[bpcyclist]

What was it? Like many of us, I have been on a bunch. Probably the worst for me, though, overall, has been Naltrexone--an opiate antagonist I had to take a million years ago. Had the worst psychosis of my entire life--and that is saying something. Just hideous. I know it is a life saver, but not good for me.

I would also say that Seroquel has been pretty close to the worst for me at times. Gave me some kind of crazy, wacky, buzz-high thing for awhile. Weird.

[Nammu]

Any anti-depressant that includes trazodone that a pdoc put me on saying it's not an antidepressant but to help sleep. Lier!

[bpcyclist]

Originally Posted by Nammu

Any anti-depressant that includes trazodone that a pdoc put me on saying it's not an antidepressant but to help sleep. Lier!

Sneaker!!!!!!!!!! I always thought it was best to lie to the patients. Not!!!!

[*Beth*]

Seroquel

Over the 7 years I took it I gained over 100lbs. As a result of the weight gain I have health problems. It never helped me in any way, except to sleep. When I finally refused to take it anymore and did stop taking it, I titrated it down slowly. Nevertheless, I have never been able to go back to the quality of sleep I had prior to Seroquel. My sleep back then was not perfect, but it was much better than post-Seroquel.

Depressakote... Uhhhh, I mean Depakote. Or was it the combo of Depakote and Invega? In any case, though that happy duo did end four years of frequent manias, they left me hopelessly depressed and I gained about 25 lbs in a short period of time. Then I had ECT, and was put back on that marvelous combo only to become depressed again. Other lovely side effects included high cholesterol, extremely high triglycerides, pre-diabetes, hormonal issues (unwanted hair growth), bad hyperprolactinemia (no periods, lactation so bad that I had to put panty liners in my bra) and a pituitary microadenoma, that an endocrinologist said would have to be removed via brain surgery (through my nose) if it got much bigger. Invega was surely the culprit for the pituitary-related stuff.

On a happier note, after my medications were overhauled from the above, I lost 40 lbs, normalized my blood work, got rid of the hyperprolactinemia, my hormonal stuff eased, and even my pituitary microadenoma miraculously disappeared over time. That was 8 years ago. I have maintained half of the weight loss these 8 years, and have not had any other long-term negative side effects except the increase in my cholesterol and sometimes triglycerides.

[bpcyclist]

Originally Posted by BirdDancer

Depressakote... Uhhhh, I mean Depakote. Or was it the combo of Depakote and Invega? In any case, though that happy duo did end four years of frequent manias, they left me hopelessly depressed and I gained about 25 lbs in a short period of time. Then I had ECT, and was put back on that marvelous combo only to become depressed again. Other lovely side effects included high cholesterol, extremely high triglycerides, pre-diabetes, hormonal issues (unwanted hair growth), bad hyperprolactinemia (no periods, lactation so bad that I had to put panty liners in my bra) and a pituitary microadenoma, that an endocrinologist said would have to be removed via brain surgery (through my nose) if it got much bigger. Invega was surely the culprit for the pituitary-related stuff.

On a happier note, after my medications were overhauled from the above, I lost 40 lbs, normalized my blood work, got rid of the hyperprolactinemia, my hormonal stuff eased, and even my pituitary microadenoma miraculously disappeared over time. That was 8 years ago. I have maintained half of the weight loss these 8 years, and have not had any other long-term negative side effects except the increase in my cholesterol and sometimes triglycerides.

What a nightmare, BirdDancer. So happy that adenoma went away. It sometimes happens. Never been on Invega. Now, I never will be...

[Goforward]

I haven't tried more then several but among those Geodon was the all time worst. I had dental issues including teeth grinding, biting of buccal membrane and weird oral sounds I couldn't control. Also I couldn't sleep at all on Geodon. By far the worst side effect was the perineal muscle tensing. So glad I stopped it and went on Seroquel which I tolerate well.

Originally Posted by bpcyclist

What a nightmare, BirdDancer. So happy that adenoma went away. It sometimes happens. Never been on Invega. Now, I never will be...

