Bipolar Disorder Support Group
Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.
I am experiencing 3 incredibly disturbing side effects from my meds. Lamictal, Lithium, and Seroquel.
1. Horrible acne. Really, really, really bad. I have had to go on meds for that...adding to my daily cocktail of pills, and it isn't helping at all, just getting worse. My face physically hurts they are so awful.
2. The feeling of restlessness in my muscles, so bad that I can't sleep without taking something (prescription) that will knock me out. I have tried magnesium, homeopathics, etc.
Nothing is working, and taking the sleeping pill gives me a hangover the next morning.
3. Weight gain, pretty drastic so far, about 15 pounds in the past 6 weeks...will it ever stop? I am working out every day. I watch what I eat....
I feel like one pill leads to another, and I shouldn't have to take sooooo many.
I am afraid that my doctor won't be supportive of me wanting to try something different.
All of this is making me more depressed than I normally am without meds. I feel desperate, and I don't know what to do. I want to stop taking everything NOW. I just don't know what to do.
1. Horrible acne. Really, really, really bad. I have had to go on meds for that...adding to my daily cocktail of pills, and it isn't helping at all, just getting worse. My face physically hurts they are so awful.
2. The feeling of restlessness in my muscles, so bad that I can't sleep without taking something (prescription) that will knock me out. I have tried magnesium, homeopathics, etc.
Nothing is working, and taking the sleeping pill gives me a hangover the next morning.
3. Weight gain, pretty drastic so far, about 15 pounds in the past 6 weeks...will it ever stop? I am working out every day. I watch what I eat....
I feel like one pill leads to another, and I shouldn't have to take sooooo many.
I am afraid that my doctor won't be supportive of me wanting to try something different.
All of this is making me more depressed than I normally am without meds. I feel desperate, and I don't know what to do. I want to stop taking everything NOW. I just don't know what to do.
www.drugs.com Your doc should be willing to work with you.
The treatment shouldn't be worse than the disorder!
I finally quit taking Seroquel (which I LOVED, because it made me sleep so well!) because I gained 70 pounds from it! And even though it made me hungry, I followed the same diet that I had always been on. Once off the Seroquel, the weight dropped. Took a while, though.
Good luck!!!! If all that is from your meds, I think you're due for a change!!!! It sounds like a lot to deal with. Take good care!
best to you! M..
During my last appointment with my psychiatrist, he told me that the latest research suggests that seroquel may provide the same benefits as used alone as it does with anti-depressants or even lamictal (mood stabilizing meds). This is specifically for people with BP. I am now on it and the hope is that I may be able to go off other meds. It is still too soon to tell.
I just started seroquel again and the biggest issue for me is the lethargy which is horrible. I don't believe that I have gained any weight; in fact, I lost 28 lbs from my last cocktail so I actually could put some on. Lamictal can cause a rash, but it is not acne, so I just don't know.
Seroquel isn't for everyone. Give it some time, but if it continues to be a problem, you may want to try a new one. I know gasp again!!