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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 cutepen on February 10, 2004, at 18:43:17
hi, I'm new here. Thank goodness for this website.
I have had depression since i was 13- 31 years.
Been on different meds, hospitalized several times.
On Lithium- 1200 mg- like 14 yrs, Zoloft-200mg-7 yrs, Lorazepam-2mg-over 6yrs. I had been telling doctors and therapists for several years that meds aren't working and I shouldn't be feeling so bad, suicidal, a lot of rage (but that could do with PTSD-yrs of sexual abuse by parents).
"well, you're never going to get over it.' was one t' answer which I won't accept.
Depression is horrible. So, I reduced Lithium to 600 mg for last two months. Not so smart because I might as well not been on it but sometimes i felt just as bad as being on full dosage.
I am tapering off Lithium in two weeks. I started Lamactil- 1st had insomnia-now sleep is better. I'm only on 5th day of meds. I am very agitated, but moods and thoughts much clearer, was afraid I was manic but being depressed for so long, anything feels abnormal. Feels like pins and needles in my body. Do symptoms subside or get worse after a couple of weeks?
I called my dr & he tells me to go off Lamictal which means that I am only on 300 mg of Lithium and zoloft, and lorazepam. Then he tells me to go back on Lithium. Didn't prescribe another medication instead of Lamictal and told me he can't talk on the phone about this that I should wait till next week to see him and (pay in person.)
I am so frustrated and disgusted with drs that don't know what they are doing and don't pay attention to pts. He had suggested Seroquel before Lamictal and told me it was a tranquilizer & I said I didn't want a tranquilizer. Anybody know about Seroquel?
Sorry this is so long.
Cutepen
Posted by HenryO on February 12, 2004, at 2:03:34
In reply to Lamactil side effects, posted by cutepen on February 10, 2004, at 18:43:17
You have many chqanges going on med wise. Are these the side effects of Lamictal or he result of kicking all those other meds?
You have lot of chemicals in you, some tapering out some building up. You have no way to tell what is causing what. Give things time. Small changes, go slow, things may suck for a while. But Lamictal has been great for me. It has been the best thing I've ever been on, and I've been on many many.
It took two months for my old cocktail to leave my system and for the Lamictal to work. What dose are you taking? 12.5 or 25mgs? At 25mg increases every two weeks it takes time to reach a theraputic dose. 200-400mgs. You have to let it work. You have to let those other meds clear out or stabilize. Give things time. I was in terrible pain waitng for the Lamictal to work but I'm glad I stuck it out. But if its toxic for you, you have to listen to yourself.
Posted by cutepen on February 13, 2004, at 8:04:08
In reply to Re: Lamactil side effects, posted by HenryO on February 12, 2004, at 2:03:34
Well, I had pins and needles thruout my body and then the pain in my legs and feet got so bad that I almost went to the hospital. But decided not to & fell asleep on the couch.
Woke up 6 Am the next morning feeling great. My legs and feet weren't in pain. I had prayed alot the nite before with my kitty, Callie Joy. I was sure I was going to die.But, I didn't. I have survived much more than this but it still feels horrible.
So, I am off Lamictal for 2 days now. My legs and feet are still cramping. I do realize I'm tapering off Lithium & was trying to start a new med. My body is going haywire.
My dr. suggest another mood stabilizer,? which causes glaucoma and I said no. I suggested Zyprexa and she said its an antipsychotic and causes weight gain. I don't know. EVERYTHING, including Tylenol has a list of side effects a mile long.
It is so scary. I have had reactions to meds in the past where I took Risperdal and my tongue started to swell up and another med my throat was swelling up and had to call 911.
I am not going off Zoloft and Loraepam now. I'd be in the hospital.
Anybody know anything about Zyprexa. Antipsychotic? I'm not scizophrenic.
I am taking it a day at a time, hour by hour, minute by minute, second by second.
Why do we have to go thru so much hell to even start to feel good? I'm so tired of being a guinea pig. Maybe I don't need to be on another major med. My head is much clearer and feel like I've come out of a fog.
I started writing about my life furiously last nite.(I am a writer). Don't think I am manic.
thanx for any input
Posted by cutepen on February 14, 2004, at 8:46:51
In reply to Re: Lamactil side effects, posted by HenryO on February 12, 2004, at 2:03:34
IS THERE ANYONE OUT THERE?????
Well, going off Lithium- tapering on 300 mg. Anybody ever go off Lithium completely out there??
Docs gave me Zyprexa & you know what I am so TIRED of putting these drugs/chemicals/ drug company ads/payback to drs/ mood-altering/ f--- me up/ scramble my mind/fog/ UNreality/ given by drs, nurses, that don't know their top from bottom/dispensing drugs they don't even understand/ oh yeah- WE ARE HUMAN GUINEA PIGS!!!!!
It's no different than the military drugging soldiers without them knowing it. I am not telling ANYBODY to go off their meds. I will not take responsibility for my words reaching others.
This is my decision and my decision only.
I feel better in the past 3 days then I've felt in so long; I can't remember. First I felt I was manic then I said this IS WHAT FEELING GOOD IS!!!!
FEELING NORMAL- meaning this is the real me. Thorns & all.
I'M AS MAD AS HELL AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANYMORE!!!!!!
It feels so good to get this out, you know.
ME
Posted by cutepen on February 14, 2004, at 8:53:34
In reply to Re: Lamactil side effects, posted by cutepen on February 14, 2004, at 8:46:51
Well, I guess I am alone out here. Hey, that's ok, I'm not alone; I have Jesus. Yeh. And my kitty, Callie Joy. She's an angel, I mean it. They don't have nine lives for nothin'.
It is now 6:42 AM and I feel so rested. I went out to the bar at about 1:00 AMish; was very hungry- had the most delicious teriaki chicken sandwich ever- diet coke. I'm not stupid- mixing whatever drugs in my system with alcohol.
Cable guy coming between 8-10 AM. Not much to fix.
It's Valentine's Day. VD- how ironic.
gotta go.
have a very nice day.
ME
Posted by bristol on February 15, 2004, at 16:28:16
In reply to Re: Lamactil side effects » HenryO, posted by cutepen on February 13, 2004, at 8:04:08
The only thing I know about Lamactil side effects are acne. You asked about Zyprexa - I know it causes weight gain. I feel horrible about all of my weight gain and my mood swings and the anger - all the anger. We are guinea pigs. They don't know what the hell they are doing with all these drug's..I read something recently about the effect of food on mood - I'm thinking that I need to consult a nutritionist and eat better - maybe that would be the only drug that I need? Anyone else out there who may think the same way -? They've diagnosed me as PTST, BP2 and BPD
This is the end of the thread.
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