told me the reason he didn't want to put me back on lithium (although it was effective, I did have side-effects) is that it has been found to be highly toxic within the past 15 years. Do you have any thoughts on that? Is the slow-release considered less toxic?
Davina
Posted by Davina on March 22, 2003, at 13:22:29
In reply to Help with medications » Davina, posted by BarbaraCat on March 21, 2003, at 14:48:27
Barbara-
Thank you so much! I will definitely check that out... I am going for a follow-up with my pdoc Tuesday night. I will have plenty of new good questions for him thanks to all of the info I have gotten here. I'll keep you posted...
Davina
Posted by Davina on March 22, 2003, at 13:25:30
In reply to A good bipolar site » Ritch, posted by BarbaraCat on March 21, 2003, at 21:29:24
Thanks, Ritch! That was going to be my next question... Davina
Posted by Ron Hill on March 29, 2003, at 15:00:42
In reply to Re: New bipolar poster seeking support answers..., posted by Davina on March 22, 2003, at 13:08:01
Davina,
Sorry to take so long to get back to you!
>By the way, does that Enada not trigger any manic episodes?
Anecdotally speaking, I felt like Enada NADH would have pushed me (a BP II patient) into hypomania if it were not for the fact that I already had a moodstabilizer fully in place prior to beginning the supplement.
>Is it an herbal supplement and where do you get it?
It is a nutritional supplement, or more accurately a coenzyme, and you can buy it at most nutritional stores (in US) or on the internet. For example:
http://www.iherb.com/enada.html
-- Ron
Posted by Ron Hill on March 29, 2003, at 15:31:51
In reply to Re: Lithobid, posted by Davina on March 22, 2003, at 13:13:21
Davina,
Again, I'm sorry to take so long to get back to you.
> Does that mean that the long-term side-effects are reduced?
I don't think so. The long-term risks associated with the use of lithium (e.g.; Hypothyroidism, etc) are, to my knowledge, not reduced by using a slow-release lithium product (such as Lithobid) instead of an immediate release product.
>My new pdoc told me the reason he didn't want to put me back on lithium (although it was effective, I did have side-effects) is that it has been found to be highly toxic within the past 15 years. Do you have any thoughts on that?
Yeah, I have a couple thoughts. Either your pdoc did a poor job of trying to communicate his/her thoughts to you, or else he/she does not keep abreast of the latest research on lithium. The fact of the matter is that the most current research on lithium is showing that it is neuroprotective. Here's one link and there are a ton more out there:
http://hdlighthouse.org/see/drugs/lithium2.htm
-- Ron
Posted by Davina on March 31, 2003, at 9:49:24
In reply to Re: New bipolar poster seeking support answers... » Davina, posted by Ron Hill on March 29, 2003, at 15:00:42
Thanks, Ron... I am now trying Trileptal as a mood stabilizer and after several days I have not experienced any negative side effects. As soon as we see if this is the one, I may give that a try! Thanks for responding...
Davina
> Davina,
>
> Sorry to take so long to get back to you!
>
> >By the way, does that Enada not trigger any manic episodes?
>
> Anecdotally speaking, I felt like Enada NADH would have pushed me (a BP II patient) into hypomania if it were not for the fact that I already had a moodstabilizer fully in place prior to beginning the supplement.
>
> >Is it an herbal supplement and where do you get it?
>
> It is a nutritional supplement, or more accurately a coenzyme, and you can buy it at most nutritional stores (in US) or on the internet. For example:
>
> http://www.iherb.com/enada.html
>
>
> -- Ron
>
Posted by Davina on March 31, 2003, at 9:52:06
In reply to Re: Lithobid » Davina, posted by Ron Hill on March 29, 2003, at 15:31:51
Thanks, again! I'll do some more research myself...
Davina
> Davina,
>
> Again, I'm sorry to take so long to get back to you.
>
> > Does that mean that the long-term side-effects are reduced?
>
> I don't think so. The long-term risks associated with the use of lithium (e.g.; Hypothyroidism, etc) are, to my knowledge, not reduced by using a slow-release lithium product (such as Lithobid) instead of an immediate release product.
>
> >My new pdoc told me the reason he didn't want to put me back on lithium (although it was effective, I did have side-effects) is that it has been found to be highly toxic within the past 15 years. Do you have any thoughts on that?
>
> Yeah, I have a couple thoughts. Either your pdoc did a poor job of trying to communicate his/her thoughts to you, or else he/she does not keep abreast of the latest research on lithium. The fact of the matter is that the most current research on lithium is showing that it is neuroprotective. Here's one link and there are a ton more out there:
>
> http://hdlighthouse.org/see/drugs/lithium2.htm
>
> -- Ron
>
This is the end of the thread.
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