Bi polar symptoms and conditions

Seroquel is awesome. I, at the age of 50 realized that most likely I was Bi-Polar. My swings we not drastic but were hard on me and people close to me. I am taking 300mg at bedtime. I sleep like a rock, wake up with a slight haze which disappears after my first cup of coffee. I feel on top of my problems and not underneath them.
I have a theory about the weight gain, something that may possible help. I noticed I was becoming constipated a bit. I think that when your food stays in too long, your body sucks out every bit of fat, etc. I bought some Metamucil, which works great to keep things moving quickly. I also have modified my diet to lean eating.
I am having one problem. I have a crick in my neck, on the left side. It is very painful, kind of like I have pulled something. We went out to a Christmas Party last night and I had a few drinks. The neck pain came on quickly. Anybody else have this?

I was treated with lamictal for bi-polar II . It did help even out my mood which swung to deep depressions and rare (unfortunately) hypomania. After an increase in dose I had so much pain in my back and hip joints that I needed help to sit down, stand up, tie shoes, lift anything. I am only 40!

I stopped the med in June, but the pain is still there. Continually, not as bad as it was before, for sure, but I still have to prop myself up for simple lean over tasks, and my hip joints throb. I have to support myself to flip in bed or get out. I was doing yoga, and running as well before I started lamictal. I was extremely flexible!, and now can still barely touch my toes.

has anyone else had this lingering pain?

I just started Topamax for Bi Polar. I replaced the Seroquel I was on with it. I have been having some really bad headaches before I went on it, and I am still having them. I have lost 6 pounds in a week. Can someone tell me from their experience does the headaches seem to go away with more dosage. I was on 50mg of Seroquel and with the Topamax I am only on 25mg right now.

I've been on various pills over the past 8-9 years, including OrthoNovum, OrthoTri-cyclen, Orthocyclen, Estrostep and others. I basically switched every year because I had constant break through bleeding.

By contrast, Yasmin is by far the worst birth control I have ever been on. I'd been on it around 2 years, maybe longer. I am a level-headed, career minded woman. About a year ago I started to suspect I might be bi-polar or depressed.

Here is a list of the side-effects I had while on Yasmin that have disappeared since I stopped taking it 3 months ago:

-Depression
-Suicidal thoughts
-Paranoia
-Anxiety
-Nausea
-Decreased libido
-Intense Anger/Rage
-Irritability
-Increased thirst
-General disinterest/lack of motivation
-Acne
-Break-through bleeding
-Irregular periods
-Overly sensitive/swollen nipples
-Yellow discharge

I only had the above symptoms during the time I was taking Yasmin, not before and not after. This stuff is vile.

If you don't have any side-effects from this pill you are lucky. But I still urge you to pay very close attention. It is very easy for these symptoms to slowly grow over time until one day you wake up and don't even recognize your own self.

Since I stopped taking hormonal birth control I feel normal again, which by comparison means even the worst day is 10x better than a single day on Yasmin.

I had been on Yasmine for about two years with no complications until last week. Last week my heart began beating extremely fast just while sitting at my desk typing. Later on in the day my chest began feelign tight and I had an "anxious" feeling in my upper body. At the same time my lower body felt completely weak- as if my legs could not support my body weight if I were to stand. Evenso, I thought nothing of it and just assumed my normal one cup of coffee just so happened to have a strong effect on me that day. The next day the anxious feeling and weakness had subsided but my left arm and hand were tingling. It felt as if they had fallen asleep and now had that "cotton" feeling. The next morning I lost all feeling in my left hand except for my first three fingers. This is when I began trying to figure out what on earth I may have eaten, where I had been, had i drank too much coffee, etc.

I rarely drink alcahol, don't smoke, have no family history of heart problems, etc. I don't take any other medications, I don't take vitamins, I dont eat strange foods, and exercise regularly. The only thing I could possibly change is my birth control. I immediately quit taking Yasmine and all problems disappeared in two days.

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I have been slowly increasing my dose of trileptal over a week and a half of taking it- and I am only on 450 mg right now- But I have an extreme light sensitive headache for at least a week now; along with lowsy appetite; numb tongue; insomnia; extreme fatige during the day- massive lethargy; and a smashing frontal headache- alot like a csf tear headache. I am borderline personality- possibly bi polar- and also have the intense seizure like muscle jerks... Is this normal? I don't feel as moody- as the ability to focus on such an emotion is not possible- it is as if I am numb...Please help....

