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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 20 of 20. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by linkadge on September 23, 2007, at 23:50:10
So, I am giving it another go (Like I didn't learn these lessons the first time), and I cannot believe how bad the insomnia is (not to steal from above posts).
This med just makes me agitated and gives me almost complete insomnia.
I really don't know how people are supposed to heal on some of these meds. Its always like I am just trading one problems for another.
Linkadge
Posted by curiousfish on September 24, 2007, at 0:11:54
In reply to Why I hate Lamictal, posted by linkadge on September 23, 2007, at 23:50:10
*sigh* i loved lamictal so much for a bit.. until it killed my already suffering coordination.. the inability to poop or sleep.. the memory loss.. fine tremors.. fatigue..how i am still managing to mood swing (enter geodon). the agitation could be hypomania. i had months of that without realizing i was actually hypomanic. it is wimpy for manic stabilization.. and hell..im bipolar 2. but i still pick up the little blue sheild shaped pill.. turn it around in my fingers..and plop into my mouth everyday. at least im sleeping again with geodon.
> So, I am giving it another go (Like I didn't learn these lessons the first time), and I cannot believe how bad the insomnia is (not to steal from above posts).
>
> This med just makes me agitated and gives me almost complete insomnia.
>
> I really don't know how people are supposed to heal on some of these meds. Its always like I am just trading one problems for another.
>
> Linkadge
>
>
>
Posted by Netch on September 24, 2007, at 8:40:17
In reply to Re: Why I hate Lamictal, posted by curiousfish on September 24, 2007, at 0:11:54
Link, I can't say much since I'm still titrating... I'm only on 25 mg. I've heard that some solve it by taking pills in the morning.
Another option is lower dose in combination with lithium or using a sleep pill.Netch
Posted by polarbear206 on September 24, 2007, at 9:10:36
In reply to Why I hate Lamictal, posted by linkadge on September 23, 2007, at 23:50:10
> So, I am giving it another go (Like I didn't learn these lessons the first time), and I cannot believe how bad the insomnia is (not to steal from above posts).
>
> This med just makes me agitated and gives me almost complete insomnia.
>
> I really don't know how people are supposed to heal on some of these meds. Its always like I am just trading one problems for another.
>
> Linkadge
>
>
>
Link,If you are taking it at night, try taking it in the morning. I take my whole 200mg dose in the morning as soon as I get up. When did you start it and how much are you on now? Are you taking anything else with it?
PB
Posted by Phillipa on September 24, 2007, at 11:49:33
In reply to Re: Why I hate Lamictal » linkadge, posted by polarbear206 on September 24, 2007, at 9:10:36
Is it only when it's being used for bipolar that is causes insomnia as I took it granted only 50mg at night for an antidepressant boost. No insomnia only the excessives spitting which forced me to quit. Phillipa
Posted by linkadge on September 24, 2007, at 13:30:46
In reply to Re: Why I hate Lamictal, posted by Phillipa on September 24, 2007, at 11:49:33
50mg, all in the morning. Almost total insomnia.
I'm just about to fall asleep, then *no* I'm awake again.
Linkdage
Posted by polarbear206 on September 24, 2007, at 16:20:11
In reply to Re: Why I hate Lamictal, posted by linkadge on September 24, 2007, at 13:30:46
> 50mg, all in the morning. Almost total insomnia.
>
> I'm just about to fall asleep, then *no* I'm awake again.
>
>
> LinkdageLink,
You didn't say when you started it. Did you go from 25 to 50 in a short time? How is it affecting you other than the insomnia? Someone like you who is sensitive to meds needs to go very slowly. I have to take klonopin every now and then to help me sleep. In fact, I took it twice last week because I was up til 1:00 am. Don't throw in the towel so soon. Can you take a benzo with it for now until your body can adjust? Adding a tid bit of Lithium and an AD might be an option for you down the road. I'd really like to know all of your symptoms when you are off of all meds. Your daily routine? Are you able to go out and socialize with friends? Eating habits, mood changes, energy levels, sleep patterns. Do you have interest in hobbies? Just how debilitating is your depression? Frankly, I have wondered how you can concentrate and write your postings. You are well articulated. It would be an extreme effort for me if I wasn't medicated. I would just stare at the screen and wouldn't be able to think clearly let alone have the energy. It would be a big effort.PB
sorry for all the questions. It goes with the job.
