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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 4 to 28 of 28. Go back in thread:
Posted by Phil on August 22, 2015, at 19:43:06
In reply to Re: Goodbye Haldol and akathisia » Phil, posted by Phillipa on August 22, 2015, at 18:18:03
Thanks for your concern Philippa. We'll hope for the best. ;)
Posted by Phillipa on August 22, 2015, at 19:48:58
In reply to Re: Goodbye Haldol and akathisia » Phillipa, posted by Phil on August 22, 2015, at 19:43:06
Phil so glad running it by the doctor. Seasonal changes can effect as I'm sure you know. And yes I am concerned. Phillipa
Posted by Horse on August 22, 2015, at 23:39:13
In reply to Goodbye Haldol and akathisia, posted by Phil on August 22, 2015, at 15:34:57
> Well, after all of the challenges, I found out how incredibly unpleasant akathisia is. I dropped that crap over a week ago. I've lost Seroquel weight, am exercising and feel better than I have in a long time. It's going to be a challenge for any doctor to get me on antipsychotics again.
> My current meds: Lamictal, Clonazepam and Ambien. That's it.
>
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=92&v=omtjhWekniQAre you completely off all AP's? That's great, Phil. I can't do them... Hope you're well.
Posted by Horse on August 22, 2015, at 23:42:34
In reply to Re: Goodbye Haldol and akathisia » Phillipa, posted by Phil on August 22, 2015, at 18:54:25
Btw, lamictal has done me well. Works for my rapid cycling at 200 mg. Sometimes I can increase by 25-50 mg. if experiencing mixed mood.
Posted by Phil on August 23, 2015, at 4:37:58
In reply to Re: Goodbye Haldol and akathisia » Phil, posted by Horse on August 22, 2015, at 23:42:34
I've been walking in the mornings, watching my sleep(!)and just taking inventory of how I feel. How do I feel? Normal right now. I know that can change but I'm tired of being sick!
AAP's are out, no choice. Haldol? Not in this lifetime. Suggestions?
I'm not antipsychiatry but I do love the song I posted.
The fact is the drugs, many of them, do work. My problem has been more serious than normal side effects. NMS then a few days later, right into akathisia...I felt like I was going crazy-er.
I'll most likely have problems at some point but right now my body is telling me it needs a rest.
Thanks for the input, Horse.
Try not to be too concerned Phillipa. Glitches in treatment are par for the course. Plus, there's still Lamictal and Clonazepam. Not perfect-better than nothing.
Posted by SLS on August 23, 2015, at 6:55:29
In reply to Re: Goodbye Haldol and akathisia, posted by Phil on August 23, 2015, at 4:37:58
Navane (thiothixene)?
Saphris (asenapine)?
- Scott
Posted by Phil on August 23, 2015, at 7:13:26
In reply to Re: Goodbye Haldol and akathisia » Phil, posted by SLS on August 23, 2015, at 6:55:29
Thanks Scott. Saphris would put me in the Medicare donut hole. $711 until I hit it.
How much for name brand drugs while in the donut hole. I pay 65%. Medical bills and general cost of living are killing me.
I'm trying to get into better shape for the hope of getting a PT job.
Posted by Phil on August 23, 2015, at 7:24:05
In reply to Re: Goodbye Haldol and akathisia » Phil, posted by SLS on August 23, 2015, at 6:55:29
Scott, pot helps (in moderation) to take care of agitation and some anxiety. We need research!
Posted by SLS on August 23, 2015, at 7:44:53
In reply to Re: Goodbye Haldol and akathisia » SLS, posted by Phil on August 23, 2015, at 7:13:26
> Thanks Scott. Saphris would put me in the Medicare donut hole. $711 until I hit it.
What about generic Navane (thiothixene)? It is an old AP, but milder than Haldol, and probably less apt to produce EPS. It might be very much cheaper than Saphris.
- Scott
Posted by Phil on August 23, 2015, at 9:06:15
In reply to Re: Goodbye Haldol and akathisia » Phil, posted by SLS on August 23, 2015, at 7:44:53
Navane is dirt cheap. Will talk to my doc.
Posted by phidippus on August 24, 2015, at 14:37:31
In reply to Goodbye Haldol and akathisia, posted by Phil on August 22, 2015, at 15:34:57
Why were you on the Haldol anyway?
Eric
Posted by Phil on August 25, 2015, at 7:53:31
In reply to Re: Goodbye Haldol and akathisia » Phil, posted by phidippus on August 24, 2015, at 14:37:31
Great question. I had 2 cases of nms on AAP's so no more. When I got out of the hospital, my doctor called this in. If I would have seen him face to face I would have declined. Still, I tried it. I do not feel comfortable using the med or any other like it.
Posted by Phil on August 25, 2015, at 7:57:04
In reply to Re: Goodbye Haldol and akathisia » Phil, posted by phidippus on August 24, 2015, at 14:37:31
I haven't read up on Depakote. Wonder if that would be a possibility?
