[Wild Coyote]

I had first seen my new pdoc when I was agitated. We had added one med at a time, which had resulted in adding two meds and tapering off another.

Suddenly, the meds are far too much, even though they were fine for 2-3 months. I have had to discontinue one and now another also feels too sedating.

I will see my pdoc tomorrow.

I am wondering if anyone else has had sudden very sedating changes in reactions to meds which had been just fine before the sudden change?

Maybe this is a silly question?

Thanks for reading.

Love to All!


WC

[tecomsin]

Hey WC,

It's not a silly question. When was the last time you had a complete physical?

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by tecomsin

Hey WC,

It's not a silly question. When was the last time you had a complete physical?

Hi! I'd had a complete physical just last week. I see my primary care at least every 3 months for ongoing follow-up for pain, check-up, etc. All labs and exams are fine, including an EKG.

Is it possible it's a mood change?

I had not been able to tolerate that high level of gabapentin before and I was suddenly able to do so over the past 2-3 months. Now I have shifted back to being totally unable to tolerate even the smallest dose. I was also on a higher dose of Lamictal and we'd cut the dose by 100 mg. and I now feel a bit overly sedated on it, as well.

Right now, I cannot imagine taking the dosages I had been taking when feeling more agitated. No way.

Thanks for your response, tecomsin.

WC

[Sunflower123]

Originally Posted by Wild Coyote

I had first seen my new pdoc when I was agitated. We had added one med at a time, which had resulted in adding two meds and tapering off another.

Suddenly, the meds are far too much, even though they were fine for 2-3 months. I have had to discontinue one and now another also feels too sedating.

I will see my pdoc tomorrow.

I am wondering if anyone else has had sudden very sedating changes in reactions to meds which had been just fine before the sudden change?

Maybe this is a silly question?

Thanks for reading.

Love to All!


WC

I have no experience with this type of reaction but wanted to wish you luck with your pdoc tomorrow and hope it gets straightened out.

[Blueberrybook]

Refrigerator is getting iffy. It has stopped running twice today, and the 2nd time was after I managed to get a long vacuum cleaner extension all the way to the back under the fridge where the coils are. I vacuumed up a ton of stuff, and I hoped that would help, then it stopped again, and I have no way to clean the coils from behind the refrigerator. Messed around back there with a long wooden stick, started running again. We need to get those coils cleaned ASAP, but that is not an easy proposition. My daughter has a choir singing thing tonight. I have a periodontal dental cleaning tomorrow morning, and my daughter is having a birthday party Saturday with now about half the girls having to arrive an hour early (yay, more time to spend with pre-teens and worse, the annoying parents who do not just drop their kids off & leave, one mom never ever does & she wants to talk all the time). The birthday party itself is enough to undo me, and this refrigerator problem is worrying me a lot.

Things haven't been going well for me today. Went to my pharmacy, which is inside a grocery store. I had to get a few things, and at checkout, I realized I had gotten the extra cheesy Goldfish my daughter hates. And the lady in the express lane in front of me had like 50 items and the cashier was casually chatting with her, slowly bagging. Ugh. Went to the pharmacy section afterwards to get my prescriptions. One of them apparently was crediting the system, so the pharmacy tech had to refill it from scratch again. I should have gotten the right Goldfish then; it took her awhile, and she's good at her job, she's seen me a lot since I'm on god-awful numbers of meds and does her job efficiently. It's all the insurance billing, paperwork, etc. But I waited. Got my prescriptions. Went to get the right Goldfish. One item to check out. Person in front of me in the 15 items or less express lane had to have 30 items, but at least I went to the other express lane, where the cashier was much faster.

If the fridge quits running one more time today, I think I will lose it.

I am not looking forward to my daughter's thing tonight. It's outdoors, a bit rainy this afternoon, cool weather (at least for me, I like warmer temperatures), and the venue is crowded, so many people and vendors and such, I hate it.

I am not even sure what mood I'm in. Tired, frustrated, anxious, down, who knows?

[tecomsin]

Originally Posted by Wild Coyote

Hi! I'd had a complete physical just last week. I see my primary care at least every 3 months for ongoing follow-up for pain, check-up, etc. All labs and exams are fine, including an EKG.

Is it possible it's a mood change?

