Unusual Symptoms, please help!

So I was rediagnosed Bipolar during my most recent hospital visit (several months ago I had decided I was no longer Bipolar), put on 10mg of Zyprexa and about 1200mg of Lithium, and things have not seemed to improve. It has been 2 and a half weeks.

I'm still endlessly restless and pursue goal oriented behavior constantly. My thoughts are often irrational. I'm impulsive and easily angered. These are the normal symptoms.

The abnormal symptoms, I don't feel like myself. The aura around me, the vibe, and my perception, all feel weird and bizarre. I have turned myself inward, I've stopped hanging out with friends, and I express and feel absolutely no emotion toward anybody or anything. I am hopelessly disconnected. The only thing I feel toward people is irritable. For example, if someone comes to me about their relationship problems, I become irritable with them for wasting my time with their stupid nonsense. Then I express contempt for people who get into such stupid things as relationships.

This applies to any topic you can think up. The world around me seems to have lost it's color and meaning.

I formulate all kinds of theories as to what is happening with me. It could be brain damage from drinking heavily while taking SSRIs inconsistently for 2 years. It could be post acute withdrawal (quit drinking 4 months ago) which isn't getting better because of prescription meds I'm on.

So two questions
1. Does this sound familiar to anyone?
2. Are my theories founded or am I still manic?

The irritability does sound very familiar to me, but the rest of what you described does not.

I think your theories sound valid, but I'm not a doctor. It could be possible, also, that you are going through a manic episode, while this is happening. Also, did these 'abnormal' symptoms begin exhibiting when you started taking meds? This could be a side effect.
I would go to a doctor (md or pdoc) and describe all of this to them. They'll have a more accurate answer.

Hope it works out.

Lithium did that to me at 1 point. I couldn't have cared if you paid me, apathy was my name. Add an episode to the mix, and you've got the ingredients for a deadly ride... I quit my meds, so I have no advice other than call your pdoc.
Take Care

This happened to me when I started on Lithium. I was num, flat-lined for almost the first year. Couldn´t feel happy or sad, just flat.
After that time things got a little better.
Talk to your T. or doc, probably just side effects.
Welcome to contact me if you have any more questions.
Take care

Zyprexa is a powerful med. It is strange that you are still feeling manic and irritable on it. But maybe it is not your kind of med. Talk to your doctor - perhaps you need to switch to another AP.

Those abnormal symptoms (I've had them) you describe definitely sound like its the meds.
and I agree with everyone else- give you doctor a call.

Best wishes

Thanks for the replies.

I'm feeling alright today. Just really tired. It's as if I'm experiencing a hangover from all the energy I burned through yesterday.

Unfortunately, my pdoc doesn't seem to know much about post acute withdrawal. All of the doctors I've spoken to have written off my theories or did not take them seriously.

Which tells me I'm being irrational. And looking back on this post, I feel embarrassed that I would've posted something like this.

I'll bring it all up to him again anyway. Why not. And it probably is partly the meds. I made it clear to my pdoc from the beginning that APs are temporary, and I will not take them long term.

Again, thanks.

You said you weren't feeling any improvement in 2 and a half weeks... that is typical. It can take more time for meds to become effective although side effects come on more quickly.

I agree with the others. It could be your meds. I've never taken Zyprexa or the Lithium so I'm not familiar with those.

Can definately relate to being irritable and the restlessness. Thoughts racing around in my head.......errrrrrrr. I would call your doc too. Maybe this duo of meds is not the right ones for you? Good luck and let us know what the doc says.

I would not say your theories are irrational. I have seen much more outlandish theories. You should not beat yourself up, that is for sure. You came up with a hypothesis or two, your doctor(s) disagreed, what the heck? Nothing to be embarrassed about, please.

Seth ,

Sounds like side effects .. I'm glad your feeling better today. As everyone has said its best to give your doctor a call .. I'm still trying to find just the right combo of meds that are going to work for me. Don't be discouraged its usally takes a little while.

Good luck and Welcome to PC
I look forward to getting to know you better

Thanks all.

The Pdoc at the hospital diagnosed me as "Bipolar, severe, mixed episodes, psychotic behavior".

I suppose all of that just about explains what's going on, with Zyprexa side effects mixed in.

The Zyprexa has taken the edge off, to the point where I'm somewhat functional. But I'm still waiting for the Lithium to work. I've also considered trying Lamictal as well.

I guess I was just embarrassed, I was sort of in a manic frenzy when I posted this. I'll give it time. Time heals everything, right?