medication side effects

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-23-2004
medication side effects
2
Fri, 07-29-2005 - 12:21pm

Hi

I have been lurking every now and then but I have a question about how you deal with side effects of medications. I have a good combination of medications that keep me pretty stable mood wise but the side effects are really starting to frustrate me. I was diagnosed with Bipolar I, severe depression last fall which seems to have developed due to very intensive therapy for childhood sexual abuse.

I take Abilify, lamictal, effexor and klonopin. The side effects I have are so annoying and interfere with every facet of my life. I have clumsiness, lightheadedness, muscle weakness (it is almost impossible to type any way but hunt and peck and having been a secretary, this is most frustrating). I can't concentrate or stay focused and since I am an adult returning to college this is the worst side effect.

I don't want to change meds because I don't have the wild swings I had initially. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to deal with all this?

Thanks, Sarah

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-26-2003
Fri, 07-29-2005 - 2:25pm

Hi Sarah


I'm only on Lamictal...and I didn't experience your type of side effects.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-02-2003
Fri, 07-29-2005 - 4:31pm

Sarah,


This is going to be kind of generic because I only have limited experience with Lamictal, which I only took for a short time because of MAJOR headaches with it.