Quote From: calborn46 Just wanted to let you know that lithium was a nightmare for me.....I was on it for about a 2 years plus 2 different antidepressants one at a time and eventually a anti anxiety med. The side effects of the Lithium were unbearable and I was offered no alternatives (I don't know if they had some of the current meds that I am on now). Lithium gave me uncontrollable diarrhea, I couldn't even go for a walk around the block. I was also so letargic I felt weak as a puppy. I eventually went off my meds and I went about 1 year with nothing, then I began to explore holistic meds and therapys but after about another year I began to rapid cycle so severly that I hospitalized myself for about 5 days and they started me on Wellbuterin. It took abou 8 weeks to get my first consultation and durig that time some of my symptoms worsened. I then saw my new doctor and he has been a godsend. The meds I am on have very few (if any) side effects. He was hoping to wean me down on some of them but I am in the process of a divorce right now and it's just not realistic right now.... I know that I will HAVE to stay on my meds for the rest of my life and I don't care. It is obvious to me and those around me that I must. My husband cut all financial help to me in May and I lost my job and the past 2 weeks I went without medications it was becoming a nightmare. I was noticing the changes right away but the people around me were getting very annoyed with the behaviors that I had begun to express. Normally, I sometimes check with my friends to see if some of the thoughts that go through my head are realistic or exaggerated. Without my meds the thoughts began racing so fast and I began to act an them (not violent, just kinda strange, very irritable and annoying) not dong a double check and my sentences began to become just as unfocused and racing as my mind. I had gone to a church group, my doctor (free samples) for meds but until 2 days ago I got refills and slowed down some already. i am very sensitive to changes and even though they mostly say you won't feel the effects for a few weeks, I can tell right away. I guess by reading this you can see they haven't gone away totally. Tell your doctor that you are displeased with the way your meds are working, maybe he/she will try something else. It is also within your rights to get a second or third opinion for a treatment plan from other doctors. See what they might suggest. Change doctors if you aren't completely satisfied with the way you are being treated for your disorder. My doctor is a psychiatrist AND a neurologist. This disease is neurological in origin (along with other factors). Good Luck, I think Lithium may help some, however, there are so many new drugs out and I have found them to be better for me.
I had a similar experience with lithium. The doctor I had at the time said that it was the irritable bowel syndrome and not the lithium, but I know the side effects of meds as soon as I start taking them, without looking at the sheet they give me when I pick up the meds. I read the sheet anyway just so I won't worry. I am now on Lamictal and Abilify, a good combo for me.
I have recently changed doctors because my previous doc handled a recent crisis situation badly, and because she would type what I was saying into her computer, and not really hear what I was saying at all...it was more important to her to get it all in writing. My new doc specialized in women with Bipolar, and she has a lot of experience with women who have had complete hysterectomies, including ovary removal (like I did), and have "surgical menopause"...a fast track to hot flashes and mood swings.
I was on a drug for Bipolar a few years ago that caused me to gain 50 pounds, and the doc I had then said that if it was controlling my moods, the weight gain was a minor issue...excuse me, but it is unhealthy to be obese...my health problems increased. (that was risperadal...not sure I spelled that right). Then I was changed to Depakote...still caused weight gain. Since I started on Lamictal a year ago, I have lost 50 pounds. The weight loss has slowed becasue of recent mastectomy, hysterectomy, gallbladder removal, and breast reconstruction surgeries...still two more reconstruction surgeries to go...not thrilled about more surgery, but the alternative was to wear a rubber prosthetic breast, which with my ADHD type mind, I would probably forget to wear half the time!
Well, obviously, I talk a lot too...quite annoying to my friends at church sometimes. Speaking of church, I sang a solo in church yesterday...my dad and his wife were visiting from Arizona, and he has always enjoyed hearing me sing.
I am fortunate to have a husband who understands me and is willing to put up with me...I put up with him too...he is on meds for depression, plus he has some other health problems. We were made for each other. We have to deal with 3 boys with ADHD, although the middle one, I think, has Bipolar...the doc won't diagnose it as that yet...don't know why...we are changing docs for the kids too. It turns out that sleep disorders cause ADHD symptoms for almost half of the kids diagnosed with it. Two of my boys have restless leg syndrome and have improved greatly since starting on Requip for that...they were waking up over 250 times a night according to the sleep study they had done. Our oldest son has Narcolepsy (which I have), and since he went off of the Adderall for ADHD and onto Provigil for Narcolepsy, his grades at school have improved greatly...he's been on the honor roll ever since then. It also turns out that the younger two boys have a vision problem that causes kids to get frustrated because they can only see partial words at a time, and therefore don't want to do their school work. They have improved since we started on vision therapy with them. We are angry with their old doctor for just putting them on ADHD meds without doing thorough testing first to see what was the root cause of their symptoms. For our 13 year old, the ADHD meds turned him into an angry boy. He has gained 25 pounds and has grown almost 5 inches since November, when he went off of the Adderall.
Well, now I've really "talked" your ears off...most people have probably stopped reading this note by now...sorry. Gotta go do laundry...three boys and a husband = lots of laundry.
(Original Air Date: 03/07/06) Dr. Phil explores the ups and downs of bipolar disorder. This illness takes its victims on an emotional rollercoaster ride -- from elation to extreme irritability, intense rage, or devastating depression. First, Cathy was diagnosed with Bipolar II, 10 years ago and claims she goes from zero to psycho in 15 seconds. Dr. Phil takes a look at the toll her disorder takes on her two boys, and brings the family together for a dramatic moment of emotional healing. Then, during various manic episodes, Fred has stolen a taxi, crashed into a Starbucks, and climbed to the top of a church. He hears voices and believes that movie stars like Denzel Washington and Robert De Niro are talking to him through their movies. Still, Fred thinks he’s ready to move out of his parents’ house and live on his own for good … but should his family let him? Talk about the show here.
