Comments for Bipolar Reality

Comment on Happy Stable New Year by zephyr

zephyr — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 03:48:50 +0000

Hi Lily, Sorry for the delay. You can find my posts on Effexor by using the category list. One reference I found to Effexor and Restless Legs is on the RSL Foundation web site, question number 8 I've taken a few meds that triggered RSL, the worst being Solian (Amisulpride) but also one of my current meds Zyprexa (olanzapine). To counteract this problem I take 2mg of benztropine nightly and that works most of the time unless my legs get very hot. I also have lymphoedema in my legs which necessitates wearing quie thick compression stockings 24/7. These make my legs very hot. I'm not taking Effexor any more because each time I've taken it I've flipped into hypomania/mania so it's not a good med for me.

Comment on Happy Stable New Year by zephyr

zephyr — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 07:12:12 +0000

Hi Lily, I’ll reply shortly

Comment on Happy Stable New Year by Lily

Lily — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:09:48 +0000

Hi – this is a comment /questions about your earlier posts. Sorry about that.
Would be grateful if you could direct me to any if your posts about effexor _ I have been on it since 2005 and I suspect that it may be behind the restless legs and swelling and knots in my calves . I do know what a horrible drug it is to come off along with many others. I’m currently trying to come off it by supplementing with 5 thp
( but taking care to avoid seratonin syndrome).
Are you still taking effexor and if not did stopping it impact on your restless legs?
Much appreciated and great you are sharing your experiences

Comment on another med I can’t have – Valdoxan by Tamara Danger Nieuwoudt

Tamara Danger Nieuwoudt — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:37:16 +0000

Hey, I’ve had those thoughts before, and trust me, you should not be alone. I think there may be something wrong with the drug you are taking, that it is not the best for you. True friends will not want you to isolate yourself, do you have any friends who also have bipolar? GPs are notorious for prescribing the wrong antidepressants for Bipolar. Remember, you have to make an informed decision, and you are not trapped by what your GP or Psych says.

HOWEVER I know that trusting the advice of a professional may be an anchor you rely on to keep you stable when you don’t feel like the best judge of your own rationality (I’ve learned not to trust my moods at all when they turn negative, still difficult to know when that is as I really think I am thinking rationally) ALSO I am NOT advising that you simply disregard what they have said if you have bad side-effects, however if all of your research and countless case studies and advice from professionals online show that you could be taking a drug which hinders you, do not be bullied by your doctor or psych. Getting multiple opinions may help.

Please do not isolate yourself, I’ve felt that before and whenever I come out of it I realise that it is not the way, and that it is way better to get help than to suffer in silence, your friends would want you to be safe and not suffer alone. Again, please join a support group or make close friends who understand and can empathise with your condition, or those who listen and offer strength patiently without judging, when you find friends like that they are such a blessing, and because they are willing to listen they are wiling to learn how to work with you and accept that the moods are not you, and to see you through the depression.

If you would like to talk to me at all you can send me a mail, if by listening I can help at all.
jcasecase@gmail.com

Comment on Happy Stable New Year by Noch Noch

Noch Noch — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 07:44:06 +0000

i like this seemingly mumble jumble
it tells me you are a very creative person
you know, I never realized I havea creative streak in me till my depression
and I sit at home all day and doodle…
hang on in there
do what you want. be what you want
NOch

Comment on Happy Stable New Year by Wendy Love

Wendy Love — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 13:12:58 +0000

I understand how you feel. I do hope and pray you can avoid a hospitalization this January if that is what you want and if that is what is best for you. I have no advice for you except ‘don’t give up’. Keep doing those things that you know are supposed to be helpful, keep on keeping on when you can. Get out even if NOT to socialize, just get out. That helps me a bit because I too find socializing exhausting and often fake enjoying myself. Although, then there are the times when I really do enjoy myself, but afterwards, oh afterwards, I am totally exhausted and it usually takes me three days to recover. It is a trade-off.

Comment on hills and valleys, a trip with bipolar by zephyr

zephyr — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 04:18:56 +0000

Wendy and Anonymous thanks for your comments on coping with ultradian cycling. My psychiatrist increased the dosage of Zyprexa (olanzapine) and Lamictal (lamotrigine) and this has helped to pull me out of the constant cycling, although I know from experience that it could return even with the changes. My strategies involve writing a journal to get “stuff” out of my head … either the thoughts during depression or the racing thoughts … I then put it aside. I also rely on my dogs. They have stable personalities and their behaviour changes little (except to be close to me when they sense I’m depressed) so I try to focus on them regardless oh what state I’m in at any given time. The other important strategy for me is to keep as close to my normal routine as possible.

Comment on hills and valleys, a trip with bipolar by Wendy Love

Wendy Love — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 21:54:05 +0000

I too understand about constant cycling, not a relaxing or a reliable lifestyle. I too like the anonymous commenter rely on strategies and lifestyle changes to see me through. I hope you can find something that works for you!

Comment on hills and valleys, a trip with bipolar by Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 07:15:27 +0000

Found your blog when searching for “Ultradian Cycling” on google. I’m a 19 year old college student with Bipolar II and I’m experiencing the same issues. Mixed states are also a part of it. I’ve got my finals coming up this week, and I’ve been more than exhausted because of it this week. Everyday is constant cycling, from socially isolate and out of it to racing thoughts. I totally understand this concept, and I hope it will continue to grow in recognition because I know firsthand that it exists. Keep up on meds and seeing your psychologist and psychiatrist, and try to put yourself in situations during the day that can help alleviate and counter whichever mood you’re in. Best of luck!

Comment on My Meds by zephyr

zephyr — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 12:15:37 +0000

Hi Mel, I haven’t had any of those side-effects however I always refer to a book called The Prescriber’s Guide _ Stahl’s Essential Psychopharmacology by Stephen M Stahl.

In this book he lists the possible side-effects of Epilim as being: seadation, tremor, dizziness, headache, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, reduced appetite, constipation, dyspepsia, weight gain (common), alopecia (unusual).

Strangely enough it can also be used to treat migraine. I have also read a couple of websites that have said it can cause blurry or double vision but that these side-effects are not common. I’d suggest that you speak with your psychiatrist, especially if you have had these symptoms for awhile.