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Wonderfalls
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Member Since: Jul 2016
Location: Midwest
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#21
Tegretrol: "The side effects have often been brutal. I forgot to mention severe akathisia that was torture-like, in 2009, when I used high doses of Seroquel without Atarax or Gabapentin - atenolol did not work well to ameliorate the akathisia. In 2017 I tried again, this time with Gabapentin or Atarax, and both worked, and it seemed like a miracle, but then I was hit with QT-prolongation."
Atenolol is a beta blocker, true, but it's heart specific. It works on my extra heartbeat (PVC), for example, but not for my akathisia. For that you need a systemic beta blocker like propranolol. Antihistamines (Atarax) can help akathisia, but are not very strong for that. A few studies have shown that gabapentin can work but it's definitely not first line. Another drug you mentioned having a rash with and said that Benedryl didn't help. It seems obvious, but you didn't say. Did you try a cortisone cream with that? [I was concerned myself that cortisone is a steroid but I've never had a problem with topical cortisone. Maybe not related to prednisone?] Saphris is not considered a heavy weight gainer (like Zyprexa, say) but I have heard of people putting on weight with it, which is one reason I ruled it out. I think Latuda is much better in that regard, but it also can cause akathisia. I take 80mg propranolol for that. I would anyway; it's well worth it for me, but I admit I would be taking a just a heart-specific beta blocker anyway for the PVC.The propranolol of course works for both. |
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MickeyCheeky, Wild Coyote
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Daonnachd
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#22
AspiringAuthor, I regularly get ECT treatments in San Rafael / Marin. If you’d like a detailed description of the procedure, send me a PM.
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Leia78
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Member Since: Mar 2017
Location: East Coast, US
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#23
Have you ever heard of or considered trying TMS (Transcranial magnetic stimulation)? I went to a psychiatrist who had all of the equipment to do it in his office. He wrote several papers about it's effectiveness. You would have to go for 5 days straight for a treatment and do that for a few weeks. It is supposed to be very helpful for depression and the doctor said it would help with mixed episodes also.
https://psychnews.psychiatryonline.o...pn.2017.pp11b3 __________________ Bipolar 1 ADHD Carbamazepine (Tegretol) Vraylar Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq) Mirtazapine Adderall XR My Journal https://jenniferforreal.wordpress.com/ “Those who love you are not fooled by mistakes you have made or dark images you hold about yourself. They remember your beauty when you feel ugly; your wholeness when you are broken; your innocence when you feel guilty; and your purpose when you are confused.” ~ Alan Cohen |
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Aliceiw
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Member Since: Nov 2017
Location: Corvallis
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#24
Quote:
There are some studies out there that suggest that those that are drug resistant can try sleep modification techniques to reduce symptoms. For example, methods that increase sleep in mania or deprive light. Or sleep deprivation for depression with light therapy. All of this is done with a doctor's help but they have shown some effectiveness to this. In addition, if they haven't tested you for other health factors that mimic bipolar that's a must. I'm sure they have because that's pretty much ethical protocol but I've heard of doctors that didn't. Your eyesight needs to be checked if you are seeing things, and MRI of your brain, a vitamin and mineral count, blood cell count, thyroid check etc. I'm sure it already has been checked but just in case it hasn't I would look into it. __________________ What comes up, must come down- but what's going badly will turn around. If you think you're sinking we won't let you drown. Love from me to you, wishing you safe and sound. xoxo |
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cool09
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Location: Eastern MD
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#25
Have you tried ECT? It has a much better success rate than medication. Clozaril is for schizophrenia.
__________________ I know why you wanna hate me! Cause hate is all the world has seen lately! - Limp Bizkit |
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Anonymous45390
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#26
Check out Merlin’s post in the Bipolar Success stories sub forum
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MickeyCheeky
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AspiringAuthor, MickeyCheeky
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AspiringAuthor
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#27
Quote:
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AspiringAuthor
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#28
I am retrying Tegretol XR. First morning - so far so good. Dermatologist suggested I prep the skin by ample moisturizing, which is what I am doing. Hopeful.
__________________ Bipolar I w/Psychotic features Zyprexa Zydis 5 mg Gabapentin 1200 mg Melatonin 10 mg Levoxyl 75 mcg (because I took Lithium in the past) past medications: Depakote, Lamictal, Lithium, Seroquel, Trazodone, Risperdal, Cogentin, Remerol, Prozac, Amitriptyline, Ambien, Lorazepam, Klonopin, Saphris, Trileptal, Clozapine and Clozapine+Wellbutrin, Topamax |
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PsychoPhil
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Member Since: Dec 2017
Location: Canada
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#29
Not understanding much about either psychology or brain functions, but rather from an electrical engineering point of view, ECT seems a very crude measure. Voltage surges don't usually do computers much good, for lack of a better comparison. But then, all those psych meds equally affect the whole body, when they are actually meant to help with specific symptoms in specific brain circuits.
For therapy targeted at specific brain regions I find brain pacemakers an interesting new development. Long term positive effects of this seem much more plausible to me than ECT, just from an engineering point of view again. |
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MickeyCheeky
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MickeyCheeky
My echo is the only voice coming back
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#30
I'm so sorry you're going through all of this, AspiringAuthor It sounds like you're handling all of this pretty well. Just wanted to let you know that I admire your strength and clarity of vision. If you have tried every other meds out there, then I guess you may start considering ECT as an option. Stay safe and take care of yourself. Keep doing what you're doing. Have an healthy lifestyle, eat well, ecc. Evaluate all the options you have. You can do this! You're strong, I know that. I believe in you. Feel free to PM me anytime. Let me know if I can do something to help you. Wish you good luck! Let us know how it goes. Sending many hugs to you
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Grand Magnate
Wander
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#31
Can't say I have any further suggestions. You have been looked after well here. I just want to say as another treatment resistant BP person I understand the overwhelming frustration and olympic athletes stamina that it takes to keep fighting for the treatment that works, and it sounds like you have gone, and are going through, a tougher fight than I. Hang in there.
__________________ Bipolar 1 with psychotic features PTSD "Phew! For a minute there I lost myself." 'Karma Police' by Radiohead |
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AspiringAuthor
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TimTheEnchanter
I am a figment of your imagination
Member Since: Feb 2015
Location: California
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#32
I find insomnia the worst symptom of my BP condition, so I had to chime in. Ambien was only giving me 4 hours of sleep for about two nights at my peak hypomanic phase. I have learned to avoid strong coffee and sweets during insomniac. I go swimming, and I take either antihistamine (Hydroxyzine up to 150mg), but I have never gone above 100 mg or 25-50mg Thorazine.
Now if I do not sleep one night, I will sleep the next day — no big deal. You must not get anxiety over insomnia because that is the vicious circle. I wish you the best to find a solution. When you refuse to get up at night and force yourself to remain in bed, then you start "micro dreaming", and if you do not stimulate yourself, eventually you fall asleep. I get rested this way when hypomanic. Lithium allows me that rapid change of thoughts, agitation, and panic are in abeyance. Oh yeah, the other night I was insomniac, and I took THC and CBD if nothing the anxiety went away and I listened to music all night! __________________ Cyclothiamia - on Depakote with occasional Thorazine for severe insomnia. Last edited by TimTheEnchanter; Jul 23, 2019 at 10:41 PM.. |
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Wild Coyote
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