BellaOnline Forums Health and Fitness Mental Health Bipolar - fatigue, meds, weight - vicious cycle

I began seeing my psychiatrist about 5-6 years ago. I feel he saved my life. I had not known I was bipolar but had always been treated with anxiety and depression. I think my doctor is EXCELLENT. My mood swings are very manageable. It took years to find a doctor I trusted.

Problem: the medications make me so lethargic. I feel sleepy or tired most of the time and can sometimes barely function. Until recently I was on 1500mg Depakote and 200mg Lamictal for bipolar, 50mg Zoloft for OCD and 1mg Klonipin 2 x day for anxiety. All of those medications are sedating. I tested very high for ADD and, at my request, we tried Focalin and it worked except the small amount made me too hyper and my doctor did not want to increase Klonipin.

I have two children and simply cannot afford to take 3 hours naps during the day and not have the energy to sweep the floor and no energy to exercise. I've gained 40 pounds. I finally told him I could not continue with the high dosage because I needed better quality of life. The change he made was to bring the Depakote down to 500mg per day. He feels strongly that I need 200mg Lamictal and that 500mg Depakote is the 'corresponding' dosage.

I can drink coffee, pop Excedrin, drink Diet Dr. P., etc. all day long and I STILL am tired. Should I be this tired at this new dosage? It's been about 3 weeks. IS THIS STILL A HIGH DOSAGE? Anyone else been on this 'cocktail' and if so, how did you resolve it to get your life more managable and better quality?

Thank you.

Talk to your pdoc about your fatigue and see if you can gradually and carefully try a new mix.

I have heard that Klonipin can be very sedating, so that may be the major culprit. Also, Depakote is probably causing the weight gain. Lamictal & Zoloft should not effect energy levels or weight too much.

An antidepressant that also helps with anxiety combined with a newer antipsychotic (like Abilify)to control the mania can sometimes create a good balance.

Weight gain may always be a battle with bipolar meds, but as long as you have some energy you can at least excercise and keep excessive weight gain in check. It's all a balancing act:)

I also am bipolar, and take 900mg of seroquel a day, 30mg of lexapro. i am at my low right now and im very depressed, i beat my self up emotionally, the swings are difficult i was walking 5 to 6 days a week for over 3 months, and now i crashed. im back on the couch in my pjs. i am having a very hard time right now. i feel like such a failure.

The truth is - ALL of these medications have listed side effects that include lethargy, insomnia, and drowsiness. Twangganger - your level of sleepiness is normal for many. That's why people often stop taking the medication! They can't function. It is better to take medications in the evening, usually around 5pm, so that they can begin to metabolize a little earlier and not leave you with the 'hangover' effect. Taking an extended release form of those that have this option available will help. Klonopin does not cause sleepiness if you have been on it for a while and neither does Zoloft - your body adapts. Unfortunately, for many of the antipsychotic and antiseizure medications, it can take quite a while for the body to adapt, and if your metabolism is slower in general then you may not completely....it can help to put your body on a schedule. Kind of like a baby: eat, sleep, clean, whatever. Then you give your body a chance to 'get used' to something.

I habe been Bipolar since my preteens & was not DX'd until after 3 hospitilizations...I also have OCD, incest surivor, PTSD & battered woman survivor. My meds are Seroquel, Depakote, Lorazepam & Paxil. Prozac makes me terribly manic & mean. I have gained 140 pounds on the meds & have developed high BP, Dibetes 2 & high Cholesterol. I am trying to get the weight problems down cuz I am so ashamed.

Seroquel is known to cause diabetes!

I went from 140 pounds to 285 pounds in just a couple of years. I try to tell myself that it is okay, but I know it's not. I am middle aged & it is very unhealthy for me. My Pdoc has tried various med cocktails for me, but the Bipolar always wins. Right now I have lost interest in everything. Sorry to be such a sad sack.

Ruby i hear ya, many times my meds cause me to be depressed, i am Bipolar and my lows bring me very down, i lose interest in everything also. its easy for some one to say get moving do something. but depression is just that. How do you not give into it. The weight gain is another reason to be depressed i know, its my problem to. I have a hard time dealing with the highs and lows the lows seem to last so much longer than the highs. hang in there girl, talk to your doctor, tell him or her just what your feeling. Ask about a change in your meds. good luck

Rosie, Hi !! You wouldn't believe how much better I felt just to have someone acknowledge me ! I spent the whole day just rocking in my chair not even watching tv which is how I spend most days until I finally discovered how to use this forum. I feel like I fell into a vat of cracker jacks !!! No insult meant, I feel happy. Thank you !!!!!

Ruby, good to hear that. now put another smile on your face today and feel free to come here and vent all you want. people here care, many of us are dealing with the same issues. Hope your day to day is better than yesterday, smile sweetie ;o)