[BrittneyNicole]

So I went to the doc yesterday, so they could see how i'm doing, and he ended up putting me on medication.

I DONT WANT TO TAKE IT.

But I have to because I have to go for a follow up next month.

My doctor said that it would be best for me, which I dont belive at all.

I called the pharmasist to get more information on this medication, and they said that this med is going to make me a total different person in one week, I will not be the same, and I will not think the same, and I will be more "outgoing".

WHAT the HELL. I dont want to change, I'm fine with who I am right now, I'm not going to take this ****** medication, its going in the trash right where it belongs.

I can't tell you how to live or what to do, but your doc probably had a good reason to put you on this medication. The most likely reason is that it will stabilize your mood. Maybe you could try it for just a week, or until you see the doc next month. If you find that you don't like the changes in yourself, you can stop the medication. But what if there are positive changes? You never know until you try.

[Special-K]

maybe they didn't chose the best words in saying you would be a 'different person'. Your title of the thread was 'Went to the Doc for bipolar' what ever the symptoms you revealed caused them to think this medication would help. I've been on almost all of them & trust me your not going to be a different person. Your just a revised version of yourself. And it takes a while to have its effect, its not like one week your totally different then the next. Give it a try, you can stop if you hate something about its affects.

[canineserenity]

I would love a medication to make me a different person! Seriously, I've been on most of the meds and none of them made me a different person. They don't create personality changes as a rule. They are meant to be mood stabilizers. Unless it's a strange side effect, they usually make it easier to be yourself. There is no magic pill that will ever make me outgoing. I think that they were trying to be hopeful and let you know you would feel better but they may have scared you instead.

[BrittneyNicole]

They Gave me Citalopram, which has some MAJOR side effects, I wonder if I shhould take it or not, I think they miss understood me at the hospital.

[sugahorse1]

Is this the first time you have been diagnosed as BP? Is this your first set of meds?
Citalopram is an anti-depressant, and will take +- 3 weeks until you notice a considerable change.
Please trust your doctor, if he thinks you need this medication, please take it. Monitor your moods. Keep in touch with the pdoc

If you do start taking this anti-depressant, please make sure to monitor your mood, as it can swing some people with bipolar into a manic state. This is what happened to me in the hospital while taking cipralex (escitalopram), and I'm still struggling with some manic symptoms.

I hope that this medication works well for you, if you choose to take it.

[BrittneyNicole]

I took a half a pill yesterday, and it made me really sleepy.
At first I though maybe I was just thinking this since it was kind of bugging me the whole day, But it did make me really tired.
I called the doc and he said thats normal.
So I think I should start taking this at night time.
I had a question I forgot to ask him, I wonder if I need to take this medication all at the same time of the day like if I took it at 11PM should I take it the next day at 11PM , Or does it not matter what time I take it?

[BrittneyNicole]

SugaHorse- Yes this is my first time being diagnosed, and my first time on medication for it.

[sugahorse1]

Hi Brittney - try take the medication at more or less the same time every day. The sleepiness should get slightly less over time

[BlackPup]

My idea of taking meds at night is remembering to take them any time between 8pm and midnight! (but I'm not a role model for taking meds...)
It is easiest to remember if you do it at the same time as something you regularly do like brushing your teeth...
I am sure that the doctors had a reason they wanted you to take this med. I am also sure there was a reason why you went to the doctors. Try to remember this when you don't want to take your meds. (I hate taking mine some days...)
Also try to get your doctor to explain what he is giving you, what effect it should have and when, and any side effects to look out for. The is a lot of information available on bipolar and types of medication available online if you think that would help you.

[Fresia]

If it makes you sleepy, I'd take it in the evening with dinner. That way it will close to the same time every night and the sleepiness might not affect you as much during the day.

My meds did not change who I am. I did not become a different person. I am better off for my meds as they have only helped stabilize the moods. You went to see the doc for a reason and he/she saw you could benefit from them. It is worth a try but takes time to see any benefit; it also can always be stopped gradually if you don't like the effects. Stopping abruptly is never a good idea.

Also is there a close friend or family member that you trust to talk to as you start this, just to help notice any changes?

Sending you best wishes.

[BrittneyNicole]

Thanks for all your support everyone.
You all are so supportive of me and I thank everyone of you for that