I did get my Mirena removed on Oct. 3. I was having a lot of breast tenderness and they seem bigger with sore knots inside that come and go, abdominal pain, blotting, weight gain that would not come off no matter what I did, acne problems all over my face and scalp, depression, and mood swings. There are probably a few more but these were the most prominant. I took 3 ibuprofen (600mg) on the way to the doctors office to help prevent any cramping and it worked. It was a lot easier coming out than going in. I was only a few days shy of starting my period and so I waited to put in my NuvaRing until the next Monday. I know this will sound crazy but I was looking forward to having a normal period. I think our bodies were made to get rid of that stuff every month rather than holding it in. Maybe a reason for so many side effects!? Anyways, with the removal on a Wed. I did not have any bleeding until Sat. I warn you, I had a little bit of blood when I wiped on Fri. night but thought it would just be light like it usually was so I wasn't prepared for Saturday's explosion. It was definitely a period that was long overdue. The more I bled though the more I felt like the blotting was going down and that I was getting back to normal. (Could have just been in my head, but I was happy.) I did experience a little bit of dizziness those days. Don't know if it was from all the bleeding or just hormones trying to balance out. It was off and on for about a day and a half. Also I have had a few hot flashes over the past two weeks. I have also lost about 3-4 pounds and the knots in my breast have gone away and they don't hurt any more. YEAH!!!!!! So even though it has only been a short time, I really feel that I made the right decision to take it out. I am sure that will still be a few side effects with the NuvaRing, just as there is with any birth control. But at least I can be in control from now on.

I took Lamictal for only 12 days and had to get off it. I was only taking 25 mgs on the starter kit and the rash I got is so awful, my whole body broke out withing 10 days and I took myself off it. The itch its is more than I can bear. I have taken every drug for bi-polar and nothing seems to help. It seems like my body just can't handly the side effects of the meds.

I have been on this drug now for 4 months. The first week i did experience the loopines and the loss of memory. My symptons went a way it has been a god send I have lost 37 lbs and also am sleeping (I have chronic lack of sleep issures) this has been the best drug I have been prescribed after being diagnosed with bi-polar disease. I has helped even out emotional swings and has allowed me to live a more normal life. I am a great fan of this drug...THANKS DR.!!!!!!!
HIGGY21965

I just want to say that I was on YAZ for 1 1/2 years and I had absolutely no problems with it. In fact, YAZ was one of two birth control pills that I was on that didn't make me sick, out of five. Yes, sometimes I have anxiety, I'm depressed, bitchy, etc, but it is because I am Bi-polar and have been diagnosed for years now. I hate to sound insensitive, but maybe some of you ladies are just crazy like me. Also, birth control pills pump hormones into your body, and hello, what do hormones do... they can make us a little irrational, bitchy, depressed, etc. YAZ is not that much different than any other birth control.

I just went on Yasmin, because my insurance covers it better than YAZ. I will keep everyone posted, but I'm not too worried.

Hello,

I read about how YAZ birth control pill affects the body and psych and I am now scared. This is my 2nd day of YAZ (I've never been on birth control pills ever and I am 27 years old), it's all new to me but after reading all these negative posts about Yaz I don't know what to do. Before the birth control pills, I was depressed, annoying, serious weight problems - 210 lbs :~~((, low energy, low libido, always tired, terrible migraines every 2nd day, ridiculously increased appetite and excessive hunger, hair where it shouldn't be, menstrual blood clots, excessive cramping etc
I have all these problems for 3 years now and now that the family doc. put me on YAZ birth control pill I am even more scared - mainly of more weight gain, it would be a tragedy for me, I am fat enough already and what's worse I can't lose the weight, exercise doesn't help, diet doesn't help, NOTHING. Will YAZ birth control pill worsen my already tragic condition? I just don't know what to do and what to believe ... I appreciate any advice or help you can give me ... Thank You to all!

