Messages By: toaobb12

By the way when I read Talking Back to Prozac and The Antidepressant Fact Book by Peter Breggin, I learned that NIMH is essentially a pro-drug organization. They have no interest in studies that would determine the long-term effects of drugs on the brain, which is why my neuroscientist friend probably doesn't want to take the time to do that study when I asked if she would. Because it probably woulnd't be publishable or fundable. 

I am very suspicious of aritcles written by anyone who works for NIMH or the FDA. There is bound to be huge bias involved when your life is devoted to studying the wonders of drugs. I also recently heard that the FDA head resigned, I never knew the details but I am extrememly curious why he or she did resign. The news story that talked about it was short but it said, "So and so resigned today, SO and so was the head of the FDA and saw it through many recent controversies." 

Were any of these drugs you listed used as prescribed?  I am not sure myself if the Columbine boys were taking their meds as prescribed. I think only they know. They may have went off them and had the horrible side effects that you talk about. They may have been taking too low a dose or for that matter to high a dose. 

I  know for myself I have not felt better in the last few weeks as I do now and I strongly believe if people take their medications as prescribed and the right med and/or combo they will be greatly helped. 

also I know for a fact that MOST bipolar people tend to spiral into mania and then a crushing depressive cycle because they get the false sense that the medication has cured them and they stop taking it.  

Read An Unquiet Mind by Kay Redfield jamison 

She talks about her use use of Lithium and what happened everytime she stopped taking it and she also talks about the factthat Lithium is a MUST for her to be alive. 

Very good book. And she is highly respected. She is a psychiatry Professor at John Hopkins School of Medicine. 

I have several situations that is bothering me and don't know how to handle it anymore. My hubby is a social drinker he calls it.  He gets drunk every weekend and when he drinks to much he makes rude remarks, goes on and on about his past about his rich friends or his past girlfriends.  He drunks drive with me and my son in the car which I put a stop to it the last time it happen.  He repeats things until I get mad.  And when he sober he tells me to ignore him when he drinks.  Well how in the hell do you ignore him when you have an outspoken personalilty.  And being bp to boot? 

And if I explain the problem he just tells me it's in the past just forget it.  Or if I make a rude remark he tells me I mean.  And I tell him no just getting you back fromt he other nite.  Then I have to listen to a friend of mine cry her tears out about a man who don't give a damn about her.  He's worse he's a drinker and a drug user. My exhusband, his wife is a drug user too and wants to cause trouble for my family.  I am at my wits end about the whole situation.  Does anybody thinks I need counseling cuz I am about to blow up at everybody around me. Accept my son.  Is this normal or do they have the prob not me. 

Anybody have any comments or advice are welcome to help me in anyway. 

     This is my first message on a message board.  I'm feeling anxiety.  (This is a fairly common emotion for me.)  I was diagonosed as Bi-Polar Type 2 in June.  I've been on meds for a few days now.  I haven't stopped crying yet.  My loved ones try to be supportive, but don't know how to help.  And I haven't figured how they can help me either.  More than anything, I just want to feel peace.  I'm terrified of getting my hopes up that this medication will work and being suicidal if, for some reason, it doesn't. 

     Why is it easy for me to "fix" other people, yet I'm unable to "fix" myself?  Is this the high price of being a high functioning manic-depressive?  I feel so alone.  And writing this, I feel like a crybaby. 

When Emily started experiencing the sever swings in mood the doctors put her on Depakote which is a mood stablizer. She is not taking this anymore and has been switched to Lamictal, which is also a mood stablizer but does not have the same risks with theliver as depakote.  

She is also on a small dose of Risperdal, which is an antipsychotic. The risperdal was added when she got very agressive and was hallucinating.  

She also takes 60 mg of Allegra for allergies and 300mg day of zantac for over production of acid which is caused by stress. The doctor is using this medication to prevent her from forming an ulcer.  

The risperdal was double what she is taking now (she is currently taking 0.5 mg). once her symptoms subsided and she stablized I aksed that this medication be reduced. It was my intention of stopping this altogether but the aggression is still out of control with myself and my 3 year old (choking and hitting her when she gets frustrated) so at this time the doctor does not feel comfortable letting this medication go completely. She is doing better and the agression is not as prominate as it once was. She also needs to work on her coping skills for her frustration and outbursts and i am confdent once she starts applying those to daily life and using them accordingly she will not need the risperdal. 

She is on a low dose of the lamictal only 50mg a day and my hoep is to keep her at as low a dose as she can survive on. She wa snot stable on the depakote until she reached 1000mg a day and I am glad they switched it, at my request and are trying this med.  

Time will tell. 

I hope one day she will be able to function without these meds but a lot of functionign has to do with being able to control oneself and use the tools provided (therapy teaching coping skills) She is only 14 and still doesn't understand how to use or them or when so as we work towards them the use of meds may become less and less. (thats my hoep anyways) 

I have written crongressmen and others about the mental health and ask you do te same for those that need help but cannot afford it. 

Thank you for understanding me :) 

tammy