Bipolar rescue meds

[Paz]

I was manic not too long ago, after being level for 5 weeks. Pdoc was pissed because I didn't call him right away when I went manic....but no one ever told me that I had to call! I was not amused. Anyway, he started to tell me that if it happens again I am going to need a rescue med....one that melts on your tongue and stops mania in like 15 minutes of taking it. I googled bipolar rescue med, and the only thing I could find was Zyprexa pharmeceutical website. Well, I went straight to the dosages, and it comes in the meltaway[2 strengths] It also comes as an injection[in different doses] which made me think that it must be what they give you when they put you in the hospital when you are out of control. Anybody have any experience with Zyprexa? What can you tell me?

[k]

dear paz i tried to reply but couldn't figure it out and thought i posted a new msg but don't see it.  anyway i tried but i did put in about the invega and am glad to know about the rescue meds i will ask about them.

[clayton]

Melt in your mouths come for seroquel and haldol, also. Zyprexa can elevate blood sugar, i.e.give you diabetes, and there are some lawsuits against the manufacturer for that.

[datgentry]

It would be great if they also had a rescue med that could bring you up out of depression.  Seroquel also caused my blood sugars to elevate and I developed type 2 diabetes after taking it.  It is wonderful however, that there are medications that can help with mania.

[k]

i've done zypreza and seroquel but they were on long term basis and i got all the bad side effects mentioned but  was wondering if they are just used for "rescues" if their bad side effects would pertain. if anyone finds out i'd like to know. plus if anyone uses them, the melt stuff, i'd like to know how it feels when it works. it's hard to imagine curing mania in 15min. when you're use to it going on for days. and then what to expect when you're rescued.  weird terms...k

[Paz]

From what I understand, Zyprexa would only be used on rescue basis....not an everyday med. So, maybe no side effects. I'll learn more when I talk to my Doc, and I'll let you know what he says.
Paz.

[Brian]

From what I understand, Zyprexa would only be used on rescue basis....not an everyday med. So, maybe no side effects.

All drugs have side-effects, even if they're only taken once.

[KATE336]

seroquel is bad effing news

[Paz]

All drugs have side-effects, even if they're only taken once.

Obviously all drugs have side effects.  I am just saying that if you only need to take it once, and not build up levels in your bloodstream, then the effects might be minimal, or next to none.

[k]

Paz, i just wanted to share with you what my pdoc told me today when i asked about the melt in your mouth type drugs -now this is from him not me cuz i don't know anything - but he told me they were no different than the regular types of those same drugs that they get into your blood stream equally as fast. but, they often use the melt in your mouth ones cuz you can't spit them out or hide them under your tongue, once it hits your tongue it's a done deal.  anyway, i just wanted to share cuz i'm struggling to know what to take also.  now on a more personal response he prescribed an old anti-psychotic for those emergency situations. he said he had trouble finding someone who still made them - i was shocked. anyway i said i would more likely take that in an emergency cuz of the weight issue but you know it also comes with it's own risks. i just agree with you that on a prn basis in desperate situations it probably would be less likely to cause any long term problem. hope this helps in some way.    k

[Paz]

Hi Everybody, found out rescue meds can be like zyprexa, but he was referring to a benzodiazepine[he would not say which one] that is a wafer that dissolves, and it can keep mania at bay, if your mania only hangs out for a few days. He said I was "too far gone" WTF? and that he should not have mentioned these meds. My mania, when it breaks thru the meds, lasts for a couple weeks. Maybe that's what he meant?
 Anyway, I knew it was too good to be true to think of a med that would rescue me from this horrible illness.
 Paz.

[Lurker]

Oh Paz, I think that is what we are all looking for, the problem is they really don't understand the sickness. It is all a shot in the dark. We as a group seem to be impatient, at least I know that I am, it is just so hard for us, there is no cure, and that is hard to accept. My daughter was so funny when she told that she thought that the meds would cure her, and then she found out that she had to be on them the rest of her life. My heart goes out to you.
                                    lurker

[high maintenence]

I'm with datgentry...This depression is killing me. Doc won't give me anything for it because she's afraid it will cause me to be manic. Damn, I'm so jealous of you Paz...I wan't some MANIA

[kaz]

maybe I am not thinking clearly at the moment but brian said that every single drug will give you a side effect, even if you take it just the once, and then there is people saying they either did or did not experience side effects so whats the truth? and what exactly is a side effect?
I always associate it with meds that make me feel unwell but if you feel better for taking it, is that a side effect?
like if you take a tablet for a headache and it goes away, was that a side effect?
I am confusing myself now, I have just woke up, maybe I should go back to bed lol

[clayton]

The so-called side effect is just the total effect of the drug. There are long lists of them, and some people get just one, and some people get all of them--it varies with the person who is taking it. Back when I was taking thorazine, I was getting every goddam side effect it had, and they wouldnt let me stop taking it! So if you don't like the effects of a drug, ask your shrink to give you another one with less or different side effects--you can't get away from them, but you can find the one that has the least; personally, i'd rather have shaking hands than be drowsy all the time. Pick your poison.