Posted by Lamdage22 on August 25, 2015, at 9:04:54
In reply to Re: Goodbye Haldol and akathisia, posted by Phil on August 25, 2015, at 7:57:04
dont take APs for no good reason. Especially not Haldol!
Posted by phidippus on August 25, 2015, at 11:06:23
In reply to Re: Goodbye Haldol and akathisia » phidippus, posted by Phil on August 25, 2015, at 7:53:31
Haldol is not the best maintenance drug. Its better for acute intervention.
What's your current regimen?
Eric
Posted by phidippus on August 25, 2015, at 11:12:21
In reply to Re: Goodbye Haldol and akathisia, posted by Phil on August 25, 2015, at 7:57:04
Depakote is a fantastic anti-manic. Among the users I've known, most have reported depression while on it. It also requires infrequent blood draws.
What symptoms are you hoping to treat with it?
Eric
Posted by Phil on August 25, 2015, at 14:12:45
In reply to Re: Goodbye Haldol and akathisia » Phil, posted by phidippus on August 25, 2015, at 11:06:23
Lamictal, clonazepam and Ambien.
Posted by Phil on August 25, 2015, at 14:18:50
In reply to Re: Goodbye Haldol and akathisia » Phil, posted by phidippus on August 25, 2015, at 11:12:21
The last 3-4 days, bipolar depression has turned into a beast. Since I'm bipolar I, I also have mania to think about.
Right now though, depression.
Posted by SLS on August 25, 2015, at 15:05:10
In reply to Re: Goodbye Haldol and akathisia » phidippus, posted by Phil on August 25, 2015, at 14:18:50
Some doctors are combining Lamictal with Trileptal for bipolar disorder. However, it sounds like you would be a candidate for lithium if toxicity is not an issue. If you decide upon combining Lamictal with Depakote, you must reduce the dosage of Lamictal by 50%.
- Scott
Posted by phidippus on August 25, 2015, at 15:39:52
In reply to Re: Goodbye Haldol and akathisia » phidippus, posted by Phil on August 25, 2015, at 14:18:50
How do you do on antidepressants?
If you don't do well on them, you have a few options: Abilify, Geodon, Seroquel and Latuda are all APs with antidepressant qualities, though Seroquel and Abilify have the most data backing them up. I take Abilify and it has helped with my depression.
You can also try Mirapex, Riluzole or Zonegran-all of these have shown some efficacy in treating bipolar depression. Wellbutrin is also a good choice for those who are bipolar.
Eric
Posted by phidippus on August 25, 2015, at 15:57:22
In reply to Re: Goodbye Haldol and akathisia » phidippus, posted by Phil on August 25, 2015, at 14:12:45
You're having problems with depression which is always a challenge to treat when your bipolar. the obvious treatment choice is antidepressants, but you run the risk of becoming manic.
I have to take antidepressants to treat my OCD and what I do is either take an atypical antipsychotic or a second mood stabilizer to keep my mood stable.
If you don't want to go the route of antidepressants, you're next best choice is an AAP with antidepressant qualities: Abilify, Seroquel, Geodon, Latuda...I know you haven't had luck with antipsychotics, but if you're having trouble with antidepressants, an AAP may be your second best choice.
Other options exists, but little data exists to support their efficacy: Mirapex, Riluzole, Zonegran, Wellbutrin.
Eric
Posted by Christ_empowered on August 25, 2015, at 16:08:37
In reply to Re: Goodbye Haldol and akathisia » phidippus, posted by Phil on August 25, 2015, at 14:12:45
I'm glad you're off AP/AAP drugs. Bipolar and other people w/ mood disorders apparently have more problems (including TD) than those with schizophrenia.
Anyway, can you take Ritalin or something? Maybe Wellbutrin? How much Klonopin do you take? Sometimes, Klonopin can cause or worsen depression. Maybe ativan, xanax xr, valium? I mean, I think any BZD can cause depression, but its particularly bad w/ Klonopin.
I hope things get better.
Posted by Lamdage22 on August 26, 2015, at 3:50:11
In reply to Re: Goodbye Haldol and akathisia, posted by Christ_empowered on August 25, 2015, at 16:08:37
there is also the option to not get on anything new. Its impossible to say how you react to the medications that have been suggested.
It is a possibility that you are better off without them.
Posted by Lamdage22 on August 26, 2015, at 3:57:23
In reply to Re: Goodbye Haldol and akathisia, posted by Lamdage22 on August 26, 2015, at 3:50:11
medication is always a gamble and the possible rewards should be worth the risk.
Posted by Phil on August 26, 2015, at 11:59:53
In reply to Re: Goodbye Haldol and akathisia, posted by Lamdage22 on August 26, 2015, at 3:57:23
Thanks everyone. I'll talk to my doctor about some of these options. As some of you know,I've been on dozens of meds so my choices are getting slim. I'll give you guys an update soon.
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