[Pastel Kitten]

I've been having a bit of a problem. My meds have indeed been helping to stabilize me but they also make me SO nauseous to even think about. Now, this isn't the same sort of severe nausea that I experienced after the first 4 days of my new dosages. A single thought or even a glance at my pill bottles (I usually hide them but sometimes forget) makes me shiver with disgust. Even drinking water causes me to become nauseated because it reminds me of taking my meds. Even typing about it right now is making me nauseous, honestly. I think it might have to do with the taste. Lithium carbonate both smells and tastes absolutely awful to me. Lamictal's taste reminds me of a worse version of Ritalin. I try to mask the taste by taking the meds with foods, drinks aside from water, etc. but even if the bad taste gets masked completely, I still find myself completely nauseated. I absolutely dread this time of the day and I don't want that to be the case anymore because I know they're helping me.

I also have no idea if this is related to my meds or not, but I figured I'd mention it because it was kind of concerning. The night before last, maybe 2-3 hours after I took my meds I suddenly felt extremely nauseous (no surprise), but also incredibly weak. I went to lie down right away and after a little bit of lying down, I felt this horrible pressure in my head and suddenly found myself waking up 30-40 minutes later without realizing I'd blacked out. I felt better after waking up but I still have no idea what caused this. Has anyone had something like this happen...?

Honestly...with all of these things combined, I've been really, really hating the fact that I have to take these meds just to be stable and live somewhat like a normal person. I've been wanting to quit, badly, but I look back to when I was un-medicated and I know it's not worth the price. I'm sick of being sick from my meds and I'm sick of bipolar!

[BeyondtheRainbow]

When I used to get really nauseous from the taste of lamictal someone told me that it would help to take it in baby food fruits/desserts because there are a lot of flavors and you don't associate the one flavor to the nausea so strongly. It worked at least better than swallowing it with water or sticking to applesauce to hide the taste. Eventually my pdoc changed me to the pediatric pills which are chewable but taste horrendous anyway (or did back then, it was a long time ago) and I had to take 8 of them. They were easier to swallow and I threw up less often so we stuck with them and the fruits did help. I always felt a bit weird buying a bunch of babyfood but no veggies (figured people wondered what kind of unhealthy child I was raising) but whatever. Make sure your dr knows about the issues.

I think you can also buy large empty gelatin capsules and stuff your pills in that so there is no taste. I never tried that for some reason (laziness?) but I know that's how they sometimes get kids to take chemo pills or people with dementia to swallow one pill rather than 14.

Switching to lithobid or eskalith tablets might help. I told you that the smell of the capsules was enough to make me vomit and I didn't have that with the tablets, especially eskalith (the dosing of eskalith is a little different but not enough to be a real problem).

Pastel Kitty, is there any way to mask the meds with taking them with a milk shake? Or with applesauce or ice cream? I heard of others doing that and it works for them. I hope that is something that could work for you. tc

[ComfortablyNumb5]

I really hope you find a way to take your meds. It's sooo important that you do. The only time I ever blacked out was from my trileptal. I guess it can dehydrate you pretty badly. I felt it coming on with the loss of sound, black vision, weakness. I was already in bed for the night so I just went with it and went to bed. Probably not smart.

Trileptal 600mg BID
Buspar 45mg
Seroquel 150-300mg for sleep
Ativan 1mg PRN
Vyvanse 70mg
Risperdal 4-6mg PRN

I don't get msgs unless the other person using tapatalk app!

[Pastel Kitten]

Originally Posted by BeyondtheRainbow

When I used to get really nauseous from the taste of lamictal someone told me that it would help to take it in baby food fruits/desserts because there are a lot of flavors and you don't associate the one flavor to the nausea so strongly. It worked at least better than swallowing it with water or sticking to applesauce to hide the taste. Eventually my pdoc changed me to the pediatric pills which are chewable but taste horrendous anyway (or did back then, it was a long time ago) and I had to take 8 of them. They were easier to swallow and I threw up less often so we stuck with them and the fruits did help. I always felt a bit weird buying a bunch of babyfood but no veggies (figured people wondered what kind of unhealthy child I was raising) but whatever. Make sure your dr knows about the issues.

I think you can also buy large empty gelatin capsules and stuff your pills in that so there is no taste. I never tried that for some reason (laziness?) but I know that's how they sometimes get kids to take chemo pills or people with dementia to swallow one pill rather than 14.

Switching to lithobid or eskalith tablets might help. I told you that the smell of the capsules was enough to make me vomit and I didn't have that with the tablets, especially eskalith (the dosing of eskalith is a little different but not enough to be a real problem).

Wow, I didn't know such gelatin capsules existed. I might really need to look into that because that'd make my life so much easier. Baby food sounds like a good idea because I really like it anyway!

[Pastel Kitten]

Originally Posted by omegalamed

Pastel Kitty, is there any way to mask the meds with taking them with a milk shake? Or with applesauce or ice cream? I heard of others doing that and it works for them. I hope that is something that could work for you. tc

I'd rather take them with something a bit more fat free but I tried iced tea and that worked terribly! Maybe I could try a juice?

