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Posts created by Fallabe12

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 50

Eskalith CR?

I am supposed to start taking this new medication called Eskalith. The CR is controlled release, as I understand it, so that only a part of the dosage releases initially and gradually, the rest of it is deposited in your system. Is this correct? Anyway, I do not know much about this medication and do wish for people to share their experiences with this medication. I have not taken this yet because I wanted some feedback on it first. My doctor prescribed this for me and says to give it a try. She suggested this because my diagnosis is Bi Polar Disorder. I am currently taking Sertraline (Zoloft 150mg) and It seems to work for a month or two and them wears off. I have taken Lithium (600mg) in the past, was on it for 3 or 4 months, and it really worked for me. I was also on Zoloft and Seroquel at that time, as well. I have been newly introduces to the meds Lithobid and Eskalith, but am unsure of all the side effects. Are the side effects of these meds the same as Lithium? Are Lithobid and Eskalith the same? Are Lithobid, Eskalith and Lithium the same? I am very confused as to the connection between the medical terms. With the Lithium, I experienced hand tremors, facial twitching, involuntary movements in my legs, constipation and weight gain. Are the side effects the same in the other meds I listed? If so, I don't know if I should take this because I was unhappy with the side effects of Lithium. Plus, the close proximity between the therapeutic and toxic levels of Lithium was a risk that was a tad uncomfortable for me. I hate having to get my blood checked once a month. Do I have to get my blood checked on this one as well?

I appreciate and all feedback. I will discuss these concerns with my doctor. However, I also wanted to see people's personal experiences with this drug. It's always good to get a second opinion.

I do apologize if this thread was already posted by someone else. I tried looking in other medication threads to see if it was talked about and I did find one Lithium thread, but didn't feel putting my post there would be helpful. Any other threads there may be on this....again, I apologize if these questions or issues were already previously discussed. Please either direct me towards the forum where this medication is discusses, or please provide feedback on this medication. Though, I would prefer the latter. Less work....lol. I'm a bit lazy, sorry.

Fallabe12

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 50

Session Two Group Walkthrough

I found it helpful for my sleep. I have been following the program and my sleep has improved from restless/insomnia to deep, peaceful sleep (for the most part). That is an issue I have been struggling with recently. Knowing that I completed a lot of tasks from my activity and goal planner ups my self esteem and thus, makes it easier to sleep at night and makes me feel more positive towards waking up and having a good day the next morning.

Fallabe12

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 50

Eskalith CR?

Lance,

Thank you for your feedback. I did read about using anticonvulsants to help with the mood in bipolar, as well. I read this in the last week, so its interesting you had brought that to my attention. I will definitely look into what you suggested. Thanks again, I appreciate it.

Seroquel is different for everyone. People react to meds differently. But, in my experience, seroquel made me extremely tired.....all the time. I am a college student and I travel back and forth between my home and my school (going two days a week). It takes an hour and a half to drive and I definitely want to be awake enough to endure that commute. The seroquel had made me tired, even during the day. I couldn't do any of my studies because I would read a few sentences of a paragraph and I would fall asleep. I would only realize this after I woke up and knew I had fallen asleep. On a day-to-day basis, I was flowing in and out of different levels of consciousness. I have never had Narcolepsy, but if I had to make a comparison, I would imagine that the seroquel effects were something like that. I was uncontrollably falling asleep. Also, and this may be because of my size (110lbs) but, within 5 minutes of having taken the medication, I would fall asleep, even if I wast standing up. So, it was very powerful for me. Worked fast and knocked me out. Literally, lol. So as far as sleep goes, yeah......it will definitely put you to sleep with no problem, but it may work a little too good.

Again, this has been my experience, so, I am unsure how it would work for you. I am unsure because it was over a year ago, but I think I was taking 200mg of seroquel, 300mg of zoloft and 600mg of lithium.

I hope this helps,

Fallabe12

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 50

Eskalith CR?

