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.

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Side effects after long term use?

Redsgal21
Redsgal21
Has anyone developed side effects from a med not right away but after long term use? I guess by long term I mean a few months to several years.
dobiedots
dobiedots
Lithium destroyed my thyroid. Now I'm on meds for my thyroid.
dancingd
dancingd
Yes.
My memory and cognitive abilities have declined .

11 years on meds have kicked my brain

I always get a bit scared when I have brain fog or forgetfulness , because my Mom has dementia, and I get afraid that is staring .

My Pdoc says loss of memory and cognitive decline could either be as a result of dementia, or long term use of psychiatric meds ....Happy thoughts huh ?
dobiedots
dobiedots
Dementia OR psychiatric meds. Great dd, we're doomed.
SensitiveHoboLady
SensitiveHoboLady
My weight gain has created more issues. I've tried to get on a med other than seroquel and I can't take any of them.
SensitiveHoboLady
SensitiveHoboLady
I DO take seroquel, have for years, but my weight is at an all time high. I've gained 50 lbs on it since 2011. But it's the only one that makes me sleep!
kryslalee
kryslalee
My thing is that meds usually wear off after a long period of use...they just quit working for me. So I have to keep changing my cocktail. Sorry to hear about all of y'all and the side effects. My side effect usually happen fast and furious and I get off of the med if I can.
heretic
heretic
Been on Geodon and Wellbutrin for years. They work great.
Never had any kind of problem with either one.
spacepony
spacepony
Repeated, severe depressive episodes have hit my cognitive functioning hard... So that's permanent :/ as for meds, lithium gave me fine tremor in my hands (esp. Thumbs) and my pinch grip isn't as good as pre lithium. AP use gave a year plus of anhedonia upon discontinuation. Cheery, huh? Is there a psych med you have in mind?
olenka1
olenka1
The only side-effect I have had is on Zyprexa. It just made me put on weight. However I lost the weight by doing gym work, martial arts & eating & drinking healthy stuff. Other than this I have had no side-effects with any of my meds.
Community Leaderacuriousfish
acuriousfish
yes on the weight gain.

You can get "the rash" at any time on lamotrigine - we suspected I'd got it at one time but it turned out it was a reaction to something else.
spacepony
spacepony
Any time regarding the rash? I thought I was home free. I suppose that's rare, but good to know.
Community LeaderSunCloudJD
SunCloudJD
I got the rash after a couple of years of being on Lamactil ... It could have been something else... I was going through a lot at the time and it could have been anxiety however I had to come off of it
The weight gain and flat expression .. Memory loss
vickybea
vickybea
Depakote destroyed my thyroid then lamactil kicked it while it was down.....ugh the weight gain from that was hellish
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