A Reader Question for Julie Fast
I just received a comment from Reanna about her rapid cycling that won’t stop. I have been there so I understand! She asked a question about bipolar disorder treatment. Here is the question and my answer:Julie,Reading your posts has been very helpful–thank you! I have been having a horrible time with “mixed episodes” in where I will be up for a few hours, then out of no where, boom, I am down, then up, then down! My dr. ordered blood tests, but any suggestions on coping methods until the tests kick in?Reanna
Hi Reanna, Oh yes, I certainly understand. I have done that rapid cycling. It’s hard to get all of the terms straight with this illness! When you go up and then down- that is rapid cycling. A lot of rapid cycling. We are similar. I can have five or more mood swings a day. I always say it makes me feel like a rag doll someone is throwing up in the air over and over again!A mixed episode (also called dysphoric mania) is not up and down in discrete mood swings- it means that you are depressed and manic at the same time- which is also called dysphoric mania. The best way to describe this is that instead of the rag doll being thrown up and down, it’s begin yanking from all sides. It hurts inside and out!
It’s interesting that you’re getting a blood test- that is always important. It is used [... Read More ...]
Here is an interesting list- the FDA (federal drug administration) has to ok a drug for use with bipolar disorder before a drug company can advertise that the drug can be used for bipolar disorder. Here is a list of the approved drugs with their initiation dates. I will write more on this topic in the next few days:
FDA: Acute Mania
* 1970: Lithium
* 1973: Thorazine
* 1995: Depakote
* 2000: Zyprexa
* 2003: Risperdal
* 2004: Seroquel
* 2004: Abilify
* 2005: Geodon
* 2005: Equetro (Tegretol)
FDA: Acute Bipolar Depression
* 2004: Symbyax
(Prozac-Zyprexa combo)
* 2007: Seroquel
FDA: Maintenance (for use in managing bipolar disorder in general)
* 1974: Lithium: both
* 2003: Lamictal:
depression
* 2004: Zyprexa: both
* 2005: Abilify: both
This list can be a bit confusing- especially when it comes to how the drugs are categorized- I will go through this information step by step in future blogs!
Julie
Here is a letter from V. about her son and Invega- also previosly known as extended release Risperdal.
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,
First of all, I am not a doctor! I always say that because I truly believe a medications specialist is our best friend in managing this illness.
To answer your question, there is no doubt that Risperdal (Risperidone) can cause fuzziness! All anti psychotics are known for this, though Abilify is supposed to have less. A friend of mine is on Zyprexa and always says it dulls her. And yet it keeps her out of the hospital and able to work part time! There is a side effect called anhedonia [... Read More ...]
Zyprexa, also known as Olanzapine is an anti psychotic drug (also known as a neuroleptic) used to treat psychosis and psychotic mania.
It’s called an atypical antipsychotic as it is a new class of drugs with less side effects that the old anti-psychotics such as Thorazine and Haldol. Zyprexa is known for weight gain- an average of 20 pounds per person, but I definitely know people who don’t gain weight at all.
Zyprexa is used to treat bipolar disorder mania and psychosis – (and schizophrenia.)
I have seen it work miracles on people who are very ill. It’s hard to find a balance between the benefits of the drug and the side effects- but for many, the benefits are what matters. I have a friend who was on the drug for two years to keep her mania and psychosis in check. It definitely kept her out of the hospital- but she felt over drugged and gained weight. I am so incredibly proud of her for staying on it. She is now stable and no longer needs a high dose of the Zyprexa.
I just saw her today and she said, “I’m staying on it Julie. I can’t get sick like that again.” She looked so great today. I’m glad to see doing so well!
Julie
I recently opened a magazine and saw an antidepressant (Pristiq) I had never heard of- so I asked my coauthor Dr. John Preston to explain the mistique of Pristiq!
Hi…Pristiq (desvenlafaxine)is a clone of Effexor…I like it because the starting dose is often the therapeutic dose (50 mg)…with Effexor you had to start low (37.5 mg) and gradually increase the dose (often up to 150-300 mg)…also Pristiq has somewhat less nausea than Effexor….but like all antidepressants is absolutely can cause mania… John
**And as we all know… people with bipolar disorder can’t take antidepressants alone- and if they do take them- it needs to be in combination with a mood stabilizer such as lithium, depakote or tegretol! Pristiq sounds like a resort! Who names these things! Julie
PS: If you view this blog from amazon.com, you can see the whole blog at www.bipolarhappens.com/bhblog
Did you know that there is Serotonin in our stomachs? It has the second highest concentration of the neurotransmitter after our brains.
This is why SSRI drugs such as Prozac, Zoloft and many others can cause stomach problems. As my coauthor Dr. John Preston says, “There’s no way to harpoon a drug straight to the neurotransmitters in your brain. They have to go through the whole body which is why they cause so many side effects.”
I remember being so sick I couldn’t work when I was on so many meds in the late 90’s. I was always in the bathroom. That may be more than you want to know about me! but it’s important to know that you’re not alone if drugs are making your stomach rumble.
Side effects can include nausea, irritable bowel syndrome, bloated stomach, acid reflux, etc. etc.
Lovely!
Here are some tips on keeping your stomach happy:
1. First of all, talk with your doctor if things are really bad. It’s better to get help and possibly change doses or drugs than to just quit because of the side effects.
2. Drink organic apple cider vinegar in water. This can REALLY help, especially if you have acid reflux. Make sure it’s organic and slighly cloudy. You don’t want the cheap stuff! You really can get used to the taste. Put two tablespoons in a large glass of water and drink it throughout the day. I can now practically drink it straight!
3. Drink keifer or eat plan yogurt. This calms the stomach so much!
4. Try yoga. The [... Read More ...]
Did you know that there is Serotonin in our stomachs? It has the second highest concentration of the neurotransmitter after our brains.
This is why SSRI drugs such as Prozac, Zoloft and many others can cause stomach problems. As my coauthor Dr. John Preston says, “There’s no way to harpoon a drug straight to the neurotransmitters in your brain. They have to go through the whole body which is why they cause so many side effects.”
I remember being so sick I couldn’t work. I was always in the bathroom. That may be more than you want to know about me! but it’s important to know that you’re not alone if drugs are making your stomach rumble.
Side effects can include nausea, irritable bowel syndrome, bloated stomach, acid reflux, etc. etc.
Lovely!
Here are some tips on keeping your stomach happy:
1. First of all, talk with your doctor if things are really bad. It’s better to get help and possibly change doses or drugs than to just quit because of the side effects.
2. Drink organic apple cider vinegar in water. This can REALLY help, especially if you have acid reflux. Make sure it’s organic and slighly cloudy. You don’t want the cheap stuff! You really can get used to the taste. Put two tablespoons in a large glass of water and drink it throughout the day. I can now practically drink it straight!
3. Drink keifer or eat plan yogurt. This calms the stomach so much!
4. Try yoga. The gentle stomach poses can help move around stomach juices and get [... Read More ...]
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