Aa
medication sensitivities?
Is it common to have a bad reaction or get bad side effects at the lowest doses of almost every psychotropic medication tried? I have tried 6 different antipsychotics, I had bad side effects at the lowest dose, and can't take them. 4 SSRI antidepressants, bad side effects at lowest dose, can't take them. I also can't take Welbutrin, Depokote, Effexor, vistaril, This can't be normal right? I can tolerate a few medications at small or regular doses, but do not control my BP or anxiety symptoms these include buspar (did absolutely nothing that i noticed), lamictal could take 200mg, but not 300mg when tried an increase. Trazodone did ok on 150mg at night. Xanax, and Ativan, did ok on and has been the only thing to help my anxiety without bad side effects, and I have only taken them at lower doses. Is this a common occurrence or experience other people have had? I am starting to wonder if I just have problems metabolizing them or something???? I also can't take some pain medications tramadol not at all, and can only take one half to one lortab 5 and no more, I can't tolerate alcohol either it just makes me feel sick, not enjoyable to me at all. So what do you guys think normal or not?
Amy, Unfortunately I don't know why I am sensitive to so many meds. My grandmother couldn't take any meds not even a Tylnol, everything made her sick. Maybe it's hereditary and that's where I got it from.
When you get insurance maybe you can find a dr that practices both medical and natural remedies, or a Naturopath.
As for you getting sick stopping your meds for a week. Don't worry you are not abnormal with your reaction to stopping the meds. The dr always advises you to taper off meds and not abruptly stop them. A majority of the time you will have withdraw symptoms. Everyone is different in the way they react to meds and withdraws. Same goes for symptoms. Just because their not listed in literature doesn't mean you can't experience them because we are all unique.
I know this sounds strange because I couldn't believe it myself. I went to the bathroom all of the time a few years back and had done so for a long time. I went to a urologist. They did a test to see how much I was emptying out urine. Did another test to see how much was left in my system. There was still urine left. They then did an X-ray. My wole intestinal tract was full of number 2, even though I went everyday. Boy was I in disbelief. They explained that my intestines were pushing on my bladder making it impossible to empty completely causing me to go to the bathroom frequently.
There solution was to do the same cleanse as you would do if you were having a colonoscopy. Then to have a better diet because I don't eat very much and drink either prune juice or take something like Benefiber and also to try and eat foods with fiber in them. I don't know if this could be the issue for you. I can tell you I didn't now I had this problem.
If you decide to go completely off med be careful and have a dr lined up in case you need him/her. You know you can always go to the hospital. I have to take meds no matter what or I would be in bad shape. If and when you withdraw from your meds, I would do some research and go to the health food store (if you can't go to dr yet) and your still having problems. Your body will be free of meds and you could try some supplements. One at a time to see how your body reacts. Have you ever had bloodwork done. In particular, Vit D, Vit B's and iron? I take Fish oil (without mercury). I also just started Deplin that my psyc dr prescribed for me. Research this, it may help you.
When you get insurance maybe you can find a dr that practices both medical and natural remedies, or a Naturopath.
As for you getting sick stopping your meds for a week. Don't worry you are not abnormal with your reaction to stopping the meds. The dr always advises you to taper off meds and not abruptly stop them. A majority of the time you will have withdraw symptoms. Everyone is different in the way they react to meds and withdraws. Same goes for symptoms. Just because their not listed in literature doesn't mean you can't experience them because we are all unique.
I know this sounds strange because I couldn't believe it myself. I went to the bathroom all of the time a few years back and had done so for a long time. I went to a urologist. They did a test to see how much I was emptying out urine. Did another test to see how much was left in my system. There was still urine left. They then did an X-ray. My wole intestinal tract was full of number 2, even though I went everyday. Boy was I in disbelief. They explained that my intestines were pushing on my bladder making it impossible to empty completely causing me to go to the bathroom frequently.
There solution was to do the same cleanse as you would do if you were having a colonoscopy. Then to have a better diet because I don't eat very much and drink either prune juice or take something like Benefiber and also to try and eat foods with fiber in them. I don't know if this could be the issue for you. I can tell you I didn't now I had this problem.
If you decide to go completely off med be careful and have a dr lined up in case you need him/her. You know you can always go to the hospital. I have to take meds no matter what or I would be in bad shape. If and when you withdraw from your meds, I would do some research and go to the health food store (if you can't go to dr yet) and your still having problems. Your body will be free of meds and you could try some supplements. One at a time to see how your body reacts. Have you ever had bloodwork done. In particular, Vit D, Vit B's and iron? I take Fish oil (without mercury). I also just started Deplin that my psyc dr prescribed for me. Research this, it may help you.
I have gotten several responses from people having the idea that being sensitive to medications could be an enzyme problem, and a lot of the enzyme problems can be genetic. I actually posted this question in 3 different places, because I really didn't know where to post it, lol.
