Posted by Sophronia on May 17, 2008, at 9:40:32
In reply to Re: Complex Med Cocktail/Hospital Question » Sophronia, posted by crazy777girl on May 17, 2008, at 2:22:46
Thanks A. It is encouraging to hear that others have been on similar meds and is struggling with all of this stuff.
As it turns out, I had (and think was having for a while) a bad reaction to the trileptal--which started with the increasing depression and anxiety and ended up with the beginning signs of "neurological malignant syndrome"--which landed me in the hospital. Dizziness, lack of coordination, facial numbness--yikes! Turns out my sodium and potassium were very low. While in the hospital for these medical reasons, I had a consult with a hospital psych about going to that unit--and after a long talk and a consult with my pdoc, he didn't think it would be helpful for me at this point. I was relieved to have that insight. and i've been doing better since coming off of the trileptal.
the hardest part of being in the hospital, though, was every other doctor or nurse remarking that i was on way too many meds, and did i know how dangerous it was to be on the meds i was on, and was i sure i had a good pdoc.......grrrrrr... the lack of understanding and trust was very hard to deal with. meanwhile, my pdoc (who didn't have privileges at the hospital i was at) kept calling me and checking in, calling my internist to check with him, faxing in any pertinent information---being extremely caring and careful, involved and supportive. Thank God for her, she is worth her weight in gold.
Anyway, I hope you are doing okay, A, I do know what you mean about it being a lifelong battle, with some better periods and some worse periods, always working on the meds, etc, etc...
S.
> Greetings,
> I haven't been here on the board for quite a while, so I'm not sure who has answered you already, but I will add; don't fear the hospital.
>
> I don't know where you live or what facility you'd have access to - but it is not necessarily a negative experience. For me, although I dreaded it as well, it was a very positive month, and while it was painful detoxing from my extensive med cocktail of the moment, I did benefit from the experiences of my fellow patients, as well as the intense therapy.
>
> I am treatment resistant bipolar, major depressive as of late, with some OCD & anxiety thrown in the mix.
>
> I know the drugs have screwed with my brain, because I developed RLS & now have to medicate for that, also.
>
> I have been on all of the drugs you mention, I can only say there is no magic mix. Just keep trying, find what works for you. When that stops working, try again.
>
> My experience has been that it's an ongoing process. I never expect to be completely "well". But that's just me, and I'm okay with that. Now.
>
> Best of Luck,
> A.
>
>
> Hi folks:
> >
> > Its been awhile since I've here but in the last 6 months I've taken a huge depressive nose-dive. Meds I'm currently on:
> >
> > Lamictal, 100mg
> > Zoloft, 50mg
> > Trileptal, 1200mg
> > Trazodone, 50mg
> > Clonapin, 1mg
> > Zyprexa is being replaced with Abilify (currently on 2.5mg of Z. and 2mg of A)
> >
> > I just keep getting more and more depressed and am having anxiety attacks. I'm wondering if I need to go into a hospital; don't want to but I'm a bit scared by how lost I feel. Pdoc is, of course, trying everything to keep me out of hospital, including seeing me a couple times of week and now she wants me to see a therapist a couple times of week. I just started to see a "dialectal behavior therapist" at pdoc's suggestion; the shrink I saw for years--I don't know what happened but things turned bad in the fall and trying to fix things just made them worse. I've called him to see him--though he doesn't have a regular time for me and definitely can't see me twice a week. the new "dbt" person isn't sure she can help me....
> >
> > I don't know...does anyone here have any encouragement or insight to give me? I've never been in a hospital before. My pdoc has told me where to go if I end up wanting to check myself in--it is a place that is very pro-active and she feels confident it is the best place to go in the city where I live. Part of me wants to let go and check myself in; part of me is scared I'll lose a part of myself if I do that.
> >
> > I know you all can't make my decision for me. Or even really give me advice. But if you are willing to talk about your experiences, I'm looking to listen to them.
> >
> > Sophie
>
>
poster:Sophronia
thread:822606
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/neuro/20080418/msgs/829649.html