[boomslang]

HI, I'm new here and I really need some help

I've been diagnosed with Bipolar I (originally diagnosed with Unipolar which screwed me over - b/c antidepressants made me very manic), Mild Tourette's Syndrome, Anxiety, ADHD, and OCD

I was originally on Zoloft (Made me jittery), then Prozac/Strattera which almost killed me from extreme Mania reactions, then I was on Wellbutrin, then I was finally diagnosed with Bipolar I and put on meds to treat it.

I have now been on Lamictal and Seroquel for over a year and 2 months, 400mg Lamictal and 200mg Seroquel, also 0.5mg Xanax XR

I have noticed a few side effects than I believe are due to the meds but I don't know for sure, I would love some input to figure out if they are caused by the meds and how to stop them:

1. Cardiac arrythmia - I have palpated my pulse and used my Stethoscope to listen to my heart (I am studying to be a paramedic) and my heart is beating irregularly during the day but much more noticeably 30min-1hour after Seroquel intake.

2. Bad muscle soreness (It got much worse after extensive
computer use and heavy weight lifting from August 2006-October2006, but I had done it for years without problems, it started in August and has gotten MUCH worse - b/c I have weght lifted and use the computer heavily for years without problems, I think the meds might be interfering with my muscle recovery). I now have cronic tennis elbow and golfers elbow and tendon soreness and swolleness

3. Shortness of breath - 30min-1hour after intake of Seroquel I feel short of breath, lasts until I am knocked out

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My doctor and I are talking about switching me off of Seroquel and onto another Antipsychotic, possibly Prolixin/Haldol b/c it may help my Tourette's but I've heard BAD things about the older antipsychotics...any ideas?

Thanks ! =) Glad to be here

God Bless

[DaveyJones]

I also get the feeling of not being able to get my brath after Seroquel, though it is usually pretty mild. (I also take Lamictal and lithium). I had troubles with arrythmias a while back, but I decided it was caffiene OD...I cut back, no problems. I have also been experiencing muscle pain in my right arm and shoulder, but I think it is because I got a new computer and I am sitting and working the mouse differently.

Almost none of the older antipsychotics have shown any benefit for bipolar in clinical trials. Dr. Jim Phelps has a chart at http://psycheducation.org/depression...tabilizers.htm that tells what has been shown to work and what has not.

For me, the side effects will have to get MUCH worse before I would consider discontinuing Seroquel--it has had much too good an effect on my mood.

DJ