| Medications I have had experience with |
Currently on 300mg a day of the XR. Seems to work well enough. I take 150 in the morning and 150 at lunch.
Effexor is prescribed for the treatment of depression--that is, a continuing depression that interferes with daily functioning. The symptoms usually include changes in appetite, sleep habits, and mind/body coordination, decreased sex drive, increased fatigue, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, difficulty concentrating, slowed thinking, and suicidal thoughts.
Effexor XR is also prescribed to relieve abnormal anxiety (generalized anxiety disorder). This problem is marked by persistent anxiety for a period of at least 6 months, accompanied by at least 3 of these 6 symptoms: restlessness, fatigue, poor concentration, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep disturbances.
Effexor must be taken 2 or 3 times daily. The extended-release form, Effexor XR, permits once-a-day dosing.
* More common side effects may include:
Abnormal dreams, abnormal ejaculation or orgasm, anxiety, appetite loss, blurred vision, chills, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, dry mouth, frequent urination, flushing, gas, headache, impotence, infection, insomnia, muscle tension, nausea, nervousness, rash, sleepiness, sweating, tingling feeling, tremor, upset stomach, vomiting, weakness, yawning
* Less common side effects may include:
Abnormal taste, abnormal thinking, agitation, chest pain, confusion, decreased sex drive, depression, dilated pupils, dizziness upon standing up, high blood pressure, itching, loss of identity, rapid heartbeat, ringing in the ears, trauma, twitching, urinary problems, weight loss.
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| Klonopin |
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Currently on 6mg of this right now. Anxiety is alot lower. I am more mellow, so I guess i give it a thumbs up.
Klonopin is used alone or along with other medications to treat convulsive disorders such as epilepsy. It is also prescribed for panic disorder--unexpected attacks of overwhelming panic accompanied by fear of recurrence. Klonopin belongs to a class of drugs known as benzodiazepines.
* Side effects due to rapid decrease or abrupt withdrawal from Klonopin may include:
Abdominal and muscle cramps, behavior disorders, convulsions, depressed feeling, hallucinations, restlessness, sleeping difficulties, tremors
* More common side effects in panic disorder may include:
Allergic reaction, constipation, coordination problems, depression, dizziness, fatigue, inflamed sinuses or nasal passages, flu, memory problems, menstrual problems, nervousness, reduced thinking ability, respiratory infection, sleepiness, speech problems
* Less common or rare side effects in panic disorder may include:
Abdominal pain/discomfort, abnormal hunger, acne, aggressive reaction, anxiety, apathy, asthma attack, bleeding from the skin, blood clots, bronchitis, burning sensation, changes in appetite, changes in sex drive, confusion, coughing, difficulty breathing, dizziness when standing, ear problems, emotional changeability, excessive dreaming, excitement, fever, flushing, fluttery or throbbing heartbeat, frequent bowel movements, gas, general feeling of illness, gout, hair loss, hemorrhoids, hoarseness, increased salivation, indigestion, infections, inflamed stomach and intestines, lack of attention, lack of sensation, leg cramps, loss of taste, male sexual problems, migraine, motion sickness, muscle pain/cramps, nightmares, nosebleed, overactivity, pain (anywhere in the body), paralysis, pneumonia, shivering, skin problems, sleep problems, sneezing, sore throat, swelling with fluid retention, swollen knees, thick tongue, thirst, tingling/pins and needles, tooth problems, tremor, twitching, upset stomach, urinary problems, vertigo, vision problems, weight gain or loss, yawning.
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Currently on 300mg of this one and working my way up to higher doses. Not too sure on this one. It seems to help, I feel more at ease and not as moody as I had. I seem alot more at ease and I dont have the constant thoughts or voices plauging me.
Seroquel combats the symptoms of schizophrenia, a mental disorder marked by delusions, hallucinations, disrupted thinking, and loss of contact with reality. It is the first in a new class of antipsychotic medications. Researchers believe that it works by diminishing the action of dopamine and serotonin, two of the brain's chief chemical messengers.
* More common side effects may include:
Abdominal pain, constipation, diminished movement, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, excessive muscle tone, headache, indigestion, low blood pressure, nasal inflammation, neck rigidity, rapid heartbeat, rash, tremor, uncontrollable movements, weakness
* Less common side effects may include:
Back pain, cough, difficulty breathing, difficulty speaking, ear pain, fever, flu, loss of appetite, palpitations, sore throat, sweating, swelling, weight gain
* Rare side effects may include:
Abnormal dreams, abnormal ejaculation, abnormal vision, abnormal gait, abnormal thinking, acne, alcohol intolerance, amnesia, arthritis, asthma, bleeding gums, bone pain, bruising, chills, confusion, conjunctivitis (pinkeye), dehydration, delusions, diabetes, difficulty swallowing, dry eyes, ear ringing, eczema, eye pain, face swelling, fungal infection, gas, gum inflammation, hallucinations, heavy menstruation, hemorrhoids, impotence, increased appetite, increased sex drive, increased salivation, irregular pulse, itching, jerky or irregular movement, joint pain, lack of emotion, lack of coordination, leg cramps, loss of menstruation, low blood sugar, manic reaction, migraine, mouth sores, muscle weakness, neck pain, nosebleeds, painful menstruation, painful urination, paralysis, paranoia, pelvic pain, pneumonia, rash, rectal bleeding, seborrhea, sensitivity to light, skin inflammation or ulcer, slow heart rate, stomach and intestinal inflammation, stupor, swollen testicles, taste disturbances, teeth grinding, thirst, tongue swelling, twitching, uncontrollable bowel movements, underactive thyroid, urinary frequency or incontinence, urinary retention, urinary tract infection, vaginal bleeding, vaginal inflammation, vaginal yeast infection, vertigo, weight loss.
