I feel like I am on so many meds (8 total) that I own my own d&m pharmacy! All for Bipolar and other mental issues!

Anyone else feel like this?

[ehrhar]

Yeah, I know how you feel. I take 5 meds. I've gotten so used to taking them that I can actually swallow my whole evening dose at one time, quite a circus performance. My morning dose has to be taken individually because I'm too drowsy for theatrics. I must admit that it's the fact that I have to take all these pills that reminds me that I'm bipolar on a daily basis. But I know that they work and that I need to be disciplined about keeping them refilled. Heck I just came back from the pharmacy with refills. Seems like I'm there every other week because my pdoc staggered the prescriptions.

[mydarlin]

I currently take 3 which is wonderful. The pdoc has got me off of so many of the others that I was on for quite some time. Talk to your pdoc about combining meds.

[iamtwilight]

I used to take 3 different meds, but now I'm taking two, I quit the antidepressant. Out of the remaining meds one is for bipolar and the other one is for psychosis. Then there's the tranquilizer, but I rarely need it.

It feels great to reduce the amount of meds. It was a long way, though.

8 sure is a lot of different meds. Sometimes people have several different meds for the same problem, or doctors forget to take some off. Have you consulted your doctor about this? However, if they tell you that there's no need to reduce the amount of meds then they're probably right.

As long as it works it's good. That's what I've learned along this journey.

Thanks everyone for your comments. Yeah, 8 is too many. I went into the hospital a couple of times and they just kept adding meds.
Unfortunately, now I have to get off them...

[trippinmickey]

I spent along time getting my meds. right .It seems to me that the program I was going to most people were over medicated I been there my self and didn't care for it much. It changed who I was .I like myself now for the first time in 40 years even if thats someone with bipolar with one two other mental illness mixed in .I worked with my doctor to get my meds. down . I'm on 5 now but 2 of them now are as needed And the 3 others I got down as lowest possible but would still working for me .

[unpredictable]

I just started and am on two but since its new it will likely change. But my Pdoc told me that the average is four medications for people with Bipolar.

[Schatje]

Wow! The average is 4?? I'm only on 1 and am keeping my fingers and toes crossed that I don't have to add more. I'm on Lamictal and it has done wonders, although, I'm afraid we might be adding something new next week (anxiety issue).

My psychiatrist doesn't like to over medicate and tries to get his patients on the least amount of medication they can be on and be well. May I ask if everyone started out on multiple meds or if they started out on one and then they became heaped up?

[purplebutterfly]

Lucklily im on two for now, but i hope my t can give me something more for my moods and anxiety

[1mariposa]

I am on several myself and I know what you mean. When I take all the stuff I need to take it looks like soooo much!

[unpredictable]

I was started on two meds. Lamictal in the morning and trileptal at night. I just had my second Pdoc appointment and he's pleased with the results so far and so am I. Therefore, he's not going to change anything. I am still going up in my doses of Lamictal but that's because they start off slowly and work up to a maintnance dose.

[ReLinda Longan]

I am on several myself and I know what you mean. When I take all the stuff I need to take it looks like soooo much![/take 4 meds & it seems like a lot. But I have been on them for about a year & really don't notice much any more. I am grateful for these meds because they work. I spent 12-18 months getting on the right combination, so if your meds work, stick with it. I think one way people end up on more meds is sometimes drugs stop working as well & have to be increased or changed or another added to keep you well. And before you know it you have gone from 1-2 meds to 4-5 meds. This may happen over 10 to 15 years also. quote]

[multipixie9]

Hi Gang,

I am not bipolar, but just to give you an idea of someone who isn't. I am on 10 meds total - thank God, not ALL for psych issues.

Pain, depression, anxiety, hormones, blood pressure, sleep issues, cholesterol...hmm, yep thats it.

I would rather not be on any meds at all, but I am actually feeling better than last year when I felt completely wretched!

Just for the record, I've been Dx. with depression, DID, bpd, anxiety and chronic pain and fibromyalgia...blah,blah,blah

But other than this I'm FINE!!!!

Leslie and the Pixies

[Shyguy88]

I have been on so many meds throughout the years, at one point of time I been on most of what has been listed in the thread. But right now I take Dekapote, Trilafon, and Zoloft.

[Pationl]

Officially I'm on valproate only and oxazepam and/or temazepam as needed.
I'm experimenting to take valproate as needed as well.

I was on sertraline for some time about a year ago. That was horrible. Made me so sleepy.

