Bipolar disorder medication side effects: Dry mouth?

There are a lot of bipolar disorder medications that can cause a dry mouth- anti depressants, mood stabilizers and anti psychotics are equal opportunity employers when it comes to side effects.  Our bodies are so different – which means that some of us will have a dry mouth with Tegretol while others will have eye problems- but over all, dry mouth caused by bipolar disorder medications is very common.

My mother, who is on Lamictal, found an excellent product that she says helps a lot. It’s called Breath RX.  Those the products are for bad breath, they actually help moisten the mouth more than any other product. They really work.

MANY people with bipolar disorder have trouble with their teeth. I know that I do! One theory states that our mouths get too dry from some med side effects and our teeth get brittle.  These breath mints can help as they keep the teeth hydrated! [ Read More ]





Posted on June 22nd, 2009 | Tags: , , , , | Category: Bipolar Treatment Tips

Reader Comment: Risperdal (Respiridone) and Cognitive Fuzziness!

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 [ Read More ]





Posted on February 16th, 2009 | Tags: , , , , , , | Category: Medications

Medication Side Effects: Stomach Problems

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 [ Read More ]