POZ Community Forums
Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Mental Health & HIV => Topic started by: bipolorii on March 27, 2008, 12:00:01 am
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I am new to this board and would like to chat with others like me.
I just finished recovering from ankle surgery which in turn screwed up my medications.
I also had to find a new psychologist they put me on some new medications.
BIPOLAR+ADHD meds:
1. ZyPREXA 10MG 2 a day
2. Lithium 300MG 4 a day
3. CLONAZEPAM 1MG 4 a day
My HIV doctor turned his practice into a group of doctors, now I am seeing a nice new lady doctor who spends up to 1 hour and a half each visit. My original doctor would be 10 or 15 minutes each visit.
HIV-1 meds:
1. ATRIPLA 1 a day
2. ACYCLOVIR 400MG 2 a day
For the first several months after my ankle recovery my life was HELL.
Has anyone El's had the same experience?
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Hi bipolorii!!
Welcome to the board :) I am Juan Carlos. So glad you took the time to write to us, well.. i have also posted lately in this part of the forum for different reasons, I am glad you are better after your sugery. You asked if anyone else has had some experiences... well i guess many of us have been there. I am not bipolar (well... not sure if i am not or if i simply haven't been diagnosed bipolar yet) but i know what you mean when you say your life was a hell... oh.. for sure i know. The good thing is that slowly things get better :). I am really glad you have joint us. It is cool to meet other people and know we are not alone.
Welcome,
Juan Carlos
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Thanks a lot for responding to my post.
I have been looking for a place where I can talk and share information with other posters who have had similar experiences.
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We have a number of members with bi-polar affective disorder. I'm sure you'll find people who you can share your experiences with.
Best regards,
MtD
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Hi Bipolorii, welcome to the forums. I was (wrongly) diagnosed bipolar years ago. They tried me on Lithium and I had a two-day blackout. I'm not saying you're not bipolar, please don't take it that way. I'm curious as to why they put you on Zyprexa and Clonazepam. Unless you have underlying anxiety issues. I have severe anxiety issues, which Zyprexa alone controls.
There are, as the Damned One said, many people on here who have bipolar issues. I've had many psych issues throughout the years; but mine were mostly brought on by drug abuse.
Again, welcome to the forums! Hope to hear more from you.
Luv,
Betty
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Hi,
I have dealt with bipolar issues for years. Medication has always been a problem. Getting the right medications that work with other medications. The right medications that allow me to function on a daily basis as well. I understand many of the issues that you are dealing with. It is an issue that never goes away.
Welcome to the forums, it is good to have you here. There are many good people here to chat with and share things with.
Peter
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I also forgot to mention that have severe anxiety, severe panic attacks, severe fear of swallowing and severe food choking issues. I have a very small appetite and need all my food pureed.
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Bi, welcome. I just want to say that even though some people will have had some of the experiences you've had and the challenges you're living with, many will not. But you will nevertheless find there are sensitive and informed listeners here. By just speaking up about your experiences and what's on your mind I believe you will find some valuable common denominators among members. There's enough comraderie to more than make up for not all dealing with the exact same situations.
So I urge you to pop in with your comments and thoughts in other threads as well. That way people will get to know you. As important as the problems are which you have mentioned, I daresay there is also a lot more to you as a person, so let that show as well.
Again, welcome.
Cheers,
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Thanks everyone for the fantastic welcomes.
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Hey there Bipolorii!
I've been Bipolar for 3 years, well the doctors say Im BP, I still dont believe them , but they tell me that "not believing them" is part of the syndrome. Anyways Ive been on a crap load of meds for this and they still dont have it right. I'm told that finding the right combinations/dosages takes a while...here are my experiences:
1st combination-
Lithium
Lexapro
utter disaster, I blacked out and did crazy things without knowing what I was doing. Slept about 16 hours a day, would wake up in the yard, etc... Doctor told me to stick with it and give it a chance to work, WHATEVER! I stopped taking them on my own thinking I would rather be crazy than to be a crazy zombie.
2nd combination-
Clozapine
Lexapro
Zoloft
Horrible side affects, shakes, chills, gritting my teeth, loss of appetite. stuck with it for 6 mos, then bailed on these.
3rd combination-
Lamictal
Seroquel (300mg, very high dose)
Lexapro
This was better, but the seroquel made me real loopy and unable to walk (although I love seroquel).
4th combo-
Lamictal
Trazadone
Zoloft
Nuerontin (off label use for BP)
Im currently on this, its much better than all the other combos, still get the gritting teeth, always kinda foggy, but I guess I will have to live like this. My problem is I keep thinking I am better and stop all the meds and then immediately have a manic attack, which as you know is the best feeling in the world (manic) until you come down and realize you just spent all of your savings on wine, men and song and have nothing to show for it .
On a side note I truly believe that my during one of my manic attacks while off meds I became HIV+ trying to fulfill my insatiable sexual desires....lesson learned, stay on meds.
Im currenlty not on HIV meds (just diagnosed a few months ago), but Im sure the day will come and then I will have to juggle even MORE pills :(
I totally empathize with the BP med drama, your not alone.
Will :)
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I was touched to write because of your diagnosis. Like you, I was diagnosed as Bipolar and ADHD, The lessons I've learned are:
1. Write Down Your Concerns About Meds. Take notes you can refer to when you see your physician.
2. Do not stop your meds! If you are having problems, immediately schedule an appointment with your physician so you can communicate your feelings and health issues.
3. Ongoing weekly counseling with a therapist (not psychiatrist) has worked wonders for me as far as learning how to cope with my mental health issues. It does take a commitment of time and money.
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Hello there. thanks for writing on the forums. I too have been diagnosed with Bipolar disorder, Obsessive compulsive disorder, tourettes syndrome (minor case), and agoraphobia. i take a great many meds like iam sure alot of us do for these conditions. Like one guy said earlier inthe posts, it takes alot of time for the dr's to get the diagnoses right for BP. i was first diagnosed with BP back in 2004. I have had the meds changed like 4 times. right now i am currently on clonazepam, risperdal, depakote, trazadone, effexor. those in combination . treat my disorders i mentioned in like the second sentence above. it took 20 years to get it all right. i hope you find the right combo for you . right now i am stable and all. still have mood swings adn such once ina blue moon but going much better. good luck