I had not been able to tolerate that high level of gabapentin before and I was suddenly able to do so over the past 2-3 months. Now I have shifted back to being totally unable to tolerate even the smallest dose. I was also on a higher dose of Lamictal and we'd cut the dose by 100 mg. and I now feel a bit overly sedated on it, as well.

Right now, I cannot imagine taking the dosages I had been taking when feeling more agitated. No way.

Thanks for your response, tecomsin.

WC

I think mood and metabolism, and things like digestion and experiences of pain are often connected to the bipolar states. The disease has facets in different directions, so to speak and they change over time just like mood does.

So yes it could definitely be mood related. I think that is partly what makes bipolar so hard to treat. It's almost like a puzzle to figure out the best combination of medicines at any point in time.

I hope you find relief.

[~Christina]

Originally Posted by Moose72

The trazodone kicked in. No more shaking!


I agree: pdocs should have to try these drugs themselves.

Glad it helped. My husband takes trazodone and if he misses a dose he doesn’t sleep at all.

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by tecomsin

I think mood and metabolism, and things like digestion and experiences of pain are often connected to the bipolar states. The disease has facets in different directions, so to speak and they change over time just like mood does.

So yes it could definitely be mood related. I think that is partly what makes bipolar so hard to treat. It's almost like a puzzle to figure out the best combination of medicines at any point in time.

I hope you find relief.

My old pdoc had always said treating me was much like chasing a moving target. I imagine bipolar is like that.

Your response makes a lot of sense.
Thank you!

WC

[Blueberrybook]

OMG, I am getting beyond OCD about the stupid refrigerator now. I finding myself checking it all the time, can't stop.

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by Jennifer 1967

I have no experience with this type of reaction but wanted to wish you luck with your pdoc tomorrow and hope it gets straightened out.

Thanks, Jennifer!
I am thinking of you and am hoping you are feeling better with each passing day.


WC

[Victoria'smom]

Wild Coyote- My mood dictates how sedated I feel with my meds.

[giddykitty]

Hey hey! I missed MY birthday on here. (disappeared for awhile). Yeah it was last week. It wasn't the greatest of birthdays, but it isn't exactly the greatest time in my life right now either. But It's at times like these though that I have to be thankful I don't have any serious health issues, that I'm still getting out of bed to go to therapy and am taking all of my medications. I'm sure there are other minor successes, but I know I'm wasting my life a lot of the time...well, who says that though?! I just don't have anything I can call my own...or I don't stick to it because I struggle with this need for instant gratification. Who says I need this though?? My heart and my brain. I've been losing self confidence for years now and I'm afraid of getting stuck in a pit I can't get out of. I need to keep myself busy with something and with someone/s. I need feedback. Therapy only gets me so far...

I don't know. So how's everyone else's day? hehe *sigh

So, I was looking forward to the weekend, but now I'm not. For the last four weeks hubby and I have either been away from home or entertaining/at parties. Some of that stresses me out. Then a few minutes ago, he told me we are going to one his work friend's house for dinner/Chinese dumpling making. I love Chinese dumplings, but I don't know this friend well. There is whole back story behind this I'll spare all of you from, but a project I'm totally not into will be discussed and I'll have the pressure of having to speak my severely rusty Mandarin Chinese to a native speaker. I'm not up for the performance anxiety. Hubby knows I'm not into this project he's roping me into, either.

I wish my husband would let me be for a while. Sometimes I wish I could run away. I'm getting sick of him dragging me into so many things. I've said no, but he ignores it. Or, he guilts me into agreeing to things.

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by BirdDancer

So, I was looking forward to the weekend, but now I'm not. For the last four weeks hubby and I have either been away from home or entertaining/at parties. Some of that stresses me out. Then a few minutes ago, he told me we are going to one his work friend's house for dinner/Chinese dumpling making. I love Chinese dumplings, but I don't know this friend well. There is whole back story behind this I'll spare all of you from, but a project I'm totally not into will be discussed and I'll have the pressure of having to speak my severely rusty Mandarin Chinese to a native speaker. I'm not up for the performance anxiety. Hubby knows I'm not into this project he's roping me into, either.

I wish my husband would let me be for a while.

Oh dear!

I love my H, too. Very much so. He has been away for almost a week and will return tomorrow. Although I will be glad to see him, the break from his expectations has been very helpful in just letting down and getting into relaxation. Mine works a full 40 hrs in just 3 days and is around for 4 days a week. He tries to honor my needs, yet sometimes everything feels like just too much!

