[grizmom]

I see my new pdoc in a little over a week, and I'm going to ask him about this, but I was wondering if anyone has any input on the subject.

My current med combo has been working pretty well for over a year now, but I am tired almost all of the time. I don't want to mess with the dosages since for the most part I am stable or only mildly depressed, but I was wondering if anyone has ever had a new med added to help with the exhaustion. If this side-effect hasn't worn off by now, it's not going to ever wear off. Now that I am more stable, I've been trying to get out more and do new things, but it's very difficult when I'm so tired all the time. Coffee helps a little, but I can't drink too much or my anxiety gets bad, and my anti-anxiety med just makes me tired again. Vicious cycle!

I'm on: Lamotrigine (Lamictal) 100mg 2x day, Clonazepam 1mg 3x day PRN, and for my primary insomnia I alternate nights: 1mg Clonazepam with 100mg Seroquel, and then the next night I take 1mg Clonazepam, 8mg Rozerem and 10mg Ambien. I can't change my sleep meds; if I don't take them I don't sleep at all. I'm also on Liothyronine 75mcg for low thyroid.

Thanks for any feedback!!

[Skully]

I am not sure about prescription meds that can be added but I too had the same issues with my Geodon. It made me very tired in the mornings. So, I started taking a vitamin B complex and I am fine now. Vitamin B is the vitamin that gives you energy. It is worth a try for you. It wears off by the evening so it doesn't affect my sleep any.

[Maxime]

Provogil works well but it is a stimulant and I am not sure your doctor would want to prescribe it or not.

[Maxime]

Provogil works well but it is a stimulant and I am not sure your doctor would want to prescribe it or not. It's also very expensive. It's called Alertec in some countries.

[leah0306]

hi , well, i am taking adderall 5 mg. and concerta also, but still experience exhaustion...its difficult to get these meds because of bipolar, running the risks of mania and mood swings, but i am prescribed them for fatigue due to other health problem, but still stay tired...i hope you will find the right med for you, and maybe you should ask your family doctor, because phy.dr.'s are hesitant to prescribe anything like a stimulant...take care

[grizmom]

I'm wondering if he might add a low dose of an anti-depressant med since I do run more on the depressed side, although it is mild. I did have that hypomanic episode a week or so ago, but that was the first one in a long time and I think it was brought on by stress and lack of sleep. I know there is a risk of spiraling up into mania, but I've only been fully manic with hallucinations and paranoia once, and that was when a doc put me on an anti-depressant with no mood stabalizer. I don't know; I think at this point I'm willing to risk it because I seriously can't deal with the exhaustion much longer. I'm already stressed just by adding all of these new activities, especially the therapy, and being so tired just makes the stress worse and then I get overwhelmed and just want to quit everything and stay home again.

Speaking of therapy, I have an appointment in the morning and I am scared to go. I had a flashback and anxiety attack during the last session and I'm completely humiliated and feel like I'm weak for not being able to prevent it. I'm also afraid he's going to say "sorry, you're too messed up, I can't help you". IDK.

[sugahorse1]

Grizmom - I hope the app goes well. Relax and just be totally honest. I'm sure he will understand.

I was too tired on Lexapro and had to change my AD to Edronax, which works on different hormones. I have not had a problem staying on my meds, but when they made me too tired to function, I was really hitting the end of my tether.
I'm sorry you are having to consider a rework of your current combo, which on the whole seems to work quite well for you

[conigogo]

I described the same situation with my psychiatrist and he prescribed Adderall. It has not been a problem at all adding it to my 2 anti-depressents & 2 mood stabilizers. It seems to really be doing the trick.

[Moreta]

I take 40-60 mg of Adderall XR, and it makes my energy level manageable. I still get tired, but the goal is to make it the whole 8 hours at work. That's after making sure I get 8-9 hours of sleep at night. I also take 50 mcg of synthroid for my thyroid. Have you had your thyroid checked lately?

Also, if your contemplating an AD, I think Welbutrin can help with the sleepiness. But don't quote me on it.

[grizmom]

Originally Posted by QueenAccountant

I take 40-60 mg of Adderall XR, and it makes my energy level manageable. I still get tired, but the goal is to make it the whole 8 hours at work. That's after making sure I get 8-9 hours of sleep at night. I also take 50 mcg of synthroid for my thyroid. Have you had your thyroid checked lately?

Also, if your contemplating an AD, I think Welbutrin can help with the sleepiness. But don't quote me on it.

They checked my thyroid last year (Feb 2009) and that's when they added the thyroid med; I suppose it wouldn't hurt to have it tested again. I can't take Wellbutrin...I was put on it at one point as an anti-depressant and to help me quit smoking, but I slept about 20 hours a day and could barely walk to the bathroom while taking it. My (soon to be ex) husband took me into emergency when he could barely wake me up one afternoon and they said I was severely allergic to it. But you're right...for most people it wakes them up. I often have weird reactions to meds; I've gotten used to it! I just have to watch carefully when I start something new.

I've also been very irritable the last week or so; not sure if it's stress or a possible mixed episode or what. I'm really glad I'll be seeing my new pdoc next week!!

note: the soon to be ex-husband will become a definite ex-husband on June 18th at the final divorce hearing!!

Saw my T today and it went well. He's so nice; I don't know why I was worried! We stuck to safer topics today.

Thanks everyone!!

[sugahorse1]

Yay - glad you are able to get rid of a MAJOR stressor in your life!

[kadesgirl09]

I agree with Suga! Also, I have been very down and depressed lately and not able to get on here or my hubby will kill me... but when I went to my doc he upped my geodon and told me to lay off the alcohol and energy drinks. wtf the energy drinks was the only way i can get ANYTHING done and I know about the alcohol but still i always thought it would make me feel a bit better. so now I am "detoxing" from the above and its hell. I'm still depressed and now just have no energy to even want to get out of bed. But my hubby makes me. so I do nothing but stare at the computer screen and wait for 8 hours to pass so I can go home and get on the couch. anywys, sorry for jacking your post. i justr wish my doctor would have given me my anti-anxiety meds back or something to help with the tiredness. he said i shouldnt still be having any side affects from geodon because i started it in october. oh well. blah