Too Dopped Up?

Cinnabar · #1 09-24-2008, 11:56 AM

My psychiatrist is prescribing, I think, a motherload of medications for me. I have never been of anti depressents. Obviously, Wellburtin is out of the question. I cannot tolerate SSRI's (I've tried three and have had a vile reaction to all of them). His solution was to prescibed very small doses (15mg)of Dexidrine to give me a lift in the morning to emliminate morning drepression (I always stay with the prescribed dosages so I've not become a "speed freak" but I am noticing paranoia creeping in - a trademark of speed.

I'm aslo on 600mg of Lamictal (for Epilepsy and Bi-Polar) 6 mg of Clonopin, 40 mg of Geodon,10 mg of Zolpidem.

I take this mix throughout the day (exception Dex). It allows me to, finally, fall asleep. But I wake up like a zombie, manage cerieal and don't take my morning dosages until around noon. Then I find myself staying up til 1am.

Have temporal lobe epilepsy, Bi-Polar (another condition for which do not meds work) I know he's doing what he thinks is best.

Lamictal is the strongest of all and am tempted to cut back. But that I'll be "cold turkey" cigarettes, I know Lamictal could very well counteract my body going into shock. (I just cant wean off. I've tried)

That's it. That's how my days are going lately.

Georgiagirl88 · #2 09-24-2008, 12:56 PM

Hi Laurie,

Sorry to hear about your medicines and all that go along with them. I would try to talk to your Dr. and maybe also another opinion.. such as your primary Dr. Compare notes and maybe they could even put their heads together to figure things out. Maybe they can cut back on something. I would not do it on your own. Write everything down along with the dosages. I hope everything else is going well for you!! I bet your weather is starting to look a little like Fall. It has been beautiful here in Atlanta!! Cooler for sure!
Take care Laurie!
Michelle

Cinnabar · #3 09-24-2008, 02:12 PM

Thanks Michelle: I'm going to get my doctor and neurologist together on this one. They're in the same buiding, know each other fairly well. In the past, I know they've "haggled" over my meds and have come to a comprimise. My doctor literally shakes his head when he's writing out my scripts, saying "your one complicated patient".

It is challenging for both of my doctors because what do you do with a girl who has Temporal Lobe Epilepsy which mirror symtoms of Bi-Polar which I've been diagnosed for many years. Am I a neurological case or a psychological case? I also have DID "Dissociate Identity Disorder". I pefer to call it a "condition" because it has been life saving. I come out of the closet with this condition as many are begining to do, so I don't mind mentioning it here.

There is no medication for DID but it does complicate matters. The whole thing is that there is a strong correlation between temporal lobe epilepsy, Bi-Polar and DID. I read articles about the conundrum. Some of the lingo is way over my head but I'm pretty tenatious and manage to figure most of it out.

Back to meds: I've decided not to cut back myself but am calling my psychologist (who has a minor in neurology) and see what can be worked out in the meantime until he can knock heads with my neurologist....

It is beautiful here on the North Shore of Long Island. Unlike Nassau County we, actually, have trees here! Just returned from the post office and the air is so freshingly crisp. We barely had a summer here. Maybe, only four days reached in the 90's. I'm going back to my walking to the sound which is only ten minutes away and, no doubt, wear my CWE hooded sweat. Hey, if I seize someone will know what to do with me. One would hope. Cinnabar

Georgiagirl88 · #4 09-24-2008, 02:24 PM

Enjoy your walk Laurie..it is beautiful there. We loved it!! Glad you will get your Drs. together to consult with each other That is always good.

M

Cint · #5 09-24-2008, 06:26 PM

Laurie,
A neuropsychiatrist I used to see called me a complicated patient, too, because nothing worked for me for the depression as well as for the seizures. I was on a plethora of SSRIs, tricyclics and anti-seizure meds. I used to be in the "zombie" stage. Couldn't function like that any longer.
But then I moved and the new psychiatrist put me on an antipsychotic, and I ended up with Type I diabetes, so beware of those newer drugs on the market!

Cindy

Cinnabar · #6 09-24-2008, 07:04 PM

Thanks Cindy - When a doctor prescribes a new drug for me I research it before I even bring it to the pharmacy. I had a terrible experience and left this doctor... I had been on Wellbutrin (which in itself did not cause the seizure but played it's part). When I told the doctor of my seizure he prescribed a "lower" dosage of Wellbutrin. I felt this was the most dangerous and irresponsible thing he could had done and with the speed of light I found another doctor. I think my present doctor is good but just overly causes wanting to prescribe large doses of Lamictal for fear that I'll seize again and also so that I won't go into a Bi-Polar episode. Lately, I've been flying a "little" high. But something has to change because I loose most of my day, needing to meet a writing deadline. Uh! We just have to be the complicated ones! Thanks - L