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Tremor, memory loss and psych meds

I have been on meds for bi-polar and have developed tremors and memory loss (phone #, SS# etc plus other). I have gotten off the meds, been a few days, and am scared that this will be a permanent change. Friends who hadn't seen me in months, came over recently and were shocked and concerned about me, telling me that I seemed like a zombie. My husband's friends are pulling him aside and asking what's wrong. This is NOT the normal me. The psych told me I could get off the meds, I kind of insisted. Since then I have seen an neurologist who didn't think it was Parkinsons but could tell me nothing else. Told me that we could do a brain scan where they attach the electrodes, but didn't think that would show much. I just want to know how to feel better or if I can ever expect to feel different. Have the meds permanently tweaked my brain? What can I do from here?
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Avatar universal
My daughter has concentration problems and some memory loss on her medications but finds those side effects tolerable in comparison to cycling. She takes Lithium 1200 mg (split 600am/900pm), Lamictal 100pm and Adderall XR 10mg AM. She also takes a multivitamin, calcium, biotin, birth control, and zantac.

She was on Geodon 80 mg (gained 30lbs and no improvement) and zoloft 50mg... with all the other stuff she was on. That was from August until mid December. For "psychosis" which turned out to be rapid eye movement from Lithium when she was manic.

She has been off the Geodon and the Zoloft for 2 months and is back stable.
Helpful - 0
599945 tn?1240382354
can you try another combinatin of meds rather than trying to cope without? i find that i have some memory loss on meds but i can live with that. i did have tremor on lithium but it stopped when i changed to different med (lamictal). you should not feel like a zombie but don't give up on meds yet. i have a brother who is bipolar and gets worse and worse because he only tried lithium (and for a very short time and he said he felt like a zombie) he badly needs treatment and is getting worse all the time with lots of grandiosity and insane schemes where each time he loses money. he has sent awful emails to family members about lack of care but he keeps disappearing in US and doesn't keep in touch so he's the one who has isolated himself but he can't see this.

good luck with everything.
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Avatar universal
When I was on seroquel I experienced really bad hand tremors and when I was on Depakote my speech became slurred.  I've found when I am under a lot of stress I have trouble remembering.
My pdoc advised me to be alert for Tardive Dyskinesia symptoms like facial tics that can be permanent side effects of some psychotropic medications if the medications are not stopped.  I have also felt like a zombie when I was over medicated.  Give the meds time to get out of your system and see how you feel.
Helpful - 0
585414 tn?1288941302
Sinemet is used for Parkinson's and in that case is neccessary. But if a person has tardive it will eventually worsen it (that's known clinically). That doesn't mean what the original poster is describing falls in that category. It could be just be akathesia or something temporary that will go into remmission. As for tardive, what is used is Bachophen, Mirapex, Aricept, Requip and Bachophlen, Botox shots as needed, Clonidine or Tenex, Tetrabenzene, Inderal or Atenolol, Zofran as I've found from clinical studies and the natural remedy rhodiola from clinical studies.
  However, if a person has movement disorders from these medications please check to see if they are temporary first. See if they go into remmission and if not have your psychiatrist refer you to a movement disorders specialist. And that's no reason to discontinue them either. Side effect pills such as Cogentin or Artane, Klonopin or Inderal or Atenolol are useful. Cymbalta does not cause tardive so an anti-Parkinsonian medication which can might be of concern as a side effect pill. When I had conventional extra pyramidal side effects, I found Atenolol to be most of help. Yes it lowers blood pressure but it helps with the symptoms you describe.
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Avatar universal
I have tremors, memory loss, confusion, & not being able to basically function. I thought I was doomed to a lifetime of all the above.
I've been to COUNTLESS neurolgists, psych's & no one could fix the problems.
A specialist that is a psych. & a neurol. saw me 2 weeks ago. I have amazingly been human again.
He put me on Siminet. Which is a Parkinsons drug but it has a dual of benefits.
I have had tremors so badly that I couldn't even sign my name.
BUT, the memories are returning in a flood of excitement.
I can write for the 1st time in 8, yes 8, years!
He is a miracle worker as far as I am concerned.
They have taken me off of Depakote, dilantin. PlusI tatke 1/2 the dose that I did take of abilify.
I am now so happy I can't stand it!
This may help, or not, BUT as far as I am sure I would check into it if you think so!
I do take cymbalta still!
Great luck! DON'T give up!
Tres
Helpful - 0
585414 tn?1288941302
Yes Lithium or Lamictal is are both good mood stabilizers. I personally found Lamictal more tolerable but each person reacts differently. Seroquel can cause both permanent and temporary movement disorders. Effexor can cause temporary movement disorders but not permanent ones. If you had temporarary movement disorders such as akathesia which is not of concern it would take a while for it to go away until the Seroquel and Effexor gets out of your system. If the movement disorders don't go away after a while ask your neurologist about tardive dyskinesia. If you are diagnosed the treatments I am on for it are very helpful. A trained movement disorders specialist could make a diagnosis. Google "Patient Education Tardive Dyskinesia" but don't scare yourself. It could easily be something temporary such as akathesia and go away. But one important thing to realize is that you do need medication. If your psychiatrist says you don't need an antipsychotic than a mood stabilizer is fine but don't go without medication for too long or symptoms will return.
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Avatar universal
Have you tried lithium or Lamictal?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Depakote, seroquel, effexor, and for a short time, wellbutrin (I shook on that one, it really amped me up). Off all now and am feeling better but know that I need to find a med that works for my core diagnosis.
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Avatar universal
What medications were you on?
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