Meds + update on my health.

Hello.

Although I have only been diagnosed and treated for 4 years, I have been on so many meds (Latuda, Wellbutrin, Depakote, Seroquel, Abilify, Prozac, Zyprexa, Lamictal, Invega, Invega Sustenna, and Saphris. Plus Klonopin and Valium. And prescribed, but did not take, Lexapro and Buspar.) I have had so many side effects from most of these meds.

TMI WARNING

I have had my prolactin go through the roof, lactation, no periods for a year and a half, 60 lbs weight gain, akathisia/dyskinesia, adhedonia, and antidepressant induced mania.

END TMI

Aside from my rapid cycling mixed episode several months back and my recent triggered short lived depression, I seem to be doing fine on only Lamictal, which I have been on Lamictal alone since about... August of last year. But after writing that, maybe I am not doing so well on it alone. But I refuse to take any more antipsychotics.

But I am happy to say that since stopping Latuda, I have lost 22 lbs, my prolactin and cholesterol are back to normal, and I TMI have gotten my periods back.

I just wish I could take antidepressants, because as I have mentioned in other places here, although I have Bipolar I, my depression is what I struggle with most, and I do not get manic that often. And when I read of medication suggestions, and weight gain is on the list of side effects, I will not take it (but let's face it; weight gain is a possibility on every med).

I don't really know what the point of this post is... I guess I just wanted to let out some feelings.

TRIGGER WARNING

About my recent SH and suicidal thoughts, I am happy to say that they have passed. I was so afraid of it triggering long term depression. But I feel OK. I feel safe now, and no longer a danger to myself.

Hi Jellybeanery, good to hear from you.
It stinks when you've tried so many meds without finding anything you can tolerate. It sounds like you've been through a lot in terms of getting nasty side effects. I'm glad you're recovering from those. I cant really give much advise other than to keep persevering and working closely with your pdoc.
I'm glad you're feeling safer now too and I hope stability stays.

Thank you.

I know, medication just does not agree with me. I am very prone to side effects. They say Latuda has just a tiny bit of a chance to gain weight on it... pfffftttt... I gained 40 lbs on it (in addition to the 20 lbs from the 2 months I was on Zyprexa).

The lactating, prolactin, and no periods... that was from Invega which I was taking in the beginning of 2016, and now everything is back to normal. I can not believe that the side effects from that lasted for 2 years, and I was only on it for maybe 4 months.

No joke- seriously considering ECT if I ever end up in the psych ward again.

Hi JB. I'm sorry to hear that you've had to go through all of this recently, and what you've all gone through in the past, but I just wanted to share that I too am very prone to side effects of medication. I nearly lost my sight with Topamax, I gained 100 pounds with Risperadal, Abilify gave me heart palpitations (which is very rare, according to my doctor), and xanax made me suicidal literally within an hour of taking it.

I'm thankful I have a doctor that tells me all the side effects and asks if I want to go on it. He asked if I wanted Haldol, and said "you can sometimes have permanent lose of your lips and tongue, but it's very, very rare, and usually only happens in elderly people," and I immediately said no. I was put on Geodon, and I've been on it since.

i just wanted to let you know that we're all here for you, and that you're not alone with this. Sending hugs your way!

Thank you, Tyler.

Yeah, some of these meds have very bad side effects that can be permanent. I'm sorry you have gone through this as well. That is why I am not taking anything else. I'll consider it when I lose 40 more lbs.

Let's face it. We're a walking chemical experiment for psychiatrists and the pharmaceutical companies. Better than being suicidal or psychotic I suppose.

Jellybeanery, I'm sorry to hear of your struggle to find an effective med combination without unacceptable side effects- it's something elusive for many of us, and I'm sure lots of people here can relate. As mentioned, all you can really do is keep going and working with your pdoc when it comes to meds tweaks, and don't give up until you hopefully find the improved meds cocktail for you. I completely understand your frustration, though, and it's certainly tough to keep on with what feels like incessant meds changes and trial and error.

When it comes to my current combo, I'm fine with the Tegretol but the Zyprexa comes with a whole slew of side effects, including oculogyric crisis (uncontrollable upwards rolling of the eye balls, for which I have to take- you guessed it! - another med, Procyclidine. For that reason, I'm now cautiously reducing the Zyprexa with my pdoc's guidance. At the height of my psychosis in '16, I was on Seroquel (800mg) and Zyprexa (20mg), as well as Tegretol (800mg, I think) but now I'm down to 'just' Zyprexa (10mg) and Tegretol (800mg), so have come a long way, but am aware I have a way to go.

It's reassuring to hear you feel safe now after you were recently triggered and I hope your stability is long lasting. Hugs!

Thanks for the update on your health JB.

I am on a very expensive antipsychotic called Vraylar. Without insurance it can cost up to $1200. Crazy amount. The insurance instantly denied it, but with some going back and forth talking with the pdoc, they approved it. It's been a life-saver for me! I can't be without an antipsychotic or else I replapse. I've tried before. I truly feel as if I just don't have a choice in taking it.

I feel as if a depressive mood swing is occurring right now. But hopefully it's just a mood swing that will soon go away. Depression is hard to go through as I am being reminded.

z7z wrote:Let's face it. We're a walking chemical experiment for psychiatrists and the pharmaceutical companies. Better than being suicidal or psychotic I suppose.

This made me laugh z7z

Congrats to you, Ennui, for being on lower meds and being stable. I hope it stays that way for you. But this side effect you have from Zyprexa... I can't believe that, that's awful! WHY can't these meds have zero side effects?! It's so frustrating.

QG - Have you had side effects from the Vraylar? I know meds react to everyone differently, but this is a med my former NP suggested to me. But after reading the side effects, I decided against it. I hope your depressive swing isn't going to be long lasting. I know what you mean about being reminded of how awful depression is.

z7z - Exactly! But in my case, at this point, I will take being "crazy" over any more side effects.

I was prescribed lamictal. Then an add on of lexepro. My psychiatrist said when your mood stabilizes, it is often Ok to add an antidepressant. It has never made me manic.

I am bipolar 1.