Comments on: I am really struggling today… ick! http://bipolarhappens.com/bhblog/i-am-really-struggling-today-ick/ by Julie A. Fast Sat, 20 Mar 2010 00:13:55 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: V. http://bipolarhappens.com/bhblog/i-am-really-struggling-today-ick/comment-page-1/#comment-896 V. Sun, 15 Feb 2009 22:45:56 +0000 http://bipolarhappens.com/bhblog/2009/01/28/i-am-really-struggling-today-ick/#comment-896 Julie -- My son has been treated for bi-polar with a mix of medications which includes Invega. This is a newer version of risperdal which is supposed to have fewer side effects. I think my son is suffering from reduced cognitive functioning, like he is in a fog. It is hard to tell because he definitely had a real drop in IQ testing (about 20 points) which the doctors thought were due to his anxiety and depression at the time of the testing, but I think it might be the meds too. He seems "dumber" than ever and complains about it. He used to be very sharp, although he had other emotional problems which are better controlled now. Do you have any experience with invega or has anyone heard of this? He also seems to have significantly thinning hair and I suspect the 2000 mg of depakote he takes. Any ideas? Hi V, I answered this on a blog post. Julie Julie — My son has been treated for bi-polar with a mix of medications which includes Invega. This is a newer version of risperdal which is supposed to have fewer side effects. I think my son is suffering from reduced cognitive functioning, like he is in a fog. It is hard to tell because he definitely had a real drop in IQ testing (about 20 points) which the doctors thought were due to his anxiety and depression at the time of the testing, but I think it might be the meds too. He seems “dumber” than ever and complains about it. He used to be very sharp, although he had other emotional problems which are better controlled now. Do you have any experience with invega or has anyone heard of this? He also seems to have significantly thinning hair and I suspect the 2000 mg of depakote he takes. Any ideas?

Hi V,

I answered this on a blog post. Julie

]]> By: Terry http://bipolarhappens.com/bhblog/i-am-really-struggling-today-ick/comment-page-1/#comment-801 Terry Tue, 03 Feb 2009 05:26:44 +0000 http://bipolarhappens.com/bhblog/2009/01/28/i-am-really-struggling-today-ick/#comment-801 Thanks for all your help and advice. I am sure that you have helped many people you are not even aware of. I work outside, so one of the best pieces of advice that I have gotten from you is about wearing sunglasses. Especially when I feel hypomania coming on, and all stimuli seem more intense than normal. Wishing you the best of health Julie. Thank you! It's odd that sunlight can have that much of an effect. It's true though. Mania peaks in the summer and goes down in the winter. In North America of course! Julie Thanks for all your help and advice. I am sure that you have helped many people you are not even aware of. I work outside, so one of the best pieces of advice that I have gotten from you is about wearing sunglasses. Especially when I feel hypomania coming on, and all stimuli seem more intense than normal.
Wishing you the best of health Julie.

Thank you! It’s odd that sunlight can have that much of an effect. It’s true though. Mania peaks in the summer and goes down in the winter. In North America of course! Julie

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