I started the Eskalith last night and so far, I feel fine. Usually I get a little sick when introducing my body to a new substance. I don't feel weird or cloudy like some other meds might make you feel within the first week. I feel....."normal", if that makes sense. I will keep this post updated and let you all know how it is working for me. I look forward to getting better!!

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 50

Eskalith CR?

Well, so far, I have been doing alright on the meds. Yesterday, I felt fine and slept well. Last night/early this morning though, I had terrible anxiety and couldn't go back to sleep, nor find a comfortable position. I had to get up, get a drink and read my book to go back to sleep. I was up an hour and a half before I was able to lay down and sleep. This morning, before breakfast, I felt nauseous and felt I would vomit, but didn't. Then, mid-day, bout 1/2pm, I started to feel nauseous, dizzy, too warm, and my breathing was shallow and heart beat significantly increased. My head has also felt like I have been laying on bricks when I put them on pillows. I don't know if this is me adjusting to the meds, or if I need to immediately stop because these experiences might be of some concern. For now, I will wait it out and see how I feel tomorrow and all of next week. If I still don't feel that great, I am going to discuss this with my doctor.

Has anyone experienced any of the things I've experienced upon starting Eskalith?

Fallabe12

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 50

Failing rel;ationship

Iman,

I am not a mental health specialist, nor am I qualified to give a professional opinion, however, I have been struggling with depression and bipolar disorder my entire life. There are times when I didn't think I was gonna make it through. Many times, in fact. But, I pulled through somehow.

I understand how your partner's depression may make you feel. I have a boyfriend that I have been with for 2 1/2 years and he describes feeling very similar to you. He tries to work with me, and sometimes I get better. But then, all at once, I am back where I started. He feels frustrated and unable to help me. He doesn't know what to do for me anymore.

The first thing you should understand is that depression is a disorder with abnormalities in the brain. So, maybe your partner should consider taking medication that will help correct/readjust the chemicals in the brain to help her think more clearly and feel better. Does she take medication? If so, maybe she needs to change her medication and get something better that works for her. If not, have you already discussed medication for this? Do you think its possible to bring this up to her?

Most importantly, know that her depression has nothing to do with you. It is within herself and only she can make herself better. It is not something that can be cured or fixed. Treatments, such as medication, therapy, and changing the external environment can be of good use, but do not make the illness go away. All these things simply make the depression better to deal with, so that when she is feeling her depressive symptoms, she can react more calmly and be better able to manage the symptoms.

Also, what kind of depression does your partner have? Theres major depressive disorder, seasonal affective disorder, dysthimia, depression with psychotic symptoms, etc. How long has her depression been going on?

Answer these for yourself and take some of these questions to a therapist and/or psychiatrist that can help you with finding out her diagnosis and what treatments are proven to work with some patients.

The best thing you can do is just be there for her. Be a really good friend and stay by her side. Let her know how her depression makes you feel. Let her know that you'd like her to get some help so that the two of you can improve your relationship and be more satisfied within it.

Lastly, know that you cannot help her. She has to be open to therapy and treatment. Before that, she has to admit that she is struggling with a disorder of the mind. Let her know that this is not her fault. Let her know that there is nothing wrong with her. Let her know that you care about her and want her to get help. Remind her that she can only start to feel better if she tries to help herself by making an effort.

These are my opinions, being someone who goes through the same thing. However, I strongly recommend your partner discusses these issues with a mental health professional. She is not crazy, and she is not weak. She simply needs help to feel better.

If your partner is not willing to work on these issues and doesn't want help, you cannot force her. Unless she is a danger to herself or someone else, she has to seek help herself from a professional.

I hope this helps and keep in mind that I am not telling you what to do. I am simply offering my advice.

Good luck to you,

Fallabe12

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 50

SEVERELY DEPRESSED

specialneedshell,

I first want to say that you should be proud of yourself. It is very brave of you to come and post on this site, and put your personal issues out for all to see. Coming to this site was the right thing and a good start in a very good direction.

