zyprexa woes

[Sweetest1]

I'm glad you got to see your pdoc today. Did s/he change any of your meds, or just keep everything the same?
I'm sorry your moods are all over the map, that's just the worst kind of feeling.
Hang in there....do something nice for yourself!

Rebecca

[A.E.V.]

I only see my pdoc next monday... yesterday I saw the tdoc. I know, all these abbreviations can get kind of confusing!

it does feel like a rollercoaster ride. and it is annoying!

*spoke to the pdoc's nurse today, because I called and told her about the mood swings. I go to answer my phone, and my cordless won't stop screeching... so what do I do? get angry and throw it across the room! (to my surprise, the phone was working much better after that...)

so I get to see my pdoc tomorrow to see what can be done.

I'm so fed up with this, it's unreal! I need a break... for more than a month...

[Atlantis]

Hang in there Anne

[A.E.V.]

okay... saw the pdoc today.
didn't change a thing, he's still determined that the luvox is going to help. he gave me a prescription refill, and an appointment for January.

he did get the report from the other pdoc I saw in November and there isn't much in terms of recommendations. he suggested upping the zoloft (that I've quit a week and a half ago because I get seriously agitated when I up the dose of it), and to try epival.
so my pdoc checked all my blood tests I've had done lately, to be sure my liver is normal... just in case we decide to try the epival.
another thing that was suggested, is that if I do not find a med regimen that works for me, that I should consider being referred to a clinic specialized in bipolar.

am I having fun yet??

[Lizzy]

Anne, I feel so helpless . I hope the referral to a specialist will make a difference. It seems we are all experiments of this medicine. Keep on posting . It is reassuring to know you are out there somewhere.

[AJ]

I'm sure you're not having any fun Anne. I'm glad that your Pdoc is open to a referral. Did he or she give you any time frame for staying with Luvox or starting a mood stabilizer like Epival? Maybe a referral in January would be good. There's probably a wait anyway.

[Stormy Weather]

Hi Anne - sending you hugs!

[uni]

Hello Anne. My heart goes out to you, you've had a rough time for too long. I congratulate you on your perseverance (not unlike that goat in the picture, although I'm sure you're much better looking ) It gives me a bit more strength to deal with my own stuff, and I thank you for that.

All I can think of to help is . and say thanks for continuing to let us know how you're doing.

[A.E.V.]

AJ, no he did not give me any timelines for the luvox, or for the epival if we go that way.
both my pdoc and I are unsure about me taking epival... I'm told there's blood tests and that it's not unlike lithium in the sense that there is a very fine line between the therapeutic dose and the dose that can make you sick.
but if it will help, I guess I'll try it. do I have to drink tons of water like with lithium?

I'm seriously considering just asking for a referal in January... or maybe calling the pnurse to see if she can get some answers from the pdoc before I decide. the only problem is, this clinic is at the mental health hospital that's like an hour and a half away by bus and metro... I've been there before for a psychoeducation group so I know it's possible to get there on time even during winter, but it's definitely something to consider in my decision.

[AJ]

I'd be tempted to ask for a referral in January. Even though it's a long commute, it might be worth the trip to see what the of P.doc has to say. Would this P.doc be seeing you or passing along info and suggestions to your current P.doc? When in January is your appointment?

Epival is a drug that requires blood concentration measurements like Lithium, but the therapeutic dose vs the toxic dose range is much wider. The other thing that is monitored while on Epival is liver enzyme levels. Anything over 3 to 4 times the normal levels for you is cause for concern. You don't have to drink alot of water with Epival, but it would be a good idea to have it with food.

[A.E.V.]

thanks for the tips concerning epival. I will certainly keep that in mind when I go back to my pdoc. my appointment with him is January 10th.

what I did, instead of asking my pdoc to get information for me, was I found the business card from someone who works in that bipolar clinic, and emailed him my questions.
I had met him two years ago when I did the psychoeducation course, so I figured it would be okay to email him for some information that could help me decide whether or not to ask for the referal. I really do want to ask him for it, I just need a few things worked out in my head before I walk in to his office in January and demand this.

my mood seems to have leveled some lately. I'm not all over the place, which feels nice. I won't be over optimistic and say I'm feeling better, but as I told people today that asked how I was, today is a good day.

[AJ]

Glad to hear you're having a good day Anne. Good for you for being proactive and sending that email. Let us know when you hear from him.

[A.E.V.]

I didn't get much information from him... but I guess he is limited in what he can tell me.
he did tell me that if I feel the need, I can ask my pdoc if he will do follow-up when I finish with the clinic. I was not told if it was long or short term, he said it varies depending on how I am doing.

food for thought for the next few weeks......

[AJ]

January will be here before we know it. Just have to get thru Christmas first.

[Atlantis]

Hi everyone,

I wasn't sure where to post this question so I hope no one minds if I change the subject just a little in the hopes I can get some advice...It has been difficult lately, and without getting into too many details the pdoc prescribed citalopram (20mg) to help augument the wellbutrin (450mg) I am currently taking, along with lithium, lamictal and clonazapam...sigh...

I was just wondering if anyone had any experience with citalopram (celexa)? Thanks