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Currently on 150mg twice daily and it seems to work well enough for me. Thumbs up. Previously I was on 300mg xr. New Shrink changed it.
Wellbutrin, a relatively new antidepressant medication, is given to help relieve certain kinds of major depression.
Major depression involves a severely depressed mood (for 2 weeks or more) and loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities accompanied by sleep and appetite disturbances, agitation or lack of energy, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, decreased sex drive, inability to concentrate, and perhaps thoughts of suicide.
Unlike the more familiar tricyclic antidepressants, such as Elavil, Tofranil, and others, Wellbutrin tends to have a somewhat stimulating effect.
The drug is available in regular and sustained-release formulations (Wellbutrin SR).
* More common side effects may include:
Abdominal pain (Wellbutrin SR), agitation, anxiety (Wellbutrin SR), constipation, dizziness, dry mouth, excessive sweating, headache, loss of appetite (Wellbutrin SR), nausea, palpitations (Wellbutrin SR), vomiting, skin rash, sleep disturbances, sore throat (Wellbutrin SR), tremor
* Other side effects may include:
Acne, allergic reactions (severe), bed-wetting, blisters in the mouth and eyes (Stevens-Johnson syndrome) blurred vision, breathing difficulty, chest pain, chills, complete or almost complete loss of movement, confusion, dry skin, episodes of over-activity, elation, or irritability, extreme calmness, fatigue, fever, fluid retention, flu-like symptoms, gum irritation and inflammation, hair color changes, hair loss, hives, impotence, incoordination and clumsiness, indigestion, itching, increased libido, menstrual complaints, mood instability, muscle rigidity, painful ejaculation, painful erection, retarded ejaculation, ringing in the ears, sexual dysfunction, suicidal ideation, thirst disturbances, toothache, urinary disturbances, weight gain or loss.
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Lamictal, this is the new one. I guess the flavor of the week. I start at 25mg and ramp up over the weeks. Doc said this is because dosing high fast can give you a nasty rash. Currently on 100mg a day. **UPDATE** Now I am on 200mg daily. Newer UPDATE. Yep, up to 300mg a day on this one too.
So, Here's what I can find on this one. It seems to be fairly new to the market. With so many meds working together to keep me well adjusted I can't really make a call on this one.Its not hurting me in any way, so I guess things are ok with this one.
**UPDATE**
the FDA has noted that findings for LAMICTAL were more robust in bipolar depression—one of the most significant medical needs in the treatment of this devastating illness. The effectiveness of LAMICTAL in the acute treatment of mood episodes has not been established. LAMICTAL is the first FDA-approved therapy since lithium for the long-term maintenance of bipolar I disorder.
- LAMICTAL offers long-term stability across the spectrum of mood episodes associated with bipolar I disorder, with more robust findings in depression. As you know, depressive episodes can be a significant clinical challenge;1 a recent study found that time spent symptomatically depressed exceeds time spent manic by a factor of three2
- What's more, LAMICTAL is long-term therapy that is convenient for you and your patients. LAMICTAL requires no blood monitoring and offers dosing that's easy to follow for your patients
- Initiate as maintenance therapy at any phase of the illness in patients treated for acute mood episodes with standard therapy
Side Effects:
• In rare cases, Lamictal has been associated with severe and/or life-threatening rashes and hypersensitivity reactions. Seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately if you develop any skin rash; fever; hives; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; sores in the mouth or around the eyes; or swollen lymph glands.
• Seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately if you experience increasing frequency or worsening of seizures during treatment with Lamictal.
• Do not stop taking Lamictal without first talking to your doctor, even if you feel better. It is important to continue taking Lamictal to prevent symptoms from recurring. Stopping Lamictal suddenly may result in increased seizure frequency or a return of symptoms of bipolar disorder. If the medication needs to be stopped, your doctor may need to lower the dosage gradually.
• Carry or wear a medical identification tag to let others know that you are taking this medicine in the case of an emergency.
• Lamictal may cause drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, or poor coordination. Do not drive, operate dangerous machinery, or perform other hazardous activities until you know how Lamictal affects you. If you experience drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, or poor coordination, avoid these activities.
What is Lamictal?
• The exact way that Lamictal works is unknown. However, it is believed that Lamictal affects chemicals in the brain involved in seizures and in bipolar disorder.
• Lamictal is used alone or in combination with other medications in the treatment of seizures. Lamictal is also used in the treatment of bipolar disorder.
