Quote From: mrscenaHi Everyone from New Zealand!
I am a surviviour of bipolar disorder and have been on meds for quite some time. My question is I have been on olanzapine for over a year now but i am starting to get dizzy spells after I have taken my dose at night. Is there anything out there that I could use that we could get here in NZ that helps?
Thanks
Sandy Dickinson
Wellington NZ
Hi Sandy,
My doctors have said that it is not desirable to treat the side effects of one drug with another. If you are having bad side effects (dizziness), maybe it is time for a change of meds. There are a lot of good drugs available in the USA...don't know about NZ. Discuss the sypmptoms with your doctor. Since you have been on this med for a long time with no ill effects in the past, there could be something else going on that should be addressed...definitely discuss it with your doctor.
Many people with bipolar, however, take multiple meds to control the symptoms, but not usually to treat the side effects of another drug. I take Lamictal, Abilify, and Temazepam, and it is the best combination that I have ever had. But, different drugs work differently on different people...the drug, or combination of drugs that work best vary from person to person.
Many bipolar drugs do cause dizziness and fatigue, and that is why they are prescribed at bed time...then you sleep through the side effects and wake up feeling OK. Again, talk to your doctor about it.
Becky