Thanks so much for sharing. I can identify.


WC

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by Miguel'smom

Wild Coyote- My mood dictates how sedated I feel with my meds.

Thank you, MM!
It's great to have you commenting on this check-in thread, in addition to your ongoing thread.

Best wishes to you and your family!

WC

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by giddykitty

Hey hey! I missed MY birthday on here. (disappeared for awhile). Yeah it was last week. It wasn't the greatest of birthdays, but it isn't exactly the greatest time in my life right now either. But It's at times like these though that I have to be thankful I don't have any serious health issues, that I'm still getting out of bed to go to therapy and am taking all of my medications. I'm sure there are other minor successes, but I know I'm wasting my life a lot of the time...well, who says that though?! I just don't have anything I can call my own...or I don't stick to it because I struggle with this need for instant gratification. Who says I need this though?? My heart and my brain. I've been losing self confidence for years now and I'm afraid of getting stuck in a pit I can't get out of. I need to keep myself busy with something and with someone/s. I need feedback. Therapy only gets me so far...

I don't know. So how's everyone else's day? hehe *sigh

Belated Happy Birthday!

[Nammu]

Originally Posted by giddykitty

Hey hey! I missed MY birthday on here. (disappeared for awhile). Yeah it was last week. It wasn't the greatest of birthdays, but it isn't exactly the greatest time in my life right now either. But It's at times like these though that I have to be thankful I don't have any serious health issues, that I'm still getting out of bed to go to therapy and am taking all of my medications. I'm sure there are other minor successes, but I know I'm wasting my life a lot of the time...well, who says that though?! I just don't have anything I can call my own...or I don't stick to it because I struggle with this need for instant gratification. Who says I need this though?? My heart and my brain. I've been losing self confidence for years now and I'm afraid of getting stuck in a pit I can't get out of. I need to keep myself busy with something and with someone/s. I need feedback. Therapy only gets me so far...

I don't know. So how's everyone else's day? hehe *sigh

Hey! Happy belated birthday!

[Unrigged64072835]

Had a package disappear at the post office because of the National Day of Mourning. It finally showed up today. I’m relieved because it was my husband’s Xmas present and it was not cheap.

Have appt next week to have long-standing nerve block put in. Good thing too: I was bending up and down putting up tree decorations with the family and now I’m really hurting. Also have final appointment with t until next year.

I keep saying I’m going to rest, and I’m going to. Eventually. Lol

[~Christina]

Originally Posted by Nammu

I sometimes think all Pdocs should undergo hospitalizations and agree to be med Guinea pigs, they take pills but don't know which ones and are withdrawn after a month. This way they can experience side effects and withdrawals and find out that both are real. Only then can they be practicing Pdocs

Brilliant !!!!! I agree 100%

[~Christina]

Originally Posted by Tucson

My daughter had her baby. The baby lost some weight, so my daughter is working to put that weight back on her. Eliana is her name. i am afraid to continue to look for a job. I have been turned down at all the retail stores I applied for. This is during the christmas season. Stores need help right now. But I guess they are not interested in me. This search has included Best Buy, Dillairds, Macys, Sears, and Target. My next stop is Walnart, Walgreens, Home Depot, and Lowes. Incredible. My comouter work gistory should not matter. There are allot of retired people working at retail establishments. What is my problem?


I want to tell all of you about my new adventure. I am cooking meat differently. It is another adventure for me in the kitchen. I use a precisely controlled temperature to cook meat that is vacuum sealed. There are allot of benefits compared to the barbeque or stove. The moisture is retained. It is not possible to overcook. I am absent minded, so this works for me. I have consistent results. If I want my steak medium-well done, I get that every time. Then I take a torch and sear the meat on both sides, hopefully without burning the meat. This makes the meat tastey like a grilled steak. This is called sous vide cooking. Many restaurants do this. This does give me something to do.


So instead of looking for work, I have been doing this.

Congratulations on a new baby !!!!!

I’m sorry finding work is proving to be such a difficult situation. Hope something pops up that will be a good fit.

[~Christina]

Originally Posted by BirdDancer

My psychiatrist has not lowered my Seroquel XR for a while. I understand why not, given sporadic agitation, but I've been so tired lately and am having motivation issues.