As for stopping the meds I was on the lowest dose, I guess you could cut the dose in half and taper off that way....??? That would only work with tablets though....Idk. I am on gabapentin now, and will continue to take it, but at this point I can't really tell how well it is working, so I will wait and see. It is easy to not take the meds when they just make you feel sick. I probably really need them to, but they just don't seem to work for me.
I keep feeling like I am having heart palpitations, but even when I don't feel particularly anxious, and no anxiety attack either. Haha I don't know it is kind of weird though. Have been to the doctor twice they say they find nothing abnormal. I try to ignore it, but it is really annoying, lol. Maybe I should post a question about it in the anxiety forum.....Maybe I should do an experiment and take an Ativan...if it works and stops the heart palpitations I can then assume it is anxiety ....right? I think I will try that. I try to avoid taking it as everyone says they can be addictive, and I already have enough problems I don't want to get addicted to anything, lol. I don't seem to have any bad side effects with the Ativan though. I am on the lowest dose though. 0.5mg. I only take it as needed.
I keep craving Fish, and dairy (yogurt mostly), and sweets, sugar. I know that the sugar and sweets cravings may not be healthy. I do however think some cravings are, as it would make sense for your body to crave certain things that have something in it your body is lacking or needs more of. I did start taking a multivitamin too though.
I have been to the hospital a few times for different things, a lot of times they are not very helpful, lol. I may try to go to the clinic to see if they can help with anything. I probably do need some blood work done on a few things, but no never had a vitamin check.
Yes we are all unique, and can have different reactions and stuff, but not everyone sees it that way, but I am glad that you do. Sometimes if we experience things out of the ordinary (especially if people know you have a mental illness), sometimes they get labeled, psychosomatic (which everyone thinks means imaginary illness, but is not the actual definition of it), or hypochondriac, or something like that. Some people would rather be judgmental, instead of trying to understand and be open minded. Which in my opinion is very sad and unfortunate really.
As for stopping the meds I was on the lowest dose, I guess you could cut the dose in half and taper off that way....??? That would only work with tablets though....Idk. I am on gabapentin now, and will continue to take it, but at this point I can't really tell how well it is working, so I will wait and see. It is easy to not take the meds when they just make you feel sick. I probably really need them to, but they just don't seem to work for me.
I keep feeling like I am having heart palpitations, but even when I don't feel particularly anxious, and no anxiety attack either. Haha I don't know it is kind of weird though. Have been to the doctor twice they say they find nothing abnormal. I try to ignore it, but it is really annoying, lol. Maybe I should post a question about it in the anxiety forum.....Maybe I should do an experiment and take an Ativan...if it works and stops the heart palpitations I can then assume it is anxiety ....right? I think I will try that. I try to avoid taking it as everyone says they can be addictive, and I already have enough problems I don't want to get addicted to anything, lol. I don't seem to have any bad side effects with the Ativan though. I am on the lowest dose though. 0.5mg. I only take it as needed.
I keep craving Fish, and dairy (yogurt mostly), and sweets, sugar. I know that the sugar and sweets cravings may not be healthy. I do however think some cravings are, as it would make sense for your body to crave certain things that have something in it your body is lacking or needs more of. I did start taking a multivitamin too though.
I have been to the hospital a few times for different things, a lot of times they are not very helpful, lol. I may try to go to the clinic to see if they can help with anything. I probably do need some blood work done on a few things, but no never had a vitamin check.
Yes we are all unique, and can have different reactions and stuff, but not everyone sees it that way, but I am glad that you do. Sometimes if we experience things out of the ordinary (especially if people know you have a mental illness), sometimes they get labeled, psychosomatic (which everyone thinks means imaginary illness, but is not the actual definition of it), or hypochondriac, or something like that. Some people would rather be judgmental, instead of trying to understand and be open minded. Which in my opinion is very sad and unfortunate really.
I agree that sometimes our bodys tell us that we need sugar, sometimes I have to convince my mind that it does but it usually agrees with me.
There are those who see us as crazy but I think the same thing about them. They complain about the world around them and I struggle with the battle within me.
Anyway I wrote this poem about myself:
They tell me stop working live for the day
They make it sound easy here's what they say
They say I'm an addict for coping with pills
They say I'm escaping the way that I feel
They say I'm ****** up because my parents were mean
They say I'm suicidal from the trauma I've seen
They say I'm an artist for the poems I write
They say that I'm gifted, perhaps they are right
They say I'm spiritual the people I've touched
They say I'm heartless the women I've loved
They say I'm challenging the doctors I see
They say I'm like jello being nailed to a tree
They say I'm bipolar with a complex brain
They say I'm codependent I'm going insane
So try on my shoes let's see how you cope
If you don't go insane perhaps there is hope
There are those who see us as crazy but I think the same thing about them. They complain about the world around them and I struggle with the battle within me.