At the moment I'm pretty comfortable without any medication.

[waffler]

I take 4 meds, 3 regularly. Wellbutrin, Epival (Depakote in US), Clonazepam and Ativan prn (hardly ever use it).

After being dx'd with bipolar I started on Lamictal and was already taking Ativan for sleep and anxiety, but had dumped Celexa and Lithium for depression as that was totally horrible and wrong dx. After a few months, Epival was added then Clonazepam instead of Ativan. Doseages were raised then lowered, then Wellbutrin was added and Lamictal withdrawn. Been holding at this for about 6 mths.

[lost_star]

Ohh, guys you're all so lucky...
My mom calls me the problem child, I have more medical issues wrong with me that my purse is like a pharmacy everyday... Not all for mental health issues... lol... I take 4 for my bipolar disorder, 1 for OCD, 1 antidepressent, and an anxiety pill... lol... plus 9 others everyday, and my asthma inhaler! LOL... But hey, it works for me... I hate taking pills, and often consider not taking them, but then I think back to how i was before my meds, and it changes my mind quite quickly... all I can say is I'm glad Canadians get reallllly good medical coverage because if not I'd be in debt a lot of money! lol!!! If your concerned about it, talk to your doctor, maybe there are some meds he could give you that are the same as some you're on now, but combined together!!! Good Luck!
-Mel

[Kujalad]

The most meds i've been on is three at one time. But my dr. just recently switched me from depakote to lamicatal. I'm worried about starting a new med but the dep. was causing weight gain and hair loss. It's my opinion that psychs. tend to over medicate, especially at first.

I'm on 6, but I have MAJOR insomnia & anxiety & had some delusional thinking so have to keep that at bay. Actually, feel "normal" but my husband cringes when he sees all the pill bottles, esp. since I also take meds for low thyroid, high blood pressure & cholesterol, low potassium--geeze, I'd have to look at my list to remember them all. Plus monthly B-12 shot for pernicious anemia.

Had lots of suicide attempts so the first goal was basically "keep her alive"--last sucide attempt 2 years ago--pretty good, I guess. Had to adjust meds after that. Also, do intensive indiv. therapy & DBT. Fun, fun, fun!! Mother was bipolar & did successfully kill herself so not to be taken lightly, I guess.

[bizi]

hugs to you suzy
(((((HUGS))))

I take all 3 at night....
Lamictal 200mg, geodon 40mg and now .25mg of klonipin for sleep.
I would like to get off the geodon.
I take a handful of supplements in the morning:
fish oils
flax seed oil
calcium chocolate chew twice aday
b50
multivitamin
also 200mg of slow magnesium at night as well, relaxes muscles

bizi

[HALLIEBETH87]

im on lamictal and buspar for bipolar and anxiety. i take restoril for sleep.

i also take thyroid pill and hormone stuff.

[gammawbecky]

I'm alot like many of you....many pills for multiple conditions. As for bipolar, I take Neurontin and Gabitril as an add for mood stability. In addition, being prone to depression, I take Welbutrin and Effexor.....Ativan for anxiety and sleep, Lunesta for sleep and Abilify because I have had a psycotic break. Alot, I agree, but the alternative of ending up in the hospital sick as a dog is not worth it to me. I believe in my pdoc - she respects me and I respect and trust her to do what is best for me.

In addition, I take two antibiotics to prevent infection in my knee (long story!), three meds for high blood pressure, two for a rare form of colitis and a pain med PRN for chronic pain in my knee. Thank heavens for good insurance here in the US .... Medicare with private secondary insurance.
Oh yes, Fosamax and Calcium for thinning bones.....and I am only 55!

[pattyannee]

I used to take 4 different meds every day but I tok myself off of them a few years ago. I just hated them. Felt like i couldn't be myself any more. Now I think maybe I should see a doctor again but I'm not sure I want too

[waffler]

yeah, the should I/shouldn't I debate is a real toughy sometimes. I'm doing much better than 3 yrs ago, but continuously think that the meds may not have caused the improvement. I am itching to go off of them, but am told with real intensity by my tdoc that I'd likely end up in hospital if I did. Now, my pdoc has added a generic Ritalin to address what he thinks is co-morbid ADHD.

So I'm up to 4 daily- Wellbutrin, Epival, Ritalin, Clonazepam. Ativan prn

I am lucky in that I have no side effects from any of these. My pdoc tries to keep doseages as low as possible.