Thanks, bpcyclist!

As for the Invega, it's very similar to Risperdal. I know that some men can get bad side effects from them (breast size increase), but not all do. I don't think all women do, either, but from stories I've heard, hyperprolactenemia from these two meds is not rare in women. I did find both great at fighting mania. When I took Risperdal (a couple years before the Invega), it did not make me depressed, and the weight gain was minor. The only reason why I went off the Risperdal was probably because of the hyperprolactenemia, or maybe because of the usual medication overhauls we often get during hospitalizations. [I tried quitting meds a couple times during that period with disastrous results.] They are the only two antipsychotics that ever gave me that side effect.

[bpcyclist]

Originally Posted by BirdDancer

Thanks, bpcyclist!

As for the Invega, it's very similar to Risperdal. I know that some men can get bad side effects from them (breast size increase), but not all do. I don't think all women do, either, but from stories I've heard, hyperprolactenemia from these two meds is not rare in women. I did find both great at fighting mania. When I took Risperdal (a couple years before the Invega), it did not make me depressed, and the weight gain was minor. The only reason why I went off the Risperdal was probably because of the hyperprolactenemia, or maybe because of the usual medication overhauls we often get during hospitalizations. [I tried quitting meds a couple times during that period with disastrous results.] They are the only two antipsychotics that ever gave me that side effect.

I was on Risperdal for years, the IM cersion. Put me in a zombified state. Hated it. Pretty suire it made my depression worse, too. Awful for me.

[Skeezyks]

Effexor... I was on it both times I tried to remove myself from this level of reality.

Latuda for sure. It was the first time and worst time I had akathisia, which I had no clue about and the doctor's never mentioned it as a possible side effect so I kept saying I had severe anxiety and they kept giving me Ativan. Latuda never helped with any of my symptoms so I was dealing with that on top of being psychotic. It only took about four days of Latuda for me to become suicidal. Expensive as hell too.

Originally Posted by Goforward

I haven't tried more then several but among those Geodon was the all time worst. I had dental issues including teeth grinding, biting of buccal membrane and weird oral sounds I couldn't control. Also I couldn't sleep at all on Geodon. By far the worst side effect was the perineal muscle tensing. So glad I stopped it and went on Seroquel which I tolerate well.

Hi Goforward. I have had an issue with bruxism (mostly daytime) for a long time. Thinking back, I believe the worst of it was on Geodon, as you mentioned. Some of my teeth are quite noticeably worn down. A number of weeks ago, I looked at a photo of me smiling when I was about 21 years old. My front teeth were clearly longer than than they are now. Plus, my teeth had little ridges (?) that I've long since worn down. I had to get root canals in both of my front teeth. The endodontist said that the bruxism was surely the culprit. She said that my teeth are as worn down as some elderly peoples'. It's eased a bit since I went off of Geodon, but I still notice myself grinding and clenching. It is a habit I can date back to my youth. I know it's all related to stress and frustration.

[Mopey]

St. John's Wort.

[bpcyclist]

Originally Posted by Mopey

St. John's Wort.

Huh. What happened with it?

[Mopey]

Well BP, I tapered off of prozac, which had always worked well for me, to try the more “natural” St. John’s Wort. Once it built up a certain level in my blood I began to feel very hyper-emotional and couldn’t control my crying, weepiness, and just general upset. Once I dc’d it I returned to my usual dysthymia low level of functioning.

FYI I am simply depressed/anxious, not bipolar.

[Moose72]

Zyprexa. I am prediabetic and very high triglycerides and along with Depakote gained a total of 80 pounds. I just went off Seroquel because of the prediabetes and because its only helping me sleep according to my pdoc. Well we shall see since my last dose was two days ago. I hope to lose more weight- Ive lost 40 pounds.

[*Beth*]

As I post earlier, Seroquel was my worst med. But I'll toss something else in here.

