[Pookyl]

I’m currently sui and my pdoc wants me to start up Epilim again. I don’t want to because I have significant weight gain when I take it.
She’s shown me clinical evidence backing the use of Epilim (+Lithium - which I take) in people who are mixed and/or sui.
I’d prefer to try and ride it out. The problem is that since diagnosis in 2014 I’ve never, not once been able to ride it out.
What to do, what to do...

[~Christina]

When I have been unwell and sui I have agreed to whatever to level me out then once stable my Pdoc and I make changes to get me on something else since weight gain is a huge No for me..

My advice... follow through and take the medication level out then find alternative options.

Please stay safe and go to the hospital if need be

[Pookyl]

Thank you Christina for getting back to me so quickly. I think I’ll follow your advice. I can’t go too much further down the path I’m currently heading down.

[HALLIEBETH87]

I think you should do what you need to to
Be stable again. Good luck!

[Pookyl]

Thanks Halliebeth.

I agree that safety is most important. I do wonder if carbamazepine (carbamazepine ER) might be a medication your psychiatrist may consider. Carbamazepine ER is completely weight neutral for me. It does have some drug interactions, though, but I don't believe it interacts with Lithium. I've lost 40 lbs in six months (dieting) on the combo of carbamazepine ER and Lithium (and Geodon). It apparently does have an interaction with Seroquel, but not one that prevents my psychiatrist from prescribing them together. Dosage issue. I'm not sure how it is with Saphris.

Carbamazepine ER is also called name brand Tegretol in the US, and Equetro, Carbatrol or Epitol in some other places. Generic is available and works fine for me. I have virtually no side effects from it, especially after the initial adjustment. It does require some blood work, but no more than divalproex sodium or definitely no more than Lithium.

[MickeyCheeky]

Safety must be the priority, Pookyl! Definitely start taking care of yourself by taking those meds if they can help you! You can always scale them back and change meds once you feel better like all the other wise, wonderful posters have already wisely said better than I ever could! I hope things will get better soon for you! YOU DESERVE TO LIVE WELL! Just do EVERYTHING YOU CAN to stay safe, ok? You'll find PLENTY of support here! I hope things will get better soon for you! Keep us updated on your situation if you can, ok? WE ALL CARE ABOUT YOU! THAT'S A PROMISE! I hope things will get better soon for you one way or another and that you'll feel MUCH, MUCH BETTER SOON! Get well soon and take GREAT CARE OF YOURSELF! WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK IN YOUR HEALING AND IN YOUR LIFE! SENDING MANY SAFE, WARM HUGS TO YOU, POOKYL, AND TO EVERYONE!

[Pookyl]

BirdDancer, my dr uses this as a last resort. She said almost all her patients that use Tegretol struggle with weight. Also Tegretol is good on the mania side of things but not for mixed or low. I have huge problems with sui ideation and mixed episodes so not really willing to consider it.

Originally Posted by Pookyl

BirdDancer, my dr uses this as a last resort. She said almost all her patients that use Tegretol struggle with weight. Also Tegretol is good on the mania side of things but not for mixed or low. I have huge problems with sui ideation and mixed episodes so not really willing to consider it.

I never heard of Tegretol as being weight unfriendly. It's always been weight neutral for me. I do know Tegretol is usually more for the manic end, but I thought Depakote (divalproex) was, too. I have read that both are good for mixed. More than Lithium, but we're all different. I only mentioned Tegretol because it has been significantly more side effect friendly for me than Depakote.

[Pookyl]

So I took the Epilim for a week.
My appetite increased through the roof. I was feeling better so I took myself off it. I told my pdoc. She wasn’t happy but was ok.
The problem is I’m back to being mixed. Not too badly yet - I’m not sui - but definitely not doing too well.
Do I put myself back on Epilim? Or is there a way I can ride this out? I go to Iceland in 3wks and will be in 20+hrs of sunlight per day.

[~Christina]

Since you have a fantastic trip coming up I’d definitely go back on it, it makes the only logical sense.

Yes gaining weight sucks! But I usually gain a bit when we head to Florida to see the kids as I’m not cooking meals and eating out most of the time.

Yep just take it through your vacation and make good memories.

[Pookyl]

Just an update:
My Lithium blood levels are on the low side so my dosage is being increased.
I’ve managed to avoid Epilim.
Here’s hoping I feel better soon

[~Christina]

I hope the lithium increase gets you back on even ground so you can go have a great vacation