way too many meds

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soaringwings
April 9, 2014 - 6:50 pm
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soaringwings
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Joined: 04-09-2014
omgosh was in the hospital in february and boy did they change my meds around. went in depressed, insurance cut and came out manic. more med changes and wound up on lithium, lamictal er, seroquel, viibryd, as well as my prazosin which i have had for sleep for my ptsd for several years and some klonopin here and there. feels like over kill. but no one including my psychiatrist who i really like is willing to consider changing anything for several months. in the meantime these meds are costing me an arm and a leg. anyone have any experience with this many meds? Am i being over dramatic?


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soaringwings
soaringwings
April 9, 2014 - 6:50 pm
omgosh was in the hospital in february and boy did they change my meds around. went in depressed, insurance cut and came out manic. more med changes and wound up on lithium, lamictal er, seroquel, viibryd, as well as my prazosin which i have had for sleep for my ptsd for several years and some klonopin here and there. feels like over kill. but no one including my psychiatrist who i really like is willing to consider changing anything for several months. in the meantime these meds are costing me an arm and a leg. anyone have any experience with this many meds? Am i being over dramatic?


Lively1
April 9, 2014 - 10:10 pm
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Lively1
Total Posts: 342
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I just went to a community information session Tuesday night about bipolar. It was given by a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. He talked a lot about meds especially when someone is manic. And actually having that mmany is kind of common. The reason they don't want to change any medicines is because the combo worked for you and sometimes it can take years to find the right combo. Its going on 4 years for me and we still don't have the right combo for me.

You might be able to talk them into not needing the prozasin for sleep as seroquel in the right dose will knock you out. I haven't heard of viibryd and I couldn't find it in my PDR on prescription drugs. Is it a new drug maybe? If so did they tell you what category its in? Like antipsychotic or antidepressant?

I would explain how much they cost to my pdoc and tell him/her how much you can afford to pay. Maybe there's a financial management service offered through your healthcare provider where they will pay for your prescriptions for a while. The one I have gave me 3months of free Rxs. Another forum member has said that going to the pharmaceutical company's website often you can get coupons for them.

I hope you can get some help with your Rxs.


Elie

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Prov 3:5-6
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Lively1
Lively1
April 9, 2014 - 10:10 pm
I just went to a community information session Tuesday night about bipolar. It was given by a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. He talked a lot about meds especially when someone is manic. And actually having that mmany is kind of common. The reason they don't want to change any medicines is because the combo worked for you and sometimes it can take years to find the right combo. Its going on 4 years for me and we still don't have the right combo for me.

You might be able to talk them into not needing the prozasin for sleep as seroquel in the right dose will knock you out. I haven't heard of viibryd and I couldn't find it in my PDR on prescription drugs. Is it a new drug maybe? If so did they tell you what category its in? Like antipsychotic or antidepressant?

I would explain how much they cost to my pdoc and tell him/her how much you can afford to pay. Maybe there's a financial management service offered through your healthcare provider where they will pay for your prescriptions for a while. The one I have gave me 3months of free Rxs. Another forum member has said that going to the pharmaceutical company's website often you can get coupons for them.

I hope you can get some help with your Rxs.


Elie

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Prov 3:5-6
bluedragon76
April 9, 2014 - 11:33 pm
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bluedragon76
Total Posts: 658
Joined: 10-21-2012
I agree with Cooke I think its common. I'm on Lamictal, Topamax, Wellbutrin, Seroquel and then tranxene as needed. Its what is working most of the time for me. Every few months or so I will have a mixed episode that breaks thru. Its sucks but so does Bipolar. My pdoc is considering changing me to Latuda from Seroquel to see if we can stop the breakthrus, but I think that sometimes you end up living with things.


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bluedragon76
bluedragon76
April 9, 2014 - 11:33 pm
I agree with Cooke I think its common. I'm on Lamictal, Topamax, Wellbutrin, Seroquel and then tranxene as needed. Its what is working most of the time for me. Every few months or so I will have a mixed episode that breaks thru. Its sucks but so does Bipolar. My pdoc is considering changing me to Latuda from Seroquel to see if we can stop the breakthrus, but I think that sometimes you end up living with things.


artista
April 10, 2014 - 10:55 am
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artista
Total Posts: 868
Joined: 06-12-2011
Sounds like a lot, but I would stick with what works for now. I wish I would not have given up Prazosin as Seroquel does not help for nightmares.


