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.
Here's the dilema.......
I had liver failure when I was 2yo. Only one time have my liver enzymes been abnormal. I get them tested regulary. Had my gallbladder out in November, md found slight liver fibrosis, which basically means that I have slight liver damage due to the liver failure at age 2. Please understand I'm a nurse and know a little something about some things. Really helps me to obssess over meds. Yay fun.
Called pdoc, swings are too rapid, depressions too low. Started Abilify at the end of March, been taking lamictal and klonopin. Abilify has been being titrated up since March with every 2 weeks, me having these "smaller" crashes, he ups the Abilify= feel better for another 2 weeks. Ok, CALLED pdoc, let them know how I was feeling, Wellbutrin SR was ordered. Wellbutrin is harsh on the liver, more so then alot of other antidepressants.
Dilema-I cannot bring myself to go the the pharmacy and pick it up!!! I keep thinking that I can handle these depressions and I'll just wait for the energy to come back and things will be ok. I'm concerned about the affect it will have on my liver, the pdoc is aware, but I wasn't there to remind him. And I know what he'll say "you have to consider the risks with the benefits, you guys know the deal. Any suggestions? Words of wisdom?
I had liver failure when I was 2yo. Only one time have my liver enzymes been abnormal. I get them tested regulary. Had my gallbladder out in November, md found slight liver fibrosis, which basically means that I have slight liver damage due to the liver failure at age 2. Please understand I'm a nurse and know a little something about some things. Really helps me to obssess over meds. Yay fun.
Called pdoc, swings are too rapid, depressions too low. Started Abilify at the end of March, been taking lamictal and klonopin. Abilify has been being titrated up since March with every 2 weeks, me having these "smaller" crashes, he ups the Abilify= feel better for another 2 weeks. Ok, CALLED pdoc, let them know how I was feeling, Wellbutrin SR was ordered. Wellbutrin is harsh on the liver, more so then alot of other antidepressants.
Dilema-I cannot bring myself to go the the pharmacy and pick it up!!! I keep thinking that I can handle these depressions and I'll just wait for the energy to come back and things will be ok. I'm concerned about the affect it will have on my liver, the pdoc is aware, but I wasn't there to remind him. And I know what he'll say "you have to consider the risks with the benefits, you guys know the deal. Any suggestions? Words of wisdom?
Might you talk with your Pdoc about your concerns?
I didn't know abilify was that harsh on liver...what a terrible conundrum for you :(
Lou its the Wellbutrin SR that is real hard on the liver...and yes big pain in the "drum"!!
dd, I can wait until Monday to see if I can talk to him, but I think I know what he'll say. Risk vs. benefits of Wellbutrin.....sigh
That's what they all say.
And WE are the ones taking the risks
uugh
I tend to somewhat freak when a new med is issued....
Being a nurse is a blessing and a curse....ugh.
Or mediavel times- with torture contraptions to treat the insane (really).
Meds aren't sooooooooo bad. We're all bound to ail & die anyway. x
What those people had to endure isn't shit compared to side effects.......
As long as MD is checking liver enzymes routinely, I think you will be fine. Believe me, in this culture of malpractice avoidance, no MD is going to take a risk with possible certain liver damage.
You sound like you are in a lot of pain, bp depression is the worst, and frequently just waiting for energy to return leads to larger crashes. You have to be able to trust your pdoc, if you don't, then you need to switch. Good luck, April
I'm leaning towards picking the Wellbutrin up in the am and giving it a try. I can just have them continue to keep a check on the liver enzymes.