[notsokeeks]

Over the last year we have tried getting the dose right for Zeldox, which I believes goes by Giideon in the US.
Due the I'm ridiculously sensitive to medication I usual take less and are affected by the side effect more. When we started this whole game we went from 40mg all the way to 80 mg(still a small dose for most). The 80mg wrecked me with in days I was tired that I could barely function. Dropped down to taking 60mg once a day and all though better I was tired more often then not and my evening basically ended an hour after I took my dose. Now during this time my mental health although tired started improve. I was rational more often then not and less aggressive and on a plus side it slowed the million thoughts going on in my head.
A few months in the tiredness and full body exhaustion become to much so we decided to see what would happen if lower back to 40 lmg and increase my lithium by 150. Seemed like it was going alright but by the end of the summervi was feeling a little squirrelly again.
Next step started 3 weeks ago. 20mg in the am and 40 mg at night. So all the good things have come back, less anxious and angry and I'm more rational and happy. But my body wasn't tricked by the split of dosages. Now I'm tired 2 hours into my day and come about 1-2hours after NY night pills I'm exhausted and not like oh I didn't sleep enough exhaustion its of a hitting a wall and not being able to think clearly and have no energy.

So I'm stuck weighing the pros and con's on if I should deal with the tiredness or pure exhaustion or if I talk to the pdoc next week.
I don't want to change medications again because it feels like I've tried them all and the process sucks but I hate the ****** side affects of a drug that does more or less work.

Sorry this was a bit of a vent, just needed to get it off my chest.

[jelly-bean]

Venting is a good thing if it helps you feel better and we are all great listeners. I know that getting the meds right takes a long time and a lot of experimenting. I hope that you find the right combination soon.

[Mountainbard]

Hey notsokeeks, you're always welcome to vent here. I think one of the most frustrating aspects of bipolar is trying to find the right combination of the right meds. My combo has worked for a while, but I've been fighting a low-grade depression for a month now, and I think it may be time to call the pdoc about adjustments. Grrr.

[Turtlesoup]

It can be so frustrating finding the right combo of meds, coping strategies & therapy-hope using this site will help you-it helps me sometimes just to check in & realize I'm not alone in this struggle. Take care.

[hamster-bamster]

I am not sure I understand the issue.

Zeldox/Ziprasidone/Geodon is unique in that it has to be taken with a full meal. So I take it, you took it with supper and were so tired that one hour after supper you had to go to bed. And now you are splitting the dose and taking some in the AM making you tired in the morning. But isn't it simpler to go back to 60 mg and just move the supper to a later time? Or would your family be unhappy?

It is bizarre to take a sedating medication in the morning.

Also, if you cannot move your supper time, find out just how much food needs to accompany your taking Zeldox. Maybe a peanut butter sandwich with a full glass of warm milk would suffice. If that is the case, you can still have supper with your family but just eat a little less knowing that there would be a snack before bedtime.

I think this is the simplest way out of your predicament. There are medications to wake you up - Provigil and Nuvigil - but if a little shift in the meals schedule can accomplish what you need without adding extra medications, that clearly would be a better alternative for you.