My Mother was diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis 30 years ago. She has been on prednisone at low doses since then. About 3 years ago she started imagining things, and hallusinations. About 2 years ago her prednisone dose went up to 60mg a day due to a stroke of the optic eye nerve. She has since been tapering down, now at 15mg a day. But tapering down makes her arthritis more painful. She has developed diabetes, loss of sleep, loss of apetite, loss of muscle tone. When she gets bumped, it's a big opened gash, rather than just a bruise. With the higher dose she was more moody & would get angry easier. The hallucinations & paranoia continue & are making me more & more concerned. I haven't read about this in any of the stories. Has anyone else experienced this side effect? I spoke with her Rheumatologist who suggest a psychiatrist to prescribe anti-psychotic drugs. She's already on 11 pills a day, does she need another?
Please let me know if anyone has experienced this as well.
Thank you.

this is my third week on topamax, second week at 50mg. am and 50mg. pm. I am taking this for bi-polar mood disorder. I made the switch after 5 years of neurotonin and a 40 pound weight gain. I am doing fine except for the horrible morning diarrhea, I don't even make it to the bathroom in time. I am a 54 yr. old female in menopause and am hoping that the morning bombings over Tokyo will eventually go away. I am very tolerant with side effects since I know that once my body becomes accustomed to the new meds they will go away but this one has me freaked a bit. Can anyone shed some light?? Thanks!
Margie

I was up late last night, doing some research on my current birth control method, because I haven’t been able to sleep very well for weeks. I am constantly restless, when I do sleep it is an unfit sleep.

I am irritable, at all times, at best.

I am also having migraines that are now exceeding well into three weeks in length. Then I get one day free of pain, and they are right back again. I can hardly function with them. Granted, at first I thought there could be any number of reasons for my migraines, I have been suffering from them since the young age of twelve, although, I also learned how to treat them within a reasonable amount of time and over the counter methods available for such. But, never, and I must stress this NEVER, for this severe nor long, without any relief from the methods available to me, without having to go to the doctor for some help.

Not to mention, dizziness, nausea, bloating, stomach upset, the constant spotting, and/or bleeding - outside of my normal period window of time, so to speak.

Intercourse is painful, no matter what position, and/or methods I, and my husband try. And, pardon me if this is to much information, simple masturbation is excruciating as well. That was certainly never a problem before.

I cannot in good conscience, blame my mood swings on Mirena, as I am bi-polar to begin with. However, I have noticed the swings of my mood are more erratic, to be certain. Although, do I think that Mirena has something to do with the severity and quickness of fluctuation? Yes, I do. My moods may shift on their own, but they have gotten progressively worse since having the Mirena inserted. And, I do know how to treat my bi-polar for the most part. I am very aware of my body and mental state, in most cases.

The clumps of hair coming out, that was something I just recently read. My husband was teasing me, saying I was going to be bald before he was! Of course, even though he meant it in good nature, I cried, uncontrollably for at least an hour. I feel for those ladies who are suffering from that!

Acne isn't a problem that I have suffered from, but then I was graced with rarely having that problem, even as a teenager.

I do have facial hair growth, that is a new one. It is completely embarrassing to say the least. I can grow a goatee like a pubescent boy! That is certainly not on the warning label!

I think I may have a cyst on my left ovary, maybe a few more on my uterus itself. I am unsure as of yet. I just know I am in pain constantly, be it from one end of my body, or the other. Some days, the pain is so intense, I see flashes of white and nothing more, right before my very eyes.

Ladies, for those considering getting this method of birth control, please, I urge you, DO NOT DO IT. Granted, there are women that it works beautifully for. But the pain and suffering for a "What if," isn't worth the losing your entire means of being a well functioning woman, in your home and society.

For those of you looking for the possibility of a class action lawsuit against Berlex, the manufacturer of Mirena you may wish to contact,

The Law Offices of Kris J. Balekian, P.C.
8330 Meadow Rd., Ste. 104
Dallas, TX 75231
Tel: (214) 828-2800
Fax: (214) 827-9671
Email: kris@kjbattorney.com

Ask for information that she needs. Currently she is still looking for potential clients so that she can take this to court. I honestly do believe that there is something severely wrong with this product.