Posted by linkadge on September 24, 2007, at 17:24:00
In reply to Re: Why I hate Lamictal » linkadge, posted by polarbear206 on September 24, 2007, at 16:20:11
>I'd really like to know all of your symptoms >when you are off of all meds. Your daily >routine? Are you able to go out and socialize >with friends? Eating habits, mood changes, >energy levels, sleep patterns.I don't really see the point in describing these.
>Frankly, I have wondered how you can concentrate >and write your postings. You are well >articulated. It would be an extreme effort for >me if I wasn't medicated.
I don't see how one thing has to do with another?
That is essentially why I get nowhere. I see doctors...."well you sound fine to me".>I would just stare at the screen and wouldn't be >able to think clearly let alone have the energy. >It would be a big effort.
Depression for me does not mean lack of energy for me, just extreme sadness. I feel like I am disconnected from life, like everything passes me by. Like everything is meaningless. If I could sum up my mood in one song it would be Chopin, Tristesse Etude. Over and over again. There is no purpose, no order. Every bird song is laiden with sadness, like they too know the meaninglessness and futility. Time is just one long expanse, yet so incredably short, yet never stopping. Driving forward, a constant reminder of my mortality, my insignificance. Every moment of happiness is quickly snatched from me, and replaced with endless reflection about how and why. It is just me and eternity. It never stops, yet I don't know what "it" is, although it is intent on telling me what I am not.
I do not have friends. They don't understand me. I don't understand me. Why would I want to "fit in". How does that make me normal? What is normal?
I just can't get far enough away from people, from myself.Oh sure, mood stabilizers blunt it all, in that "just hit over the head with a baseball bat" kind of way. They don't replace it with anything good. I suppose thats my job. That is, if I care enough about wanting whats good.
I don't sleep much. I am up, thinking.
Its hard to explain to doctors. Perhaps this is what life is really like. TCA's helped, but nobody prescribes them anymore. My psyiatrist is gone for a year anyway. So I a year of refills of meds that are worthless.
Doctors just want to know that you're not going to off yourself. After that, you need to fend for yourself. I have severe trust problems, as you may be aware too.
Mood stabilizers and AP's were the end of my mother as I knew her.
I am not really looking to be diagnosed online. More to look around and see if there is anyone who's syptoms are similar to mine, and perhaps find what helped them.
Linkadge
Posted by bleauberry on September 24, 2007, at 19:16:16
In reply to Why I hate Lamictal, posted by linkadge on September 23, 2007, at 23:50:10
I hear ya Linkadge. I hate all these meds. All of them. I have found better and faster benefits with natural supplements or herbs. I've been on every psychiatric drug on the planet (yeah, even the overseas stuff) except Nardil and Parnate. Even did ECT. The stage was set for longterm healing after removing silver fillings (chronic 24/7 low level mercury vapor exposure that slowly but surely wreaks major and seriously underrecognized and underdiagnosed havoc in every corner of your body and brain). And then natural stuff.
The problem with natural stuff is the same as with meds though. That is, trial and error. I mean, tests can give you a good idea of where to concentrate. Neuro urine tests, adrenal cortisol tests, gluten test, food intolerance test, intestinal stool analysis, hair mineral/toxin test, complete thyroid panel, fatty acid profile, and stuff like that. A good $2000 for all those probably.
But even after you know the basic direction to go, the trial and error game begins. I think I have enough bottles of supplements here to open a store. Most were not the answer. A few have been pretty good. Way better than any of the drugs. In the longrun, much cheaper too. And when they work, it is so much faster. Some natural stuff can have side effects, but I have not had any that even came remotely close to the horrendous stuff that drugs did.
Posted by Netch on September 24, 2007, at 20:22:44
In reply to Re: Why I hate Lamictal, posted by linkadge on September 24, 2007, at 17:24:00
Link, have you tried any neuroleptic drugs?
Netch
Posted by Sigismund on September 24, 2007, at 21:36:01
In reply to Re: Why I hate Lamictal, posted by linkadge on September 24, 2007, at 17:24:00
>Time is just one long expanse, yet so incredably short, yet never stopping. Driving forward, a constant reminder of my mortality, my insignificance. Every moment of happiness is quickly snatched from me, and replaced with endless reflection about how and why. It is just me and eternity.
Nothing odd about this, is there?
This is reality.
