Posted by Angel Girl on May 12, 2003, at 18:08:44
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR - what's next » Angel Girl, posted by Snoozy on May 12, 2003, at 14:32:52
> Hi Angel Girl -
>
> What other meds have you tried? I take meds for depression, so I don't know what's good for BP-II. What about seeing a neurologist for the tremors? They work with meds like Depakote a lot, maybe they could help you find something to control the tremors or suggest other medications.
>
> I think the sleep mechanism is very sensitive, so hopefully in time your sleep will get better. Up until the past year, I had noticed these sleep cycles I had for quite a while. I would go for a couple of months of sleeping very little, and then for a time I would sleep excessively. It might have balanced out to some degree, but I've been waiting way too long for the insomnia to come back!
>
> I know how frustrating it can be to treat one condition at the expense of another, and to choose which one. The struggle continues......
>
SnoozyWhat's next? That is the operative question that I haven't come up with an answer to yet. The tremors are very tolerable now so I'm not worried about them. As I said, the two problems I need to deal with is losing weight and increasing depression.
I'm considering Topomax and Effexor but I KNOW that it is not wise for me to introduce 2 more drugs into my system at the same time. My body does not do drug changes well. It usually means one step back before 2 steps up. The Topomax has side effects that kind of scare me but I'm considering it with hopes that it will help me lose weight. It would augument my Depakote, which helps with my mania. As you know, I've been on the Effexor before, so I know what to expect with that. I'm just really hesitant to go back on any AD after going without any for several months. But after spending the entire last week crying, it is becoming more and more evident that I need to do something. I certainly don't want this to get out of hand again and become suicidal as I was before. That's one hell I don't want to revisit any time soon if I can avoid it. Unfortunately my pdoc JUST started vacation for 2 weeks, so I'm trying to hang in there until he gets back.
As far as the lack of sleep issue is concerned, somehow I have to resolve this one quickly so that I can get back to work.
Angel Girl
poster:Angel Girl
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030505/msgs/226167.html