want to get back on meds for mania/anxiety

I developed bad side effects: light sensitivity, tremors, etc and stopped. I've went over 3 years only using when freaking out and have lived a very minimal existence: not going anywhere, being hyped up all the time, etc. Now, it's obvious that lifestyle change, etc isn't enough (plus I want a girlfriend and can't handle having someone around unmedicated.)

So what can I take? lithium, depakote and any benzos are not an option, I took a risperdal last night and it really works, but the side effects occuring is a concern. Know of anything else? I'm going to try to get up to the local mental health (I have to take the bus through the projects, lovely.) and want to have some things to suggest. I don't like the severity of the side effects like diabetes and permanent tremors (tardive...) (oh and remember xanax and klonipin etc are all benzos, I took them for years and now even one will give me withdrawal.)

Thanks, this is a big step, I have been resistant to taking meds and my life has been shit w/o something. I've got this old girlfriend who wants to move in which would be great, to actually interact again.

 

You need to see a doctor to oversee your medication. S/he can address your concerns. There are a lot of other options for bipolar disorder than just Lithium and Depakote/Depakene. One such option is Abilify. Talk to a professional about what medications would be best but do some research. If your doctor ignores your concerns, see a different one. I went to 3 before I found the right one. ((HUGS))

Peace and love

 

yeah im on abilify, aripiprazole which is used to treat the symptoms of schitzophrenia, and my best advice to u is even tho they may seem to not work, keep taking the medication, the amount of times ive come off medication because i thought it was doing anything is stupid now. it just shows that medication helps as i started off with depression came of those tablets then developed manic depression and later developed mild schitzophrenia because i stopped medicating myself and while taking them my symptoms do actually mild down.

I recently stopped taking my meds again which is really stupid because i have been 10,000X harder to handle, it just shows that meds really work, they arnt super drugs that will eradicate the problem, they are created to fight the symptoms not remove them completely.

We can hope for a drug like this in the future tho right lol

 

Consult a Doctor.

 

hey it's your adhd friend

I am coming off of all of my meds right now since I have for the most part conquered my personality disorder, except the one for adhd medication and I am getting flu-like symptoms. Mentally I feel better than over but I am getting the physical withdrawls. How long does this last? I am coming off of celexa, xanax and seroquil. I tappered all of them down to none now over a month and for the past week have felt really swollen and sore in my throat and naseuas.

 

My previous doctor gave me a script for abilify but the pharmacy didn't have it and I figure it would just give me tremors.
But I finally broke down and got a script again for paxil but now it gives me tremors too. and I cracked my molar from clenching my jaws. so no meds again.

To comment on the earlier post by mydramaescape I also had a friend w' schitzo and she couldn't tolerate meds and finally a nutritionalist got her one healthy foods and exercise: sprouts she had to grow herself and raw goats milk and 5 miles walkiing a day and it worked!!!!! But who wants to do that right?

 

Exercise, fresh water, diet rest.


I love hiking trails in state parks, walking the shoreline, climbing a mountain.
or just walking to the store leaving the vehicle parked. Perhaps burning calories doing chores.
call it exercise, s'all good stuff

 

Yeah I know that. I wrote a paper on diet and exercise for a college biology class but if you're head's mixed up getting exercise isn't a practical solution. I am eating better and getting off caffiene. I ride a bike when I do go anywhere and find that listening to music on my mp3 player (gift from that old girlfriend) helps immensely. The paxil sure didn't help. Made me revved up all the time and clenched my teeth, kinda speedy stuff.
Oh well, forget the meds, forget the girlfriend. Back to my hermitage. lol.

 

I've been struggling with this for the past month. In January I decided to make a lot of changes and one of the things I've done was taken myself off all the meds these doctors have been telling me to take. They told me I was bipolar when I was 18 and to this day I dont believe them, but I had to go back this week for get some blood work done and the doctor told me to prepare to pretty much go crazy soon. Life's been pretty kickass but they told me this is expected. Should I listen to them even though i know im not crazy?!