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Cathy
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« on: October 09, 2008, 04:05:14 AM » |
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Hi all, so I've been on Abilify for about 6 months and Zyprexa for about 2, I had a massive mixed episode about 4-5 weeks ago and spent a week in hospital. Since then I've been very depressed. My pdoc said that Abilify didn't seem to be working for me and mentioned Lithium. I went on vacation, came back still depressed and discussed it further with my pdoc. He says he doesn't want to push me into taking Lithium and I've got until I next see him on Friday 24th to think about it. So what does everyone think? Are the side effects of Lithium worth it for the effectiveness? Any input welcome, thanks x
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high maintenence
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« Reply #1 on: October 09, 2008, 10:12:35 AM » |
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lithium did get me out of the immediate threat, and at the lower dosage it did great. i just had a problem at the higher dosages bc i have seizures that the lithium triggered for me, so i had to discontinue it. it is the bp med of choice from long ago until present, even though they are adding all of these new drugs. to me, sometimes, often times, the older, more proven drugs like lithium are the way to go. you've been on abilify for quite some time now if i'm not mistaken and i think it's time to try something new.
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clayton
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« Reply #2 on: October 09, 2008, 10:19:29 AM » |
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Jerry Brown (former governor of CA, former presidential candidate, former Mayor of Oakland, and current Attorney-General of CA--interesting guy) was talking about zyprexa on his daily radio chat--he was saying it is has been really pushed by Smith-Kline, it is over-prescribed and causes obesity, which causes diabetes--and Smith-Kline just happens to have a drug for the diabetes!
Take lithium!
Clayton
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Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law---Love is the law, love under will.
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KissMeImBiPolar
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« Reply #3 on: October 10, 2008, 06:00:00 PM » |
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Cathy, everyone is different. Only you and your pdoc can make this decision for you  I've never been on Lithium... Love and light, *Chelbie* |
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You know how to whistle, don't you? You just put your lips together and blowwwww.... :*  |
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elwood
Full Member
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Posts: 173
George my boy. RIP
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« Reply #4 on: October 13, 2008, 03:04:48 AM » |
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Hello everyone,
I just tried Abilify and determined there was no real benefit. It also increased my appetite and now that I am off it I am loosing weight again.
3 years ago my doc put me on Zyprexa. What a mistake that was. So many side affects plus there wasn't anything I wouldn't eat. After two months I was off that.
I have never taken lithium, but I have heard many pdocs are going back to that. Have you tried all the others Effexor, Seroquel, etc? All drugs seem to work different on each person.
Elwood
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Living alone again.
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high maintenence
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« Reply #5 on: October 13, 2008, 06:49:40 AM » |
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What's up, Cathy? Have you made any changes?
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Cathy
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« Reply #6 on: October 14, 2008, 03:30:29 AM » |
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Hi guys, I haven't tried Effexor but I had a bad reaction to Seroquel. My next appointment is a week on Friday so I guess I'll have to wait until then to get the Lithium  |
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high maintenence
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« Reply #7 on: October 14, 2008, 09:37:20 AM » |
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Cathy,
What kind of bad reaction? I only ask this bc most everyone does have an initail "bad reaction" to Seroquel. The side effects do fade, even though you feel very lethargic for a while.
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Cathy
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« Reply #8 on: October 14, 2008, 10:04:08 AM » |
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It's hard to explain...it was an incredibly intense discomfort in my arms and legs, it was really horrible, my pdoc agreed it wasn't normal.
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high maintenence
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« Reply #9 on: October 14, 2008, 10:52:21 AM » |
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those do sound like unusual side effects....how long did you take it?
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Cathy
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« Reply #10 on: October 15, 2008, 03:57:23 AM » |
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About 4 or 5 days I think, slowly increasing the dose.
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Paz
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« Reply #11 on: October 15, 2008, 08:25:39 AM » |
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Hi Cathy,
Take the lithium. I am bad bipolar1, mixed episodes, ultradian cycling[ really rapid cycling].
Lithium helped to save me. It takes awhile to get used to, but it is worth it. I love my lithium, couldn't live without it.
Good Luck at the Doctor.
Paz.
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If you tremble indignation at every injustice then you are a comrade of mine. - Che Guevara
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Cathy
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« Reply #12 on: October 15, 2008, 09:59:27 AM » |
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Thanks Paz |
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Paz
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« Reply #13 on: October 15, 2008, 12:21:31 PM » |
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You are welcome. |
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If you tremble indignation at every injustice then you are a comrade of mine. - Che Guevara
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Cathy
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« Reply #14 on: October 24, 2008, 07:33:03 AM » |
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I've got the Lithium, first dose tonight. Fingers crossed for no side effects!
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Poll