• Lamictal may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
Hmmmm. Doesn't sound like they are very sure on this one. And the research i have done on this one is not too reassuring. As for the blurred vision. Yep. Second night I took it. I thought I was just tired, but it doesnt look like I am underwater when I get tired so I think it may have been this stuff. Also it combined with my nightly Seroquel dose put me down fast. I got about 30 mins to find a place to sleep.
And whats that above about a medical alert bracelet?
My doc didn't mention anything like that. UPDATE. Well, he did. So, now I got a medic alert braclet. Kinda funny when they ask what kind you need ( as far as what the back says ) and I had to get the one that says check wallet card. It came with a card to fill out.
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He he, this has to be an old pic. I cant even believe someone would waste their time on 10-20mg of this crap. I took 300mg and it was as effective as a multi-vitamin. Highly overrated in my opinion.
Prozac is prescribed for the treatment of depression--that is, a continuing depression that interferes with daily functioning. The symptoms of major depression often include changes in appetite, sleep habits, and mind/body coordination; decreased sex drive; increased fatigue; feelings of guilt or worthlessness; difficulty concentrating; slowed thinking; and suicidal thoughts.
Prozac is also prescribed to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder. An obsession is a thought that won't go away; a compulsion is an action done over and over to relieve anxiety. The drug is also used in the treatment of bulimia (binge-eating followed by deliberate vomiting). It has also been used to treat other eating disorders and obesity.
In addition, Prozac is used to treat panic disorder, including panic associated with agoraphobia (a severe fear of being in crowds or public places). People with panic disorder usually suffer from panic attacks--feelings of intense fear that develop suddenly, often for no reason. Various symptoms occur during the attacks, including a rapid or pounding heartbeat, chest pain, sweating, trembling, and shortness of breath.
* More common side effects may include:
Abnormal dreams, abnormal ejaculation, abnormal vision, anxiety, diminished sex drive, dizziness, dry mouth, flu-like symptoms, flushing, gas, headache, impotence, insomnia, itching, loss of appetite, nausea, nervousness, rash, sinusitis, sleepiness, sore throat, sweating, tremors, upset stomach, vomiting, weakness, yawning
* Less common side effects may include:
Abnormal taste, agitation, bleeding problems, chills, confusion, ear pain, emotional instability, fever, frequent urination, high blood pressure, increased appetite, loss of memory, palpitations, ringing in the ears, sleep disorders, weight gain.
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| risperdal |
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Another new one I am on that seems to work the best so far is Risperdal. Risperdal is an atypical antipsychotic that is mainly prescribed for schizophrenia. It seems to be fairly benign. So far the only side effects I can mention on this one is weight gain, drooling on occasion, and stiffness in joints. The side effects dont sound so hot, but compared to how well it works otherwise, its worth it so far. |
Now for the nasty unfortunate stuff. Side effects I am experiencing at this time.
Constipation. I think everything I am taking causes it. A real pain in the ass. HAHA.
Dry Mouth. Good lord. I must carry a glass of water around all the time now or I gum up so bad I can barely speak sometimes.
Confusion. Well, to be honest, I was never hard to confuse, it just seems easier now.
Loss of Balance. Once again, I confess to being as agile as a 3 legged gazelle, but lately I have just been loosing balance, stumbling and a few times even falling down.
Update- I still fall down or wobble and catch myself, but its not so bad.
Yawning. It doesn't matter how much coffee I have, doesn't matter the time of day, I yawn all the time now.
Update- This is getting better. I think I am adjusting more to the med.
Weight loss. In 4 months or close to it, I lost 54 lbs.
And I also have no appitite what-so-ever. I just eat 'cause people get onto me about it.
Update-Appitite is improving, just not any weight gain coming with it.
Update- Now I am seeing a GI specialist and they are running test, they suspect my thyroid has went nuts. UPDATE- No explanation at all. Just a amazing weight loss in a short time.
Lately some wild mood swings, but I used to be that way along time ago. Just odd that it pops back up with the need to self harm.
Update, since the Lamictal has gotten in me, my mood swings are about gone. I can still flare up in a rage in traffic, but I just blame that on the fact we dont test drivers and just let everyone go out and screw around on the roads.
Also I need to mention that I have started slurring my words sometimes. This is only occassionally and usually in the morning. But my co-workers have noticed and mentioned it to me. I dont notice myself, but they insist I sound like a drunk all mumbling and slurring what I am saying.
Anger Management classes were brought up, but after some tests they dedcided I have developed a tad of aggrophobia in the past few years of isolation. Nothing big and something that can be fixed if I want to. I just have to find an outlet to have fun.
Another Important Thing to take Note of.
If you go to a doctor for any procedure where sedatives are used. Explain to them the drugs you are taking and then, explain it to them again, Then you get them to repeat it back to you and you hit them if they don't get it right. A long term use of klonopin, along with my natural high tolerence, during 2 procedures, they drained the IV bags of sedative and it was a useless waste of time and money. Not to mention the procedures were both painful in the extreme. It was alot of suffering because of simple incompetence. MAKE certain they understand, and get direct information on what they are using to sedate you. My klonopin or my Midrin for migraines was stronger that the crap they pumped in me.
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