Well, after this past week, my meds have been drastically changed. I was on 75 mg/day of lamictal and titrating up ever so slowly. Now I'm on 20 mg/day of abilify, 100 mg/day of lamictal, 300 mg twice a day of trileptal, 60 mg/day of straterra, and 10 mg/day of seroquel... oh yeah, and 40 mg/day of nexium for my heartburn. YIKES!!! Cost me $100 to fill all but the nexium. That's crappy. But I think I feel better. Hard to tell yet cause I've only been on the for a couple days. Any thoughts?

Ry

[silver_queen]

That's an awful lot of pills to take! but if they make you feel better, it's worth it .

Tell me about it. I had to get a pill sheet to help me remember what I'm suposed to take and when I'm supposed to take it. Can we say YIKES!?!?

[SS8282]

I cant speak for the other meds, but i hope the nexium helps. When I had my ulcer 1 1/2 years ago, I started off with that, but it didn't do much for me, so I ended up taking 2 other different meds. Did you get them as samples? Hope you feel better.

SS, I'm on prescription nexium and it's made all the difference in the world. No heartburn what-so-ever and the numerous ulcers in my esophagus are healing. Wonderful, huh? I think so.

Ry

[SS8282]

You are sooooo lucky! If nexium worked for me, I wouldn't have to pay for the other meds. *sigh* More importantly, I'm glad you're feeling better.

Well ss, I wouldn't exactly sam I'm feeling better. I'm feeling wierd. I'm sad about the things that are going on in my life. But I guess there's things I should be sad about. Maybe this is what it's like to have the bipolar edges dulled. Interesting. Does that mean I'm "normal" now? HA! I highly doubt it.

Ry

[Dolfin]

Only 10 mg of Seroquel? I'm on 100 mg, and after a month, I can already tell its getting upped. Geez, I WISH it only cost me $100 to go to the pharmacy to get my meds....If my dosages get upped, its gonna cost more than the $150 for the 3 I'm on now *SIGH*

And to boot, I've had my first "low day" since my new meds....feels like arse. The meds may be able to help balance a BP out, but man, it can't stop those bad days from creeping up on you.

And as far as remembering my meds, I bought a weekly pill-minder so I would know if I missed a dose or not (can you say Granny Dolfin?)

Jenn

[darkeyes]

Ryan,
Give it time, I feel confident this is going to help you, I never had the other meds, but the Lamictal has done me well.
Sounds like your doc is titrating properly, in fact that are the dosages I started with, went up to 200mg or 300mg (can't remember) but I am down to 150mg's now, with pdoc's approval, we agreed if things start changing I will go back up with his supervision, and if need be anything else he deem's helpful.
Just wish he'd let me address my ADD besides the Bipolar, my former pdoc said after 3 yrs. and things worked out for my mild Bipolar, she'd try small dose of a med for ADD.
Personally I think I am more ADD, than Bipolar, especially when I look back at what a horrible, distractable student as a kid.
Amazing how in college (while taking diet pills/stimulant) I did terrific, even made honours twice, kind of is a sign, I need ADD meds., eh? Oh well, till my pdoc realizes it, I'll go with whats working for the Bipolar part of me

Lots of luck with this and do not lose faith, okay?

Sincerely,

DE

[darkeyes]

I made a med sheet for my mom to give the different and any new docs she sees, hers are all for high blood pressure, Insulin for her diabetes, clogged arteries, etc.
She takes 12 kinds of meds. some are twice daily, and with her dementia and legally blind, I have to fill her huge pill box, so I think this is harder than what most of us have on "our lists", and just like in her case, if it makes you feel better, and quality of life is better than without the meds. then take them, right?
You'll do fine, "dear kid "

Take care,

DE

Jenn, that was a typo. It's 100 mg. Sorry for the confusion. I didn't notice till you said it.

Ry

Hey Roe... thanks for the reply. It's been a week and a half and I've noticed a drastic change. It's like I'm starting to see the old me... and he's a great guy if I do say so myself. Less anxious, less moody, less angry. Still get the ups and downs but they're so easy to handle. I know this isn't a miracle cure and there's still gonna be hard times, but I cycle so fast that they're sure to go as fast as they come. Thanks again for the replies.

Ry

[vacantangel]

Ry, I'm glad that your new med regime is working for you. Wish mine would work.

[TgrsPurr]

I too am shocked by the surprising low dosage of 10mg of Seroquel. When I do use it, and I'm on a prn basis I have to take at least 800mg to begin to feel the effects. But I do only take it in extreme manic state, which I'm at now. When I went to fill the original script my pdoc wrote, I was told $900.00, and that's with insurance. Come to find out my insurance will only cover 600mg per day. But since I only take as needed it's no problem. But can you believe it? What ingredient in there is worth the price of gold. It better be one heck of a happy pill if I'm were to pay $900.00. LOL.
But I do the new med regimen works for you Ryan. Let us know how it goes for ya.
TgrsPurr.

[vacantangel]

YIKES Tgr, you paid that? I sure hope it does the trick.

Tgrs, that was a typo. It's 100 mg of seroquel. And the doc said it was for sleep aid. The meds seem to be working well.

Ry

[TgrsPurr]

Oh no no no, I didn't pay that. That was the price for the dose my pdoc prescribed, but insurance said only 600mg per day. For that script I paid $35. Whew, much better!

Ry, I thought so, I don't think they even make 10mg capsules or tablets. It definately helps with sleep, but they gave me terrible cotton mouth and hand trembles. How do you like the Seroquel?
TgrsPurr.

I hate it tgrs. I get the cotton mouth and I'm stupid for what seems like ages when I take it. The only good part is that I sleep well. So I'm only taking it when I can't sleep. I'll double check this kind of use when I see my pdoc next.

Ry