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Avatar for enigma_27
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-29-2003
new here
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Sat, 08-07-2004 - 1:49am
Hello everyone,

My name is Kelly, I'm 31 years old, I'm not new to IVillage but

I have recently been diagnosed with Bipolar and I have Post Traumatic also.

I was on Zyprexa and had to stop taking it, I gained about 20 lbs from it and it really wasn't helping me.

I was wondering if there are any medicines that any of you have tried that helped with the depression and had low side effects and not the weight gain? I know different medicines work differently with people but I am trying to get prepared for my next doctors appointment.

I have other medical conditions also, there are so many to get into.

I have just been feeling depressed more than usual lately, I am going to a new counselor, this will be my 4th counselor. I am hoping I will be able to stick with this one, there is usually insurance issues or I don't like them, but I think I am really going to like this one but I've only been to her once so I will have to wait and see.

Thanks for listening and thanks for any advice, I greatly appreciate it.

Hugs,

Kelly

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Avatar for cla3a
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
In reply to: enigma_27
Sat, 08-07-2004 - 5:47am

Hi Kelly!!


Welcome to the board!!


My name is

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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-02-2003
In reply to: enigma_27
Sat, 08-07-2004 - 9:07am
Hi Kelly & Welcome

You are right, everyone is different when it comes to meds. Talking with your pdoc will help him/her decide more about what to give you also. Some people with bipolar are sensitive to anti-depressants and it makes them go into a manic episode and some people like myself it is ok to take it. I take Wellbutrin(anti-Depressant), Lamictal(mood stab), Topomax(mood-stab), and Risperdal(anti-psychotic, I take for sleep)and the risperdal is supposed to help me with my agitation.

Girl, I know what you mean about being depressed over changing counselors. I have been in therapy since I was 12, It is longest job I have ever held down...lol

Well to say the least, I have seen alot of different counselors and some where very good and hard to seperate from. Sometimes it seemed helpful even though at the time I couldn't see it or feel it would be. Right now I am in the same position. I have to find a new therapist soon. I am not looking forward to it, or looking forward to the whole repeating my whole life history and all about my illness and how it has affected my whole life and on and on and on. Well you know the drill.

I have had the same isssues to, insurance, not liking them, them leaving the place where they practice, and other reasons. No matter what the reason it will affect us emotionally and our treatment process. Hang in there hon. It sounds like you are on the right path. Post here anytime and it will take time to find the right meds and the right combination of meds that are just for you, but be patient and it will all work out. We are here when you need us.

Tina~

 
Avatar for donnaglack
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-03-2004
In reply to: enigma_27
Sat, 08-07-2004 - 1:30pm
Hi Kelly! Welcome to the board. I just started posting here last week.

For me, Zyprexa just made me fat(ter)! lol!

I am diagnosed with Mixed Bipolar Disorder. Right Now, I am taking Effexor XR,

Eskalith CR(lithium)and Lamictal, which I just started. I have been on Risperdal, Wellbutrin and Neurontin in the past. I believe that I have a high tolerance for medication, so Wellbutrin and Neurontin did nothing for me and I don't believe that Risperdal would have been a good maintainence med for me. I just had my meds reajusted this past week, so we'll see what happens. Also, there's been some recent controversy about Neurontin not being effective in treating BP. You can research that though.

I too am scheduled for an intake interview at the place where my PDoc is, to get a new therapist. I'll pray for both of us!

I find that support, like this board are crucial to my well-being, so, I hope to hear from you soon. Take care.

Prayers,

Donna

Avatar for enigma_27
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-29-2003
In reply to: enigma_27
Sat, 08-07-2004 - 9:51pm
Hello Cyn,

Nice to meet you. Thanks for the warm welcome. I am married, no children.

I also have fibromyalgia, endometriosis, degenerative joint disease, etc.

I took myself off of the Zyprexa. My husband had to cut my wedding rings off because they were cutting into my finger. I told my counselor and she told me to tell my doctor, which unfortunately I couldn't get into see him unil the 16th of this month and I didn't want to wait that long.

I look forward to getting to know you also.

Thanks,

Kelly

Avatar for enigma_27
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-29-2003
In reply to: enigma_27
Sat, 08-07-2004 - 10:05pm
Hello Tina,

Thanks for the welcome and sharing the meds you are on with me.

I hope to find the right combination soon. I have an appointment the 16th and hope to get positive results from it.

I'm sure you've seen alot of couselors being in therapy since you were 12. I wish I would have been brave enough to start counseling earlier. I had alot of trouble in school, but everything was overlooked, I was too scared to face everything and still am. But hopefully I'll get through it. I have a very patient, loving husband that helps me.

But sometimes I think he gets discouraged when he doesn't know what to do for me even though he never complains.

Thanks for the welcome and listening,

Kelly

Avatar for enigma_27
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-29-2003
In reply to: enigma_27
Sat, 08-07-2004 - 10:11pm
Hi Donna,

Thanks for the welcome.

I wish you the best of luck with your new meds. I know how that goes.

I'll be praying that they work for you.

I think this board is going to help me also.

I have friends and family that care and my DH, but sometimes I don't think they understand. So you'll probably be seeing me alot.

Take care and thanks for listening,

Kelly

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
In reply to: enigma_27
Sun, 08-08-2004 - 9:39am

Hi there Kelly!


I'm Teri, also 31, I have 4 children and I have been married for 11 years. I'm bipolar I for as long as I can remember and I am also ADHD, fibromyalgia and a few other unpleasant things to boot.

~The Worlds A Roller Coaster And I Am Not 

  Strapped In. 

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: enigma_27
Sun, 08-08-2004 - 7:48pm

Hi, Kelly,


Welcome to the community.

Christmas Signature
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-27-2004
In reply to: enigma_27
Sun, 08-08-2004 - 10:02pm
Kelly,

I'm new here but I have found in reading the posts that these people are wonderful - great support and good information. I have been diagnosed with BP for 3 years and I'm still in the process of getting my meds adjusted! I thought I was the only one out here with this problem but I see that I am not! I have been on Depakote and Zyprexa in the past and they didn't work besides the sleepiness and weight gain (50 pounds!) that I experienced. Right now, I'm on Lamictal, Risperdal, Wellbutrin (altho I was on Paxil too I am not now), Atenolol (for the "shakes" I get from the other meds) and Restoril to help me sleep.

Good luck with finding a new therapist - I have been lucky and have the MOST WONDERFUL therapist in the world - God forbid anything should change! I know it is hard - it took me several tries before I found the right pdoc and tdoc so I know you will too!

I am so glad you have a dh to support you - I have a sister who doesn't quite understand but she is trying. Sometimes I get so frustrated because I just want to yell at her that she doesn't understand when I know it wouldn't get through to her. The people on this board are very supportive and very knowledgeable so stick with them!

Thanks for listening to me ramble - welcome to the board!

hugs,

~cathy~

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-09-2004
In reply to: enigma_27
Mon, 08-09-2004 - 8:32am
Hi, Kelly. I'm Amanda--age 27, 2 kids (7 years old and almost 3 years old). I've been diagnosed for a couple of years. I've been on Zyprexa (weight gain), Geodon (extreme weight loss), Risperdal (missed periods), Lexapro and Zoloft (made me miserable/manic). I'm now on Lamictal. It's been about 4-5 months and so far so good. It works to stabilize me and helps ALOT with depression. I hope you find some good meds FAST. Anyway, welcome to the board and we look forward to getting to know you. You'll find that at first, we tend to help you and after a while when you get more comfortable and stable, you will help the others. It's great. Amanda

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