Started Lamictal after a suicide attempt. Thinking this drug would help, I took the medication with anticipation. I have been taking it for 2 1/2 years, and starting having night terrors, weight gain, exhaustion, don't have the drive I used to, and now it is affecting my sexual behavior (and not in a good way). I used to come home from work, and want to work in my yard and be proud of what I accomplished. However, within the past 3 or so months, I've almost given up. Beings I'm best known for my ambition, and attention to details, (probably on the anal side) I have been told that I have changed. I have had memory laps, trouble focusing at work, feeling as though I am inferior to others, and trouble with the driving aspect also. Sometimes I'll forget where I'm going, and take the exact opposite turns than I should. Although my income just meets my billings, and my credit score is excellent, I am having trouble keeping track of when they should be paid, even though I put them on my calendar. I do find my credit score is falling, and fast. I am seeing my MD, and the psycho-therapist on a regular basis. I am weaning off this medication, but have only been doing this for 1 week. I can't wait til the end of all this depression and still don't understand why they mark me as a bio-polar person. Also, I have never experienced seizures. I wish all of us luck and patience in our endeavors. Let's all think of each other, and thanks for letting me know that I am not alone.

My six year old has a severe case of bronchitis. The dr put her on omnicef. She'd never taken it before. By the third day, she had severe diarrhea, headaches, severe mood swings (comparable to bi-polar highs and lows), sore muscles and joints, vomitting and very loud stomach issues. After that third dose I decided not to give her anymore after reading the severe side affects from this site. The morning after she missed the 4th dose, her fever was gone! I can tell that the medication is still in her system as she has not returned to normal yet. The dr called in amoxil for her and she's never had any reactions to it. I will never give her Omnicef again! What a horrible thing to give to children! Is the drug company paying out $$ for them to push this drug?

Started Lamictal for Bi-polar II after two weeks of taking low dose, I felt so much better and focused. Then I got a sore on left side bottom tounge then an inner ear infection, and left side swollen glands under my jaw and on my shoulder blade. I went to a Dr. and she said no rash keep on medication. I have always been really healthy. I've never had these reactions ever to anything else I have teken over the years.
I also take Clozapan 0.05. This helps to calm me instantly.

I am going to continue for now, because I feel better in my mind.

I have been "self-medicating" with Seroquel for more than 4 years. I often take just 50 mg to get me to at least fall asleep for a couple of hours. When I tale the 100 mg tablet I sleep better for almost a whole 6 hours! I am a victim of my own distruction though; I drink coffee in massive quantities and smoke heavily. I do not have the weight gain but do have the surreal dreams and often a lower back ache which I normally atribute to the crummy mattress I sleep on. My main problem i; I start my regimine of meds and stop when I think I am better. I end up losing any job(s) I have and have to restart the drugs all over again. My doctor's have found a mix of epival (divol-proex) 1500 mg, for mood swings and the Seroquel should help my depression and bi-polar. I assume if I ever manage to stay on them both long enough to actually have a full affect I could be more helpful in suggesting this regimine to others. But a viscious circle starts with the drugs, when you are covered by any disability plan the drugs are accessible; but when you start working and exceed a certain income, the drug plan stops and becomes too costly to buy.

Taking Topamax for 2 years started out at 25 mgs 3 times a day for a mood stabalizer (bi-polar). Had tingling in hands and feet sometimes in face. Lost waight, pop tasts nasty, sleepy, short term memory loss, slurred speach. Now I take 100mg at bed time have no symptoms except I still am able to controll my eating (had a problem with over eating) no more road rage but I still felf a little depressed and did cry so I was not to stable until Citalopram 10mg at bedtime and Adderall XL 10mg in the morning was added. Now I finally feel like a totaly normal person. No more anxiety, mood swings, crying, paranoia,or any other weird stuff. I feel pretty good. Rarely I get pins and needles in my hands or feet or I forget where I put something.

I have been taking Lamictal for just over a year. Some of the side effects have been noticable for a few months, but others seem to just be appearing and getting worse. I have loss of balance and coordination, my vision is gettng worse, I have a hard time concentrating and finding the right words, I forget how to spell common words, I have short-term memory loss and feel spacey. I can always figure it out, but it takes longer. I began doing Pilates every day about 3 months ago and still cannot get the routine down and it is just as hard for my muscles as it was in the beginning. I can't seem to lose weight and have horrible acne on my face. I had 2 seizures before beginning Lamictal and am suppose to be on it for 2 years before trying to go off. Without insurance though, I am unable to do follow-ups w/ my neurologist and she seems unconcerned and unsypathetic to my situation, not giving me the time of day. She never even told me all of these side effects could develop, much less that they might begin long after I started taking Lamictal. Has anyone had these side effects after having taken the Lamictal for so long then stopped taking the Lamictal? Will these side effects go away after I stop taking it??

