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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by B2chica on February 24, 2004, at 10:15:29
it's only been since last october since i've had a dx of BpII and it has been a constant rollercoaster of emotions and medications since then. I want to ask all of you long timers, when you're on your medications (if they're the right ones) do you always feel sort of drugged, or do you eventually not "feel" like you are on medication- feel like you used to only without the extreme emotional rollercoaster?
i guess i'm having a down day and i'm just wondering if this is it, if this is the best it gets, not having an emotional frenzy but feeling doped up all the time. I know it's only been a short time since i've started the new drugs and i need to give it time...i guess i'm just needing to hear something with a little hope.
-any advice will help
B2chica
Posted by Myrtle on February 24, 2004, at 10:53:06
In reply to long term advice for newbie, posted by B2chica on February 24, 2004, at 10:15:29
My dx is also BPII--for the last four years.
The only time I did not feel drugged was when I was on Prozac. Unfortunately, I was never on the right mood stablizer at the same time, so I became manic.
Evertyhing else, since then, has always made me aware that I'm drugged (e.g., lexapro, celexa, effexor, depakote, lithium, paxil, topamax--in various combinations). However, the drugs always became more tolerable and less slug-producing in the 4-to-6th week of dosing, AND, I became functional again--which is the bottom line.
For the women out there, my roller coaster moods have always been consistent with my menstrual cycles since the birth of my child. I'm thankful to be post-menopausal now and am weaning myself off the drugs without any mood changes.
In the end, give your body time to adjust. Eat properly, execise regularly, go easy on yourself-demands wise, and listen to what your body tells you.
Posted by B2chica on February 24, 2004, at 11:21:54
In reply to Re: long term advice for newbie, posted by Myrtle on February 24, 2004, at 10:53:06
> My dx is also BPII--for the last four years.
>
> The only time I did not feel drugged was when I was on Prozac. Unfortunately, I was never on the right mood stablizer at the same time, so I became manic.
>
> Evertyhing else, since then, has always made me aware that I'm drugged (e.g., lexapro, celexa, effexor, depakote, lithium, paxil, topamax--in various combinations). However, the drugs always became more tolerable and less slug-producing in the 4-to-6th week of dosing, AND, I became functional again--which is the bottom line.
>
> For the women out there, my roller coaster moods have always been consistent with my menstrual cycles since the birth of my child. I'm thankful to be post-menopausal now and am weaning myself off the drugs without any mood changes.
>
> In the end, give your body time to adjust. Eat properly, execise regularly, go easy on yourself-demands wise, and listen to what your body tells you.Thanks for the feedback Myrtle. although i was hoping you weren't going to say that. I'm saddened at the thought of the small loss of self that comes with these drugs.
-it's good info to know that moods alter near m.cycle. I guess i can look forward to being off the meds when my husband and i start trying for kids. I'm taking two classes and attempting to work full time so i have almost no relaxation time but i do exercise, however, since i've been on these meds i'm so tired my exercise is slower paced and not as long.
thanks M.
-bummed B2chica.
Posted by Basia on February 24, 2004, at 15:45:52
In reply to Re: long term advice for newbie, posted by B2chica on February 24, 2004, at 11:21:54
hi, just to say that i have been on meds for seven years and , although to start with i felt awful, tired and drugged as well as panicky, that has levelled out and i now have moments of great excitement and happiness like other "normal" people. My sex drive has come back, i have felt strong enough to stop smoking and start exercising regularly ..but..I do wake frequently whereas before i slept all the way through and have gained weight from the meds. also, have been nowhere near as creative as before.but i feel so grateful for the fact that i can function and feel ok most of the time. i am on Sulpiride, Tegretol Retard and Lamictal, my life saver!
Hope you feel better soon-hang in there!Hugs,
Lyn
Posted by rainbowlight on February 25, 2004, at 1:39:54
In reply to long term advice for newbie, posted by B2chica on February 24, 2004, at 10:15:29
When I am properly medicated I feel great. I can't compare it with "normal" because I have never felt "normal". But I know my days are much better, relatively no mood swings, no crying, etc. I still deal with a few annoying side effects such as slight fatigue, weight gain (which I am working on getting rid of, however, not all the meds cause weight gain - don't want to scare you there). Hang in there, keep trying different meds until you find the ones that make you feel well. My only advice is to not stay on a med too long that is not helping you. Some people stay on meds for months or even years that don't seem to be helping them at all.
Posted by B2chica on February 25, 2004, at 10:15:05
In reply to Re: long term advice for newbie, posted by rainbowlight on February 25, 2004, at 1:39:54
> When I am properly medicated I feel great. I can't compare it with "normal" because I have never felt "normal". But I know my days are much better, relatively no mood swings, no crying, etc. I still deal with a few annoying side effects such as slight fatigue, weight gain (which I am working on getting rid of, however, not all the meds cause weight gain - don't want to scare you there). Hang in there, keep trying different meds until you find the ones that make you feel well. My only advice is to not stay on a med too long that is not helping you. Some people stay on meds for months or even years that don't seem to be helping them at all.
Thanks for the nice responses. I'm feeling better today. Yesterday was really sad. Three years ago yesterday i lost my dearest friend(they think it was an aneurism). That's a loss i'll feel forever. I miss him so much, especially now with all this cr*p going on with me.
i haven't noticed weight gain,and hopefully i won't since infact i've lost weight and don't ever want to be that big again. but i'm not exactly eating right either...just don't feel like it, ya know?
thanks all.
B2c.
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