A few years ago my pdoc prescribed Trazadone for sleep. I took it the first night, didn't notice anything much. The second night I took the prescribed dose and had what was probably the most frightening experience I've ever had. The feeling was that I had overdosed on a medication. I saw all sorts of flashing, whizzing lights, spark things when I closed my eyes, felt extremely disoriented, and the most terrifying of all was that my breathing was suppressed. I had a strong feeling that I was going to black out. I had been lying down, but made myself sit up, remain calm, and do my best to take good, deep breaths (which was difficult).

About twenty minutes passed until the weirdness stopped. Wow, was that a creepy experience! As a result, I'll never use Trazadone again. I've wondered if I had an allergic reaction.

[Moose72]

Originally Posted by BethRags

As I post earlier, Seroquel was my worst med. But I'll toss something else in here.

A few years ago my pdoc prescribed Trazadone for sleep. I took it the first night, didn't notice anything much. The second night I took the prescribed dose and had what was probably the most frightening experience I've ever had. The feeling was that I had overdosed on a medication. I saw all sorts of flashing, whizzing lights, spark things when I closed my eyes, felt extremely disoriented, and the most terrifying of all was that my breathing was suppressed. I had a strong feeling that I was going to black out. I had been lying down, but made myself sit up, remain calm, and do my best to take good, deep breaths (which was difficult).

About twenty minutes passed until the weirdness stopped. Wow, was that a creepy experience! As a result, I'll never use Trazadone again. I've wondered if I had an allergic reaction.

The first time I took trazodone I went to my bedroom where I fell on the floor flat out. It was a good thing that I had taken the couch cushions off the couch bed prior because I fell on them.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by Moose72

The first time I took trazodone I went to my bedroom where I fell on the floor flat out. It was a good thing that I had taken the couch cushions off the couch bed prior because I fell on them.

Yikes! That's scary. One of the very best aspects of a forum like this one is that we can share patient experiences. When I told my pdoc about the Trazadone experience I had she said she'd never heard anything bad about Trazadone, and that she thought maybe my experience was due to "something else", a virus, maybe.

Well, no. It was the Trazadone and there's no doubt about that.

[Blue_Bird]

Lithium. My psych NP at the time put me on a ridiculously high dose for my weight, 1800 mg, and I ended up in the ICU for a week with lithium toxicity (had a lithium level of 4.3) kidney failure, and seizures. I'm not saying Lithium is bad, but I will never touch it again, it was just a horrific experience though I know it's very helpful to some people

[Moose72]

Originally Posted by Blue_Bird

Lithium. My psych NP at the time put me on a ridiculously high dose for my weight, 1800 mg, and I ended up in the ICU for a week with lithium toxicity (had a lithium level of 4.3) kidney failure, and seizures. I'm not saying Lithium is bad, but I will never touch it again, it was just a horrific experience though I know it's very helpful to some people

I also had a lithium level of 4-something as I recall and i spent some time in the hospital too. I had this episode where I was shaking- my arms were shaking but very high and big. I couldn't talk. All I could do was shake and stare blankly at all the people in my little room.

[HALLIEBETH87]

Lithium. It gave me hypothyroidism and upset my
Stomach so bad that the dr had me taking the liquid kind (gross!!!). It also gave me horrible acne.

Never again!

[bpcyclist]

Originally Posted by Moose72

I also had a lithium level of 4-something as I recall and i spent some time in the hospital too. I had this episode where I was shaking- my arms were shaking but very high and big. I couldn't talk. All I could do was shake and stare blankly at all the people in my little room.

My God, Moose! How on earth could you end up with a level of 4?

[Moose72]

Originally Posted by bpcyclist

My God, Moose! How on earth could you end up with a level of 4?

By remembering wrong I guess!? I dont know how I could look it up as it was ages ago- if might not be on my portal.

[swimmingly]

Effexor XR. I was very trusting and naive. This was before my diagnosis change in 2015. I was on a dangerous dose, the hospital told me later. Anyway, SI. Hospital. They took me off everything cold turkey. Spent a long time in hospital.