A neurotic is a man who builds a castle in the air. A psychotic is the man who lives in it. A psychiatrist is the man who collects the rent.
- Jerome Lawrence
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artista
artista
April 10, 2014 - 10:55 am
Sounds like a lot, but I would stick with what works for now. I wish I would not have given up Prazosin as Seroquel does not help for nightmares.


A neurotic is a man who builds a castle in the air. A psychotic is the man who lives in it. A psychiatrist is the man who collects the rent.
- Jerome Lawrence
JustmeJ
April 10, 2014 - 11:52 am
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JustmeJ
Total Posts: 329
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I can't even remember everything that I have been on together but at one point was taking like 12 pills a day. Lithium has always been my constant.
There was some trial and error in there. It is a necessary process though. I have been debating a lot lately about what is good enough. Is where I am at as good as it gets?
My pharmacy actually has its own plan to help pay for prescriptions. I don't know anything about it really other than they pulled some strings and put my dogs medicine through on it, saving me some serious money (heart meds). Might be worth checking into.


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JustmeJ
JustmeJ
April 10, 2014 - 11:52 am
I can't even remember everything that I have been on together but at one point was taking like 12 pills a day. Lithium has always been my constant.
There was some trial and error in there. It is a necessary process though. I have been debating a lot lately about what is good enough. Is where I am at as good as it gets?
My pharmacy actually has its own plan to help pay for prescriptions. I don't know anything about it really other than they pulled some strings and put my dogs medicine through on it, saving me some serious money (heart meds). Might be worth checking into.


artista
April 11, 2014 - 5:35 am
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artista
Total Posts: 868
Joined: 06-12-2011
Check out goodrx.com. From that site you can see the prices for your meds at many different pharmacies in your area. Prices can vary quite a lot so it pays to shop. Walmart seems to always be the low price leader in my area. Anyway, there are discount coupons that pharmacists must honor available on that site.


A neurotic is a man who builds a castle in the air. A psychotic is the man who lives in it. A psychiatrist is the man who collects the rent.
- Jerome Lawrence
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artista
artista
April 11, 2014 - 5:35 am
Check out goodrx.com. From that site you can see the prices for your meds at many different pharmacies in your area. Prices can vary quite a lot so it pays to shop. Walmart seems to always be the low price leader in my area. Anyway, there are discount coupons that pharmacists must honor available on that site.


A neurotic is a man who builds a castle in the air. A psychotic is the man who lives in it. A psychiatrist is the man who collects the rent.
- Jerome Lawrence
BirdDancer
April 11, 2014 - 8:35 am
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BirdDancer
Total Posts: 530
Joined: 03-22-2011
My mix is very large: Lithium ER (900 mg), Tegretol XR (1400 mg), Lamictal (100 mg), Geodon (160 mg), Navane (3 mg), Seroquel XR (50 mg), and Klonopin (.5 mg). I also take Ativan (1 mg) "as needed", but that is usually only a few times per week.

People on other forums have sent me PMs telling me I'm on too much. That my mix is ridiculous, etc., etc. That pisses me off because they haven't walked in my shoes. My mix happens to be side effect friendly AND reasonably priced with insurance (although I would be willing to pay a lot for meds if it meant stability). I am stable and have been for most of 3 years now. My current mix was started after 10 hospitalizations. It grew because symptoms came back. They often do in bipolar disorder. I'm at a stage where my meds are being reduced (Navane). I used to be on 10 mg, now I'm on 3 mg, with the intent of possibly eliminating it. I used to be on 150 mg of Seroquel XR and now I'm on 50 mg, although I believe that will stick around.

Taking a lot of pills is a hassle. I take my bipolar pills 3 times per day, and a lot of pills in 2 of the pill boxes (like 9 each, the third 3). I got used to it, though, and now I am just grateful for what my mix can do.