Anyway I wrote this poem about myself:
They tell me stop working live for the day
They make it sound easy here's what they say
They say I'm an addict for coping with pills
They say I'm escaping the way that I feel
They say I'm ****** up because my parents were mean
They say I'm suicidal from the trauma I've seen
They say I'm an artist for the poems I write
They say that I'm gifted, perhaps they are right
They say I'm spiritual the people I've touched
They say I'm heartless the women I've loved
They say I'm challenging the doctors I see
They say I'm like jello being nailed to a tree
They say I'm bipolar with a complex brain
They say I'm codependent I'm going insane
So try on my shoes let's see how you cope
If you don't go insane perhaps there is hope
My kids took enzymes before a meal to help them digest and get more nutrients from the foods they were eating. The nutrionist recommended this. In my experience, enzymes are harmless. Good idea to research and see if this would help you.
Even on a low dose it could still effect you coming off any med. It is usually easy to cut pills with a pill cutter. Cut them once and then if you need to cut them again. Depends on how slow the taper. If it is capsule try to get it in tablet form otherwise you can open it up and split the powder. Some meds are not suppose to be cut so ask a pharmacist or dr. Some meds have worse withdraw sx than others. See if you can get info about the drug your on and it's withdraw sx to give you an idea. Your dr should know too.
I think your experiment sounds like a good plan.
Remember the fish oil (with no mercury). There is a lot of positive research on fish oil for mental health.
Even on a low dose it could still effect you coming off any med. It is usually easy to cut pills with a pill cutter. Cut them once and then if you need to cut them again. Depends on how slow the taper. If it is capsule try to get it in tablet form otherwise you can open it up and split the powder. Some meds are not suppose to be cut so ask a pharmacist or dr. Some meds have worse withdraw sx than others. See if you can get info about the drug your on and it's withdraw sx to give you an idea. Your dr should know too.
I think your experiment sounds like a good plan.
Remember the fish oil (with no mercury). There is a lot of positive research on fish oil for mental health.
I think with different genetics it is different specific enzymes that are lacking. So the ones they sell at the health food stores may not fix the problem necessarily in these cases.
I took the Ativan, it sure did put me in a better mood, however did not stop the heart palpitations,lol.
I think I will get some fish oil, because I can't eat fish everyday, lol.
I took the Ativan, it sure did put me in a better mood, however did not stop the heart palpitations,lol.
I think I will get some fish oil, because I can't eat fish everyday, lol.
The enzymes you (may) lack might not be in the digestive tract, but in the liver. I don't know how testable they are, though, because I don't think they're the ones on a liver enzyme panel. Taking extra digestive enzymes probably wouldn't hurt, though.
If you feel like you're having heart palpitations, ask about a Holter monitor. You carry around a portable EKG machine for a few days while it takes continuous readings. It would probably be helpful to write down the exact times when you feel like you're having heart palpitations, and they can look for anything abnormal. If you get them really often, then a regular EKG might do it, which would be easier.
Most tablets are cuttable, the exception being anything labeled as extended or sustained release. These usually have a warning telling you not to cut them in the info sheet. You should still ask a pharmacist first, but you can likely use that to help taper to avoid withdrawal symptoms. A compounding pharmacy might also be able to make a lower dose pill special for you (you'll probably need a prescription from your doctor).
I sometimes get a thing where my heart skips a beat, and takes a few really slow beats afterward before going back to normal. If this is what's happening, it's probably harmless. I noticed that too much caffeine increases it though. If you drink a lot of caffeine, try cutting back for a while and see if that helps. Just don't go cold turkey, because you might get really nasty headaches and other unpleasant side effects.
If you feel like you're having heart palpitations, ask about a Holter monitor. You carry around a portable EKG machine for a few days while it takes continuous readings. It would probably be helpful to write down the exact times when you feel like you're having heart palpitations, and they can look for anything abnormal. If you get them really often, then a regular EKG might do it, which would be easier.
Most tablets are cuttable, the exception being anything labeled as extended or sustained release. These usually have a warning telling you not to cut them in the info sheet. You should still ask a pharmacist first, but you can likely use that to help taper to avoid withdrawal symptoms. A compounding pharmacy might also be able to make a lower dose pill special for you (you'll probably need a prescription from your doctor).
I sometimes get a thing where my heart skips a beat, and takes a few really slow beats afterward before going back to normal. If this is what's happening, it's probably harmless. I noticed that too much caffeine increases it though. If you drink a lot of caffeine, try cutting back for a while and see if that helps. Just don't go cold turkey, because you might get really nasty headaches and other unpleasant side effects.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Bipolar Disorder Community
15 signs that it’s more than just the blues
Discover the common symptoms of and treatment options for depression.
We've got five strategies to foster happiness in your everyday life.
Don’t let the winter chill send your smile into deep hibernation. Try these 10 mood-boosting tips to get your happy back
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
