my meds

I went to my other psychiatrist today because I’m still having a problem with the anxiety and my other psychiatrist has already tried me on everything she writes prescriptions for. Every single one I’ve tried so far either didn’t or the side effects were intolerable. The last one she tried me on was Risperdal. I’ve been on it for almost 3 months. The side effects I’ve noticed are more migraines, groggy, lethargic, and it made my periods almost non-existent.
Dr. Reid took me off the Risperdal and gave me a three week supply of Abilify. One of my psychiatrists at Brookhave tried me on that, but it knocked me on my ass. I figured out why, they started me out on 10mg. Starter dose is supposed to be 2mg. I’ve been on the Abilify for about 5 days. I’ve noticed some changes already.

The anxiety has diminished a bit and my mood has drastically improved. So far the side effects I’ve noticed are minor. It gives me very vivid dreams, but they usually aren’t nightmares and I can wake up from them. A year and a half ago I was on Trazodone it caused horrible nightmares that I couldn’t wake up from. I think I’m going to ask to be put back on the Restoril for the acute panic attacks.

I hope like hell that the Abilify continues to work without bad side effects. I’ve been on for bipolar disorder since December 2005 and I’ve yet to get my stabilized.

It gets very frustrating, especially when the doctors don’t really listen. I think I know my body and I usually recognize side effects. I started dicking around with my dosages on my own the past few months because I was convinced the doctor didn’t know what she was talking about. After a lot of thought I think I should go with the dosages she wants me to be on.

I rebelled because there are just so many pills I have to take if I follow orders – a minimum of fourteen pills a day. I’d hate to see what this is doing to my liver.

Currently, I’m on 400mg of Lamictal, which is 2 200mg pills; 450mg of Wellbutrin XL, which is one 300mg pill and one 150mg pill; 2mg of Abilify; one 30mg Adderall XR; one 20mg Benicar; two omega 3 capsules; one multivitamin;1 one B complex; one advanced iron; folic acid; one and vitamin c. I just stopped taking two .5mg Risperdal a day. Some days I also take 3-5 Midrin capsules for migraines and two 10mg ambien.

I take seven pills when I get up and at least seven before I go to bed. I’m taking almost as many pills as my grandma. Eventually, my goal is to be on as little medicine as possible. I heard they are developing extended release anti-depressants that you only have to take once a week. I think it would be great if they made a shot form. I have no problem with needles. Diabetics give themselves insulin daily, I’m sure I wouldn’t have any problems doing it, but that’s just wishful thinking at this point, unfortunately.

Bipolarchick listened to: Placebo – Meds while writing this post.

On this day..


  1. apparently, newer studies show that certain amino acids and vitamins help reduce symptoms of BP. [↩]