[Pastel Kitten]

Originally Posted by RxQueen875

I really hope you find a way to take your meds. It's sooo important that you do. The only time I ever blacked out was from my trileptal. I guess it can dehydrate you pretty badly. I felt it coming on with the loss of sound, black vision, weakness. I was already in bed for the night so I just went with it and went to bed. Probably not smart.

Trileptal 600mg BID
Buspar 45mg
Seroquel 150-300mg for sleep
Ativan 1mg PRN
Vyvanse 70mg
Risperdal 4-6mg PRN

I don't get msgs unless the other person using tapatalk app!

I wonder if dehydration is why I blacked out. I don't think I've been drinking enough water (due to it making me nauseous since I associate it with taking my meds) and Lithium of course makes me thirstier...so I guess it makes sense. Ugh

[Mountainbard]

I'm sorry you're struggling with this. Looking into the gelcaps and trying to take your meds in something like a milkshake sound like good ideas. And increasing your water intake is always a good idea-- it's easier to get dehydrated than most people think.

[raspberrytorte]

This sucks. I hate how you have to deal with this!

Lithium made me so incredibly weak. Side effect maybe? Whatever it was that sounds so scary.

I can't stand water so it's hard for me to drink a lot of it too and I know I need to. I try to drink a lot of coffee (decaf!) instead, but that wouldn't help your sick feeling. Do you like jello? Others had good advice.

Hugs.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

You've got to get that water in or you'll get into a cycle of your lithium level being up and making you nauseous and then as it comes down you'll feel better but the cycle can progress into nausea--->vomiting--->lower lithium level--->feeling a bit better--->taking lithium---->continue cycle.

I used to get little bouts of symptoms of toxicity, enough that we treated it as a problem that had to be avoided. Not drinking enough could cause that and nothing causes nausea like lithium levels that are too high. I am literally feeling sick just remembering and writing this. Blech.

[ComfortablyNumb5]

Originally Posted by Pastel Kitten

I wonder if dehydration is why I blacked out. I don't think I've been drinking enough water (due to it making me nauseous since I associate it with taking my meds) and Lithium of course makes me thirstier...so I guess it makes sense. Ugh

Oh yes it's very important to drink lots of water on lithium! My pdoc said two 2-liters a day. It's hard and you're peeing all day. But staying hydrated on lithium is a must! Hope you're feeling better today

Trileptal 600mg BID
Buspar 45mg
Seroquel 150-300mg for sleep
Ativan 1mg PRN
Vyvanse 70mg
Risperdal 4-6mg PRN

I don't get msgs unless the other person using tapatalk app!

[Pastel Kitten]

Originally Posted by BeyondtheRainbow

You've got to get that water in or you'll get into a cycle of your lithium level being up and making you nauseous and then as it comes down you'll feel better but the cycle can progress into nausea--->vomiting--->lower lithium level--->feeling a bit better--->taking lithium---->continue cycle.

I used to get little bouts of symptoms of toxicity, enough that we treated it as a problem that had to be avoided. Not drinking enough could cause that and nothing causes nausea like lithium levels that are too high. I am literally feeling sick just remembering and writing this. Blech.

You're right, I really do need to drink more. Maybe it will be a bit easier now because I woke up thirsty so many times last night that I absolutely had to drink a lot of water, despite any reminders of taking my meds with water. I see my pdoc in 5 days and am getting my blood drawn. I hope my levels are fine.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

They almost certaily are. It's just really important to keep your fluid comsumption up. I wasn't a big water drinker when I started lithium but I learned quickly. Ice water always helped with nausea for whatever that is worth. (It stimulates a nerve that helps calm things I think but I have no reference for that tidbit of knowledge so I could have made it up. Pretty sure it's real though).

[Pastel Kitten]

Originally Posted by BeyondtheRainbow

They almost certaily are. It's just really important to keep your fluid comsumption up. I wasn't a big water drinker when I started lithium but I learned quickly. Ice water always helped with nausea for whatever that is worth. (It stimulates a nerve that helps calm things I think but I have no reference for that tidbit of knowledge so I could have made it up. Pretty sure it's real though).

I'll have to try that, thanks. I have been focusing on drinking more water too.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Turns out that I may be remembering that I craved ice water on lithium. I developed this weird thing where my body wasn't holding onto electrolytes and instead I just peed these incredible amounts, all the time. Worse than just lithium. Craving ice water goes with that.

But I have found it helps nausea. When I've had toxicity or taken meds and then gotten really nauseous with a virus or something and am trying to let them digest I've just eaten crushed ice and it helps me.

[Nammu]

sparkling water can help too. look for the kind without added sugar just sparkling water with or without flavors.

[Ocean Swimmer]

I drink hot water. It's very soothing. I have a hot pot.
I always eat something like rice or crackers before I take my meds.