I've been on about 25 bipolar medications (that doesn't include ADs) over the last 7.5 years. Some made me worse, some gave me severe side effects (and believe me that I'm pretty tolerant). Why on earth would I try another med or revisit an old med just so that my pill boxes were emptier?


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BirdDancer
BirdDancer
April 11, 2014 - 8:35 am
My mix is very large: Lithium ER (900 mg), Tegretol XR (1400 mg), Lamictal (100 mg), Geodon (160 mg), Navane (3 mg), Seroquel XR (50 mg), and Klonopin (.5 mg). I also take Ativan (1 mg) "as needed", but that is usually only a few times per week.

People on other forums have sent me PMs telling me I'm on too much. That my mix is ridiculous, etc., etc. That pisses me off because they haven't walked in my shoes. My mix happens to be side effect friendly AND reasonably priced with insurance (although I would be willing to pay a lot for meds if it meant stability). I am stable and have been for most of 3 years now. My current mix was started after 10 hospitalizations. It grew because symptoms came back. They often do in bipolar disorder. I'm at a stage where my meds are being reduced (Navane). I used to be on 10 mg, now I'm on 3 mg, with the intent of possibly eliminating it. I used to be on 150 mg of Seroquel XR and now I'm on 50 mg, although I believe that will stick around.

Taking a lot of pills is a hassle. I take my bipolar pills 3 times per day, and a lot of pills in 2 of the pill boxes (like 9 each, the third 3). I got used to it, though, and now I am just grateful for what my mix can do.

I've been on about 25 bipolar medications (that doesn't include ADs) over the last 7.5 years. Some made me worse, some gave me severe side effects (and believe me that I'm pretty tolerant). Why on earth would I try another med or revisit an old med just so that my pill boxes were emptier?


ICU812
April 19, 2014 - 12:41 am
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ICU812
Total Posts: 119
Joined: 09-28-2009
Yes, I've heard that polypharmacy - that's what they call it, is quite common with bipolar and accepted as the status quo, because one drug just doesn't do the job as well as many.
I dislike it, but it works and I figure I'm on a lot less than many others. If it works stick at it. Everyone is different too. What works for one person, may not help another. And everyone reacts differently to different drugs.

For lots of medications you can get a thing called a webster pack where the pharmacy do all the hard work for you and have your meds lined up ready to take Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and bedtime. Here it is free and you get refills each time take it in each week. Very handy if you have heaps of meds.

Hope something works out for you.

Cheers Sam



Current medications as of 04-19-2014
05-18-2010 - Present: Lithium, 750mg . 250mg pm and 500mg am
11-15-2010 - Present: Tegretol, 800mg. 400mg pm, 400mg am
01-11-2012 - Present: Seroquel XR, 800 XR. night
01-24-2013 - Present: Thyroxine, 200 mcg. in morning 200mg
04-17-2013 - Present: Seroquel, 100mg. as required

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ICU812
ICU812
April 19, 2014 - 12:41 am
Yes, I've heard that polypharmacy - that's what they call it, is quite common with bipolar and accepted as the status quo, because one drug just doesn't do the job as well as many.
I dislike it, but it works and I figure I'm on a lot less than many others. If it works stick at it. Everyone is different too. What works for one person, may not help another. And everyone reacts differently to different drugs.

For lots of medications you can get a thing called a webster pack where the pharmacy do all the hard work for you and have your meds lined up ready to take Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and bedtime. Here it is free and you get refills each time take it in each week. Very handy if you have heaps of meds.

Hope something works out for you.

Cheers Sam



Current medications as of 04-19-2014
05-18-2010 - Present: Lithium, 750mg . 250mg pm and 500mg am
11-15-2010 - Present: Tegretol, 800mg. 400mg pm, 400mg am
01-11-2012 - Present: Seroquel XR, 800 XR. night
01-24-2013 - Present: Thyroxine, 200 mcg. in morning 200mg
04-17-2013 - Present: Seroquel, 100mg. as required

Lively1
April 19, 2014 - 11:04 pm
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Lively1
Total Posts: 342
Joined: 11-02-2011
Thanks Sam. That's good to know. I fill my meds up 28 days at a time. I have 4 weekly packs I use. 2 of them have daily pull outs for am & pm. So my husband is only giving me 1days worth of meds at a time so I don't OD. Which is my plan when I am suicidal.