Posted by Phillipa on September 24, 2007, at 21:41:18
In reply to Re: Why I hate Lamictal, posted by linkadge on September 24, 2007, at 17:24:00
Link to me you sound like a realist I think that way too. Phillipa
Posted by linkadge on September 25, 2007, at 11:59:22
In reply to Re: Why I hate Lamictal » linkadge, posted by Netch on September 24, 2007, at 20:22:44
Yes, I've tried risperidal, zyprexa, seroquel and mellaril. They just make it *worse*. The meaninglessness that is.
Linkadge
Posted by linkadge on September 25, 2007, at 12:01:50
In reply to Re: Why I hate Lamictal, posted by Sigismund on September 24, 2007, at 21:36:01
>Nothing odd about this, is there?
>This is reality
Yes, I know, and thats the worst part. Theres no way to change reality, you really only have two options.
Linkadge
Posted by Jimmyboy on September 25, 2007, at 14:48:39
In reply to Re: Why I hate Lamictal » Sigismund, posted by linkadge on September 25, 2007, at 12:01:50
I know I am coming in late here ,
but I hate it too. I see all these people with bipolar Ii helped by it and I am genuinelt happy for them, but unfortunately it causes pretty bad sexual side effects for me ( I know it doesn;t for a lot of people) ... thats just unaaceptable to me and pisses me off.
I've tried the stuff several times and within a few weeks.. bam. No drive or function, sucks. Same on Wellbutrin , which everyone says doesn;t do that.
But I can take a huge dose of Lithium and be just fine , go figure.
Anyway, I am starting a new regimen, Lithium , light box, intense exercise and therapy . I have spent too many unsuccesful yeas hoping for just a medicine to work.
JB
Posted by Sigismund on September 25, 2007, at 17:10:50
In reply to Re: Why I hate Lamictal » Sigismund, posted by linkadge on September 25, 2007, at 12:01:50
It depends on how much it upsets you too.
Some people feel like you do philosophically but don't get *too* upset by it.
As you get older the horizen comes that much closer, reducing the burden of time to come and reminding you that there is only so much left.
Some people even derive a sense of freedom from that.
Posted by linkadge on September 25, 2007, at 19:00:28
In reply to Reality » linkadge, posted by Sigismund on September 25, 2007, at 17:10:50
It is really pointless for me to try and justify myself to others.
I don't feel the need to justify the way I feel as I don't really feel too optimistic about things.
At first, I was really clear on trying to explain to doctors how I felt. Now I just don't care because I don't think they can do anything.
I feel like I have put my hope too many times in their claims, and it just becomes more painful each time. It is easier just to say leave me alone.
You need to find a doctor who cares about you. That doesn't happen often these days.
Linkadge
Posted by Phillipa on September 25, 2007, at 20:12:20
In reply to Re: Reality » Sigismund, posted by linkadge on September 25, 2007, at 19:00:28
Link that is so true. Phillipa
Posted by rskontos on September 26, 2007, at 11:15:18
In reply to Re: Reality » linkadge, posted by Phillipa on September 25, 2007, at 20:12:20
Amen. I think they give out meds just to placate you and shut you up. At least that has been my experience. Another reason I am reluctant to seek help with this dissociative thing. I think hiding at home is working right now. It ain't perfect but then the medication yo-yo ride isn't either. I have had enough of that with the migraine thing for 25 years not to want imbark on it just right now. Especially when I read that although they have come up with loads of new drugs or rather new uses for drugs and maybe news ones too they really don't seem to understand much more just are lining the pockets of alot of people with money. But I am very distrusting and anxious so maybe I should just shut up and go back to lurking. But I do understand what you mean Lindage because I feel the same as you do on many the same topics. I don't relate well to people and when I do let my emotions out they are too much for me to handle so why would anyone else understand them I don't.
Posted by rskontos on September 26, 2007, at 11:15:24
In reply to Re: Reality » linkadge, posted by Phillipa on September 25, 2007, at 20:12:20
Amen. I think they give out meds just to placate you and shut you up. At least that has been my experience. Another reason I am reluctant to seek help with this dissociative thing. I think hiding at home is working right now. It ain't perfect but then the medication yo-yo ride isn't either. I have had enough of that with the migraine thing for 25 years not to want imbark on it just right now. Especially when I read that although they have come up with loads of new drugs or rather new uses for drugs and maybe news ones too they really don't seem to understand much more just are lining the pockets of alot of people with money. But I am very distrusting and anxious so maybe I should just shut up and go back to lurking. But I do understand what you mean Lindage because I feel the same as you do on many the same topics. I don't relate well to people and when I do let my emotions out they are too much for me to handle so why would anyone else understand them I don't.
This is the end of the thread.
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