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.
Has anyone had this problem? I was diagnosed with bp 15 yrs ago. after many trials and errors i was put on Depakote which helps and i haven't had too many side effects. i am more prone to depression than mania so my antidepressant has been changed many times. About 3 weeks ago i suddenly stopped sleeping-getting 45 mins to 3 hrs. a night and became depressed and suicidal. the doc put me on Cymbalta 60 mg and Temazepam 30 mg for sleep. it didn't improve my mood so now i take 90mg cymbalta and the same dose of Temazepam. I'm gettingg more sleep (still wake up every 1-2 hrs but able to go back to sleep after about 20 mins). My question is this- in the last week i have developedd a severe tremor in my hands. typing is hard-i keep hitting the same key twice, writing is next to impossible, and eating is just plain embarassing because i spill all the time. My psych doc and pharmacist say it is not the meds but i just saw on the internet that a high depakote level can cause tremors. my levels have always been normal. Sure could use some advice! (i take 1500mg depakote at bedtime)
deleted_user
over time, Depakote (and some other similar meds) can cause tremors. So we have to choose "sane & shaky" or "off kilter & steady?" Every Rx has side effects, unfortunately. I take 500 mg. depakote at night, 250 a.m. & 250 noon. I have a small tremor. Perhaps you could get down to 500 at night with xanax? I take a small dose of xanax at night, helps me sleep & also makes it so I can keep Depakote at lower dosage. I saw a medications specialist MD re: all my meds. Regular MDs don't have the training to deal w/all these combos, usually. Good Luck!
deleted_user
The same thing happened to me actually. I've been on Depakote for 2 years now and my hands haven't stopped shaking since. It was so bad at one point that I couldn't write legibly, clasp a necklace or eat soup (and I was only 17/19 now!) After I switched to taking the 2500mg in more doses and taking the short release as opposed to the ER, the shaking has calmed down some but the kids I teach/babysit still ask why I shake so badly (It's caused random upper-body tremors too.) So I hate to say this, but your psychiatrist is wrong. Your pharmasist might be helpful if you know him well enough but other than that's the only advice I can give. Good luck!
deleted_user
I don't have them a severe as that but I do have them. I don't know which one or all of my meds cause them. Let me know if you find out any help on this.
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theatre and I are there already. I'm having a very berry tea with crackers, cheese and cherry tomatoes and she's having a joint with some beer and we're both on really comfy recliners on thick pile carpet. we need some help with the decor if anyone is around??
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I'm trying to exercise daily. I was doing fairly well until I sprained my ankle 2 weeks ago but now I'm getting back on the horse. Today I walked over a mile with my arm weights that are about 22lbs total. I was out of shape and it was hard on my arms. I also did my 30 situps. I'm also going to drink a lot of water and try to eat healthy. I do tend to have a sweet tooth but I'm cutting...