I am sorry you are going through all this stress and depression due to your life circumstances. It certainly sounds severe and I cannot imagine having all that on my plate, so to speak. You are certainly strong to have made it this far. Hang in there!! Sometimes things have to get worse before they get better. There is always a bright side and if you keep a positive, open mind, positive things will result. Some things are disguised as a negative but are actually for your benefit. Our experiences help us grow and learn. Our mistakes keep us strong and prepare to take on new things.

I really hope you start to feel better and work it out. Have you tried counseling?

I hope it works out for you.

Welcome, and thank for sharing!!

Fallabe12

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 50

Eskalith CR?

goofy,

Thank you for your helpful advice/suggestions. Your post/feedback response is very much appreciated, considering, as you mentioned, that you are not familiar with Eskalith, yet posted a response Anyway. Thank you.

Yeah...the seroquel has a heavy sleep drug effect and makes you feel like a zombie most of the time. lol.

And don't worry...i'm not insulted. Being a college student means I am educated, but not always informed. There is no limit to learning. We learn everyday and sometimes the obvious needs to be pointed out or emphasized so that careful and accurate research is done. So, thank you for stating what you did.

I will observe myself more carefully with my body/physical well-being, in response to the meds.

Thanks,

Fallabe12

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 50

Failing rel;ationship

Iman,

I feel your pain in your written words here. Your detailed description of how this is making you feel sounds so scarily similar to what my boyfriend feels. He almost broke up with me recently because he said he can't do it anymore. He was tired of being yelled at. He was tired of the ups and downs. I too, have threatened many times to leave him and claimed I didn't want to be with him. But both he and I knew the truth. No matter how many times I have told him that the negative, withdrawn side is not me, he still takes some of my hurtful comments seriously. A week ago, I patched things up with him. I swore to change, that I loved him and that I can't imagine being without him. He stayed with me through the good and bad, but everyone reaches their limit. And it seems you are near your limit, as well.

Suffering through depression, for me, has been so horrible. I always say what I don't mean and act impulsively when I am angry. It is after I am done being angry that I see things clearly. It is like something takes over me. Some unknown force. And the person who enters is not me. Its an impostor....someone posing as me. It comes just as quickly as it goes. I can be good anywhere from a few days to a few months, but, in the end, it always comes back.

You mentioned her being on medication. Well, how many medications has she tried? You said that meds don't work, but, are you sure that she has given medication a fair shot. Sometimes you have to try many different meds, despite its long and exhausting process, until you find the one that works. Also, if her meds aren't working, she may be taking meds that don't treat her condition. If she has more issues than just depression, or has been given an incorrect diagnosis, then it is very possible that the meds she is taking will continue to not work for her.

As far as side effects, yes, weight gain, unfortunately, is a side effect in a lot of them. However, not all of them have weight gain as a side effect.

Also, counseling is different than therapy/psychiatric treatment for mental disorders and illnesses. I am unsure if you have gone though those as well, or if you have only done counseling. One method of treatment I have heard of is ECT (electro convulsive therapy, aka: shock therapy), which is used to treat patients who have tried all other forms of therapy and do not respond to medication. But this is an emergency/last resort option and I'm unsure about its level of effectivity, but, I don't think it has long-lasting effects.

In the end, you can only hold on as long as you can. If she doesn't change and there isn't any hope of her changing, then you might consider leaving her. As hard as it is, you cannot let her bring you down, or keep you from focusing on your work and your children. And if you can't leave her, then stay by her side and urge her to go for more help (possibly some hospitalization). She can go for group therapy, where other just like her can interact and lean on each other for support.

Good luck to you and I hope your family gets the healing they need.

Fallabe12

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 50

Failing rel;ationship

Iman,

I meant to add that if your partner continually stop and starts the medication or takes it for a while and then stops all together, she certainly will not get better. Medication needs time to work (anywhere from 2-8wks, depending on the med), and it is important to stay on the meds, even if it seems things are better. This is a mistake lots of people make. They start feeling better, so they stop their meds, and they are right back where they started. She needs to take the meds for a while and she needs to stay on them (no missed doses or stopping).

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