Posted by TJO on May 17, 2006, at 5:36:20
In reply to this is what I'm on,someone please give insights, posted by heaven help me on May 16, 2006, at 21:54:08
> You can already tell that it's probably not a good idea for me to get on here at night. But I feel so caught inside a chem experiment and don't have a clue what I should do or can expect. Can you take time to read this?
> 3yrs ago I was diagnosed BP2, insomnia as presenting symptom, mood swings, suicidal deductions and despair thrown in there. Since then I have tried many mixes of meds with the only one that seemed to work to be Prozac, Zyprexa and Ambien. After a 35lb weight gain and blood sugars over the top we decided to go off the Zprexa (hell in itself, but it's done!)
> After some other mixes I am now on:
> Geodon 120mg, Lamictal 200mg, Resotoril nightly, Prozac 20mg in the am. As of today I am on Valium for vertigo as well (the newest "side effect"?). I feel emotionally ok, anxiety and intense jitteryness increases each day as it gets later. By afternoon I have internal nervous shakes, as well as external jolts, my nerves are shot and raw and even the littlest suddenty sends me through the roof (even the tender little hand of one of my children on my shoulder - it's so sad.) I am very heightened, like hypersensitive to external stimuli, all the while feeling emotionally ok (I do take Lorazepam sometimes which ony barely takes the edge off). By the time I go to bed I have to lay there with the lights on to keep my mind for running off in some negative direction, or much too fast direction, or neurotic direction. I sleep "OK" but not at all the real thing where you wake up rested. Some days I wake up ready to go at least, other days I think I can't get out of bed (seems to be linked to Lorazepam too close to bed time?) The fact is that I DON'T KNOW! When I call or see my Dr. he usually just makes a change and it all starts all over again with a new face. I don't know what works or how and I am getting really, really worn out from trying to figure this out. I sure could use some direct information if you've had experience (or encouragement) with what I'm on. I did some searches and find lots of mixed stuff. Please, anyone, please.
> Now I am going to bed because you know I should not stay on here, but I am checking back in the morning. Oh, and rjlockhart, I'm still sending up some prayers for you!
> xo all
> MaryHi,
I have heard other stories of Zyprexa causing weight gain, you're not alone. I think the Geodon is causing your "hypersensitivity" as an EPS (extrapyramidal symptom).
I think you should switch from Geodon to Seroquel as your anti-psychotic. Seroquel can be sedating and might remove the need for a sleeping pill, take care of the shakes, slow down your thoughts and etc. You can take as much as 1600 mg of the Seroquel although common usage is only up to 800 mg.
If you only switch 1 med at a time, you will be able to evaluate the effects of each change instead of starting all over.Good Luck
Tammy
poster:TJO
thread:644970
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060515/msgs/645047.html