meds take the zest of life

[Pen50]

My son who has been diagnosed as bipolar 3 yrs ago at age 29 is on 100 mg Lamictal and 3 mg of Rispedal. Is otherwise symptom free and functioning at a high level (prestigious work & economically) but in spite of his young age and great looks/gifts he seems to have lost the zest and wonderment for life.
Background: he had a perfectly smooth and healthy life up till when 3 yrs ago he decided to take diet pills and then a fresh graduate Dr. of Osteopathy just handed him packs of Lexapro. The combination of the two + coke & fast food + heavy work load caused him to rev and unable to sleep. The doctors said more than likely the combination of diet pills + unwarranted antidepressants were the culprit.
What do you think he should do? Seek any changes to the meds?
Thanks so much      

[Kande]

Hello, And I should say "Welcome". I want you to know I agree with you completely. The medication seem so innocent dosen't it? The pills sneek right up on you. I can't give you any advise...just my greastest desire. I want your son to give up the pills! There are many people that believe a few pills for a short time can't hurt anything. Oh how they are fooled! I have never seen an addict start with a handful of pills...no just 1 then 2 and so on and on. What they don't realize is if they didn't have the strength at the begining to stay away from the pills, how will they give them up when they now believe they are the answer to the problem? And they now are numb to their feelings so it just feels to good to leave never, never land. A zombie has just been born! Then the self esteem is gone...and so on and on. If people could see ahead of time what they are headed for they would NEVER touch the stuff. Keep giving him your support and gently help him see what the medication is doing to him. A mothers love is gold! Oh and I want you to know that I don't think your son is an addict...just an innocent man who has been given bad advise. Sending you hugs.  Kande

[Penguin_Buddha]

To pill or not to pill, that is the question.  I take meds but am questioning it.  Drop the diet pills, period.  Diet pills are not needed, though I see why someone with depression (like myself) would find them useful.  Your son needs a work-out buddy, someone to go to the gym or just jog with often.  Eat relatively health (3 normal-sized meals and 1 desert a day)  He will get in shape.  So drop the diet pills.  If you don't trust the diagnosis of the first doctor, see another, more experienced.  If he is still considered bi-polar than I would probably keep him on whatever meds they are giving him, as bi-polar is a serious mental condition.  The right meds should do the trick, but one can never know.  Thats my 2 cents.