Sometimes I wish I could take a nap during the day, but I can never get to sleep. It's perhaps good because on the very rare occasions in my life that I managed, I'd wake up even more tired and often disoriented.

Seroquel XR was exhausting for me , only motivation I had was eating, I even looked at my sofa to eat , hated that damn med.

Glad it’s helpful for you

[~Christina]

I think any med can do such sudden change good or bad. It has happened to me.

Especially since I take physical medications along with psych meds, but for those meds they are needed or my life is miserable and suicidal due to chronic pain.

I think as you further drop those meds you shall level out.

Much love and hugs

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Originally Posted by Wild Coyote

I had first seen my new pdoc when I was agitated. We had added one med at a time, which had resulted in adding two meds and tapering off another.

Suddenly, the meds are far too much, even though they were fine for 2-3 months. I have had to discontinue one and now another also feels too sedating.

I will see my pdoc tomorrow.

I am wondering if anyone else has had sudden very sedating changes in reactions to meds which had been just fine before the sudden change?

Maybe this is a silly question?

Thanks for reading.

Love to All!


WC

I've found gabapentin to be a really weird med. I was put on I think 600 mg 3x/day in 2011 and had to come off it nearly immediately because it sedated me so that I couldn't drive or function at all. All I could do was sleep. Eventually I tried 400 mg for sleep and that worked well for me for several years.

When I went on clozapine I went off high dose Seroquel very rapidly and the result was extreme anxiety so they started with gabapentin again. I don't remember the dose they had me on IP I think it was 900 mg twice a day and 1200 mg at bedtime. Even with the sedation from clozapine there was no problem at all. As I got adjusted to clozapine I needed it less and eventually went down to 800 mg at bedtime and 100-200 mg PRN. I had no problems with sedation or lack of sedation.

Now I've been having trouble sleeping and having PTSD nightmares and my pdoc increased 100 mg at night. No side effects and the nightmares are gone. So strange that such a tiny dose made so much difference.

I still have no idea how I tolerate it now after how awful it was the first time.

[Blueberrybook]

Originally Posted by ~Christina

Seroquel XR was exhausting for me , only motivation I had was eating, I even looked at my sofa to eat , hated that damn med.

Glad it’s helpful for you

Can’t remember who it was who had issues on Seroquel XR...racing thoughts, hard to catch them. All I felt like doing on Seroquel XR was sleep. It made me hungrier, and I had no energy to exercise. But then she switched me over to the regular Seroquel, and It was night and day. I slept fine at night, perked up after coffee in the morning, have energy to run, and don’t want to nap every day. Have you tried the regular release? If not, maybe you could ask your pdoc if you can try and see if the side effects are not as bad.

[wildflowerchild25]

Had an ok day today. Met my new student, it went well with him. He had a good day for the most part. He’s a behavioral kid, not a physically or developmentally disabled kid so it’s different than what I’ve done in the past at this school. It’s a nice change. His behavior is not violent, just quirky. Like he’s obsessed with going to the office and calling his mom. He hates school. He goes to the bathroom too often and he vomits intentionally in the hopes that the nurse will send him home. Stuff like that. I can handle all that. If he were violent I wouldn’t be able to deal.

The day is just dragging today though. I just want it to be bedtime already. I wish I could skip forward to Saturday. That’s when I’m seeing RS again. Although I’m starting to get freaked out. I like him so much already. I’m afraid I will fall in love with him and then somehow he will disappear. Either by choice or by death. I killed my husband with my mental illness. If I hadn’t been so Ill he wouldn’t have gotten addicted to drugs to deal with it. He wouldn’t have overdosed. Whose to say it won’t happen again? It’s so much safer to be alone. No chance of getting hurt. And no chance of hurting someone else.

I guess it’s something I have to talk about in therapy. She doesn’t know that I think I killed my husband. No one knows, because they would all tell me I’m being ridiculous and it’s not true, when I know it is.

I don’t know. I’m just scared. I don’t want to kill or drive away another one. Even though in the past 3.5 years I’ve had 2.5 years stable (intermittently) I just know this illness can read its ugly head at any time. My husband couldn’t handle it, I don’t think anyone really could.

Sigh. Thanks for letting me talk. I have no one IRL to voice these concerns to. I know you all won’t judge me.