Hi, I am new to this forum. I was diagnosed in 2007 with rapid cycling, and it's been somewhat of an adventure for me. I was so unstable when I was first diagnosed that I was hospitalized as a 5150 within the first couple months. When I'm manic, I get super angry and have no patience for anyone or anything. In fact, I posted yesterday and can't seem to find it because it needs to be approved first, so I was a little upset last night that it still wasn't up...I think I'm on the way to hypomania. If a moderator did approve it and I just am not seeing it, please let me know! I had a couple questions on there I was hoping to get answers or advice on, and I don't know that I will be able to word them the same on this thread.
I am currently taking 60mg Geodon in the am, 80mg Geodon and 300mg Lamictal in the evening. I've been having trouble sleeping lately...getting to sleep and then staying asleep for more than a couple hours at a time. I'll try to go to bed by 9:30pm at the latest, and I'll usually wake up a few times in the night. I have very realistic-feeling dreams that are pretty intense. I will wake up from them, and either go back to sleep and continue the dream, or I'll wake up with my heart pounding and feeling like my body is psychedelic in movement. I guess like the whole room is throbbing around me. I was taking Lunesta, which gave me a horrible taste in my mouth, but I don't have insurance anymore and it's too expensive. I'm going to try Ativan to help me sleep, but first I've been trying 6oz of wine (approved by my pdoc), which hasn't been helping as much as I would like.
I am currently a full-time student at a university. I worked as a phlebotomist for 9 years at the same hospital, which was just such a drama and stress zone. I went out on stress leaves at least once a year from the time I was diagnosed, all based on the intense workload and the people I had to deal with....a bunch of women in one small space. I knew I couldn't handle the stress of working and going to school, as well as take care of my family, so I decided to apply for permanent disability while I'm going to school. I hired a lawyer to help me with the process in the hopes that it won't take too long.
Right now, I'm feeling like I'm headed towards mania, and I am taking my meds as prescribed. I don't know if it's because I don't eat right when I take my morning Geodon, if I'm not taking enough, or if I'm taking the wrong combo and it's not working anymore. I'm trying to find something so I can lose some weight. I've gained 20lbs since I stopped working and I'm not having much luck in losing any of it. I lost a bunch of weight with just Geodon alone, and with Lamictal I gained a little bit back because I had lost too much weight...I was close to 100lbs at 5'2".
My question, if you've made it down this far...do you think there is something I can do differently with my meds? I've been feeling slightly manic for a few weeks now, but it comes and goes. About 11am I feel like I haven't taken my morning dose, and I get easily irritated, especially with my boys. I missed two days of school the past two weeks because I just couldn't deal with the day...my hubby managed to make me feel better both days, mainly by letting me buy things for the house and getting a mani/pedi. My pdoc doesn't want to change my meds while I'm in school, but I thought I could handle a decrease in Lamictal, which I think I'm taking for the depression, if so then it's working because I haven't been depressed in a very long time (knock on wood). But I'm wondering if it's making me manic. I know that I'm taking Geodon for the mania, but am I taking enough? I hate to increase the morning dose because it makes me tired, and I drive an hour to school three times a week. Does anyone have any advice??? Thanks in advance, and I'm hoping I've come to a good place for support and advice!