[fate2freewill]

I have a roommate that is bi-polar. She is on meds. She usually takes them before bedtime and sleeps for 12 hours. Sometimes she forgets to take them. She knows it in the morning. If she has nothing to do that day, she might take them at that time and again before bed time. If she is feeling good, she will skip that dose all together. She doesn't seem to know what to do. She takes;
Hydroxyzine Pamoate 50 mg 4 times a day
and
Lamotrigine 100 mg 2 times a day

She takes them all at one time at night. I am trying to guide her into therapy and mentor her as best I can. She is a handful and cycles very rapidly. In 4 months, she has had melt downs and has thoughts of suicide about 6 times. She has manic days as well. In between, she can seem normal. I question if this is the right dose of her meds or the right meds overall. She says this is the best RX she has ever had but she is still having cycles. Any thoughts?

[nachocheese]

She should def ask her pdoc if she is taking them right! If I understand, she is taking the 4 times a day at once and her 2 times at once as well. My experience is spread them out as specified on the script for the best results. I too took all 400 mgs of Lamotrigine at night and I didn't get the results I wanted. So I tried doing it the way it was prescribed. It made me sleepy at first but it's not too bad now. Much better than the way I was feeling. Since I have divide them in half, 200 mgs in the morning and 200 mgs at night, usually around 7 to help me fall asleep, my moods and cycles lessened in severity and length of time. Hope this helps

[bronzeowl]

^ Very solid advice.

I'm, also, concerned about the fact that she's skipping. I was told very clearly never to skip.

[jesusplay]

What is Hydroxyzine Pamoate?
Hydroxyzine Pamoate is a prescription medication antihistamine used to treat allergies, flea bite dermatitis, and atopy. It is used primarily to stop itching and may also be prescribed for its sedative qualities.

Who is it for?
Hydroxyzine Pamoate is for horses, dogs, cats, and as well as other small animals as prescribed by your veterinarian.

What are the benefits?
* Helps treat hives, allergies, flea bite dermatitis, and atopy
* Helps stop itching
* Fewer side effects than corticosteroids

[~Christina]

She should see her Pdoc .. But no one can make her take her medications correctly.. That is all on her, her choice.

She is lucky to have you as a friend .... But I will caution you to not get sucked into her mental illness and issues to far.. It can quickly get out of control and can bring you down.

If she doesn't see her swings and says she loves her current medication you are unlikely going to change her mind.

Good luck

[fate2freewill]

My friend has insurance through her dad. If you call to get an appointment, they take 3 to 4 weeks to get in. The MD comes in the room, ask a quick question such as, "how are you doing" and "how are the meds working out'? She said "OK" and he said, "I'll renew them for 3 more months, see you than". He was out the door and on to the next patient. What ever happened to patient care? He didn't give her a chance to reply. I worry about how much she sleeps. What quality of life is that!