[BlueFaith]

I am on 5 different meds to keep my bipolar under control. I am wondering if that's a lot.... or is it just that I THINK it is. Becuase it seems like an awful lot of medicine to me.. Here's what I take every day.

Benztropine- 2mg twice daily
Celexa- 20mg once daily
Toprol- 50mg once daily (I think this is for my blood pressure)
Lamictal- 25mg twice daily
Abilify- 30mg daily
Klonopin- 1mg 3 times a day, and 1/2 a tablet when ever I may need it.

Does this seem like a heck of alot of medicine to anyone else? Or is this the norm?

[greenfairy]

i'm not a doctor, but i have to say that i dont think its the number of meds youre on that matters, but how youre feeling. i've been on as many as four at a time. at one point i felt like a zombie. i dont think it was the number of meds that was a problem, but the specific ones i was taking that just werent agreeing with my system. if youre feeling good, then youre probably doing something right. if not, you should bring it up with your doctor. i dont think its uncommon to be on a number of different medications. i think you just need to figure out if its working for you.

[BlueFaith]

Well, so far everything has GREATLY improved with these medicines. The only thing I have to deal with at the moment is dry mouth. lol So, yes, things are working out despite the number of meds. I've just never been on this MANY meds at a time, so I suppose it's a bit overwhelming. But, like I said, I'm feeling especially good. I wouldn't stop taking them all of a sudden or anything like that.... so that's not a problem. I was just wondering if this seemed like the "normal" amount of meds that people take. That's all. But don't get me wrong.... I am VERY happy to be feeling better. Yes, I understand that it's not the amount of meds one takes, but the way it makes them feel. Thanks for reminding me of that...lol.

[Overcastbutclearing]

As long as you are feeling good and can pop a lifesaver in your mouth I would allow the meds to do their job and get you to feeling healthy and happy and productive!

[lenjan]

I was on 5 meds before my recent health problems, when the drs. took me off ALL of them cold turkey and then only gradually (and reluctantly) put me back on a couple, at low doses.

It seems like a lot, but you are at pretty low doses on all of them, and I think that might be the key. I was way high up there on most of mine, and it seems to have caused problems. And now everyone tells me I seem a lot "clearer" and "lighter" to them than I used to, probably because I'm not overmedicated anymore.

I'd just trust your pdoc, ultimately. :-)

Candy

[DaveyJones]

Hey, Jenn...

It's not unusual to wind up taking that many meds, especially after an hospitalization. There are so many that are showing good results for BP these days. There is no "protocol" for using these drugs, so each pdoc has to rely on her own research and experience, as well as what she knows of you in formulating your particular "cocktail".

Bottom line is, if you feel good, and can afford it, go for it!

[bipolar_bear]

I take 5 different meds. It took that combination to make me stable.

[Azalysa]

Hi {{{{Jenn}}}} (Love your new sig, by the way )

I'm on 4 psych drugs daily; 1 for hypothyroid; and various prescription sleeping pills and anti-anxiety meds "as needed."

As DJ said (and you already know ) it's like chemistry to figure out what combo, in what amount, works for each person.

At first it was overwhelming when I laid out all the bottles on my countertop. (Plus I take all kinds of supplements.) Now, it's pretty much become routine.

Take care, hun...

P.S. WHOA!!! Your sig was one thing when I began this post and another when I completed it. Tricky! lol