This just happened too. I finally told him about the meds I had hidden in my purse for anxiety. So now I don't have a backup plan either. I really do not want to die. I've always checked myself in to inpatient. My husband almost did it this time. I convinced him to wait since he was going to be home with me for 3 days. He said if he is still worried by tomorrow he will do it. I did good yesterday and I spent too much $ today but otherwise ok. And usually when I'm manic I'm very aggressive. Which did happen this time as well as in January.

Anyways all my meds are in a locked safe and guns are in a gun safe. My husband has access to both I don't.

The 1 day pill things I found at Walmart. Its only for am and pm, not for am, noon, evening, and bedtime. Those ones are hard to find.


Elie

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Prov 3:5-6
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Lively1
Lively1
April 19, 2014 - 11:04 pm
Thanks Sam. That's good to know. I fill my meds up 28 days at a time. I have 4 weekly packs I use. 2 of them have daily pull outs for am & pm. So my husband is only giving me 1days worth of meds at a time so I don't OD. Which is my plan when I am suicidal.

This just happened too. I finally told him about the meds I had hidden in my purse for anxiety. So now I don't have a backup plan either. I really do not want to die. I've always checked myself in to inpatient. My husband almost did it this time. I convinced him to wait since he was going to be home with me for 3 days. He said if he is still worried by tomorrow he will do it. I did good yesterday and I spent too much $ today but otherwise ok. And usually when I'm manic I'm very aggressive. Which did happen this time as well as in January.

Anyways all my meds are in a locked safe and guns are in a gun safe. My husband has access to both I don't.

The 1 day pill things I found at Walmart. Its only for am and pm, not for am, noon, evening, and bedtime. Those ones are hard to find.


Elie

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Prov 3:5-6
ICU812
April 20, 2014 - 2:35 am
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ICU812
Total Posts: 119
Joined: 09-28-2009
I had smile a little. I actually get aggressive and highly irritable when I am manic too. Fortunately depression is a rare visitor now and I am very happy with that. I still get triggers for CPTSD but that I am learning to cope with slowly.

Holy cow - Guns! They are illegal here. If you own a gun, your a criminal and can get yourself into serious trouble. Often farmers will have rifle, but you can get a licence for them, because they might need to shoot roos, wild boars, foxes and other nuisance animals on a farming property. But you have different laws to us. Guns could be serious trouble if you are suicidal!


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ICU812
ICU812
April 20, 2014 - 2:35 am
I had smile a little. I actually get aggressive and highly irritable when I am manic too. Fortunately depression is a rare visitor now and I am very happy with that. I still get triggers for CPTSD but that I am learning to cope with slowly.

Holy cow - Guns! They are illegal here. If you own a gun, your a criminal and can get yourself into serious trouble. Often farmers will have rifle, but you can get a licence for them, because they might need to shoot roos, wild boars, foxes and other nuisance animals on a farming property. But you have different laws to us. Guns could be serious trouble if you are suicidal!


Lively1
April 20, 2014 - 4:04 pm
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Lively1
Total Posts: 342
Joined: 11-02-2011
Sam,
If you live in the US all the areas that have made owning guns illegal did not do themselves any favors. Research has shown an increase in shootings as all the criminals have them and they know no one else does and they take advantage of it. My husband has killed 2 coyotes and 2 possums and 1 raccoon in the last month alone. We live out on 5 acres and everyone around us has 5-20 acres. So we do need rifles. We have a gun safe so its ok.


Elie

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Prov 3:5-6
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Lively1
Lively1
April 20, 2014 - 4:04 pm
Sam,
If you live in the US all the areas that have made owning guns illegal did not do themselves any favors. Research has shown an increase in shootings as all the criminals have them and they know no one else does and they take advantage of it. My husband has killed 2 coyotes and 2 possums and 1 raccoon in the last month alone. We live out on 5 acres and everyone around us has 5-20 acres. So we do need rifles. We have a gun safe so its ok.


Elie

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Prov 3:5-6

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