I still think a class action lawsuit should be filed and this product taken off of the market, i felt like i lost 3 years of my life on this medication!! Not to mention i put my husband and daughter thru hell!!

This is a nightmare. I have been on Lamictal 200 mg, tab in morning, for approx. 5 months. About 3 1/2 months ago I started getting muscles aches and weakness, muscle overuse problems, fluid retention ( like 12 pounds), stayed in a trance with very little short term memory. Thought it was everything but this medicine....I am an avid athelite, yes, even at 51. So, I blamed myself for not slowing down. Quick exercising totally, for 2 months, iced 3 times a day on leg muscles. Finally after making it to the summer without a mental breakdown, I went to the emergency room and a new internist to get checked out. Blood work, thyroid, hormones,ok.... Really don't care what they think , I can not walk, it hurts like hell. The Dr. did tell me to get off Lamictal....ok 7th day and I have some relief but it is not complete. Called manufactures, interesting, yes- these are side effects!!! But the studies are limited. Listen , unless you have seizures, get off this medicine... you read the full disclosure of side effects and then search yourself......It can ba a huge FOOOOOPA.....And you are the fool that will end up holdling the bag, not the manufacturer. Hopefully I will get better. Right now , I just trying to stay calm.

I too had chest pains!! That is something that they do no tell you.

This medication definitely needs to be re-evaluated by the FDA, to determine what damage it may do to your heart.

I was already seeing a psychiatrist for Panic disorder so I had valium at home. However, I still ended up in the ER for my chest pains after getting no call back from my dr for two weeks telling her that I was having all of the other side effects ( except the hair loss), tingling in the hands and feet, fatigue, moodiness, different tastes of things, especially colas.

Nevertheless, I was diagnosed at the ER with having a panic attack....DUHHHH, how could I possibly be having a panic attack when I had taken about 2 1/2 10 mg valium to try to get my chest to stop hurting. I explained to the ER dr. that I had started taking the topamax 3 weeks prior...There absolutely needs to be better education of this drug and its terrible side effects!!!

I'm starting to see small itchy patches of skin in random places on my arms, and even above my eye. I have only taken lamictal since Feb. and on a low dose i experienced no problems it is the first medication that has ever worked for me, I'm Bi-Polar II. Once they stepped me up to 200 mg i got really sick and started to develope the rash...Does that mean i have to stop taking it? I'm really confused.

I've been using the NR for about a week or two now. I wasn't given a pamplet or even directions. Instead I recieved a sample from my GYN with little to no side effect information. I should have asked, but I was already asking a lot of questions about possibly losing it or having it fall out.
Well, I was dealing with heavy stress, constant crying over little things or nothing at all, total bi-polar syndrom or something! And when I cry, sometimes I cry hard enough to feel like I have asma or something. I can't breathe, and trying to do so makes me uncomfortably dizzy. I've been gaining weight, too! I was 115, now I'm 123. Though it's not much, looking at that extra weight in the mirror only causes more depression. Also, I've been feeling like I've had a yeast infection for a few days. But I KNEW it couldn't be. The symptoms were off. My discharge is as it should be, but the itching is intolerable. Then, the burning, painful sensation after sex was enough to drive any woman crazy! Now I'm too afraid to have sex, and I'm a very sexual person. My boyfriend is in complete disarray through it all and he has no idea what the hell is going on! I thought all this was simply results of moving out on my own for the first time, bills, not enough pay at my current job, hardly any food in the refridgerator, hardly seeing my family anymore. You know...the usual stress when you first leave the safety of your family and their money.
Then, I decided to check up online for the side effects or allergic reactions. I was sick and tired of not having the answers and waisting all the fluids I have on tears. I ran into this site, read most of the complaints and totally mirrored by all the same effects! Everything you all said sounded like I was reading something I had already felt and done. It's a real burden off my shoulders.
At this point, I can't handle more stress and hormonal inbalances. I already have too much on my plate. If side effects are truely supposed to stop in three months, I will continue on until I can't continue for that three month period. If nothing changes, I'm going to freaking rip this damn thing out of me and ask for another form of birth control! This is ridiculous! Thank you, all of you for finding the time to write out your symptoms. It's helped me out a lot!