mixing meds

[xany9011]

I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder with PTSD and I was put on xanax 1mg to take 2 1/2 a day. I was experiencing mainly what my psychiatrist called mania where I would be ridiculously irritable and nervous/shaky. While the xanax took care of most of this, at times I still experience a very bad mood and have anger problems, where I fly off the handle at things that wouldn't bother most people to that extreme. I've reported this to my doctor and now he has prescribed topamax (i also have migraines), abilify, and tanazapam (probs sleeping). This seems like a lot to me and I'm wondering if I should take all this at once. I want to trust my doctor but I'm a little bit scared to take all this medication. Oh and I also take lortabs 5 mg when my migraines won't let up. So does anyone know is this going to interact? I don't need anymore health probs or suffer a seizure or stroke from mixing meds.

[xany9011]

Well sorry been gone awhile, thanks for all the comments. I had an allergic reaction to the topamax so that ended that haha. It caused a red rash all over my body, my throat closed up and I had several panic attacks on it; thought I was having a heart attack. Anyhow, needless to say, they took me off of that med and now I'm just taking the xanax 1mg which works great maybe a little too great if you know what I mean but I'm being careful with it cause I know it is very addictive. So far I'm only taking 2 1/2 a day. The abilify I'm really scared of and haven't started cause I've had really bad experiences with antidepressants. The temazepam aka Restoril I also didn't start cause of the allergic reaction to the other med. Has anyone taken Restoril? It has all these sleep walking and sleep driving warnings on it and I'm famous for sleep walking so scared of that one as well...

[twinkleblazzer]

My doc wouldn't give me xanax if I begged for it. Or maybe the begging is why he won't give it to me...he he he.....a little manic here...wish I had xanax....

[billgonz1]

I take meds. for bipolar, cronic pain , and Hiv , with a bleeding disorder . I have a PDoc in same office as my GDoc . So they co-treat me ! I just do what they tell me . I have to start viral cemo for Hep c . In next year or so . I just ask alot what they are doing . And why, to settle my nerves . Very few strong drugs do not have side effects . Make sure you eat . A lot of pills on a dry stomic can cause pain . Good luck !

[LeftCoastChick]

I used to get wicked migraines when I was taking SSRI/SNRI's and the surrounding family of those drugs.  As soon as I was off Cymbalta and onto Lamictal, my migraines have dropped down to 3 or so a month, which are hormonally induced.My doc realized  that I was getting cluster headaches, which can be confused with migraines, and there isn't a great treatment for them. grrrr..  I want to go on the Topomax as well, but my pdoc said it may trigger my hypomania since I had a really bad reaction to Depakote. But I've gone from 2-3 migraines a week to 3 a month, I can deal with that. Give the Topomax and the cocktail of drugs a chance. It's pretty normal to be on a few for BP, we are all so different, and our brains are so sensitive - sometimes more is needed.
I'm on Lamictal, Seroquel, just got put on Wellbutrin(2 weeks not and so far no change, but it can take 6 weeks) , Trazadone and Ativan 2mgs/night

[gritt2008]

I take a pile of meds as well and soon to be adding more once my Depakote levels are stable.  I know it *****....especially when you consider for life on most meds but the alternative is worse.....I have been feeling down about all the meds too lately but I know that it is for the best.  Consider all the people that are important to you and how much better you will be for them.