Posted by HappyGirl on December 31, 2003, at 14:44:44
In reply to too many meds/side effects, posted by jayb on December 30, 2003, at 19:18:26
Hi:
In answer to your Questions:
>> 1)Does this seem like an extreme number of meds?<<It's hard to say, whether this med. combo. is excesive. However, as having seen your dx. not only Bp also other mental discorder, the # of med. might be justified. Because, each of those med. has a good intention in attempts to alleviate all of those symptoms you have. Just, the pdoc. knows, ... then I have no concrete and helpful opinion on this regard. However, in my knowledge, 'too many med.' sometimes counteract/kill its competitive med.,... for example, 'Lithium and Depakote' has similar efficacy, then Lithium would cease the effectiveness of Depakote, ... that is my personal experience tho'.
>> 2)How do I talk to the pdoc about reducing # of meds - I want to lose the lithium, remeron and lamictal (I do not think they are really helping)I seem to be stablizing some in the past six weeks. the lithium, remeron and lamictal (I do not think they are really helping)<<<
Lithium is mood-stabilizer combined with 'anti-dep.' effect. Remeron is reputable to Bp depression. Lamictal is both mood-stabilizer and good quality of Bp depression.
Since your dep. is so severe, ... then your pdoc. rxed this two different ADs, ... in my guess. Then, I can hardly say which med. should eliminate as seeing your different form of M.I. Normally, two different form of AD is good enough to combat the dep. symptoms. However, if your dep. is so severe, ... this combo. might be legitimated,... no need to worry about.
BTW, Zyprexa, Lithium and Remeron are all 'Weight Gainer' in need to watch your diet due to the nature of those three meds.>> 3) What kind of wholistic treatments have been useful for people. <<<
Yes. exercise is important factor for all sorts of M.I., because 'good blood flow' brings up 'more chemical' to the brain that in turn alleviates the M.I. symptoms.
Lastly, all problems mentioned above, such as 'hand tremors,' 'tiredness,' 'poor coordination,' and 'poor thinking' are all side effects from the different meds. you've been on. For this, your body/system needs to adjust meds. Normally, it takes about six-months at the longest for your system to adapt med. combo. so, just give them some more time to work smoothly and efficiently. This adjustment comes gradually like anything else, ... by reducing # of side effects, like three days a week, then two days a wk, ... and finally almost totally diminish.
In my opinion along with personal experience, the pdoc. rx 'too many meds.' might be 'pretty tough job' for the pdoc., due to the compexity of your symptoms. Then, it might a good idea to seek a second opinion from more competent and experience pdoc.
H.G.
poster:HappyGirl
thread:294849
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031231/msgs/295148.html